For YOU with love

Happy Monday! I have the privilege to share a card I made just for fun today, and I say privilege because I don't always have the time to make an extra card. I have been experimenting with different materials to create organic looking embellishments. My last card featured a DIY rosette embellishment made of a very common every day material. I will have a tutorial on that this week, so stay tuned and join me on Friday for all the details on that project made for Ann Butler Designs! Then tomorrow you'll see a mixed media card I created for this week's challenge at ODBD, featuring a product found at the hardware store that I used to add texture to the card. There will be another complete tutorial on that project also! But today, I bring you a card featuring one of my deepest paper crafting obsessions... Handmade flowers! I experimented with crepe paper! Yes, that's right, the one used for party decorations.

I had this idea of using crepe paper to try a new look for my infamous Spellbinders Rose Creations die cuts... Well, my gut was right and I think my flowers resulted beautiful, full of texture and somewhat organic looking. But again, that is MY opinion... What do you think?

Supplies 
Dies: Spellbinders - Rose Creations, Mary Border Strip, A2 Matting Basics. ODBD - Fancy Foliage, Beautiful Borders, Flourished Star Pattern. Docrafts Xcut - Leafy Flourishes. Marianne Creatables - Key. Cheery Lynn Designs - English Tea Party
Stamps: Avery Elle - Simple Tags, Everyday. ColorBox Background Basics by Ann Butler - Picnic 1
Inks: ColorBox Paintbox (Heliotrope and Pink). Ranger - Distress Ink Sprays in Shaded Lilac and Spun Sugar, Dylussions White Linen Ink Spray. Ann Butler's Crafter's Ink in Aquamarine
Tools: Zap! heat tool, Westcott titanium paper trimmer, Grand Calibur die cutting machine
Adhesives: Beacon's Tacky Glue, Bazic two sided tape, Bazic two sided foam tape
Embellishments - Stampin' Up Jewels Basic Rhinestones
Miscelaneous
Textured cardstock in white, aquamarine and pink
Craft metal (silver backing)
Vellum
Crepe Paper

I'm really into mixed media cards lately, and I love the watercolored look of these flowers, paired with the incredible texture created by the die cut background (made with the NEW Spellbinders Mary Border Strip) and the use of sprays and ink. I was inspired by two challenges: The always fun Mod Squad Challenge hosted now by the talented Joyce Erb with a beautiful and peculiar color combination, Purple and Teal; and, Cardabilities with these great sketch:

Recently I've been thinking of my old days as a singer. Incredibly music still means the world to me, though I don't sing anymore (in public that is). I do love to sing along to Youtube videos and personal playlists, but that's about it now a days. Anyways, while I was making this card I recalled that one of the last photos taken of me while singing has the color palette of this challenge. Turns out I used to WEAR these colors back in the day!

Then while I was writing this post I stumbled across a love song I used to listen to around the time this picture was taken. Again, the song too has the color, sweetness and fresh lyrics that I think can be translated to the feel and sentiment of this card, so I am going to share it with you too! Valentine's day is approaching so why not? Yes, it's that kind of rainy day today!

As you may be able to tell a piece of my heart goes into every card I make, and I take my time until I feel it conveys the energy present in me. I hope you enjoyed today's post. Be inspired to try out new things and express yourself as much as you can through all the artistic things you do, little and large!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a creative week!

I'm submitting this card to:
Mod Squad Challenge - Purple and Teal
Cardabilities - Sketch #115
Cheery Lynn Designs - Add a Heart (gridded pink heart stamped on banner)