Yes, I'm gradually getting myself back into the swing of things after my Christmas break. I've been playing catch up most of this week. Finally I've managed to place a tick against all the urgent 'To Dos' on my weekly list and can spend some time creating. It feels good to be cutting up card and inking up stamps again.
I've also been putting my word(s) of the year into practice too. I've cleaned out my paper and card stash. I've booked a different kind of holiday this year as an adventure. I'll reveal more nearer the time. Hopefully I'll twist Nick's arm and book our main holiday at the weekend, so that if the date is free, I can travel to London to see an American writer I've always wanted to meet. Don't want to book it yet in case there's a clash.
So it's a good start to the year.
As for creating cards, though I haven't been making any for a few weeks, I've still been inspiring myself with the gorgeous clean designs posted on the blogs of many very talented crafters.
So to blow the cobwebs off my own crafty doings, I looked up a couple of challenges to help fire up the mojo.
The first challenge I went to was a sketch by Mojo Monday.
For which I made this
I wanted the red hearts to really pop out from a black background. The challenge was in adding the other collage elements from the sketch, in black. So there's a die cut piece of card, an embossed card, some patterned paper and a piece of washi tape, to add visual interest without detracting from the red.
I was in the flow by now so I picked another sketch challenge, this time from Freshly Made Sketches. Isn't this the most perfect minimalist design? How could I be anything but tempted?
Feeling in a more bold and colourful mood, I dug out some aqua card to begin. I also cut out a circle using L'il Inkers' Stitched circles. The circular sentiment stamp is a freebie which came with a UK craft magazine, Craft Stamper. In deciding what colour to make the border, I thought I'd see how I'd like the complementary hue of orange. It created the visual pop I wanted and to make it more interesting, I took a pattern stamp from Papertrey Ink then inked it up with Butterscotch.
Let me say, I enjoyed every blissful, relaxed minute in making these.
Thanks for dropping by
12 comments:
Both lovely girls, minimal but with the colour pop. I really need to get myself going as I haven't done anything crafty for weeks now.hope you both had a good Christmas.
Fab cards, Paul! I particularly like the second one - great colour combo! x
Hi Paul. Lovely to see these cards, I do like your style! Love the first one, particularly the subtle embossing.
Two wonderful bold cards Paul - Love the black Valentine with the red hearts - and the blue card is so crisp and clean with the pop of orange!
Wow, Paul...your creative break really kicked up your Mojo! Beautiful cards, wonderfully clean lines. Both a total delight for the eyes...well done, my friend! :)
Wow! Loving the turquoise card with the pop of orange...bold and fabulously clean design!
Oh, that second one is a delight to the eye withthose clean lines and juicy colours! Well done on your clean start to the year :).
Two gorgeous cards! I love the color scheme and clean style of your second card. Thanks so much for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches.
Both of your cards are awesome! Great colors!!!
Thank you for joining us at FMS!!
Fabulous cards, Paul. I really love the bright colors of the one for our challenge. Thanks so much for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.
These are both great cards, Paul, but #1 stole my heart immediately. So much texture, depth and interest. You rocked it! Mwah!
Oh the red and the embossing in black, STOLE my heart... I am getting so worked up and inspired, who knows what I will do today!
You are pretty awesome--Thanks for that!!!
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