Anniversary & Vintage - Always a Challenge

While I love the look of vintage, I rarely make that style of cards myself.   It just so happened last evening that I needed some anniversary cards for some upcoming celebrations.   So, I came up with the following (very, very simple) vintage-style anniversary card.   This is a first for me.   I combined two challenges into one.   (I am usually challenged at anniversary cards for some reason.)  

 

Below, you see three different card views.   The top view doesn't allow you to appreciate the stamping I did (two-step, meaning that I first stamped the image onto another sheet of paper and then stamped the lower-toned image onto the green card stock), though I think the sponging (done in Old Olive) shows well.   I sponged both the die-cut doily and edges of the green card stock.   I added one of my all-time favorites of Stampin' Up!'s brads (vintage) to the center of the doily.    I then stamped a vintage image onto the bottom part of the card's inside.   So, if you have an anniversary coming soon, you may see this card again - in your mailbox!  

 

This second card image has my nosey cat, Smokey, as the backdrop.    She didn't understand why I wanted her out of the way of my photo-taking.    So, I decided she wins.    Again.  

 

Below is a better shot of Smokey and the card.   Oh, what would I do without my feline companions.    My goodness!   Who (besides you, by blog followers) would show interest in my creations?!

So, there you have it.   My first-ever Jennifer-designed vintage creation.   Vintage can get a lot more complex, but until I become more accustomed to or interested in this style, I'm gonna stay simple! 

No More Cards in the Stash...

Well, I've run out of cards in my stash.  Sure, I have cards for specific occasions, but I have no cards I can send "just because."   So, last evening I pulled out some kits I purchased from Stampin' Up! about two or three years ago when I was a demonstrator.   At the time, I was quite shocked at their contents.   You see.   It was a "mystery bag" kinda thing where I paid a certain amount of money and was surprised with contents (pre-cut) to use to make cards.   I must admit that I wasn't very impressed when they first arrived.   In my time of need, though, they came in handy b/c I didn't feel like thinking a whole lot.   Following is one card I made.   I credit Stampin' Up! for the color combination of Purely Pomegranate, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, and More Mustard.  

While this card is rather basic, I find its color combination quite attractive.   One of my favorite techniques is to use my punch to alter the paper's corners.   I love this look!   I used the stamp set Circle Circus as the images on the card front, and I used an assortment of greetings on the insides of each card.   I used "Best Wishes," "Many Thanks," and "Birthday Wishes," which means I can use the cards for a variety of occasions.   Or just because.