Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What is Black and White and Green all over?

This post!  First the green:

This card is for PTI's Make It Mondays challenge of using partial embossing.  Instead of just leaving part of the cardstock off of the impression plate as shown in their video, I cut a scrap piece of paper using the fillable frames #4 die and placed that between my green cardstock base and the impression plate, as shown here.  Then I placed the embossing mat & B plate on top and sent it on through.  It still left a slight impression--maybe I'll try some chipboard (aka Quaker Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie box--people, have you tried these yet?  They are so yummy!) next time.  The stamping was all done with Peeled Paint distress ink. I used the Mat Stack 2 die to cut out some Echo Park paper, and the Limitless Labels dies to cut the circle & scallop circle.  The paper & ribbon are Ripe Avocado.

This one was made for a VSN challenge.  I used some more Echo Park paper for the Limitless Labels and Mat Stack 2 dies.  The small frame around the sentiment also came in the PTI stamp set.  I added some ribbon tails, but something was still missing, so I picked out a card-sized piece of kraft paper and was about to run it through the cuttlebug to emboss it when I ended up turning it over and seeing this already pre-stamped on it!  I had made it for another card, but the flourishes ended up not lining up right or something, so I had put it back in my scrap pile.  It ended up being perfect for this card!  Luck of the Irish, indeed!

Now for the black and white part: I've gotten a lot of books read in the past couple of weeks, since it was state testing at school (which means no planning to do!) and this week is my spring break (woohoo!).

Book #5: Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua.  Man, talk about a tough life--for both the mom and the kids!  Very interesting memoir about being a Chinese mother in the US, but I must admit the last few chapters she kind of wimped out and went all Sesame Street "I guess we can learn and adapt from both types of parenting."

Book #6: A Red Herring Without Mustard: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley.  Now this series is just a pleasure to read: a smart little girl (who dabbles in chemistry), 1950s England, and a little mystery.

Book #7: The Sound of Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey.  A quick read about a woman confined by illness and the pleasure she gets from her new roommate: a common garden snail.  Not a book for everyone, but a nice way to spend an afternoon.

Book #8: The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  Believe the hype: it's as good as everyone says it is.

What are you reading or creating?  Let me know in the comments! :)

14 comments:

Lindsey said...

You already know I like the first card ;) and the die-cut emboss-resist (or whatever you might call it) is awesome!

Cheryl said...

Beautiful cards! I really love the first one - great technique.

I'm reading The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston. I just picked it up at the library.

I read "The Help" a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it.


Are you a member on goodreads.com?

Sue from Oregon said...

These are both so pretty Mrs "Corgi" !

Emily said...

Love your first card! The composition is so, so pretty.

Robin said...

Thanks for the extra embossing tip! Both beautiful cards!! Robin

Jessi Fogan said...

The cards are gorgeous! I have to try that embossing trick :)
I am about 2/3 through "A Red Herring Without Mustard," and I love that series too. She's a pistol!
Next up is probably "The Weird Sisters" by Eleanor Brown, or "Homecoming" by Cathy Kelly. I just finished "Lessons in Heartbreak" by CK before starting with Flavia, so not sure if I'm ready to sob my eyes out again yet :) I love reading your book tips!

Angela said...

Love em both :) Very festive, plus you used the only St. Pat's stamps I have. Nice.

I'm in the middle of Great House by Nicole Krauss (she wrote History of Love, which I really enjoyed). It's pretty decent so far, though kinda depressing, which is why I'm in the middle and not done yet! Up next is the False Friend by Myla Goldberg.

Karen H. said...

I love these cards. The first one is very clever with the partial embossing. The second is so pretty. I gotta remember about using the limitless layers and that mat stack die together...it always looks so good.

Emily Leiphart said...

These are fabulous and a great way to get mileage out of your St. Patty's Day stamps! The second one is impressive. The text on the side reminds me of my Dad's bday card from two years ago. Love the flourish!

Thanks for the book reviews! Ang's recommendation of Great House is on my wish list.

Maria@Crafty Cre8tions said...

Beautiful cards Meg! I saw the Make It Monday Challenge - but haven't tried it yet!!! Trying to get back in the swing of crafting after my break!!!

So...a Dog's Purpose will make it's visit to it's third temporary home this weekend. I keep asking for it back - so I know I can hand it off to another person I want to read it.

Right now I'm reading "How to Bake a Perfect Life" by Barbara O'Neal. Love her books!!!

Cathy Weber said...

Just wanted you to know how much I loved your card for MIM. I really love that patterned paper, thought you might have made it. Wouldn't that have been fun! Great job, congrats on the shout out from Nichole.

Mad for Paper said...

Congrats on being selected and your brilliant idea. Looks fabulous.
TFS
Ang

Renee said...

First...
wonderful cards!
Love them both...really love that paper!:)
Congrats...well deserved!
Second...just finished Battle Hymn...
and wasn't impressed.
I agree with some of her points...
but did you feel that she really did push her kids towards things and to be overachievers so that she was validated?
That she would be revered as the "greatest" Mom and her ways are definitely better?
Sometimes I really got the feeling she was preaching and wanting praise.
And The Help...
read a couple of years ago...
one of my all time favorite reads.
Ranks very high on my list and I recommend to everyone!

Tigriswillreign said...

Terrific tip!! Thanks so much for sharing!!