Monday, February 8, 2010

Thank You Note Set Using Hero Arts Three Ferns

These one-layer cards are 4.25" square and super simple. My thank you card stash was depleted by the holidays, and I needed some quick and pretty cards. This stamp by Hero Arts begged to be used, and who am I to argue with a stamp? They are tenacious, as anyone who's tried not to buy one can attest.

I used SU's soft subtles and cool caribbean to create the color assortment. Here's another case for having tons of bling lying around, but obviously you could just buy clear bling and color with Sharpies or Bics or Copics if you want. The sentiment is from my complimentary Thank You set from the nice folks at Clear and Simple Stamps.

Simplicity Tip: Don't be afraid to be a MOTO. MOTO is an acronym from my husband's Air Force days and stands for Master of the Obvious. The term is used as an insult in the military aviator world, but it deserves better. Too many times, I stare at a stamp and wonder how to make it look special or creative. When I try to force the image to do something other than the obvious, sometimes I just waste a bunch of paper. Cards like those in today's set use the stamp in a very obvious way. But if you get good impressions, make smart color choices, and embellish just a bit, obvious can be special and creative, too. Embrace your inner MOTO, and make something obvious yet beautiful. You have my permission.

Here's cool caribbean.



And pale plum.


Apricot appeal.


Blush blossom.


Barely banana.


Almost amethyst.



See. Channeling your inner MOTO can result in something beautiful.

Make Monday a great day!

28 comments:

  1. Beautiful - simple but make a bold statement!

    Also just had to say I've taken a leaf out of your book a little and made quite a CAS card (for me!). I'd love if you stopped by my blog to take a look. Not a 'Simplicity' card but I like it all the same!

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  2. Beautiful cards!
    Just yesterday I made a set of Thank you cards, that were totally copied from you (Pocket Silhouette with bling). I'm a timid bling user, plus I hardly have any, but I love how you use it.
    Petra

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  3. Love this set of Thank You cards. I think what you said is so true. About obvious but beautiful. And these are definitely beautiful!

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  4. I know i'm repeating myself but - simple yet so effective, an inspiration. Thank you

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  5. You are a master with the one-layer card! These are completely wonderful - just the right amount of bling. MOTO is a motto I should adopt!

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  6. I love this stamp. Great set of Thank You cards!

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  7. Ah, I am so glad I found your blog because I love so many of your creations. The little raccoon thief in me is VERY pleased I found your blog because I am CASE-ing everything I can. Thank you for you sharing your creativity! ~Robin

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  8. Oooohhh - these are beautiful! I love the placement of the image and the bling - great inspiration Susan 0 thanks!

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  9. These are beautiful. Great CAS cards. Love the embellishments. Love the placement of the sentiment.

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  10. A great reminder, that MOTO thang. "Why do I always want to make it so complicated?", I ask myself.

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  11. "This stamp by Hero Arts begged to be used, and who am I to argue with a stamp? They are tenacious, as anyone who's tried not to buy one can attest." Yes! This happens every time you show this lovely fern stamp!! I really LOVE these cards! Clean with a bit of bling--perfect!

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  12. Beautiful! i NEED some large stamps. you are giving me all sorts of ideas.

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  13. the Blush Blossom is fabulous. What a great set, and the Thank You sentiment is just perfect {size, font, scale}

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  14. Just lovely, O Master Of The Obvious! I am surprised I haven't heard of that from DH!!! These are just beautiful in their perfect simplicity!

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  15. Gorgeous! I have that stamp also and use it simply. Old olive or garden green on kraft is a knockout, imho. Did you know you can get that same(pretty darn close)fern leaf in miniature from Verve! Yes! It looks fab on the outside of the envelope...matchy-matchy, or as a "twinchie" on a CAS card.

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  16. great cards Susan....funny, I just used that stamp on the card I did for the cas challenge today...
    always looking for new and different ways to use that stamp....

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  17. Oh NO!, another stamp I'm gonna buy right this minute.

    THIS MOTO would have made the card longer so the sentiment could go below the image and totally wrecked the look. So I dub you MOTU (Master of the Unobvious) because that's what makes EVERY card you make perfection.

    Your photos are perfection too. Sometimes I wonder if the background doubles the pleasure of the card.

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  18. Your cards are gorgeous! More to CASE! :-) I am SUCH a fan of your style!

    Karen

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  19. wow, I adore you simple and clean style. THanks for sharing.
    Today i learn one more thing about MOTO!!!

    Soh Jung Sophia

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  20. These are so pretty in your rainbow of colors, and I love the addition of bling!!

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  21. Wow! These are all beautiful! LOVE the bling!

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  22. You are so right. There are many times that I try to imagine an image in a different way than it's simple self. And the simplicity of it is what makes it special. These are all terrifice and I like that not one of them is green (as a leaf image would be expected to be). The little bits of bling are a perfect, but subtle accent.

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  23. Yes, yes, I too would have thought they MUST be green, and was so pleased they were all gorgeous without needing green.

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  24. Stunning - they are screaming out to be copied in all the colours! I love how you inspire me - thank you!

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  25. Love, love, love your work and how you use just a tiny bit of "BLING" to bring them to life. Now, where is the best place to purchase the "BLING"?
    Any favorite brands?
    I have Michael's, AC Moore, and Joann's near me... I did see something that may be similar to what you use at Michael's. I didn't purchase them when i was there. I assume yours are also self-adhesive?
    Thank you for any advice you have! :)
    Nicole
    nmbailey5@verizon.net

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  26. So simple and beautiful and STUNNING! You have fabulous style!

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  27. I love these cards soooo much I bought the stamp. I see just a ton of possibilities. I've made my own thank you card - it can be found at I SPI
    Thanks for being so inspiring.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!