A Unique Wedding Gift

  As an 'Artist' I'd like to think I can creatively come up with ways to appeal to my customers and to give ideas to others. I love challenges, but I have to admit when the original card for my customer proved to be not exactly what she wanted. I discovered that there had been some miscommunication between my customer and I. (Something I plan to remedy, especially when a customer is wanting something very particular) So, I set to brainstorming once again.

She wanted to highlight both of her friends, who are getting married this month, for the a crazy & unique hobby; the Polar Bear Plunge. One of them wears a yellow cape and the other a floral headband. She also wanted their names, as well as their wedding date. Then she told me she wanted it so she could frame it and give it to them. So, I had a lot of detail to work with, but I needed and wanted it to be perfect. Who doesn't want a happy customer?

I started with a sketch. A very simple and rudimentary sketch, but I think it highlighted exactly what she wanted and presented my way. So I set to work, starting with cutting an 8x10 base in Daisy White Cardstock. Followed by a sheet from the Timberline paper pack (it has constellations on it) approximately 8x6. I also sketched a piece on some Daisy White CS to look like snow covered hills to give some depth to the image. I sketched both Polar Bears and the moon on Colonial White CS. (I am not a very good artist as far as drawing goes) but after a lot of revision I finally managed to get two very cute polar bears drawn. I fussy cut all three images.

I used the Banner Wishes stamp set with Black ink on Buttercup CS (a retiring item). I was even able to fit both their names and wedding date on the banner changing my original idea up a little bit. I love how it turned out. I fussy cut that image. Finally I distressed the edges of the bears and moon with black, adding in the eyes with a journaling pen and sponging more black over the surface of the moon. I edged the snow in Twilight (which is incidentally retiring at the end of the month, snatch that beautiful color up while you can!) I used some 3-D tape to pop up the moon, the banner and both polar bears. The finishing touch to the project was adding some yellow terry fabric (which I dabbed it in some Honey ink to enhance the color some more) and a floral headband made using some Neutral Bakers Twine & adhesive flowers I had lying around.

I felt moments of pure frustration with this project at moments, but I think we all do from time to time. I felt I had high expectations to live up to and I didn't want to disappoint her again. So, when I finally looked at this work of art, and I truly feel it is a Work of Art, I was proud and delighted by how it  had turned out. What made that even better was when I handed it to her and she was so excited about it. She said, 'This is exactly what I wanted!' I glowed with pride and sighed a hefty sigh of relief. One custom order down with a very satisfied customer! So, what do you think of my hard work?

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Polar Bear Plunge

  

 I received a rather unusual request from a customer for a wedding card. The couple participates in a Polar Bear Plunge event every year and so this card needed to have a polar bear with a trademark yellow cape. I honestly stressed about this card, I wanted it to look nice but have exactly what the customer wanted. So I used CTMH's White Daisy Cardstock to create a standard A2 cardbase, then I sketched some rounded shoulders at the top of card. Then I sketched the head and ears from the same cardstock, followed by cutting out an oval from Slate Cardstock for this cute little guy's nose. I distressed all the edges with Black ink and a sponge, trying to give him a realistic look. I inked two round circles with black ink and topped it off with some Liquid Glass to give realistic eyes. I gave his nose some 3-D elements with 3-D Tape.

I used some cute paper from Walmart, as well as some of the Ivy Lane paper pack to make some cute presents to stack in front of the bear. I stamped 'Congratulations' on the front and a sweet message inside from The Happy Couple stamp set, to tie this unusual wedding card together. To finish the card, I found some strips of yellow terry cloth and made a super cute cape that I attached to the back of the card with some Liquid Glass (remember to allow ample time for it to dry, otherwise it makes things more difficult).

I was pleasantly surprised by how great the card looked and was satisfied how it turned out. It took some thinking and planning, but was really simple to create. So, NEVER allow yourself to get discouraged with a nontraditional idea and if it doesn't turn out the first time, try again. I hope you are inspired to work on something unusual. And as always Get Crafty!

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Damask Divas Blog Hop : Skylark

I can hardly believe that its time for another Damask Divas Blog Hop, where has the time gone? If youre anything like me, summer has brought on a whole new set of crazy! If you came from the talented Jennifer's Blog, you are in the right place. If you have jumped here and just discovered our Damask Divas Blog to find the complete list of blog hop participants.

blog hop, feel free to check the list at

This month we are showcasing the absolutely gorgeous Skylark pack.  I'm sad to see this super cute paper go at the end of July with its beautiful blues, yellows and greens. As much as I love this pack, I wasn't sure what project I should do with it initially. I was waiting for that perfect project. The opportunity arose when I decided a mere week before Close To My Heart Convention that I was going to make some cards to swap.

I was extremely nervous. I had no idea if I needed to do anything in particular, use specific papers, etc. I decided to keep it simple and cute. I also only made 25, but believe me that still took plenty of time. LOL. I think I'll need to start making cards earlier then I did this year, but I had to learn something this first time and that's ok.

I cut the card base in A2 size, which is 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 in White Daisy Cardstock.  Followed by a strip from the Skylark pack about 5 1/4 x 3. As well as a 3 x 2 piece of Indian Corn Blue, which I really love that color by the way! Its gorgeous and looked amazing with the paper from Skylark.

I stamped the small Unicorn stamp from the Unicorn Dreams set (which is a Hostess Set, so if you love it as much as I do, don't miss out on snagging it this next month. Throw Party in your home or online & earn those hostess rewards) in Black ink and I fusy cut it, then added a bit of bling, Clear Sparkles. I also used the stars from the set inked in Indian Corn Blue and stamped in the bottom corner to fill up some of the white space. Then I stamped the sweet message inside with more....Indian Corn Blue. (Are you seeing just how much I love it, lol!) I used a CTMH corner rounder, another must for card making  and just did the bottom corners. Placed the unicorn with a little 3D Tape and there you have a super cute, but very easy card for any occasion.

The great thing about cardmaking is that you can use the same basic design with different papers, change it up a little bit or even add different embellishments, giving it a totally different look. I wasn't a card maker before I joined Close To My Heart, but now I love it. I whip out tons of cards, because they can be so easy and I'm always learning new things! Don't be afraid to branch out and try something new!

I hope you've enjoyed this month's Blog Hop and I hope you'll join us again next month! Be sure to check out my fellow Divas'  pages and leave them some love, they've all worked hard on this months projects! Don't forget to Get Crafty!