The blossoms were created using a tiny flower from Hero Arts stamped repeatedly in pretty in pink and pixie pink. Then I used a Sakura stardust pen to add a little bling to the center of each flower.
On a completely unrelated note, PTI announced that they are going to offer their own dies and texture plates. Sigh. This was inevitable, but it makes me sad. I really cannot justify the expense of a die-cut machine or buying new dies every month (you know I would, don't you?...it's a disease, I say!). Shoot. Sometimes standing on principle really stinks. But I stand on my principle that paper, ink, and bit of embellishment are all you really need to make lovely cards. More is nice, if you can afford it, but sadly, this blog will stay die-cut free for the time being. At least until I win the lottery....
Supplies
stamps: PTI (Everyday Button Bits, Simple Little Things); Hero Arts (flower)
ink: SU close to cocoa, green galore, pretty in pink, pixie pink
paper: pixie pink, white
accessories: Sakura stardust pen, dimensionals
Everybody has to stand firm on something. I'm anxiously awaiting PTIs release because I said I wasn't going to buy anymore stamps! This 15th will be my first big challenge since saying that!!
ReplyDeleteLove the prettiness of this card! Very springy on a cold February day!
This is so pretty! I love it!
ReplyDeleteHad to come back now that I've seen PTI's announcement! I do have a cuttlebug and since I "can't" buy stamps, I'll probably end up buying those new border scallops -they look so cool! Maybe I need to change my resolution to include all crafting items? I know my husband would like that! LOL!
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your gallery on SCS and your blog. I love the simplicity of your designs and encourage you to stand firm on your principles!! Meanwhile I'll keep working on the voice in my head that says, "add more" when my card doesn't look quite right!
ReplyDeleteYour voice and humor come through in your writing, which makes your blog fun to read. Thanks!
Susan, I am SO going to copy that card!!! Once again, you hit it out of the park.
ReplyDeleteThe PTI scallop dies and impression plates are calling my name -- BIG TIME!
Very cute. Love the colors!
ReplyDeleteOooooh, I LOVE this card...and I think that I have everything to make one for myself! The colors are so refreshing on this snowy, snowy day (I live in Ohio, too.) Thank you for your beautiful inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThis card says "spring" with the happy pink flower trees! Wish it was right around the corner.
ReplyDeleteGreat card - it makes me smile. Re PTI Dies -- cuttlebug machines can be bought with 40% coupons at HL or Michaels -- and work with Nesties which is what PTI dies look like. Just trying to "enable ya" at a budget price :-D
ReplyDeleteI have "button issues" myself - I love how you used the tiny flower stamp with the trees! I have a Cuttlebug and Nesties and they make my life very happy - Dang that Nicole though - Now I'll "need/want" scalloped edge dies too!
ReplyDeleteLove these springy little trees, Susan. And I agree with StampDancer about a Cuttlebug at 40% off--that's what I did--got it on sale for about $35 last year. And embossing folders are cheap, only about $3 if you wait for a sale. I just love the texture that embossing adds. But I have to say that YOUR cards are always totally lovely with just paper, ink, and a bit of bling.
ReplyDeleteHey Susan!
ReplyDeleteHope your enjoying your weekend! Its a sunny but windy day today in Florida...I LOVE your card! It says SPRINGTIME! The flowers are perfect in place of buttons and I LOVE the color combo! Hugs :D
I love this card. I agree with you. I like using stamps, papers, ink, and some other embellishments. I have enough invested in all of that and can't justify spending even more. I won't say I'll never buy those other items but not for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI said to myself, "Have you seen butterflies better than the ones Susan makes with the MS punch, or edges more beautiful than what Susan does, or backgrounds more perfect than the ones she does with colors or stamps?"
ReplyDeleteIf the answer had been "yes", I would have gone right straight to Michael's with my 50% off coupon because that would buy me a Cuttlebug for $39.95. Instead I bought the MS Butterfly punch that makes THREE butterflies, and it was on sale for $6.99 PLUS they gave me a 40% off coupon to use THIS week! So now I can go get a scalloped edge punch for $6.99.
What I love the MOST about this Blog is the proof that "less is more"! I couldn't prove that myself even if I had EVERY item PTI sells. That's why my favorite part of the day is looking at what Susan creates and reading what she has to say.
Please, please,please don't change ANYTHING, Susan!
Oooooh, I love it! So perfect!! tfs
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, cheery card to see on a dreary, gray February day. I love it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fresh, pretty card! I hear you on the embossing -- while I do like the look of dry-embossed paper, that's JUST what I need, another layer of expense! I know I'd always want just one more embossing folder or nestie! Luckily I have a stamping friend who lets me come play with her cuttlebug once in a while...
