A few weeks ago, I was messing around with PTI's retro borders. My success in using these lines for musical notes had me giddy, so I thought why not use it to make a grid...didn't Nichole Heady do something like that? Delusions of grandure afflict me periodically with the misguided notion I know what I'm doing.
Anyway, I had a scrap of white cs (smaller than the one here), stamped a line, turned the scrap, stamped another line, then turned it again and saw...drum roll, please...a cross. The grid idea slipped away as I obsessed on how to make an inspirational card for my dear friend Liz, who recently had surgery.
I hit many evolutionary dead ends with this idea. The sentiment was too close to the cross, too far away, too big, too small, stamped imperfectly...you get the picture. With clean and simple cards, there are so few elements that each one must absolutely be perfect or the imperfection is all you see. There is NO PLACE TO HIDE!
About ten cardstock pieces ended up in the recycle bin before I had this beauty. My evening prayers were extra long asking for forgiveness for all the swearing I did while making it.
Lately, in my gallery at SCS, people have left comments about how "easy" I make clean-and-simple look. EASY?!!?? Nuh-uh. Like many other stampers, I love a challenge and am both bull-dog determined and stubbornly obsessive. For some reason that doesn't bear close examination, I HAVE FUN doing this, even when I'm swearing like a sailor in frustration.
Artistic evolution is not easy, but in the end, it's worth it.
Right?
Supplies
stamps: SU Refuge and Strength, PTI Retro Borders
cardstock: PTI white
ink: Palette noir
accessories: dimensionals
Tee hee :o) absolutely great results, really beautiful card. Well done.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Love it! BTW - I just heard on the radio news that swearing (but only with emotion) is actually good for you - I guess without the emotion, it's just bad words! LOL!
ReplyDeleteWonderful card, Susan!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about simple is difficult...and that a lot goes in the trash. oh well...it's just paper, right?
Yes, Diane, it's only paper! I say that out loud...a lot!
ReplyDeleteSusan, you do make it look easy! I know the truth--lots of blood, sweat, tears, and swearing go into it sometimes! ;)
ReplyDeleteI like your final placement of the grid. What a great observation about CAS not leaving any room for error. So true!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Though I must say that my first thought was that it looks like the one chart at the eye dr's, lol!
ReplyDeleteWOW! ... and WOW!!
ReplyDeleteThat is elegant ... simple ... and Simply Stunning!
I am in awe of your talent :D (and I love your style)
A new fan,
aly
You are so right about "no place to hide", and this is perfection!!
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again .... this card is awesome and you are so right there certainly is 'no place to hide' with CAS this 'open'.
ReplyDeleteIt gladdens my heart to know that, you who's talent I admire from afar and drool with anticipation when I see 'Simplicity' in my inbox, also on occassions fills the recycle bin ......
BTW I heard that swearing in the name of art doesn't count ;-)
As aways TFS
I love how your mind works!!
ReplyDelete