Joy in the Present - Tuesday Morning Sketches #775

Hey there, friends!

Thanks for stopping by Paper Play.  Today's post is about the card that I created for this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches share.  This was an interesting sketch and, I have to admit, I struggled with it a little bit.  It's not a typical card layout that I would create.

I started my design by finding a patterned paper in my stash that I wanted to work with for the two columns in the front of the card.  I think the floral design on this paper is gorgeous and settled on using it.  I wanted to incorporate some texture into the card and thought that some burlap would pair well with the paper.

I didn't want a background that was too plain; and yet, I didn't want to use a patterned paper that would look too busy with the floral print.  I looked through my stash and found this white polka dot paper and thought it would work well.  It's actually a bag that I received from a shop!  I thought it was cute and figured that I would use it some day.  I'm glad that I did!

I used the deckle edge blade on my paper trimmer to add a little something extra to the overall look.  I also added some slight grunge around the edges using Distress Tea Dye ink, and added 5 pearl gems.

Here's my card and the sketch that it's based on.

I hope that you enjoy this design.  Thanks for reading and, until next time, be well!

Stay Wild, Moon Child - September 2024 Gecko Galz Design Team Projects

Hi, friends!

I have always been fascinated by the moon. I have so many memories of being a kid and standing outside with my telescope looking at it.  I used to hope so much to see something move while looking up there . . . and used to be disappointed when it didn't happen.  I also used to love looking for facial patterns while thinking of the "man on the moon."  These days, I find that I appreciate the symbolism of the moon and what it stands for . . . going through phases, our deepest feelings and instincts, mystery, and more.  I connect with each of those themes and probably more so than ever at this point in my life.  That's why I was so excited to see this month's Gecko Galz theme . . . stay wild, moon child.

Each of my projects this month are directly connected to what the moon symbolizes to me.  The first one is an ornament/hanging decoration that I made.  I took a small wooden circle, applied a coat of embossing paste to add some texture, and then painted it with black paint.  I then applied some glitter paste over it and applied the Geck Galz image in the center.  The hanger is stapled to the back and was made with a piece of wire.  The sentiment is one that I love - the moon will always listen.  It reminds me so much of an Elizabethan sonnet by Sir Philip Sidney called Astrophel and Stella.  It's a poem of unrequited love and, in one part of the sonnet, Astrophel essentially asks the moon if love hurts as much up there in the sky as it does down here on land.  This sonnet has stayed with me over the years, and influenced this design.

The other three projects that I made are all greetings cards.  One celebrates the moon theme of phases, another the mystery of always looking up at the moon, and the last the theme of staying true to our deepest feelings and instincts.

I hope that enjoyed learning more about what influenced these designs!  Until next time . . . be well!

A Peaceful Wish - Tuesday Morning Sketches #774

Hello, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  Today’s post is for Tuesday Morning Sketches #774.  The sketch used is the second pic below.  My card is a wish that you find some peaceful moments in your day.  The background paper is from my stash and I’m not sure where it’s from.  I thought that it’s pretty and would pair well with a beautiful pink rose.  The flower is from Little Birdie Crafts.  They have amazing paper flowers that may be used in so many different craft projects.  Last, but certainly not least, the sentiment is from a new stamp set from Altenew called Tranquil Greetings.

I hope that you enjoy today’s card.  Let me know what you think in the comments!  Thanks for spending some time with me here today.  Until next time . . . be well!

Always Together - Tuesday Morning Sketches #773

Hello, friends!

Welcome back to Paper Play.  Today's card is my creation for this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches card sketch.  This week I decided to use some products from the 49 and Market Always Together collection.  I have lots of ephemera from the collection and I thought it would be a good time to start using it.  Seeing as though I was using a sentiment that includes the word together, I thought it would be fun to use puzzle pieces in place of the hexagons in the sketch.  The puzzle die that I used is from Sizzix.

I hope that you enjoy this week's card!  Thanks for spending some time here with me today.  Until next time . . . be well!

Dandelion Wishes - Tuesday Morning Sketches #772

Today’s card for Tuesday Morning Sketches is a simple reminder to keep dreaming and stay true to yourself.  As kids, we would pick a dandelion, blow on it, and make a wish.  Did those wishes come true? Maybe yes, maybe no - but it didn’t stop us from doing it again and making more wishes. The same holds true as we get older, make wishes  and have dreams.  Some adults lose that childlike innocence and no longer make wishes; instead viewing the dandelion as a weed.  Some adults may still make that wish and hold tight to that dream.  Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s a weed.  Keep making wishes - they may still come true.

Here’s my card and the sketch:

The stamp set is from Technique Junkies.  I also used some patterned paper, brown shipping paper, vellum, and Distress inks to create it.  It’s a simple card to create and has vintage flair.

I hope that you enjoy the card!

Thanks for spending some time here with me today.  Until next time . . . be well!