Friday, 8 February 2013

A Card in the Hand..

..is worth two (or three or four) on the drawing board. It's been a busy week round here; and, while it's nice to be planning a project in my head as I tackle something else, it's even better to finally get a chance to sit down and stick.

stamped background card by Sian From High in the Sky

Funny, I'm finding that my cards for the 52 Card Challenge at Kool Kitty Musings are making me s l o w  d o w n. Kind of contemplative card making. Maybe because I know that, no matter how long a card takes, it's never going to be as long as a layout? Or perhaps because I'm not thinking about the story I need to tell? I like it. Expectation management, I guess.

This week's challenge? Breathe new life into old stash. So I picked up a Prima stamp (from a Quirky Kit) which has been staring at me, daring me to use it for months. I had spotted an interesting card on the October Afternoon blog: one with a stark, neutral background and brightly coloured embellishments and I took inspiration from that to stamp some Jenni Bowlin grey "weathervane" ink onto white cardstock over and over again to make a canvas. My sewing machine is still threaded with last week's yellow, so I added a bit of stitching and a few drops of OA Sprinkler ink...

..and then I made another one. This might be a Valentine card. Maybe. 

stamped background card by Sian From High in the Sky

And after that, I looked at the pretty cardstock label packaged with the stamp and thought - I'm going to use that somewhere. Maybe next time?
at

29 comments:

  1. alexa8 February 2013 at 09:41

    Lovely to see your creative cards and the way you've done the backgrounds. Meditative sounds good this time of year! Like the yellow stitching and that you just went with what you have in the machine :).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fiona@Staring at the Sea8 February 2013 at 10:49

    I like the contrast of the bright thread and embellishments against that stormy rain spattered background.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Julie Kirk8 February 2013 at 11:13

    Such lovely cards Sian. Part of why I turn to cardmaking is it's - like you say - less attached to 'story telling'. And as much as I love telling tales ... sometimes I like to just indulge my love of colour and form and cutting up paper. Without thinking any deeper.

    Your enjoyment of your cardmaking time is certainly shining through in them!



    ReplyDelete
  4. laurie8 February 2013 at 11:53

    i love the background on your cards! very unique and attractive. and it sounds like card-making is not only relaxing for you, but productive as well!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sandra8 February 2013 at 12:52

    The backgrounds are amazing, striking

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cheri8 February 2013 at 13:01

    These look like they were fun to make!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Paula - Buenos Aires8 February 2013 at 13:33

    Pretty! And I also love the settings for the photographs. Way cool.
    I smiled at the Fun Times #264. Must be a great year if you´re already up to that number. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. scrappyjacky8 February 2013 at 13:37

    Great backgrounds,Sian....and it could definately be a Valentine card.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara Eads8 February 2013 at 14:59

    Your cards are gorgeous---as usual!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Elizabeth8 February 2013 at 15:34

    I love how you did the backgrounds. Guess I'm going to have to start using some stamps on my cards--only because they look so gosh darn good on yours!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown8 February 2013 at 15:36

    I love the backgrounds you created. I really must make some cards to have on hand!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jimjams8 February 2013 at 15:51

    Lovely cards - beautifully staged too! Glad you are enjoying the change!

    ReplyDelete
  13. debs148 February 2013 at 16:14

    Great cards, I wonder who's getting the last one?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sandie8 February 2013 at 17:20

    Love everything about your cards Sian - I like the fact cards are shared and can be personal. Because they are quicker than scrapbook pages I can also be more experimental and not so precious. You are making me want to go and play!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sheena8 February 2013 at 17:31

    Loving the cards Sian x

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous8 February 2013 at 17:39

    They're looking great Sian. Hmmm, I really must get my stamps out again.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jennifer Shaw8 February 2013 at 17:45

    Beautiful cards! The background and stitching are great! Maybe one if these days I will learn to embrace card making. You make it look easy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Melissa8 February 2013 at 19:26

    Great cards! I'm hoping for a little time in my craft room this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beverly8 February 2013 at 20:39

    Great cards, Sian, I especially love the first one. I think it is the clean look and brightness of the embellishments on the softer muted "messiness" of the splattered background.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Deb @ PaperTurtle8 February 2013 at 20:43

    These cards are so pretty, Sian! Carrie and I are hosting a Valentine crop tomorrow afternoon and I plan to make a few Valentine cards myself. Love your creations!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Alison8 February 2013 at 21:10

    Lovely cards,Sian...I am really hoping to get some time to play this weekend!
    Alison xx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Amy8 February 2013 at 23:27

    Your style translates from layout to card seamlessly Sian - they're lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Maria Ontiveros9 February 2013 at 04:55

    I love to see how your card making has evolved - it was only a few years ago when you had never made a card!
    Your first one for today is my favorite.
    Rinda

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nathalie9 February 2013 at 05:08

    Lovely cards and like Maria, the first one is my fave~ probably has to do with that gorgeous polka dot button and the red accents.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Miriam9 February 2013 at 12:25

    I love the backgrounds you have used here Sian & the white doily on the second card is gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ginger11 February 2013 at 01:44

    I'm behind in my 52 Card Challenge but hope to catch up this week :) Your cards are always a joy to see, they are so inspirational!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jo12 February 2013 at 19:06

    They are great cards. I keep saying I'm going to make some cards and then I forget! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Lisa18 February 2013 at 22:46

    You make the best staging for your photos.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jennifer Grace22 February 2013 at 10:12

    Love your fun backgrounds on these! x

    ReplyDelete

Thank you! I do love to know what you think