April 30, 2011

rain, rain go away



I wanted to get this card posted while the calendar is still turned to April. This card was actually made and its note written during some torrential downpours. Not surprising since we had about 100 days of rain during the month. And if May’s flowers appear in direct proportion to the number of inches of April rain, we will experience a gloriously colorful month.


When I finished this card, I felt like there was something missing and considered rounding a corner or two. My fear over making it look too bad to use and not having anymore of the rain paper stopped me from taking that step. The next day I listened to Papertrey Radio #6 and the topic of rounding corners was covered. If only I had heard Maile’s suggestions a day earlier, I probably would have rounded one or two of the right-hand corners, but I’m still not sure that would have added to the design. Too bad there isn’t a way to determine that without actually cutting into the card. I guess I just need to become fearless.


I thought I’d share my trick for using the pinked-square die to cut a smaller square for a matted effect. First cut the standard square; then, line it up in the die one row over on the top and right sides. (It’s probably best just to study the above photo. This is definitely one of those times when a picture is worth a thousand words.) Tape the paper in place and run it through your machine. I rarely save scraps since I have limited crafting space, but the extra little corner piece looks like it would add just the right touch on a future project, so I put it aside.


I look forward to seeing those May flowers.

nancy

supplies:
paper:  white c/s (Staples); raspberry fizz c/s (PTI); Noah’s Ark pp (Debbie Mumm)
stamps:  April (Hero Arts)
ink:  rose bud dye (Memento); Cape Cod and silk green pigment (Colorsnap)
dies:  button card collection (PTI)
extras:  raspberry fizz buttons (PTI); snowflake pearls (Queen&Co); white floss (DMC)

10 comments:

Jocelyn Olson said...

Cute card, and I hope the sentiment is true! I know what you mean about the fear of changing things on a "finished" card. :) Great tip on making a matted square--thanks.

Chris said...

Oooh! I love your matting tip! Aren't you smart! I'm going ro try that! What a great way to get a little extra mileage out of some of those dies!

lam said...

beautiful card and nice mix of colors. I was not aware that there were 100 days in April;O) It helps probably not on your mood that I tell that April has been more sunny and warm than normal here in Denmark. Hope you despite rain continued to have a great Sunday

lam said...

Thanks for your sweet comment on my blog. I just wanted to tell you that the purple background (the card with silhoutte lady) are made ​​of purple cardstock and stamped with a background stamp from Hero Arts. It's called classic fabric designs CG245. It is one of my favorite stamps and you're right it looks like pattern paper when you use it. So you can also make nice cards.

Jessie said...

Love it Nancy! Hope the sun is coming out and bring you some May flowers!

Vicky Hayes said...

I love the vision of you making an April showers card in a 100-day torrential downpour! I hope you are rewarded with a riot of May flowers!
Thanks for the die tip - I like my crafting kit to work as hard as possible too. Thank you also for coming to visit me - you are a great guest and welcome any time!

Kelly said...

Nancy, I am so glad you shared your little secret because at first glance I was thinking, how did she do that? I love the colours you chose for this card; the little bright spots in the gray are all the hope I need!

I just wanted to also say thanks for always leaving such thoughtful and encouraging comments on my blog. It is always uplifting to read something you have written.

Marybeth said...

Great idea with the die cutting tip,I love learning something new, thanks for sharing. The card turned our great. Hope you see some flowers soon, and dry up. Take care

Michelle Philippi said...

OK so if April showers bring May flowers, what do the continued rains in May bring? A bad attitude, that's what! - LOL! I love your zig zaggy image panel - that's clever. And I am pretty good with visualizing and I would not round the corners because there is not enough rounding on the card to do that...just the buttons. Because I'm a blinger, what I would have done is outlined the right side of the rectangle with strips of bling. Because I can't leave well enough alone ha ha!! But you've got dimension on here and that great ziggy zaggy and I think it's a great card just like you make it :)

Janelle said...

Thanks for sharing your little tip, Nancy. Cute card... and I sure hope those May flowers are springing up all over the place for you!