Often, the inclusion papers use plants or flowers that are scaled too large for cards, but if you cut carefully or work the design around them, you can make them work. Here's a good example:
Other handmade papers, without the inclusions, are simply beautiful. I have a large piece that is slightly off-white, is smoother on one side than the other, and has a fabulous deckled edge. Simplicity is key to letting this gorgeously understated paper shine:
The butterflies were punched from the same paper but glued on with the textured side up, giving a lovely textured tone-on-tone look. They are accented with champagne-colored rhinestones. The sentiment is stamped with VersaColor ink (nice and thick, no bleeding into the paper) in a light color (cinnamon, I think). The sentiment is from Hero Arts and perfectly suits such a SIMPLE card.
Today's question for the final day of the Art Paper Week Give-Away is...
What is your favorite part of papercrafting? What aspect of it gives you the most satisfaction?
Firstly Susan, beautiful yet again. I have some of this paper and will give your design a go. I think I most enjoy the 'doing'. Having sorted the design and its components - cutting, pasting and puting together I love.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan. Love the white-on-white paper--what a perfect card for a blog named Simplicity! My favorite thing about papercrafting is taking raw materials and turning them into a one-of-a-kind piece of art that was only in my mind until I sat down and made it.
ReplyDeleteI like the finished project. Believing that it turned out well is my favorite part.
ReplyDeleteWow.. another stunner! Thanks a lot Susan for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteThe best part of crafting is the pleasure it brings to others and that I know and can be quietly proud of my own creatvity.. hehhe
When you have completed something really good and pretty...and you look at it and think "wow, I did that". I'm also very fond of just having all the supplies and tools surrounding me. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a truly elegant card. Gorgeous. My favorite part of papercrafting is coming up with an end result that I am proud of...that "I did that myself!" kind of feeling.
ReplyDeleteI think: designing. At the moment my card making area is HALF of my small bedroom. On one side I have bed and chest of drawers, on the other my small desk (a computer desk from Ikea which provides extra storage) and a large pigeon hole unit (also from Ikea) primarily used for storing all those many card making bits & bobs that we all have. It can be frustrating working in this way with such a small space and the need to constantly tidy even the smallest of messes. I LONG for a work room where I can have a long and wide surface area and spread all of my things out... *dreams* One day, one day!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've got a favourite part,not really,I love,love,love spending time creating,though I suppose when you give something that you've made and someone appreciates it,that's pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of paper crafting is designing and the creative process; it really lifts my spirits to make something to give to others.
ReplyDeleteLovely cards!
Really gorgeous cards again today. Not sure which is my favorite part of this process because I can like - or be frustrated with - each step. I guess I like it best when I get a new order from either PTI or CSS. I know there's lots of possibilities just waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card today. I love the fact that I can make something in a short (well, sometimes not so short...but we all know about that...) period of time. Then it leaves my home and there is always another reason to start the process again :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful cards!! I love the extras on your first card ... the swirly "thing" is perfect (I have a bunch of those but never use them!). MMmm, my favorite part of papercrafting ... meeting such wonderful folks?? hopping from blog to blog looking at beautiful inspiration???? collecting all the yummy papers??? I just can't decide?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful cards. I have paper like that and should use it! As to the questions: My favorite part of paper crafting is sitting quietly in my stamp room creating. I can be there for hours and not realize how much time has passed. It is a very relaxing time for me. The satisfaction of this hobby is the smiles from those that receive my handmade creations just for them.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beatufiul, as always! I think Donelda read my mind. I love meeting other papercrafters, via blogs, email, or when we're very lucky, in person. What a generous lot - all are willing to share ideas, images, tips... I have a very tiny family, and it's like I suddenly have a new, extended family!!!
