Oh, Ed Pinaud!

Oh, Ed Pinaud!
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

After the previous two uh...failure cards, I decided to work on getting my mojo back by using my favorite card-making technique: that's right--DISTRESSING. (I find it ironic that distressing something makes me happy. Hmmmm...)

This card uses two Graphic 45 designer papers: Renaissance Faire Collection-Florentine and Times Nouveau Collection-Hey You! The Hey You! paper has some great old newspaper advertisements on it. The Ed. Pinaud Hair Tonic ad is really cute. I added a bit of shine to her pearls with a gel pen and a bit of yellow to her flower with Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Mustard Seed. I also distressed the edges with Walnut Stain and a paper distresser. I distressed the Florentine paper too. Then I glued it on a kraft card blank. Very simple. Very quick. But after the previous two disasters....just what I needed!

Thanks for looking!

~Cynthia

Butterfly Flight

Butterfly Flight
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

It was so much cooler in my head.

First, I think I should have used a kraft card blank and not an ivory one. Second, the strips of designer paper are too short. I should have used more color. The butterfly should have been tilted to actually fly 'off' the swirl. I mean, I could go on and on about what I don't like about this card. One of the most irritating parts is that one of the cherries on the Graphic 45 paper is HIDDEN by the dang butterfly! I even used Glossy Accents on the cherries and on the swirl...to no avail. In a fit of anger, I hit the card with some Distress Ink (Black Soot). That didn't help either.

So I add this card to my blog for one reason. In three months I want to be able to look at this card and think to myself..."Self...I am so much better than this now."

Well, a girl can hope, right? ;-)


~Cynthia

Whole Lotta Layers

Whole Lotta Layers
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

This is one of those "It looked so much better in my head" kinda cards. *sigh* I love the paper--it's by Graphic 45 (Botanicabella Collection, Ode to a Butterfly). The black paper is the back side. The other rust paper is Bazzill. I cut out tons of rectangles using Nestabilites. Then I layered them. And I got this hot mess. *double sigh* I suppose maybe some ribbon might improve it or maybe it should just hit the trashcan. I put in my Card Box, in the "weird stuff I might fix later" section. :-(

Thanks for looking and please leave any suggestions you might think up!

~Cynthia

A Better Anniversary

A Better Anniversary
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

And here's the card I'm actually going to send to my aunt and uncle. The first attempt (see next card) didn't sit well with me. You know, it kind of sat in my stomach as a little lump that said...you can do so much better. I think this one *did* come out a lot better. It's also a simple, classic card. I used white on white with black ink, two stamps, one button, and I remembered to use a corner rounder on the sentiment. Over all, I think it looks much more professional than the first one. Do you agree??

Supplies:
White card blank (The Paper Studio)
White cardstock (Bazzill)
Ink (Memento Tuxedo Black)
Sentiment (Inkadinkadoo--Mix Your Messages)
Flourish stamp (KaiserCraft--Flourishes)
Fiskars Corner Rounder
Foof-a-la button

Shew! I feel better!! ;-)

~Cynthia

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

Hmmm. This is one of those "I'm not too sure about this card" card. I like how it's very simple, classic even, with just black and white. But it needs something. I definitely should have rounded the corners of the happy anniversary sentiment. Maybe add a bit of bling on the cake. Don't know. In any case, I was so not happy with it that I made another card. The new version will go out in a few days to my aunt and uncle, who are celebrating 60 YEARS together! WOW.

Since this is just a blog to record the cards I make, I'll post it anyway. Maybe someone can give me an idea! :-)

The Details:

White card blank from The Paper Studio
Black and white papers from Bazzill
Black ribbon from sales bin at Walmart
Cake stamp from dollar bin at Michael's
Black Soot Ink from Tim Holtz Distress Ink line
Queen & Co black half-pearls

Thanks for looking--feel free to leave helpful hints!!

~Cynthia

Formal Red and Black

Formal Red and Black
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

Another pretty CAS (Clean And Simple) card. I like all the white areas and how it's...I don't know...soothing? peaceful? And Mr. Squirrel is just there for a cameo. He's not really part of the card! ;-)

Supplies:
Paper: Bazzill red and black, on a white card blank by The Paper Studio
Punches: Retro Flower (Paper Shapers); Branch (Martha Stewart)
Queen & Co. Nightfall Pearl
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Walnut Stain

When this card is ready to get mailed, I'll add a sentiment, but also I think I'll add a few black pearls in the corners.

Thanks for checking this card out! Enjoy your day!!

~Cynthia

Spring Branch

Spring Branch
Originally uploaded by HikerCynthia

Here's a 180 from yesterday's grunginess! Clean and simple (CAS). Sorry the top paper looks crooked; it really isn't.

I used one stamp, one ribbon, one pearl, one color of paper. I used Inkadinkado chalks for the leaves and flowers. I stamped the branch in Tim Holtz Distress Ink Walnut Stain. The ribbon was attached with Glue Dots. It's ready for a sentiment--maybe Easter?

Have a glorious day!!

~Cynthia