So - the upcoming Occasions catalogue has 2 different and equally gorgeous stamp sets that have wonderful outline prints of flowers. Happy Watercolor and Peaceful Petals. I saw a simple but lovely card made by Susan Horr, using the Peaceful Petals set and I've altered it slightly to create this series of 4 easy, but oh-so-pretty cards.
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| Peaceful Petals on White |
I stamped the Peaceful Petals stem of blooms using versamark, then embossed with gold embossing powder. Mounted on a card with washi tape as a backdrop, it is simple yet elegant.
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| Peaceful Petals on Vanilla |
Producing the card on both Whisper White and Very Vanilla cardstock gave me two distinct but equally beautiful cards. But why stop there?
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| Happy Watercolor on White |
Why not reproduce it using the Happy Watercolor stem of blooms (these look like orchids to me but I could be wrong)?
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| Happy Watercolor on Vanilla |
Not sure if you can tell, but the image piece is mounted on cardstock whose edges were wrapped in gold washi tape. I would have mounted these pieces on brushed gold cardstock or gold foil paper (which will still be available since it made it into the Occasions catalogue. Woo hoo!). But since I am in southern Ontario visiting my family, I have limited supplies on hand and these pieces just didn't make it into my luggage. Drats and double drats! But I think the washi-wrapped mats look pretty good, don't you?
So there you have it. Two different stamp images. Two colours of background. Four cards. I cannot determine which one I like best. So I am asking you......which one do you like best?
Everyone who weighs in and leaves me a comment will get their name entered in a random draw (a week today - Jan 5) - the winner will get sent the card they voted for, as well as 5 yds of each of the new Gold Baker's Twine and the new Silver Baker's Twine.
Hope you are all looking forward to a wonderful 2014. Have a great week ahead and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
I really like the Peaceful Petals on white; crisp and clean; I bet they look nicer in real life.
ReplyDeleteI am really looking forward to doing many cards with you in the new year Cynthia. Let the card making begin.
Suzane
Thank you for your nice comment Suzane. I am so looking forward to seeing you again in the New Year and seeing your incredible creativity at work! You are correct by the way...these cards look even better in real life And so easy to make! You'll be trying one of these hands on (I think) for the Inspiration Stamp Day. Happy New Year and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteI like the happy Watercolor on white! The mats look great as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for weighing in "Mi Pablo". Glad you like the mats (and thank you) but they were just the tiniest bit fussy...can't wait to get home to my gold foil and brushed gold cardstock. Waaaaaay easier! :) Happy New Year and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeletePeaceful petals on white is my fav, as I always pick cards with flowers. Nice work Cynthia.
ReplyDeleteDonna
Thanks Donna - I do know you like flowers, as do I. You can't go wrong with flowers or butterflies as far as I am concerned! Will I see you for Inspiration Stamp Day on Jan 11? Have a Happy New Year and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteI prefer the watercolor on white, but all are beautiful....
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment "Anonymous". If you let me know who you are, I can enter you in the drawing on Jan 5. It's funny - everyone commenting prefers the white background but the 3 people who have seen them in real life prefer the vanilla?!? I'll have to ask more people in real life to see if the difference is truly one of photography...or is it is just a fluke! Happy New Year and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteI like them all but if you are going to make me choose I would say Happy Watercolor on white...but I love anything with flowers...the color preference for everyone is probably a matter of photography as the flash will make the white pop more...Happy New Year...I can't wait to see you on the 11th! Val V
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you too Val. Hope you received your new catalogue already? So many wonderful new "toys" to play with. You are going to love them all! Thanks for weighing in here (your photography expertise hits the nail on the head I think - there was no flash, but I do think the lighting changes things....). Have a wonderful and Happy New Year and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteHappy watercolour on vanilla is my favourite. I tend to like very "soft" cards and the vanilla makes that happen but I like them all and honestly it is hard to pick.
