Lockhart Stamp Company Winter Release

Happy New Year everyone!!!

First off I would like to thank you all so much for your heartfelt responses!!! I have my fingers crossed, my toes crossed, my legs crossed - LOL - you get the picture! I am hopeful that our Credit Card company will be able to help replace my camera. I will be certain to let you all know what happens. BUT please, please, please remember to always be certain that you understand your "gear" so that you don't end up in a similar situation to mine!

Next I must tell you I am incredibly excited about the new releases!!! They are soooo cute and I do believe there is a little something for everyone. I can't seem to resist the cuteness factor of many of these images. The ideas are just rushing around inside my brain and I hope to get some time to get it all out Ü

Yesterday evening my niece and I went on a creating spree together - well we thought it was going to be a spree, but being that we both like things extremely well done our spree turned in to only one "very well designed" (said tongue in cheek, with a whole lot of laughter) card. Just a little background on my niece - she has studied graphic design focusing on the digital aspect of design and so between the two of us we have quite the design background - LOL! We are both what you might term perfectionists as well, so you can see where this story is leading. The card we designed is replicated below. The one we made last night is actually a wedding card and so the main image was the A Muse bride and groom, but being that I have my brand new untouched Lockhart stamps I just had to play with one of those today instead, when I remade our card from last night. This card we made only took HOURS to finalize on the details because we kept coming up with "better" ideas as we went - tee hee!

I will not go on any more but just share the picture of the final product and then do a little explaining.

front of card and coordinating envelope

pocket inside of card to hold cash, check or gift card Ü

So what do you think? was it worth the hours of love we put into it? (insert big grin).

It started with the piece of vellum I had created weeks ago when I was playing with my Cuttlebug. I had ran it through the Cuttlebug using the Fiskars texture plate and Wizard Charm Kit. I LOVE how vellum looks embossed and have since ran my CB folders through with vellum inside, brass templates, etc. We wanted the card to be simply elegant and it had to start someplace, so this was it.

The bride's dress is a soft white and so I started gathering things to make a soft monochromatic card. We used the Memory Box eggshell notecard and envelope; Iridescents, Cryogen White CS, and Worldwin 48# Vellum. I then started pulling out the embellishments that I thought would lend themselves to this feeling of understated elegance - thus the Making Memories Pearls and May Arts ribbon.

We worked using the rule of thirds to establish the face of this card. If you dissect the card front and place your focal point where the vertical and horizontal thirds meet it will be an interesting diversion from the perfectly centered image that balances an image symmetrically.

We used the Create-a-Cut scallop blade to once again add a quick touch of elegance to the vellum and felt like we hit the stroke of genius (OK - so I'm saying this sitting here LOL) when I pulled out the Interference Gold Pearl Ex to bring that special twinkle to the interior of the card and to the envelope. The Swirls stamp is once again from the Rhonna Farrar clear stamps put out by Autumn Leaves. I must say I love these stamps and many of you have asked me where I found them. Unfortunately I am having a hard time finding a place for you to find them. I purchased mine when I was in MN this fall at Archivers. I have since seen them in the 2 Peas store, but they always seem to be sold out. If I get wind of a resource I'll either snap a bunch up and put them in my store, or let you know where you can find them, because they truly work magic with so many of the Lockhart images :D

One last thing is the font selected - it is Existence Light. I am truly a font-a-holic Ü This one just had the perfect simple, yet elegant, touch to it and Tara was able to work magic with the placement and sizing. I'm proud of the work that we accomplished together and hope that you gain a little "insight" into the creative process we shared in last night. Lots of giggles, different supplies set aside that we thought might be good, and a lot of kerning and experimenting with type and here is the end result :D

Comments

[Mary C. Anderson]

Your cards are so soft and elegant looking.

Mary

[Sheila A]

I love this card!!! FYI I found the swirls stamps at addictedtorubberstamps.com a few months ago. Just this week, I found them at Target for less than what I paid at addicted! They have 3 types of Autumn Leaves clear stamp sets.

[MereDeaux]

This card is very pretty. I like the Polka Dot dry emboss a lot. Oh these embossing plates are so much fun. And the folders too! Jan

[Karen]

What an elegant card! All the more so for its simplicity. I have tried to emboss vellum with my Big Shot, but the embossing was pierced through in some areas. What brand of vellum works with this?

[danielle]

I recently bought a Cuttlebug and was told that there is a way you can use Lasting Impressions Brass Stencils. Do you know how this works?

[Liz (ececsy)]

lovely card Ellen!!! It was worth all your perfecting time!

[Juanita(Toni173)]

Oh, Oh, Oh (pass out on the floor)!!!! What a way to start the new year! I flipped my biscuits when I saw all the new "goodies" for sale. The cards are awesome...I have to go and rest now, way tooooooo much excitement for me LOL!

[KathyN]

Ellen, the card is stunning and gorgeous! Love that scallop Create-A-Cut you used on the card! TwoPeasinabucket.com does have the Rhonna Farrar v.2 Swirls set. Just purchased it online for anyone interested.

[Mary]

Beautiful---very classy. The recipient would immediately recognize that it is more than a card---it is carefully executed ART. I am so appreciative that you shared it wth us.

[Viv (VivLyn)]

It is truly one gorgeous card! It looks like it took lots of hours but was well worth the effort! A masterpiece!