Tuesday, March 8, 2011

SUOC14: A Scene From The Shed

Good morning, Everyone! Time for another SUO Challenge, and the challenge today is to make a card with your favorite retired stamp set, one that you would never, ever part with. So, what's yours?

Choose just one? Really? So I started with set #1, and although one of my favorites, one I always think of first, it wasn't doing it for me. I always start stamping my main panel layout on scrap copy paper (or backs of papers my daughter brings home from school. Shhhh, don't tell her! She always gets mad when she catches me!). I tossed that paper aside and picked another set. And then, it hit me that I could use both sets together. The moral of this story is: Get out your scrap pieces of paper and just start stamping. Just staring at your stamps, not feeling like getting them dirty so then you'll just have to clean them, does not get the layout done! :)

So, if it's not cheating, I used two retired stamp sets. For the record, Branch Out is the favorite one. Scene in a Garden hadn't gotten much use, so he is glad to play along. Another sidenote: As I was going through my stamps, I found that Spring stamp sets I have bought from the mini catalogs have been some of the best I have owned. Hmmm, maybe it is because it is Springtime, and those were the stamps I was looking to use. But, I digress.

I saw that the pussy willows outside are starting to bud. I LOVE pussy willows, so I have to include those! The tree buds are around the corner, yes?

I used my Color Spritzer to try to create a rough, cement wall texture. There's a lot of paper piecing on this card. I don't know why I insist on torturing myself. I felt too lazy to watercolor, although I did watercolor some shadows on the floor. The card seemed busy enough, so I didn't add any embellishments.

Stamps: Scene in a Garden, Branch Out; Paper: Marina Mist, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, More Mustard, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla; Ink: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand, Sahara Sand marker, Basic Black marker; Accessories: Sponge, Brayer, Aquapainter, Neutrals Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Color Spritzer.

I hope you take a moment to play along with the challenge this week. Thanks for stopping by!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I admire this card - it works without dimensionals and feels like a potting shed; makes me ready for spring gardening!

Shelley Z said...

Very lovely! Definately feels like spring!

Ellen Pruett (aka Chipper) said...

This card just grabs my attention. I absolutely love all the details and nope, you didn't need dimensionals. The best thing I love is that you used retired sets. For some reason, we use mostly newer sets but I love using my retired sets as well. Great job!

Debbi said...

This is WONDERFUL! It's much more than a card, it's a piece of art!! I still love Branch Out - it's one I will never part with.

Caren said...

I love this card.It is one of my favorites.

Gayle Wheeler said...

I love this card too! Wow. Every detail is perfect. Branch Out was a great set, but mine has a new home with a happy stamper!

Yapha said...

This is fantastic! I love how you made that window!Great cutting, too. What a fun, fabulous, spring time card!

Jen Timko said...

This is fantastic!! I almost chose this one too since it might be my all time favorite. What a perfect combination of sets!

Krystal De Leeuw said...

What a darling card!!! Love the little scene you created. How fun that you used two of your favorites retired sets!!

Anonymous said...

I have both of these sets and never thought of using them together. Great card!!!!!

Carol B

mollymoo951 said...

Nice paper piecing! Love the card!

Tanya Boser said...

Delightful card! I can almost smell the spring air :) I REALLY wish I had bought the Scene in a Garden set....

Sandi said...

What a beautiful card!! I so wanted SU to keep the Scene in the Garden set in the catty so this is a real treat to me that you used it today. Yes, it really has a lot of detail -- but your finished card is gorgeous.
Sandi Dailey
gdailey@concentric.net

Mickey Roberts said...

What a great card! Love all the details you incorporated. Paper piecing may be tedious, but it certainly makes the card.

Sara Mattson-Blume said...

What a great card! I love the combo of the sets, your details and your colors! Spring can't come fast enough!

Dany said...

Heidi this is amazing!! I love this card and think that the paper piecing looks fantastic, even if it is torture. As always your work is just stunning.

hollybeary creations said...

You know I want this card right? This belongs in a frame, work of art!!! Love, Love, Love it!!! I could look at that for hours!

Karen said...

This is simply beautiful! I love the way you combined sets and really added teh detail. It's really a work of art.

diane zechman said...

Love this, Heidi!