At least it's a happier resolution than using all my colored card stock. GACK!
One storage drawer that's particularly full is my large background drawer. I love large backgrounds but don't use them enough at all. So here goes.
I first tried to use a StampinUp pretty in pink card base, but the pretty in pink ink looked so dark on it and the resulting base looked a mess. Does anyone else have this problem? I've noticed that bashful blue ink is also getting darker with the years. I remember when these pastels were, well, pastel. Now, they look mid-range to me. Is it just my eyes?
Anyway, I flexed to Memento Angel Pink and a white base, and got a nice, subtle pink woodgrain never found in nature but still quite light and lovely. I stamped the lovebirds in SU real red (the best red EVER) and the sentiment in Bravo Burgundy. I'd made another card with pink and red and a black sentiment, and the black looked harsh, for some reason. Bravo Burgundy is so dark it can easily substitute for black but softens the harshness with its monochromatic effect.
Now for an informal challenge...what do you have in your stash that you need to use? Do you have jars full of buttons or ribbon? Spindles of baker's twine? Drawers full of little-used stamps? Shelves stacked with card stock? Have you resolved to use stuff this year?
Supplies
stamps: Hero Arts (woodgrain background), Papertrey (sentiment, Love Birds), Inkadinkado (love birds)
ink: Memento, SU
paper: PTI white, SU real red
accessories: dimensionals
I have avoided the baker's twine craze (I make my own when I need)but I had to answer 'yes' to all the other questions. I really need to use all my 'outlying' stuff ie the stuff that's not within arm's reach. Fibres, ribbons, coloured EPs I MUST make more use of these now.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to read your bashful blue has changed color. I truly thought I reinked mine wrong. Maybe it just changed! That's not good! I have so many things I have purchased and not used. Once we get moved I either have to spend more time stamping or stop buying!! I just can't help myself! Pretty card!
ReplyDeletePretty card - nice colors! I must confess that I have everything from stamps to brads that I've yet to use. I, too, have committed to using what I have this year, particularly stamps and paper. Wish me luck!
ReplyDeleteNo one can do a CAS card quite like you--well done!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I haven't popped in for a while, so I thought I would say "hi" and tell you how much I love your pink woodgrain background (and the birds too!). I agree that Bashful Blue ink has changed to something that does NOT match my cardstock at all....and I miss the old burgundy SU used to have, as I feel Bravo is too brown. Ah well....what do I know? I have lots of ribbon & lace that I need to ORGANIZE and use....although my resolution this year was to make cards that were easier to mail!!! Not so many buttons!!
ReplyDeleteJust a gorgeous card, Susan. Red & white is one of my favorite combinations; this card is just stunning. Yes, I've noticed my ink not matching my CS anymore, and yes, I thought it was just me! Sometimes it still works, but sometimes --- ick! As for something I need to use, I have SU's metal box of embellishments (gifted to me), and in the 3 years I've had it, I've used ONE metal buckle. I need to use the buckles, brads, metal buttons, in it because the box takes up too much room! But when do you use a piece of metal on a card? I don't know. It sure would look awful on this lovely red & white card. I also have rub-ons, clear raindrops, and patterned paper that NEEDS to be used. Yay! - I love that you're going through all your stamp sets again!
ReplyDeletegreat card - love the idea of using BB for the sentiment instead of black! that HA woodgrain background is perfect with everything ... my all time favourite background stamp!! I've definately gotten my money's worth out of it!! Do I have stuff I need to use .. well yes!! Everything you have mentioned .. but my biggest issue is designer paper ... I can't seem to stop buying it ... but I don't use it very often (or is it that I can't use it??!! sigh).
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful card, Susan. Your inspiration, together with Julie Ebersole, has most definately shifted my style to much more CAS than it used to be.
ReplyDeleteFor me, 2012 is the year of the stash bust! I've committed to only purchasing adhesive so that I can adhere all the other things I have, waiting to be used. I'm going to join one SCS swap each month to really use some of it up.
Love your blog and this card. That background, while not found in nature, is subtle and perfect as a base.
