Saturday, August 28, 2010

Doing Your Best


I like that title because it describes the way I like to do things in life :) I try to be kind and do my best, even when sometimes it doesn't work out. But that's life and there's always a lesson to be learned along the way, in every situation.






I Love, love how this card turned out! I thoroughly enjoyed making this card and when I look at it, it makes me happy. I was trying for a simple monotone colored card, and I didn't have to paw through my paper for 2 hours (like usual), I found this piece in 10 minutes and Knew I Had to use this one. It just spoke to me and looks beautiful. I love that pink color, and pattern. It just grabs me visually.

I made this card for the My Favorite Things: September Guest DT Member Challenge. Their challenge is "Getting Sentimental". The object is to make the sentiment the focal point. And that's why I though maybe going monotone for the colors would be best. I have never made a sentiment be a focal point, so this was a challenge I both welcomed and was interested in.

I used My Favorite Things stamp set Pure Innocence "Have a Blooming Good Day" stamped in Ranger Distress Inks "Antique Linen". Then I stamped over that with a harvest sentiment stamp set from MFT company. After stamping them, I heat embossed both of them so they would stand out some more. Tombow markers were used to color in her heart, hairbands, shoes, flower and grass, to add a bit of color, or else it would all look "flat" with out some color. I die cut their Open Scallop Die and placed it under the matted image. And I used some ribbon along side for interest and to break up all the pink, pink, pink going on :) I used a punch to cut out little flowers to place over the ribbons, then pearls were added after for a softer creamy pink in the middle. I could have used buttons, and I did try, but it just wasn't working, so I went with the punched flowers. The last thing I did was place pop dots under everything to lift it off the paper. I like the 3D element it adds. I like my cards to have dimension, and not be laying flat on a card front. It looks boring to me. It only takes 2 minutes but the results are worth it, to me :)

So I finally figured out my lighting situation (I know I say that every time! LOL). I took my homemade LightBox (Thank You Kim Teasedale!! She's the BEST), and went outside and added a couple lights along the sides for more light, and Voila! The BEST pictures I have taken in a while. I have always loved and wanted pictures that many others seem to be able to do. The kind that are a bright, white "studio" picture with full color. I could never seem to get that, and when I tried to Photoshop light in...Ugh! It all looked so unnatural. I hate that look. So, I hope this works out, although I had to cart two lights, a LightBox, coffee table, camera and card outside, and lug it all back in... I'm sure my neighbors think I'm crazy lugging this stuff out on my front lawn... :)



~

Psalms 136:1
Give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: His mercy endures forever

5 comments:

  1. SWEET and that sentiment is so true!!

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  2. This is darling! I would be proud with it also and glad you got the lighting figured out.

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  3. Sweet & clean -- I love that sentiment, too! :)

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  4. CONGRATULATIONS Amanda! I was over on SCS and saw that you were chosen for the MFT Guest Designer this month! How exciting! I'm so happy for you!

    Your card is lovely! That beautiful sentiment is such a great match for this sweet image! Wonderfully done! :D

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  5. Congratulations, Amanda! That is wonderful news! Your card look gorgeous! Love it.
    Hugs and smiles

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Thank You For Your Kind Comments And Please Have A Wonderful Day!!