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Saturday 3 April 2010

Creative Inspirations

Just the one challenge but multiple makes! I have been trying to get a handle on a birthday card for my cousin who doesn't really go for cute characters, gorgeous girlies, stamped flowers or fuss and I have been really struggling. I also promised to make her some notelets but early attempts turned out badly.
I have been a follower of Sarita of Little Princess Cards ever since I started blogging. If you haven't seen her work you absolutely must drop by. Sarita makes THE most elegant cards with HUGE impact. She often opts for white and black with one other colour and her creations are stunning; non-fussy but with striking elements like bold stamps, large flowers and big bows. I love them!
So, with a little help to make the "flower" from Bev's February tutorial on the WOJ inspiration site, and inspired by Sarita's love of hand-made flowers and oversized bows, whilst focused on my cousin who loves jungle print - cheetah, leopard, etc - I managed to make not only a birthday card but also a small set of notelets and a box in which to store them. Here is the birthday card:
Now I realise it is certainly more quirky than elegant but I am pleased with it. I managed the flower even though it required the use of needle and thread (shock-horror!) and I certainly operated outside of my usual comfort zone on this set as, aside from the Stampin Up sentiment and the "J" monogram by Studio G (heat embossed and coloured with Copics) , I didn't use any images - which fits in nicely with this week's challenge at Creative Inspirations.

This is the box, with a sentiment from Stampin Up. I didn't use a template but started from scratch and made it with guess work:
And these are the notelets:










I wasespecially pleased to have discovered a set of Sizzix animal print embossing folders. I put the faux-fur fabric (the same that was used to cut out my birthday "flower") in my scanner and scanned it and then used the printed result for the centre of my sentiment on the birthday card and for the punched flowers on the notelets. I bought parchment envelopes and paper (in an effort to add an elegant touch) and, using my scanned fur image, I printed a little faux fur around the outside edge of the paper to make inserts for the notelets and card and to also make little inserts for the envelopes.
Thank you to Sarita and to Bev for their inspiration. Do make sure you check out Bev's blog. She is another really talented lady. Her blog beautifully displays "all the things I love" about card crafting and is a real treat for the eye!  
I hope you are all enjoying your Easter Sunday and thank you for stopping by!

16 comments:

Bev said...

OMG this is absolutely stunning Lesley, so unique and just fabulous! Love how you scanned the fabric for the flower, such a brilliant idea.

I'm a huge fan of Sarita's work too, that lady makes the most stunning and inspirational cards.

Have a great weekend x

Lexxie said...

I actually let an audible squeal Lesley when I saw these beautiful creations!
What a fantastic project, and I love the animal print theme. I can almost feel your wonderful furry flower from here!
Honestly, this is a fantastic collection and right up my street!
Thank you so so much for your lovely compliments, they mean a lot to me,
Hope you have a fab Easter Lesley,
Love Sarita xx

Dena said...

Whoa Lesley, these are AMAZING!!!! So unique and really gorgeous! I can always count on some sort of amazing idea from you. You rock!!!!!
Have a wonderful Easter!
Hugs, Dena

dolcreations said...

Lesley these are so awesome and unique. You are so talented! These are super duper amazing! One lucky girl to be able to receive these!

chris said...

Hi there Lesley
sohphistcat!!
really great work again lesley,
love the notelets too.
back soon chris xx

Faye said...

Wow. Wow. Wow! Have a lovely Easter. xxx

Val said...

Wow! Wow! This is brilliant, and what a lovely gift as well.
Hugs
Valxx

NGCARDS said...

Lovely card hun! Thanks for joining us this week at Creative Inspirations! xxx

Mina said...

wow Lesley these are fabulous, beautifully made and I love that even the background matches...perfect
Mina xxx

Liza said...

A gorgeous matching set Lesley, I love the boldness of the animal print with the white.

Liza x

Julie said...

Fabulous project, Lesley - very bold and daring!! Your usual amazing attention to detail with the animal print embossing and interior decorating!!! Juliexx

Jules said...

Hi Lesley

These makes are absolutely fantastic (I wouldn't even want to part with the envelope if I received one LOL!!!).

You had a difficult brief to begin with but had it been easy you wouldn't have come up with these beauties.

Thank you for sharing and giving us all inspiration.

Hope you had a good Easter break.

Love Jules xx

cats whiskers said...

Wow Lesley I just adore these so unusual and elegant wow again
Hugs Jacqui x

Annie said...

what a fabulous card and gift set you have made!
hugs, annie x

pickle said...

WOw these are fabulous hun. What a great idea to scan the fabric
Kerry x

Jodi said...

Fabulous card set!! I love the leopard print that you used for it too. Wonderful and very elegant!!
Hugs
Jodi=)