ReplyDeleteI have sooo much unused stuff and continue to justify the "need" to buy more. The largest stash of unused product is stamp sets. I am committed to using more of them and getting rid of those that then remain untouched. We'll see how it goes.
I have all that stuff and MORE! I should make a resolution to use up stuff or use all my stamps, but I know that would be one resolution I'd break. I am going to go through all my stamps sets and sell the ones I honestly just don't use. That's a resolution I think I can keep.
ReplyDeleteI have two canisters of metal findings from Close to My Heart. Hinges, brads and photo clips. Why did I buy those? Patterned paper for sure! I don't have much of a stash of everything else.
ReplyDeleteI NEED more stamps. I've placed two Papertrey orders now. You know how they have the monthly release and you can order the "I want it all" selection for the month? How much do you think it would cost to order an "I want it all" selection of everything they sell?
I actually SAVE my allowance for cardmaking stuff. That means less eating out with the girls, less shoes and no impulse shopping.
Gorgeous card Susan, it has such a cheerful feel to it!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid when it comes to buying new craft items it's always a case of "want" and not "need"! My crafting space is a cupboard under the front steps of my house measuring 7 x 3 feet and as much as I try to keep it organised I frequently lose things:)I'm trying to keep a note of good ideas that I see on other blogs that would make me use the stamps I already have.
Val x
I made a crafting goal recently to use up this bag of adhesives I have. I inherited some of it and some was bought because people say to try it, but I go back to my old favorites. Now I'm working on using up this bag.
ReplyDeleteAnother goal is to use more stickers. I have a ton of alphabet stickers. I'm not even sure why as I was never into using them. Plus I have a stash of the Jolee style stickers.
I never signed on for not buying more stuff, except maybe adhesive or stickers. I am better about pondering the need for item X as I am thinking about buying it anyway.
I often am inspired by your personal challenge of using all your stamps. I have been trying to work on my patterned paper collection and not be so precious about it. I like it but never use it and talk myself out of using it because it seems to good to cut up. It's a slow process of release. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteI think the valentine's card is so classy! Thanks for sharing. I was perusing my stash the other day, and I have oodles of flowers. I would like to use some of them!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Love your card; My goal for 2012 is to try to be more CAS.
ReplyDeleteMmm - stuff, Patterned paper;; have too much and have just finished cutting most of it down to 6x6 size. Haven't bothered keeping it filed by company name; just filed it in cute little boxes by colour. Takes up less room, easy to flip through, and I am confident that I will now use it more.
Pretty card. My Bashful Blue is less bashful now, too. Haven't tried my Pretty in Pink. Will need to check it out. I want to use up lots and lots this year!
ReplyDeleteNice card! I like the light pink woodgrain background. Nice to see a stamped image layered and centered on a card. Seems, as of late, the focal point image is often positioned to the right or left. :)
ReplyDeleteI've never been one for New Year's resolutions, but lately I have had some guilty thoughts when it comes to my stamping supplies. Unfortunately, I've always loved to shop so even though I've only been stamping for about 3 years, you'd never believe that if you looked at all the "stuff" I've collected. My biggest stashes are paper (why on earth did I think patterned paper was so necessary when I started stamping? ), dies, punches and of course, stamps. So it has certainly crossed my mind lately that I need to start making more cards and shopping less! I have not gotten into buttons or baker's twine although I have to admit that the baker's twine has been "calling me" lately... don't know how I've resisted it so far! LOL!! My cards don't seem to call for buttons or even ribbon very often, but I have both around here as well as other "store bought" embellishments/card parts, so I guess bottom line, I've been telling myself that I really need to pick one item each day and use it as the starting point for a card. That would keep me busy without the need for any "new" craft shopping for a good long time. Hmmm... how long can I hold out without buying some new craft toy? Until February... or maybe even March? But, there are so many stamps calling me from so many online companies that I've never even tried! Can I resist them???
ReplyDeleteconverting all my wood stamps to cling mount was exhilarating and am gifted with shelf space...so what I plan to use is space...to rearrange and organize the rest and purge too
ReplyDeleteLove this time of year with hope and promise!!!
blessings
patti moffett