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh. I love your little pink trees. And the flowers down by the trunk. Fabulous, button-less, die-cut free card ;)
ReplyDeletesharon D and StampDancer...(fingers in ears) Nananana, I can't hear you, nananan....
ReplyDeleteI like Lindsay's comment about "another layer of expense."
That's precisely why I won't buy into the die cut/embossing thing anytime soon. Gotta win the lottery, folks, because it's not just about the machine. The machine I could handle. It's about the constant NEED for new dies. I'm super needy when it comes to stuff like that. Note the number of stamps, ink pads, sheets of cardstock, markers, bits of bling, etc., I already have....
i TOTALLY agree with Bahb.....
ReplyDeleteDON'T CHANGE A THING, SUSAN!!
you are AWESOME!
marty ferraro
The little pink flowers are so cute!! And yet another way the button bits set can be used without buttons. Love it! Thanks for the inspiration. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love love LOVE the cards that you make, which gives me the ability to stand firm against buying a die cutting machine. I just keep repeating my "less is more" mantra. :D
I agree with you about diecutters, feeling that the machine itself begins to dominate rather than the art & craft of making. Surely the danger is all cards begin to look the same which is not the point of handmade...like all the cards that now have to have a nesting set of mats on them...why? Because the tool manufacturers say so, that's why.
ReplyDeleteAh ha!! Another die cut machine "resister".
ReplyDeleteOh, thank goodness! Simplicity doesn't need a die-cut to be beautiful. I don't feel I can justify spending the money for the machine but it is sooooo tempting some days. Less is more!!
ReplyDeleteIt's only been about a year since I began cardmaking and I agree with you 100% when you said "paper, ink, and bit of embellishment are all you really need to make lovely cards" , the rest is just icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteYou PROVE it every day and are an inspiration to those like myself who can't afford all those tools and gadgets!
Blessings to you and yours :o)
Dallas
Ooooh! Your card makes me think of Cherry Blossom time in D.C. Not this week, though!
ReplyDeleteYou buttonless rebel! Rock on!
ReplyDeleteOh Susan please stay as you are ..... finding you on SCS took me back to my roots in card making!!!! Yes I love dry embossing and do it the old fashioned way with a light box and stylus BUT I am so tempted with the Cuttlebug folders because the results are so good. However, its easy to resist because we don't have Michaels here in the UK so the cheapest I have ever seen it is about $85!!! I am lucky enough to have friends who have the green machine so I can cheat...
ReplyDeleteI agree with every word Bahb has said .... you remind us everyday with this wonderful blog that less is more and for that I thank you.
BTW love this little gem of a card makes me think Spring really is on the way :)
Susan, this is beautiful!! You don't need any dies on your cards. I look to your cards for inspiration and I am constantly wowed by them. Never once have I thought, "Oh that could use a flower or die cut image. Or a sprig from the tree in the backyard. Nope, never. Your cards are simply perfect. And this on is one of my all time Lateblossom favorites. It's cute and whimsical but not too cutesie. It's just right. :)
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Kraftyaunt and I'm an embossing folder addict.
ReplyDeleteOn top of that, I just won $40 on a scratch off lottery ticket! WAAAHHHH.... now I don't have an excuse. Except, I sit in front of my computer with these gorgeous cards of yours, Susan, and keep reminding myself "you can do it; you can do it." I just crave seeing your creations and trying to learn how to keep it simple. Your cards always have an elegance and sophistication about them. Somehow when I try to do it, the cards just don't look as pulled together. So keep your examples coming. I'm going to get it eventually!
I have the Everyday Button Bits and the Blooming Button Bits sets and I have yet to use a single button on any images that I have stamped from them. Like you, I don't like the idea of having to worry about them going through the mail safely with buttons on them.
ReplyDeleteI love love love the little flowers you used for your tree tops. This is so fresh and springy.
I saw the PTI sneak peeks for the new tools too. They look interesting but I already have so many nesties (like 28 sets now) that I dont' have a great desire to add more dies to my collection at this time. Unless it's really cute that is.
Beautiful, mailable card!
ReplyDeleteThe card is perfection!!!
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, I've had a Cuttlebug for ages and I've only used it a couple of times. I don't think it's a must-have.
Keep on keepin' CAS! :D
these little trees wiht flowers are adorable!!! love that you are "going it" without buttons! I love the rebel in you!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how you made this work without the buttons. It doesn't look like a single thing is missing. Your cards are perfectly beautiful without all the doodads and tools. I held off quite a while on the Cuttlebug, and even longer on Spellbinders. Now, I'm hooked on both. I love your simple style. I get to feeling as though I should try to use all the fun stuff I acquire. I should stop acquiring and stay more within my comfort zone. Stay the course!
ReplyDelete