ReplyDeleteTough question because I do like to see the recipients reaction when I give them a card but I think the designing and decision making and seeing a card come together gives me the most satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of papercrafting is making the parts that will make up the card. Someone else can get sticky fingers and adhere them for me! LOL
ReplyDelete"Inclusion paper"? Did you make that up, you Word Wizard? How appropriate! I'm hoarding some I bought in the gift shop of a nursery years ago. Learning to make paper is the sole item left on my Bucket List. I don't like gooshy however, so I suspect that might rule out paper-making.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like best about cardmaking is that it is always there, always awaiting my attention, always teetering on the edge of total satisfaction. Each card has the potential of being the best I ever created.....I like the suspense of not knowing EXACTLY what makes a card The Best. Susan nails it. Birgit/Biggar nails it. A few others do too. I have not nailed it but will keep trying, just in case it serendipitously happens to me.
the satisfaction I get from papercrafting is that I can send a small hand-made item to somebody in my life and perk them up. I made a small piece of art and I can pop it in the mail and know that when the recipient opens it, they will be happy!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your butterfly card! It is absolutely perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe satisfaction I get from papercrafting is the same that I get from knitting, gardening, and cooking - it's the actual hands-on doing it myself, and the thrill of the finished product, and knowing that I created it. All of my hobbies take me away from the hectic pace of modern life, slow me right down, and make me feel very peaceful.
Your cards are such beauties. Paper does make such a differance. Love Art Paper Week ...so much fun to see all the papers that you have used. The self satisfaction that comes from creating something from beginning to end and it looks really good is what I enjoy.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card! I just love all these different papers you have shown us this week!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of papercrafting is mastering all the really cool techniques and playing with textures! I love being able to create something wonderful from a bit of paper and ribbon!
OMGoodness! I can't believe it! I thought I was the only person who bought that paper you used in the first card! Now, what did I do with it?!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of papercrafting is the "me" time I get. No one bothers me when I'm crafting...and I adore my alone time. I get so involved in what I'm doing that I can forget to eat...HEY! What a great diet plan!! I need to get crafty OFTEN! LOL!
I LOVE the butterfly card...so pretty!!
These cards are both beautiful. I have a piece of "inclusion paper" and now I know just want I going to attempt with it!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part of papercrafting is the process. I enjoy picking the different elements (I'm a CAS girl too, so it's only a few elements!), deciding on colours and placement, and seeing what happens.
Thank you for a fun week, with beautiful cards, and the chance to win a little something!
I love your white on white butterfly card.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of paper crafting is designing a specific card, specialized for people that are special in my life.
I have a bunch of paper with inclusions - thanks for showing my how to use it! That white one is divine, I really love it.
ReplyDeleteFavorite part? I love to get into the nitty gritty of a technique. Ink, paint, spray or whatever combination of the three just flying around, stained fingers and the joy of seeing a fabulous color combo come to life right there in front of you!
Wow! Again. Love the white card especially.
ReplyDeletePapercrafting for me is a creative outlet that has a short beginning and end so it is doable with my current lifestyle on the busy farm. I love expressing myself and seeing the delight of people's response to a card designed with their interests/favorite colours included.
Your cards are beautiful!! My favorite part of paper crafting, is when I give a card and someone asks--did you make it?--I love your cards! I'm definitely more on the plain and simple card side.
ReplyDeleteWow, really beautiful cards today! Love the circle sentiment with the bow and paperclip and the white card is just so elegant. I'm somehow drawn to it and want to touch it.
ReplyDeleteI love the process of papercrafting. The feel of the paper, the inky fingers, the magic of what happens when you combine them and not knowing exactly how something will turn out.
Oh my gosh, the card using the fancy paper with flower inclusions is breathtakingly beautiful!!!! Brilliant, Susan, as usual. I have had some of this paper for 20 years, carefully rolled and put who-knows-where, and yes, unused. My goal will be to find this paper, cut it (ACK!) and create. Thanks for the inspiration piece!
ReplyDeleteSusy (AKA Boss on SCS)
I love being creative but having no talent in drawing, painting, music or other "artistic" areas, I found I can have a creative outlet in paper craft. And the end result, hand made gifts, gives me the most satisfaction when I present these items to family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI have a stash of handmade papers I have been loath to cut but I am looking at a few of your lovely cards and may spend some time this weekend experimenting. Thanks for the inspirations.
Susan, I love both of today's cards, but the second one just took my breath away. So simple and elegant, it would be appropriate for anything from birthday to wedding. Just stunning. Okay, my favorite part of papercrafting is putting things together that have been running around in my head for a long time (today I passed a funeral home with gray siding and deep burgundy shutters and signs --- can't wait to use that beautiful color combo!), and the part that gives me the most satisfaction is putting on the final accents that make me sit back and say "THAT's what this card needed! Now it's perfect!"
