Flip-flop Alert!

OK as predicted, I woke up this morning in a MUCH better mood than last night and I am all enthused again. It might have a wee bit to do with Leo actually sleeping. He's FOUL today, but at least he slept last night!

I also woke up to two SU! orders which was LOVELY. Thanks Zhenya & Lindsay. I've also had lots of cheerleading from Z&L, as well as from my downline Laura. I was actually going to delete my post from last night but then I thought that was editing a true story to make everything sound wonderful when in reality that is not the case! Take it with a pinch of salt if you read it and be assured that my positivity is back in the driving seat today!

However, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So I've decided to make a consistent effort to maintain my blog, post pics of my projects, and try to get back to doing some work on stamping every day. I've even thought about Meetup but I'm sleeping on that one!

Let me share with you the project we completed on Friday night. In the UK we have Mother's Day during Lent (so before Easter) and as that's the one holiday you really DON'T want to forget, I showcased a Mother's Day card:

That's the Primrose Petals version. I also did a Marina Mist version:

It's a deceptively simple card to make:

1. Cut your card base to 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" from your desired coloured cardstock and score down the middle.
2. Cut a mat 5 1/4" x 4" from Naturals White cardstock (Item number 102316; $7.50 for 40 sheets). I like this as it's a bit sturdier than Whisper White for card bases, and it gives a lovely speckly effect.
3. Take your mat and using Scotch Blue Painter's Tape (available at all good hardware stores! Ha!) mask off the areas you'd like to leave white. Grid paper (Item number 102787; $9.95 for 100 sheets) really helps here as it allows you to get nice straight lines parallel to the edge of your cardstock.
4. Using the Gossamer Lace stamp (129050, $9.95), stamp randomly over the bare portion of the cardstock. To get the variations in colour, "stamp off" some of the images. This means to ink up your stamp, then do the first impression of that inking off the page - another great use for the grid paper!
5. Using a sponge, gently rub your ink onto the bare area to give it an all-over shade.
6. Carefully remove the masking tape. Stamp your chosen sentiment onto Whisper White cardstock. These two examples are both from the fantastically versatile Delightful Dozen (WM 122650; $32.95, CM 122652; $24.95).
7. Punch your sentiment out using the Decorative Label punch (120907; $16.95) and adhere with a couple of Dimensionals (104430; $3.95 for 300).
8. Cut about 4" of your chosen ribbon, fold it over and use a Vintage Trinket (118764; $5.95 for 48) to catch the fold. Place a Glue Dot (103683; $4.95 for 300) low on the back of the ribbon to stick it to the label.
9. Finally, bling it up a bit with Rhinestones (119246; $4.95 for 150) and/or Pearls (119247; $4.95 for 150) then stick the mat to the card base.

Wasn't that easy? You could easily substitute a stamp from Circle Circus or Delicate Doilies to get a similar effect, and of course, the colours & sentiments are easily swappable.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and I'll see you tomorrow!