There are a few things I think you'll notice on almost every card I create and they are *in no particular order* Ribbon, Brads, Bling, and scallops. Those are my no kidding GOTTA HAVE EM's! Even my husband has commented on this. I showed him a couple cards I made and he says "Babe, they all have the same stuff on them, you need to change it up" BWAHAHAHA! What a guy, he just doesn't know!
So, those are the things I need on most cards. How do I start? Well, my process isn't much unlike what you've seen so far! I LOVE me some challenges, so most likely I start out by looking at the SCS daily challenges or surf some of my favorite challenge blogs (Mojo Monday, CPS, 2sketches4you, etc). I am not one of those super awesome stampers that sees a challenge and tackles it, I only tackle the ones that truly inspire me, otherwise it feels like a job, kwim?
If you know me at all, you know that I LOVE sketches! However, I almost always make my cards first and then create a sketch from the layout of my cards. That's how most of my sketches come to be, but not all:)
Once I choose a challenge or decide what kind of card I'm going to make, I'll choose a stamp set. The layout of my cards depends completely on the stamp set I choose.
To come up with an original layout, I take scraps of cardstock and just layer them on the card base. I keep moving stuff around until it all falls into place, literally, lol!
Once I know my layout, I'll decide on papers. I choose a piece of patterned paper first and then pick colors that coordinate; however, for this card I created here, there is no dp! Sometimes I'm in the mood to create my own, or just use solid colored cardstock instead of patterned paper. For this card, I stamped the long border stamp from Kindred Spirits in Rich Cocoa ink (by Momento). I knew that was what I wanted for my base. After that, I just played around with my papers until I had something I liked. I almost always add scallops to my cards, as I mentioned before, but for this card I used my Fleur de lis punch by EK Success. The last thing I do is to add last minute details/embellishments. The row of three rhinestones is something I do ALOT! I read that "Rule of Threes" article on a website once and it stuck. An even number number of embellishments doesn't sit right with me so I always have three. Hey, it's a RULE! I'm an Air Force girl, Rules are my life! LMBO! The little button on the bow, the cuttlebug corner die, and the stickles glitter are just a few of the last minute details I added on this card. I don't have any secret to how I choose embellies, it just has to feel right, and not overdone. And once I've added these details, I'm all done!
See, I told ya it's no earth-shattering secret, lol! It just is what it is:)
Wanna play along with us? We'd love it if you did! Just make a project or card that shows us your Divine Details. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we love to see 'em! Then just add a link to your creation to the Mr. Linky form on the Project Parade Day 1 post before 8PM Mountain on Saturday, August 1. Two lucky participants will win a stamp set of their choice from the Verve Store. We've also hidden another $25 gift certificate somewhere along the parade for a random commenter. So if you like what you see, be sure and give a little shout out in the comments of each post! Have fun and good luck!
Card Recipe:
Stamps-Kindred Spirits (Verve)
Paper-Rustic Cream, Scarlet Jewel (PTI), Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Ink-Scarlet Jewel (PTI), Rich Cocoa (Momento)
Accessories-Fleur de lis punch (EK Success), Rhinestones (unk), Cuttlebug Vintage Corner die, swiss dots folder (Provocraft), Scarlett Jewel button, ribbon (PTI), Stickles (Ranger)
