I almost didn't upload this card. But since I have been sitting here and *&%^& around with this thing since 8 AM THIS MORNING (7 hours ago, mind you) I decided I would put it up here for the sake of having SOMETHING to show for my time. I also felt that since this card and I have had such a long and troubled relationship, we could engage in a little couple's therapy, in hopes we don't make the same mistakes next time.
I cut the leaf out of hot press watercolor paper, so I could drench it time after time with gorgeous color. I'm pretty sure I got carried away with said color, but c'est la vie. I used my air spritzer to hit it with some black soot from my marker and UTEE'd it to death. The I took my Wink of Stella gold pen and traced around the edges. All of this fabulousness took all of a half hour. Seriously. 30 minutes.
The next 6 and a half hours were spend figuring out what to do with it. Granted, I surfed for other projects, paid some bills, etc, but I had no idea how to showcase this fab leaf.
So, I cut the card down, thinking the A2 size was a bit daunting. I went with 4.25 x 3.75. I used the SU! Blackberry Bliss behind the embossed white paper and it was GORGEOUS.
But it wasn't enough...for EITHER of us. There was something missing and we both felt it. Sure...we had everything a relationship between a card a crafter SHOULD have....a beautiful focal point, the perfect sentiment (both in size and relative to the time of year) but the gap was apparent to everyone. The question was, what were we going to do about it?
While the blackberry bliss was fantastic, I had no ribbon that looked quite right. The satin ribbon I had wasn't a match for the paper, so I tore it out. Spotting some gorgeous eggplant ribbon, I tied it on, then created more problems in that I couldn't find the right mat.
We talked...well...I talked for hours. I tried everything I knew. But it wasn't enough...we had run out of answers.
About that time, my DH (who was working from home and deeply disgusted with everything by this point) came stomping down the stairs.
"Here." he said, shoving a scrap of paper at me. "Use this. It'll look good."
I looked down at the pumpkin pie cardstock. "Umm...are you sure?" I said.
He sighed, deeply. "Well, personally I think you need something like a yellow or gold, but I don't see anything here that I particularly like. But the orange holds its own with the leaf and the ribbon works. It's not perfect, but unless you change the ribbon, I don't know what else to tell you."
With that, he left the room.
After that, I almost asked for couples therapy for me and my DH as well...who WAS this man who came into my craft room and made salient points regarding focal points and color balance? Where was the guy who hated glitter and claimed he got nauseous every time I turned on the hot glue gun or teared up every time I started a sentence with "I need...?
Who was this man and what did he do with my football watching, rear-end scratching, former Marine husband? And if this man WAS my husband, did I need to worry about having to become the man of the house???
Sorry...that got away from me a little. Point is, you almost had to deal with BOTH today. But took a step back and realized you would be significantly more helpful (and probably more comfortable) with working out the issues between me and the card.
So, please...by all means...discuss.
Date: Friday, September 5, 2014 GMT Views: 1356
Favorited:8
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 131485
Fri, Sep 05, 2014 @ 1:14 PM
You always make me laugh, Carmen! Your DH has a point - the orange indeed makes a great mat to pick up on the leaf and contrast wonderfully with that amazing ribbon (I'm glad you didn't change that!!). And I see some gorgeous texture on the white card layer too. But that leaf is a real show stealer.
I have to say I so identify - you make a beautiful embellishment or something like this leaf and then think what on earth am I going to do next...And you I try this and that and the other, and sometimes just nothing seems to work. Then it's time for me to call it a day and come back with a fresh eye - or ask DH, LOL. Even disagreeing with his suggestions is often enough to clarify my own feelings...
And I thought you were going to need therapy because you'd been trying out left-handed doodling!
You are such a funny and great writer! I've done the same with a gorgeous centerpiece but I don't think mine has ever been this pretty! It should just sit on a black plate on the coffee table so all your guests could ooh and ash over it! I think DH made some nice points but the real question is: Who is worthy of such a card?!
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Fri, Sep 05, 2014 @ 1:43 PM
That is one, awesome leaf and how much work went into it! I love the white embossing and the dark ribbon. The mat worked out perfect! Gotta love a Marine! And he suggested a color? I'd LOVE that! I loved your story too. I finished a card, it hit the trash and I called it a day. It just would not come to life and I accepted that. Thanks again for an afternoon chuckle. Glad it's not only me today.
Registered: March 12, 2008 Location: stamping or writing Posts: 9851
Fri, Sep 05, 2014 @ 3:21 PM
Oh Carmen, sometimes I don't know which is better, the card or the story on how you got there. I have to say, this leaf is beyond amazing. I think your DH picked a good color to go with it, and simple is best with this one.
I don't know which I like better your card or the story behind it! Ha! Ha! You really gave me a laugh! Love the card too! By the way, the leaf is awesome!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Proud Fan Club Member Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: April 18, 2011 Location: Melbourne, Aus Posts: 51844
Fri, Sep 05, 2014 @ 4:29 PM
LOL ...what they all said. Oh Miss Carmen, I took 10 minutes to read your story as I was laughing so much. I laughed from the minute I read your title. This is a stunning leaf and equally stunning card my friend. Don't you hate when when DH makes a good craft suggestion!!
------------------------------ Susie
Please don't take your organs to heaven - heaven knows we need them here.