Whittling Away

There are so many great card designers out there that I admire from afar for their use of patterned paper-two or three different patterns or the ability to stamp on patterned paper and make it look like it was meant to be! I've been scared, so scared of patterned paper. But, I wanted to conquer my fear and I'm slowly whittling away at it. I started with the inspiration photo from Caardvarks, Sarah Martina's bonus sketch at 2S4Y, chose a few muted patterns from a single paper pack, and softened everything up. I also wanted to try my hand at a real twig on my card, as one of their crew members, Lucy, had done as well, and the twig was the first thing I noticed in the picture. I really like how the greens of the paper complement the red-ish/brown-ish of the twig and the ink. I really like how the blue patterned paper represents the sky and the green the earth. (And I really like how I actually did whittle away at the backside of the twig to have it lay flat on my card!)

I've had so many uplifting comments (thank you!) that made me open my eyes and understand that it is just fine to like my own cards because that is what can make you enjoy creating again. I've also learned that it is just fine and fun to participate (and not win) in challenges if they get you to create, assist you in creating something you like and challenges do something you normally would not have done. This my friends, is how I'm learning.

Supplies Used: Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, Sweet Pea DSP SU, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Creamy Brown, Inkadinkadoo Happy Days Clear Stamp Set, SU Chit Chat Rubons in Chocolate Chip, Fiskars Corner Rounder Punch, CM Circle Punch, Twig