Friday, September 4, 2009

Golden Hours

Good morning! Today I have a couple of Crafty Secrets cards to share with you. The first one I made for the Crafty Secrets Challenge on Splitcoaststampers where we told to 'Play with Plaid'. I chose this image from 'Sweet Kids' because the little boy is wearing plaid shorts. I created my own designer paper by using the retired Stampin Up! stamp 'Homespun Plaid' and Brocade Blue ink. I just love this image, because it reminds me of when I was a little girl and I actually had the time to just lay in the grass and daydream. They were certainly 'golden hours' that I will never have again.
My second card is also reminiscent of 'golden hours': young love. I love the early stages of romance when your first falling in love and you have the time to just sit together and do nothing but stare at a beautiful moon or sunset. But eventually life just gets in the way and you barely have time to schedule a 'date night'. This is one of my favorite all time images from Crafty Secrets. Its from the set 'Cherish'. I made it for the Crafty Secrets challenge on Paper Craft Planet where we were to make a card with a different fold. I got this fold idea from the May 16, 2008 blog of 'Thinking Inking'. The scalloped circle part of the card lifts up revealing the sentiment inside. I stamped the image twice and cut out the couple and mounted them up on dimensionals so that the moon would look farther away. The image is colored with Prismacolored Pencils and Gamosol. The sentiment on the front of the card is embossed with white embossing powder. The pearl brads are from Martha Stewart Weddings ensemble. The paper is K & Company Here is a view of the inside of the card.



Now onto another topic. I'm sure every stamper in blogland has heard the Stampin Up! news by now about how their demos can no longer promote any products on their personal blogs that aren't Stampin Up!. Well, I've been a hobby demo for over a year now, and although I've greatly enjoyed using their paper and other products, I will be resigning as a demonstrator. I will not let any organization tell me what to do in my personal life. I think Stampin Up! is making a huge mistake with these new regulations. Every demo I know is resigning. Hopefully, they'll realize this and change their minds so we can all stay on board, but if not, well, too bad, goodbye SU! As much as I love their products, I am so disappointed with this company I don't even know if I could ever even purchase anything from them again, and that's a shame, because I really LOVE their paper! So does anyone know of any other companies that sell card stock in the package like SU! does? I like Bazzil paper, but I don't want to buy it per sheet. I use way too much for that. Please let me know if you know of any. Thanks. Amy

13 comments:

  1. Beautiful card! It is too bad about the SU policy changes...I use Papertrey Ink paper, beautiful quality, all really great special colors and I think it is a better deal! i used to buy SU but now papertrey ink is the paper I love! Hope you find something that works for you!

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  2. Of course you know how much I LOVE your creations .. especially those for Crafty Secrets! And these two are on the top of my list for BEAUTIFUL!!!
    As far as SU ... I totally agree and understand your decision! I too LOVE their products and have a whole craftroom full of the stuff ... but will not be ordering anything new from them unless they pull back their latest demands. I'm stunned that they even did this ... who the heck do they think they are??????
    I too have heard Papertrey Ink has nice quality paper and I think GinaK does too.
    Have a great weekend my friend!!!

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  3. Both the cards are absolutely beautiful, the images just suit the paper combo and embellishments - they both depict 'Golden Days' Liz x

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  4. Your card is gorgeous Amy, I love the blues and your clips with the ribbon.

    I couldn't believe what I heard about SU, that is just soo unfortunate that they are making their demo's chose. I also believe this is a huge mistake on their part. They will be losing a ton of business instead of gaining. If I worked for GAP, would I only be aloud to wear Gap jeans, to me its insane they are being unrealistic. So sorry you have to deal with this mess, I am hoping they decide that this was a huge mistake and set things back to normal.

    I love SU paper too, but I heard papertrey ink has fabulous colors and it is very heavy high quality cardstock.

    Hugs to you
    Crystal

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  5. Oh Amy, your cards are just beautiful! I want to case that pretty scallop opening idea!

    I am so sorry about you having to decide about SU but I support you!

    Since I quit being a demo earlier this year, I have used Paper Trey CS (LOVE the white for bases - it's 110) and Prism paper.

    I love the Smooth White from Prism, but not for a base. It's too thin. The PTI white is great for bases, but doesn't have the nice smooth surface - it's more like a GP White.

    PTI's colors are lovely! I will still be ordering SU paper, but that is it!

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  6. Both cards are lovely....I really like the anniversary card. It is so elegant.

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  7. What beautiful cards! Your colour choices are ideal for both of the images and popping up the couple gives a wonderful dimension. Check out Papertrey papers Amy. I order it even though I have to pay a hefty shipping charge. It's heavier and a better quality. :o) Tracy

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  8. 2 beautiful cards! I love what you've done with these.

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  9. Gorgeous, gorgeous cards. The circle was is so stunning!

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  10. I like how you created the plaid paper to go with your boy image. And such a lovely wedding card with a unique opening.

    I read the info about SU. This concerns me. I'm not a demo, but I know of so many demos who are quitting and I'm afraid I might not be able to order any more from SU if they all quit. I have really lost interest in so many of their stamp sets. I've bought maybe 4 in the last 2 years. But I buy a lot of paper and the reinkers. It's such a shame. But I definitely agree that you made the right decision. I think I would have done the same.

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  11. Love your gorgeous card! I too am disheartened and disappointed in SU. I'm not a demo, but do purchase a lot of SU, which I will no longer do. I have friends with The Angel Company, and none of them are treated that way... makes no sense to me! Good luck! I just found your blog, and signed up to follow you!

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  12. Amy, I love the sweet vintage charm in both of these cards, and your attention to detail is superb! On SU, count me as another hobby demo who is out come October 1. . . I started stamping because of SU, and I still like their stuff, but SU doesn't pay my bills. I spent almost every penny I made on product when I actively demo-ed. Choose? Okay, done! ;-}

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