Monday, April 5, 2010

BIG Gems

What does one do with those giant gemstones? I mean, I have NO PROBLEM using the small ones (for proof, see this card, and these cards, and this card). The big gemstones, however, keep accummulating like sheets of orchid opulence when I buy multiple bold brights assortments. (Sorry, but I despise orchid opulence, or as I like to call it, fairy vomit.)

Anywho, I sat down the other night determined to use some of the big gemstones that are stacking up.

Problem solved.


I could make dozens of these in several different colors. But the blue works beautifully, don't you think?

Supplies
stamps: PTI Birthday Basics
cardstock: PTI white
ink: SU brilliant blue
accessories: flower punch, large gemstones, glue pen

33 comments:

Karen said...

lovely......

Susie said...

Well I don't think that was very nice of you to speak so unkindly about Orchid Opulence. I think I'm going to challenge you to make a card using it AND some more of your large bling. :0) Love this card, BTW.

Shirley Davis said...

The art of less-is-more is so difficult to master but you are the acclaimed (and, I think, most humble) Queen of Minimalism where cards are concerned.

This use of gems is very clever indeed.

Pauline said...

Nicely done, Susan. And, I think this card would be beautiful with any color gem. Personally, I love a little bling.

Sue said...

Oh, you are so right! This is a beautiful way to use those monster rhinestones! I, too, have a collection of them! But they go PERfectly onto a CAS card like this. Those flowers need big bling, and this looks great. Thanks for showing us how to use our stockpiles! I see a lot of big-blinged flowers in my immediate future! Excuse me....I have to go now, and see if I agree with you on orchid opulence/fairy vomit!

Cindy H. said...

What a lovely card!! I adore blue and I love how you used these beautiful gemstones. I may have to borrow this idea :) tfs

Heather T said...

Yes, the blue is beautiful, and the flowers are big enough to handle the "big gems".
I agree with you on Orchid Opulence, hehehe

Sue said...

Susan, I went right to my "card room" -- even my husband calls it that now, instead of "the guest room" --- and made 6 of these in different colored gemstones. They're beautiful and I love them! I can't believe 3 of those biggies isn't too much on a card, but it's not! They're gorgeous. Maybe I'll try one in orchid opulence.....

leslie said...

OMG, this is perfection!

mamajulie said...

"Fairy vomit" LOL

Karen B. said...

Thanks for the laugh today and you have a beautiful card on your hands. Am I allowed to feel the same way about orchid opulance?

Sharon said...

...Fairy vomit?? You are a disturbed woman....Welcome to my world. :-D My most obvious weirdness is that I adore mundane tasks. Hey, there's a place for all of us. And nice card.

Angela said...

snarf! "Fairy vomit" is one I hadn't heard yet, but I'm with you on the color! I'm actually not a fan of any of SU's light purples. I also wish their color names weren't so darn alliterative. Oh, love the card, of course. Time to case!

Theresa P. said...

I feel your pain about orchid opulence....YUCK!!!!
Your card today is so fabulous! Thanks for making me not so afraid of big bling!

CRYSTAL said...

I feel the same about big bling...but this looks GREAT! Thanks for a great CAS idea using an 'unusable'. lol! :)

Sue said...

You know what's really yuckier than orchid opulence? Blush blossom. I've tried a million times to use it, but every time I take out a sheet it just looks like a dirty-grayish-faded pink to me. Ick!

Susan Raihala said...

Sue,

I agree. Blush blossom is sort of eh. I'm not a fan of the plums either, though I can at least make them work!

Susan

Harriet Skelly said...

This is a great way to use those big gemstones! It also qualifies for this week's CAS challenge - CAS61! And you have to check the gallery if you haven't yet - someone made a card in your honor - it is so Susan too!

Susan (peebsmama) said...

I know what you are saying. I have a lot of the large ones too and they always seem too big for most projects. But these are perfect for your punched flower and really make a statement with the expanse of white and touches of blue.

Dallas said...

Proof once again that less IS more!!

Lindsey said...

Fairy vomit! Too funny. I wish I had some just so I could see what fairy vomit really looks like. :P As to this card... wow, as usual. :)
P.S. I caught up on your weekend posts... thank you for pointing the way to Maile Belles' blog. She has such a distinctive style! Now I have ANOTHER blog to check... ;)

Ravengirl said...

Oh my! Have you been sneaking into my craft room and noticed all those gigantic gems just taking up space! Now I know what to do with them!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration to finally use those big honkers I have saved up :)
You had posted a card a while back using Pocket Sihlouettes with teeny tiny rhinestones on it. Do you remember what brand those were? Thanks!

Bahb said...

Hmmmm, those big gems really look good in real life? I must try that cause I've got a ton of them mocking me.

As for orchid-colored anything, "fairy vomit" is perfect.

delightfuldaisy said...

I love the look of the white on white and the pop of color. I can see where it would be easy to do several of these in no time at all! Looks so pretty! TFS

Dawn (stampinscotsgirl) said...

CAS perfection!! I just love the simplicity of this beauty!! I almost spat my coffee at the computer screen when you said that orchid opulence reminded you of fairy vomit!! TOO FUNNY!

C Stephens said...

Fairy Vomit! I am laughing out loud in my office at work and 2 people have already stopped by to ask what is funny. I am not a fan of that particular color either. Thanks for starting my morning with a laugh.

BTW, I love your work. The card today is particularly cute.

Kraftyaunt said...

...and I learned from C Stephens (above). I made sure to swallow my last bite of lunch and then close my office door before laughing out loud!

I feel like the poor little lost child... I don't have much of SU supplies, so NOW you guys have made be want to go BUY some fairy vomit just so that I can say I have some in my stockpile :->

I can't wait to get home and case this card... not only do I have those giant gems but I have those super-giant patterned brads that always taunt my creativity!

Thank you ever so much for sharing. I truly enjoy each blog entry.

Christine M said...

Wonderful, you are so inventive ... thank you for sharing all your great ideas ... off to case now.
I've somehow managed not to encounter orchid opulence or fairy vomit but judging by many of the above comments perhaps that's not such a bad thing ;)

Marie B. said...

LOL, Susan, you are so funny! "fairy vomit"...(chuckle) Anyhow, I LOVE this card! Why is it so hard for me to make something like this? :)

Pat (mspfd) said...

Very pretty

MintStamps said...

Yes, the blue does work beautifully.

Ang said...

I've never commented on your blog, but I'm a huge fan. I did want you to know, however, this is one of my favorite cards. It's so simple, yet eye-popping! I've made (variations of) it numerous times and everyone who has received one has given rave reviews. I'm one who normally things you need many layers and loads of accessories... This card has proved me wrong!