ReplyDeleteSusan: For me, papercrafting is all about letting the paper tell its story. When using papers other than cardstocks, I like to showcase the specialty papers so that the uniqueness of the paper gets all the attention. Of course, there are cardstocks that are unique, too, but for some reason I seem drawn to the specialty papers that are tissue thin with lots of character and hidden surprises, if only you take the time to look.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan, I LOVE your second card -- but then I tend to especially love white on white cards. And this of course just emphasizes the beauty of the textured paper. Anyway, I guess what I like about papercrafting is what a previous poster said -- just doing it. It's so very relaxing and satisfying -- and when it all comes together just right, I look at what I've just done and think, "Wow, *I* made that!"
ReplyDeleteI too love that i can create with no 'art' talent(my 8th grade art teacher said this). It's fun to finish my creation and give it away because I love that cards made especially for someone make others happy too. Susan thanks for all the inspiration i love simple more than i thought before i found you blog.
ReplyDeleteI love when I put together a card and it works, it just makes me smile. I love that paper can give me that sort of happiness.
ReplyDeletePapercrafting gives you a sense of relaxation and the freedom to create in your own space. Most of all, the reward is giving your cards away to friends and relatives and receiving the compliments and appreciation from them.
ReplyDeleteI love the feel of it - its hand so to speak. Feels luscious to work with.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of papercrafting is customizing the card for the recipient. I love the feeling I get when I make a one of a kind card and the person for whom I made it comments on how much they appreciate the thought that went into my creation.
ReplyDeletemy favorite part about papercrafting is playing around with the design, finally getting it right-the whole creative process. have some paper like u used in first card that i bought in thailand and have been hoarding - must break it out and use!! thanks for the incentive to do something with it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part is the finished card and knowing that someone else will be happy to receive it knowing I put some of myself into it
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part of the whole process is thinking of a design and making it a reality. I get a rush whenever I make something that works. Natural high ;)
ReplyDeleteYour cards today are beautiful, I love how you have let the art papers be the stars of the show on them!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of papercrafting has to be the application of ink to paper. It is so soothing to the soul and yet so spectacular to the eye.
-mnfroggie (Trina)
Love SENDING them!! And the Hugs sent with them, make the receiver Smile.....
ReplyDeleteMy daughter & I made paper once & it was so much fun!!! She lives far from us now....but we should get together & do another batch!! :)
You are soooooo creative!! Love your Blog!! I have learned so much too. Thanks!!
Lori Morton :)
Oh my these cards are stunning!! That paper is just fabulous.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part is just being creative and making a one of a kind card for someone special to me.
Beautiful cards! I love both of them!
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question-my favorite part is creating the card for a special person and them knowing I created it just for them and watching the smile on their face! I know I made someone smile that day! They know they are special to me! That makes me feel good for them to know that!
I love that paper with the leaves in it. So organic and so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of papercrafting is simply the ability to make something. When I'm in my craft room I can feel my blood pressure go down and I forget about all the other stresses in my life. I get the same feeling with any craft I have ever tried, but I have stuck with paper crafting the longest because it gives quicker results (ie I can finish a card in a short period of time as opposed to a quilt which took weeks) and I can give it away and, hopefully, make someone's day.
Hi Susan, After reading many of your readers comments, I have to say that there are so many wonderful things about this craft. Not the least of it are the ladies who participate. So much humor and love. It helps to make it the joyful experience that is it. My favorite part I think is sending a finished creation to a new home and receiving thanks and love from the recipient. But really, it's all good!
ReplyDeleteLove your C&S style. I strive to be "there", but its a work in progress....
Oh my, your card is so beautiful! I love the simple aspect of your work, which actually makes it stand out and shine.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of papercrafting? Well, I guess there is no single things, but I love feeling as if I am creative! I enjoy knowing that my cards are special to the ones that receive them. It is a joy to turn paper into something beautiful (much more beautiful than any card you could purchase.
Your cards are always adorable.
ReplyDeleteMy fave part of papercrafting is when I could implement what I have in my mind. The satistaction is when I could finish just the way I want it to be... Have a great weekend, Susan.
Beautiful cards and beautiful papers. I guess I love the chase-I like all the pretty papers, punches, inks, etc. that is out there and then deciding what best goes for me. tfs
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing is knowing that I go to my studio and create. I love it when it all comes together.
ReplyDeleteFirst: Being in the ZONE when you're creating and the world spins around without you even knowing!
ReplyDeleteSecond: Learning so much from all you do!
Thanks,
d