Thursday, August 13, 2015

I'm supposed to be ironing.......

......but when I saw the August Monthly Meetup challenge at the Lil' Inker blog was Anything Goes, I put that off for another day and pulled out my brand new (to me)  Circles & Diamonds Stitched Pattern die and had a play.  This is a different kind of die, in that it cuts the stitched pattern into paper, and then you use the Darling Diamonds stamp set to give it more detail and color.  I just got this die last week, haven't had the time until today to really experiment with it.  I paired it with my stamp set, and ended up with three four cards for this challenge, the first 3 based on various color schemes from past color challenges that I've played in.  ETA: after looking at all of these lined up, they kind of represent each season.  This first one would be summer:



This also uses Lil' Inker's Spring Flower die and a die-cut sentiment.  The colors come from this color challenge, and you can see that I was influenced by those sunflowers, too:


Card #2 is a Christmas design:


The khaki centers were stamped twice with the striped stamp, turning it 90 degrees to get this checked/plaid look.  I trimmed down the stamped panel for this one, framing it in kraft and placing it on a red card base.   I added a stamped sentiment and some sparkly snowflakes.  Here's the color challenge that inspired this card:


And I'm back to fall with my third entry:


Since the orange peel shapes were in different colors, they reminded me a bit of falling leaves, and I ran with that idea.  A happy coincidence is that this stitched frame works perfectly in size with this design, so I added it as an inner frame to bring in more of the aqua.  I also added a die-cut sentiment and some falling leaves to the mix.   These colors came from this challenge:



..............and then I read the fine print for the challenge: "Projects should exclusively feature LID goodies to be eligible to win but do not need to exclusively feature LID goodies to participate."  Okay, then, here's one more in spring colors using pinks and mints that follows the rules!


I love the center diamond with the heart, so that is featured on this card.  I didn't want to cover up anything, so I stamped my sentiment from Spot On on vellum and embossed it in silver, scored and folded my vellum strip so that it stood up above everything else,  then added some pink pearls on either side.

To say that I'm thrilled with this Circles and Diamonds die and stamp combo is an understatement - I love that you can use it with as little as 2 colors and as many as 4, and I'm sure more than that.  It lends itself to embellishing, yet it's interesting enough on it's own to stand by itself with just a sentiment.  The designers of the stamp set gave us some really fun patterns to fill in the stitched areas with.  Before I made cards I was a quilter, and I love that now I can make my own paper quilts whenever I'm in the mood.  I evidently miss making quilts, and could have gone on.......except for that darn ironing!!  Thanks for sticking with me for this long post!




 

Happy 5th Birthday, Lil' Inker! 

21 comments:

Dotty Jo said...

Beautiful cards! The apttern called to the quilter in me too... I think I actually made a throw in this pattern years ago. Here in the UK I think the pattern is known as Cathedral Windows and was really tricky to do, Jo x

Cindy C. said...

I am glad you ditch the ironing and stamp instead! :) These are wonderful!!! Each so unique even the same the die is used!!

Michelle said...

These are all fabulous cards!

Miriam Prantner said...

These are gorgeous! I just love all the different ways you used it, and the different patterns you created!

Tenia Nelson said...

AWESOME creations!!!

Becca Cruger said...

Are you kidding me?! I'm looking at all of these and thinking HOLY COW! You have got some patience! These are GORGEOUS. Sorry for all the capitalized words, but some things just need to be emphasized. I especially love the fall one with the little leaves. So cute, Lin!

Pam Sparks said...

Gorgeous Lin! At first I thought maybe you used WPlus9! I have those but I love the stitching option! I have to go look! :D

Cat Craig said...

I wondered how the heck the stitching got on there looking at the photos. What a fabulous set of cards.

Lisa Elton said...

These were all worth putting the ironing aside!! Beautiful cards Lin!!

Arlene said...

Certainly this was a much better thing to do than to iron. BRAVO!

And what a wonderful range of seasons from one stamp.and die.

jintyoo7 said...

I think you picked the best activity ;-P
These are beautiful!

Dawn T said...

just love all the different colour combos Lin. A very versatile die and stamp set.

Karen Dunbrook said...

awesome cards...I feel your pain; housework or stamping!!

Linda W. (ScrappinBari) said...

Wow, Lin - so many yummy versions - love them all!! Ironing - what's that - LOL.

TracyM #6773 said...

GORGEOUS cards!!!

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, Lin, I'm so glad you postponed the ironing and make these! They are gorgeous each one! Wow, being a former quilter, I remember the cathedral window pattern, and this is a gorgeous and perfect die! Stunning and one I may have to add to my ever-growing wish list! LOL! Hugs!

Hippymom83 said...

Wow! These are all so gorgeous! :) Very nice work!

Deb Walker Deb Stamps Life, LLC said...

Can't decide which one I love best Lin! Well...maybe the orange and blue one? and the blue and yellow one! Well done friend--worth a few wrinkly clothes:)

Chriss Blagrave said...

Just stunning! Each and every one!

D.Ann C said...

Lovely!

Laura Pryor said...

I am so very very impressed by all the beautiful work here. I know how much time went into making each one of these. I think the Christmas one is my favorite because these are such unexpected products to use to make a holiday card and you made them truly shine. Thank you so so very much for playing along with our Monthly Meetup Challenge. We hope to see you again next time. Thank you!!!