Thursday, January 21, 2010

More Off-The-Edge Stamping, with a Second Layer

I've used my stash of sympathy cards in the last week, so I need to resupply it. These are hard enough to make without having to make them fast, as I did with yesterday's card. So I have made a few more.

SU's Thoughts and Prayers set is beautiful, and after making several cards with the whole tree, I decided to try something a little different. I stamped just the leafy top of the tree on one edge of a square panel.



The finished card is a 4.25-inch square. Accenting the branches with pearls flowed naturally after yesterday's card, and I think it works nicely here, too.

What do you think?

Supplies
stamps: Thoughts and Prayers (SU); Mega Mixed Messages (PTI)
ink: VersaMagic tea leaves, VersaColor brown
paper: PTI white
accessories: dimensionals, half pearls

48 comments:

jaki said...

I think this is gorgeous, makes me want to own that stamp...and it hasn't appealed to me in the slightest until seeing this card!!!

LeAnne said...

Gorgeous! What a clever idea, to use this stamp in this manner. You are a genius.

patti moffett said...

Funny thing...I looked at the image and got dizzy because you said it was sideways!!! My mind was trying to set it upright...I have this set and never thought of using it like this and love the card so I sat and stared until it didn't bother me anymore...just used the stamp and no adverse reaction!!!!
blessed day to you
patti

IrishGirl said...

This is a great idea and a beautiful card.

Susie said...

Beautiful card. Must CASE. Love stamping off the edge.

Erin K said...

Ohmyheck this is outstanding. You make the BEST CAS cards truly.

Lynette said...

That is such a fabulous stamp, and I love the way you used it for this card. What an awesome idea!

Ann said...

You are BRILLIANT! Love how you used that stamp...I will CASE this one for sure!

Chris Simon said...

You are a genius! I'm totally going to copy this one. I had to create a special group in Google reader for you and a select few other bloggers, right up at the top of my list, so that I always see when you post new things, even though my total unread count will forever be 1000+.

Donelda said...

I love when you put a white panel on a white card ... I consider it your signature style!!! Why don't I ever try it??!! Lovely with the pearls but would be just as beautiful without!

Pat (mspfd) said...

This is a beauty! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!

KTluv said...

Oh my word! You are oh so clever. At first glance, my first thought was "There she goes again with another gorgeous stamp that I own nothing like!" I love your cards and ideas but do not have many of the stamps that you use even though after seeing them, I love them. Then as I read on, you could have knocked me over with a feather! That set is one of my favorite SU sets and yes, I do own it! LOL I will be casing this one for sure!!!

Nicole P. said...

Gorgeous card, as always. How do you mail something like this, with the 3D pearls? Do you put a piece of cardboard inside the envelope?

Cindy H. said...

Susan, this is soooo lovely!

Sharon D said...

This is beautiful, and you are so amazingly creative to think of using the stamp this way!

I like that the extra layer enables the card to be bigger even with a smaller stamp. I often want my cards to be bigger than A2 (because that is what my nonstamping recipients expect), but not many stamps are sized for larger cards that are also CAS (i.e., not collages and filled). This is perfect! Still CAS, so it makes my soul sing.

Susan Raihala said...

Nicole P.,

I place clear shipping tape over the back of the envelope where the pearls are. It isn't too ugly, and it keeps the pearls from poking through the paper of the envelope and getting damaged.

Susan

Juanita said...

That is such a fresh take on that tree. It looks calm and soothing. Nice work.

Harriet Skelly said...

I think this is genius! It is absolutely gorgeous and calming for a sympathy card!

Barbara L. said...

The best! Beautiful. Perfect.

Jenkins Family said...

GREAT card....I love it when others do something so out of the ordinary....GREAT job!!!

TrishG said...

This is really pretty. What a creative use of the stamp set. Lovely CAS and I like the pearl bling. Love the popped up panel too.

Michelle Joy Wecksler said...

This is just gorgeous!!!!! Love the addition of the pearls. It's amazing how something so beautiful can come out of situations that are so difficult. I'm sure this card will be a comfort to whoever receives it. TFS!!!!

Dallas said...

Simply and elegant if those words can be used for a card for such an occasion/need.

Your creativity and ingenuity are inspiring!!

Shirley N said...

I'm amazed with what you come up with. That is a beautiful new take on that stamp. Love your card!

Deb Neerman said...

Beautiful and very elegant. What a great use for this lovely stamp! TFS!

Kay said...

Beautiful card! Love the softness of the pearls, and the way you used a stamp in a different way. I have this set, and will definitely be CASEing.

CRYSTAL said...

Oh my goodness!! I had *never* thought to use only a portion of this stamp! You, my lady, are a creative genious! :) tfs

Rose Ann said...

Pure gorgeousness, Susan!! I love the image and pearls!!

mary said...

fabulous...is what i think!

Pam S said...

Genius! I've never thought of using part of that stamp only. It's such a beautiful card.

Amy said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! How do you keep topping yourself?

Joan B said...

this is great. I love the way the smaller panel makes the sentiment seem so much larger. Great job!

judy said...

Absolutely beautiful! I love the
partial tree image stamped in the
corner. The card has a very peaceful
feel to it-- perfect for a sympathy
card.

Doris said...

That is so clever--and beautiful, too!

Barbara said...

AWESOME!!!! Honestly copy worthy ;-)

GirlGeek101 said...

This one is my favorite so far. It's stunningly beautiful. Side note: You are really helping me....I create and store all kinds of cards EXCEPT sympathy....I think I was worried about jinxing myself. Thanks for showing up how silly I can be!

Rebecca said...

Gorgeous. I just love it. I'm almost speechless :)

Anonymous said...

Your cards are beautiful! You are a girl after my own heart! I am a simple card maker and I love your designs. I like the clean lines and uncluttered look. Thanks for sharing your wonderful work with us!
Becky in VA

ChristineM said...

I think I'm running out of words to describe your work!!

This is oh so lovely, pure genius ... you certainly know how to think outside of the box (as the saying goes!!!)

Thank you for showing me how to look and use my stamps in a different way, you are such an enabler.
:)

shannon a said...

love it, love it, love it. i recognized the stamp before even reading your post...but marveled at the genius of using it in a different way! sympathy cards are the hardest for me. However, today may be a day to try this out! Thanks for the inspiration, Susan!

iamacraftymama said...

Your cards are so elegant. When I make cards I typically embellish the hell out of them but since I have started subscribing to your blog I realize simplicity speaks volumes. Thank you so much for your blog and thanks for the joy it brings.

Ink Bug said...

I love the way you turned the stamp! Such an easy idea and I couldn't think of it! Thank you for the simple idea!

Susan (peebsmama) said...

I really like the look of that "off the edge" stamping. And how clever to use just the top of the tree. So pretty with the pearls.

Bahb said...

Tomorrow is the day I get out ALL my stamps and set aside the ones that can be Susanized.....stamped off the edge, or turned sideways, or nestled into the curves of a flourish, or otherwise made unique. I just LOVE the way your embellishing comes from thinking outside the box rather than adding gee-gaws and/or layers.

Thanks for sharing.

Nicole P. said...

Clear packing tape - I have that! Thanks for answering my question. :)

Mike Funke said...

Beautiful card - are they half pearls? How did you hold them on the card so they don't get knocked off in mailing?
Mike

Susan Raihala said...

Mike,

They are self-adhesive half-pearls, so they come with the glue already attached. You can buy them at M's or HL in a nice range of colors.

HTH!

Susan

Heather T said...

Great idea to stamp the tree sideways. The white on white looks elegant too.