CFC62 Back in Black

CAS-UAL FRIDAYS  Create a clean and simple design using a black base card. This weeks sponsor: Lil Inker Designss is providing a $20.00 gift certificate to  buy some of their made in USA stamps and dies. It sure would be fun to win that.

I love black in fact most of my clothes are black or white, with some blue for interest. The contrast of black and white is strong and fresh. Starting with the black base I outlined a silver .25" frame. I used the simple flower die from SU with a yellow center. The center flower is attached with dimension squares, some leaves on the side, and the birthday sentiment completes this card.

You've got to see the designers cards. You'll be inspired to create one of your own. I love them all. They've used several different techniques you will want to try too!  Fun and funky examples that will delight you. This striking card by: Dana Seymour is so stunning I wanted to use stripes for my card.

I started working with stripes of white glitter tape. I found some scraps of leopard fur paper (I bought years ago) and decided to make some more purses, they're so fun and use just the smallest bits of paper. Then I cut the black glitter paper in scallops to look like an awning, attached with some dimensional squares. And then I realized it was not a clean and simple design. This is an issue with me...more is better...NOT for this challenge, so I stopped and created the birthday card. I'll get back to this later.

Next up is a champagne shaped card I made for a friend from our local Woman's Club. Thelma is celebrating her 90th birthday. Her daughter is hosting a party for her and Bill and I are invited, so of course I had to make a unique card for this amazing woman.

 I used this pink glitter paper that reminds me of sparkling pink champagne. I used gold stickles to cover the black numbers I had available. The star burst and gold chains stickers add more sparkle and interest to the "cork" top.  I'm using a silver Mylar bag that the State store offers for gift bags as  an envelope, tied at the top with a ribbon and flower.

"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't."  ~Henry Ward Beecher

Be well ~ Carole

CAS-UAL FRIDAYS 61

CAS-UAL Fridays challenge 61. Use strips of color or pattern in your Clean and Simple design. The sponsor this week is :Freckled Fawn

So let's begin with my card. Just yesterday I received a goody-bag  from my cousin, a dear friend and artist Darlene Gail better know as Arte Dar, a master at altered art and dolls. Worth checking out!!! Anyway she traveled to Michigan a few months back to shop and craft with a friend. Her friend took her to a shop that sells hand made papers. Darlene Gail told me she spent hours there and didn't see half of what they displayed. Huge isles of rolled papers. She was awe struck. After making her selections and waiting for the clerk to find the price, the owner came by and gave her a bag of sample strips, some of which were in the package I received yesterday along with other treasures. Wowie Cazowie!  Some of the most amazing papers I've ever seen.


The sample pieces are one inch wide strips. Perfect for the "Let's Strip" challenge. I used the first strip that caught me eye. It's embossed with what looks like silver coins - so cool. I cut the strip to 1/4" layered on the black. I used the large and small leaf dies ( part of the upsy-daisies dies) for the focal added black pearls and the sentiment...all done.

Now back to my treasures - must find a place to put them, but not forget about them. -out of sight out of mind. Solution:display something to remind me of the thoughtful gift and my dear cousin.

"The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. " ~Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur

 That's all for now. Be well ~ Carole