Tuesday, October 07, 2008

7 Loves of Card Making - Versatility

There are lots of beautiful stamps out there, and as nice as it might be to have all the ones you want it's not always feasabile. It makes sense to buy stamps you are going to get a lot of use out of, but you can also increase the value of a set by using for occasions other than waht it was intend. I actually do this quite a bit, by using general sets for Christmas (for example, this card with Big Pieces to make a random background, or this card also using Big Pieces for baubles). I also like to use alphabet sets for Christmas cards. However, I gave myself the added challenge of using something that was a little more specific in it's intended style and making a Christmas card with it. I ended up making three:

Using Christmas sentiments, colours that were similar to traditional colours and at least for the first two cards I used the stamps to make common Christmas images, baubles and trees, so the cards looked a little more obviously festive.

All supplies by Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, River Rock, Whisper White, Ivory Naturals
Stamp Sets: Wanted, Many Merry Messages
Inks: Groovy Guava, River Rock
Accessories: 3/16" corner rounder, River Rock "marker" (blender pen + reinker), Groovy Guava "marker" (blender pen + reinker), Blush Blossom marker, Beachside Ribbon Originals, white gel pen, Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, 1/16" circle punch, linen thread, cutter kit, dimensionals

I then decided that a real challenge would be to use a Christmas set for a non-Christmas card. I've used Season of Joy for this card, inspired by Jodi Sutherland. I recieved a card from Jodi in a team swap and as soon as I saw it I thought "wow - I've gotta try that!" The flower from Season of Joy is non-descript enough that you can easily use it for other occasions.

All supplies by Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Old Olive, So Saffron, Blue Bayou, Whisper White
Stamp Sets: Season of Joy, So Swirly
Inks: So Saffron, Old Olive, Groovy Guava
Accessories: Groovy Guava double-stitched ribbon, Rich Regals brads, dimensionals

My challenge to you is to use a non-Christmas set to make a Christmas card or use a Christmas set to make a card for an occasion other than Christmas. Put a link to your card in the comments for this post and at the end of the week I'll pick my favourite one and send a little something to that person. Australian residents only, SU! demos welcome.

3 comments:

Robyn said...

Carol, I just love your Christmas tree. Who would have thunk? Clever girl. Thanks for sharing, now I just need that set, even though until now I didn't even want it. (Ha! that's a play on stamp set names!).

Anonymous said...

These are all so stunning Carol! Great use of the Wanted set! :) K

Christina Ammann said...

Wunderschöne Karten, gefallen mir sehr gut!
LG Christina