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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Thoughts of Thistles {PP64}

Happy Sunday, friends, and welcome to another fun-filled week with us at The Paper Players!  Ann is our hostess this week and she has a fun challenge for you.  It's our Clean and Simple week and Ann is challenging you to use either an animal or a plant on your card.  Any flora or fauna that you choose--have fun with it!


Trees, leaves, flowers and plants certainly fill up the bulk of my stamping arsenal so I reached for some brand-new rubber, Nature's Pace, and with this sketch from the gals over at Sketch Frenzy Friday in hand,


I made this for your inspiration:


My maternal grandmother, my Nana, was born in Scotland and emigrated to Canada as a young girl.  Thistles always make me think of her.  I loved listening to stories of her country and the longer she talked the thicker her brogue became--what a magical sound!  Knowing I wanted to use Rich Razzleberry for the thistle image, my card developed around those two elements.


For the main image I cut a circle with my Nestabilities and while the circle was still in the Nestie, I sponged a light application of Baja Breeze ink through the nestie.  When the Nestie circle is removed you get a nice matted edge.  The Rich Razzleberry thistle really pops against the Baja Breeze and coordinates well with this pattern from the Pocketful of Posies paper pack.

On each side I layered a piece of yummy Quilted Satin ribbon in Early Espresso and a Crumb Cake "button" made with the Sweet Buttons embosslit.

The sentiment that comes in this set is such a wonderful reminder in these hectic times.  Here's hoping that this inspires you to adopt the pace of nature this coming week--even if in only one area of your life.  Thanks for spending a little of your time with me today.  Please check out what the rest of The Paper Players design team has to inspire you:

The Paper Players Design Team
Tara Bilbao
Sandra Conner (September GD)

I hope you will play along with us this week.  If you do, please link up your creation to The Paper Players blog by Friday, September 23rd at midnight (PST) to be in the running for Headliner or A Cut Above.  Have a great day!

Photobucket

supplies:
stamps: nature's pace, woodgrain, sincere salutations
ink: early espresso, baja breeze, rich razzleberry, crumb cake
paper: early espresso, crumb cake, baja breeze, rich razzleberry, very vanilla CS; pocketful of posies DSP
xtras: scalloped envelope die; 2.5" circle punch; sweet buttons embosslit; early espresso quilted satin ribbon; scallop ribbon border punch; nestabilities

19 comments:

Rita W said...

What a great use of that darn envelope die! It doesn't do much but collect dust here, but I hadn't thought of using it like that! Too clever! Love the woodgrain and your beautiful thistle. Thanks for sharing the story of grandmother. It's nice when cards have such a personal inspiration.

Christina said...

I love the rich purple and brown you've combined here. Such a gorgeous image, and I loved reading about the symbolism it holds for you. Beautiful work, my friend!

Tammy Fite said...

WOW!! I love all the attention to detail!! It's gorgeous!! thanks for playing with us at SFF!!

Deb said...

Wow, Nancy!! This is so beautiful! Is that part of the scallop envelope that I see behind your main image? How clever you are!!! Your attention to detail on this one is outstanding! Thanks for joining us this week at Sketch Frenzy Friday!

Ann Schach said...

Wow, Nance! What an elegant card! How clever and unique to use the scallop envelope behind your image! Beautiful!

LeAnne said...

Soooo pretty! We have a Scottish friend at church and thistles remind me of her too! She always makes me shortbread for Christmas. Your card is just beautiful...oh dear, another set for my wish list.

Diane - oliver.mdiane@comcast.net said...

Nance what a great card! Love how did the BG for the image; so clever! Your details are so sweet: ribbon flags, paper button, etc. This inside is as pretty as the front. I know your mom likes the thistles as well... and now I why! Hugs.

Marisa said...

This is fabulous, Nance! Love the colour combo and those little embossed buttons are fabulous - may have to check that out a bit more closely...LOL! Love the story behind the card. Thanks for the link to the sketch site too - us sketch challenge types thrive on other people's sketches LOL! Have a great Sunday.

Lesley said...

So gorgeous Nance, love the Baja and the Razzleberry together! Just beautiful! The DSP is one I keep considering...it looks great with the new ribbon. Great job!

Julie Marshall said...

The layers on this card are beautiful! That blue matte was the perfect color for the Razzleberry thistle. The quilted satin ribbon finishes it off so nicely.

Margaret Moody said...

I LOVE this card, Nance! You used one of my favorite new sets from the catalog (love the thistle)! Love the colors you chose and how you paired it with the Pocketful of Poisies paper! Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing a little bit about your Nana too! She evidently made a great impression on you! Take care, friend!

Carrie Gaskin said...

Nance, you have placed every little detail in just the right spot. You seem to know when to add just "enough" - not overpowering but so much more than one could expect. Lovely.

jjcreations said...

Absolutely wonderful, Nance. I love all the purple. I forgot that I wanted this stamp set, primarily for this thistle to remind me of my grandparents also. Must put it on my next order. I also love how you used the flap of the envelope - very clever.

Linda Callahan said...

Love the razzleberry image against the blue background! Beautifully done - and the little paper buttons are sweeeet!

Anne Marie Hile said...

Nance, every single detail is perfection! I love how you shaded the image with the Baja ink, too. Thanks for the tip with the Nestie. Such a cool look with the envelope die, too. Of course, the Woodgrain background is so YOU...I really think your picture should be featured next to it in the catalog. HeeHee!! Hope your weekend was great, my friend! ((hugs))

Sandra Conner said...

I love how you used the envelope die for your background, such a great idea. The colors are beautiful, and that stamped image is just perfect. Another stamp set for my wish list, oh wait, its already on there! Love it!

Patrice Herrera said...

Hi Nancy, Thanks for stopping by SFF and sharing your lovely card with us. As usual your card is amazing . You are right the thistle pops against the Baja Breeze background. Thanks again.

Tara Bilbao said...

Nance, WOW this color combo is incredible. I love how you sponged the middle of the nestie. You have managed to pull off a CAS card that has such great details. As always, the inside is as beautiful as outside. Just fabulous!

Margaret said...

Nance, this is such a beautiful card! I love your color choices and all of the details!