ReplyDeleteThanks for weighing in Olivia - the vanilla is really soft . And the white does pop. Different strokes for different folks as they say. One thing is for sure - they are ALL stunning in real life!! Hope your Christmas was wonderful! Happy New Year and God Bless, Cynthia <><
DeletePeaceful petals on white. Everything pops. I love all of your work!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Nicole. And so nice to "see" you here! Hope your Christmas has been wonderful! And that it continues for a long while yet. Happy New Year and I hope to see you sometime in the coming weeks. God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteI like the vanilla watercolor card. Totally tricked me withheld washi tape border, I was sure it was the foil paper.
ReplyDeleteHa Sonya - I had to make do. It would have been a LOT easier with the foil paper. Darn not having any with me here in Guelph!! I have another card in mind I am going to have to change up since I left it behind. Oh well....necessity is the mother of invention! Hope your Christmas was as wonderful as outs and you rNew Year is looking bright! God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteFirst, they are all lovely. That said, if I'm picking, I prefer the vanilla to the white. This comment will likely sound strange, put to me, the white clashes. It's too bright, almost. I'm someone who doesn't like white with Kraft/Crumb Cake, either. I know that Crumb Cake isn't gold, but it's still in that yellow-y/brownish tone. To me, that speaks to vanilla more than white. It feels more monochromatic to me. I'm not sure I'm making any sense.
ReplyDeleteAs to the images - it is a toss up. I have to say the Happy Watercolor gets my vote, though. I prefer the more free flowing flowers of that set (as in, without the lines delineating each petal).
Hi Tania - thanks for your input. I have to admit that I do like white on Crumb Cake but I get where you are coming from. And I instinctively chose the Happy Watercolor as my first favourite too -- but now I have been ping-ponging back and forth between the 2 images. Not sure anymore which is my fave. They are both pretty outstanding!!
DeleteHope you enjoy a wonderful New Years. God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
I really like the washi tape wrapped around the mat! Clever trick! I agree the WW cs makes the images pop! Going to go with the Peaceful petals on WW as my fav. Thanks for inspiring!
ReplyDeleteJan
Thanks Jan. I'd like to think wrapping the mat with Washi tape was clever (except that it stems from my being a dolt!). Ha ha. I'll take the compliment! Your choice seems to be a popular one. Thanks for your input. Hope your New Years is absolutely wonderful! God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteI like Happy watercolor on vanilla. I think the vanilla brings a nice warmth to the Gold
ReplyDeleteThanks Danielle! I am torn between the effect of the stark popping on white and the warmth and coziness of the vanilla. I'll have to show you all the variations when I get home so you can make a "real life" judgement! Hope Rise Up is everything it sounded like it would be!! Happy New Year and God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteMy vote is for the Happy Watercolor on Very Vanilla, too. I really like that gold washi tape! Neat, neat cards!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bette! Best part about it...they were also quick to make. Doesn't get any better than quick AND beautiful!
DeleteHope your 2014 has started out wonderfully! God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
I like the Happy Watercolor one on white as I think the Vanilla washes it out a bit.. The flowers are more distinctive and stand out but don't overpower the card.
ReplyDeleteThanks for weighing in Cathy. It's neat to see so many preferences - and for so many different reasons too! Hope your New Year has been wonderful so far! God Bless, ~Cynthia <><
DeleteThey are all great but I would have to say that I like the peaceful petals on white because I plan on buying the Happy Watercolor set because of all the matching DSP and Notecards and Washi, in fact, it's going on my order today, but I haven't decided if I'm going to get the other set or not so to have a sample in person, it just might sway me to get it on my next order!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing and the chance to win.
Kathy H in California
Oh Kathy...I don't know how I could have settled for just one of the sets! Although these 2 particular images are similar, the rest of the images in the sets make each of them so distinctive, that I would be hard pressed to decide on owning only one!
DeleteYou will love whatever you buy -- but I can guarantee you won't be sorry if you decide on both!
Have a great 2014! God Bless, ~Cynthia <><