Tuesday, December 15, 2009

CAS45 Variations on a Theme

Recently, I've seen lots of cards with lots of buttons, on blogs and in SCS's gallery and in magazines. Buttons annoy me. They are lumpy, bumpy, and hard to mail. On the other hand, they are a fantastic way to kick a clean and simple card design from boring to beautiful. Plus, I have a ton of PTI's vintage buttons sitting, largely unused, in my craft room.

As soon as I saw the CAS challenge Sunday night, I knew I needed to do something with buttons.


The sentiment is from a Hero Arts clear set called Friendship Messages. I curved it on the acrylic block, stamped it in Palette dark chocolate, and attached the buttons with glue dots after tying the floss knots on each one.

Can you just imagine mailing this thing? Bubble envelope for sure. I plan on giving it to a real-life friend. One who lives down the street. One I can HAND IT TO!

But it makes me happy anyway. Who says we have to be pracical all the time? Not me.

After applying the final button, I wondered if I could make a totally flat, practical version of the same card that would be as satisfying.


Not quite as satisfying as the button version, but infinitely more practical for mailing. I used SU's Little Pieces, a stamp positioner, and VersaMagic's sea breeze ink. The little dots of Stickles kick it up a notch without adding bulk.

Practical can be nice, too!

23 comments:

  1. I love the variation of the theme!

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  2. Very, very cute! I love the button one, but the stamped one is just as cute. I am with you on the mailing of button cards. I LOVE buttons, but they are a pain to mail. Plus my SIL has a button phobia--she HATES buttons, so that makes me want to send her a card with buttons all the more---why is that? (I don't though, I am a nice SIL!!) I love the colors, too, and the fact that you could curve that stamp to make it fit. You are so clever!

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  3. Lovin' the second card... big time!

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  4. love them both! I don't mind mailing bumpy cards -- makes it more exciting for the recipient!! And if you are not using those PTI buttons...I'd be happy to take them off your hands...not that I'd actually use them, I'd just hoard them, like the ones I own!! I have 3 packages and have only used 1 so far!! LOL!!!!

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  5. boy did I break out into a big smile when I scrolled down and saw the 2nd card...I LOVE IT and yippee have that set!!!!
    blessings
    patti

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  6. I actually prefer the second one. I always find buttons too heavy or 'sewy' (which I most definitely AM NOT!) or something. Thanks for showing us the variation - it would never have occurred to me to try it without buttons. Great colour combo, too!

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  7. I love the look of buttons but they seem to intimidate me - this card is great!!! Monochromatic and tied (I hate "nekkid" buttons), these buttons remind me of an ocean wave - Beautiful~~

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  8. Love this button curve, what a great idea!

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  9. I love both cards. The buttons are gorgeous, but the Little Pieces card is practical. Two great choices. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I love both of these! AND, I have that SU set. And some PTI buttons. So maybe I can do a double case in some way or another.

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  11. I actually like the second version better, too. It doesn't seem as "bottom-heavy." And, thanks for giving me an idea for Little Pieces, a set that's languished way in the back of my stamp closet for a long, long time!

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  12. Both are super. Not even sure which I like better. Great layout. Love the texture of the buttons and bling. The color is great

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  13. I'm not a button person myself... but your second card is awesome!

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  14. Both of your cards are beautifully CAS, but what I really love is the bending of that sentiment....what a great idea!! Maybe I've been living under a rock, but that is a new trick for me! Thanks! You rock! :)

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  15. They're both nice cards but I love the 2nd one. I enjoy putting buttons on cards sometimes, but I don't do the threads/knots -- I get aggravated trying to get it through the small holes (LOL). I also think I like the second because they're all the same size. Great job.

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  16. I love the buttons, but they are too bulky to mail. I've had to pay extra postage for bumpy cards, so I'm always trying to come up with "flat" ideas that are still fun. For hand-carried cards, it's a good time to go all out. Love the curves on this one, too!

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  17. Love the bulky version, but the 'easiliy mailed' one is noce too.

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  18. Love the perfect curve most of all! Do you use those French Curve templates I've seen in stationery stores?

    The 2nd card is by far my favorite. But I'm a huge fan of Stickles when they're done the way you did them, so they look as perfect as if they were a gem you put in exactly the right spots.

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  19. Both cards are outstanding. I'm a big fan of buttons, but i"m loving the little bits card.. I have the set -- still unused -- thanks for the inspiration.

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  20. I love them both, but I think I prefer the button one. I love using buttons, but they are a pain to mail. I have that SU set too and I don't think I have used it yet, thanks for the inspiration!:)

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  21. I like both versions, though the button one is more fun!

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  22. While I think both are beautiful cards the buttons do it for me. I love buttons but find it really hard to part with them!!!
    Great interpretation of the CAS challenge.
    TFS

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  23. I love your blog. These cards are so beautiful.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!