Grad Cards

Here are a couple great graduation cards I made for this past weekend that I would like to share with you. 

 This elegant card was made using the Layering Alphabet Edgelits combined with Gold Foil Paper, Night of Navy and Thick Whisper White cardstock.  I also used the Stitched Rectangle Dies for a little extra detail.  I used Itty Bitty Birthdays for the sentiment popped up with Dimensionals.  I love the elegant look this combination created with the layers of the Night of Navy made with the Layering Alphabet Edgelits!  You may have to enlarge it on your screen to see the detail.

This second card creates a fun, whimsical mood using the retired Alphabet Embossing Folder, and two retired stamp sets:  Bravo and Gorgeous Grunge.  It's easy to create this card using any school colors.  For this card, I simply inked the embossing folder with Night of Navy ink and ran it through the Big Shot with Whisper White cardstock.  Then in random patterns I sponged Balmy Blue, Night of Navy and retired Island Indigo ink over the raised letters.  Embossing the "tire tracks" from Gorgeous Grunge at various angles using retired Pewter Embossing Powder gave it a graffiti feel.  I felt it needed a little more shimmer so I inked up the splatter stamp from Gorgeous Grunge with Champagne Mist and Frost White Shimmer Paint.  Then I continued that shimmer on the inside around the "Congratulations" stamped in Night of Navy. 

Which one is your favorite?

Vintage Leaves Again

This stunning card was CASED from Michelle Zindorf.  I simply fell in love with the rich tones created when you combine Delightful Dijon and Cajun Craze!  Add in a touch of Basic Black and Mossy Meadow with Gold Embossing Powder and you really have some impact!  My stamp sets used here are Gorgeous Grunge and Vintage Leaves. The Mossy Meadow leaves were cut out with the Leaflets Framelits.  The sentiment is from Lighthearted Leaves.  The black tuxedo bow on the front is made with the Bow Builder Punch.  A little Versamark applied to the edges with a Blender Pen and some Gold Embossing Powder give it a little extra class.

I think square cards are extra special any way.  This one looks extremely rich and elegant!  Thanks for the inspiration, Michelle!  What do you think?  Please leave me a comment!

You've Got This Flower

This is a lovely card combining neutral colors and soft background images with a bolder color flower.  The background and flower images come from the You've Got This stamp set and the soft splashes of Delightful Dijon ink were done with Gorgeous Grunge.  The flower was stamped on Watercolor Paper and I used a Watermelon Wonder Stampin' Write Marker to color the edges of the petals and a Blender Pen dipped into the Watermelon Wonder ink pad to create the softer colors.  I used a Cucumber Crush Stampin' Write Marker for the darker accents on the leaves and a Blender Pen dipped in the Mint Macaron ink pad for the lighter parts.  Sahara Sand ink outlined the image lightly with a Blender Pen to create depth.  I love working with Blender Pens; you can create such beautiful soft color with them.

The die cut image is from the retired Labels Collection Framelits and is popped up on Dimensionals.  The soft background is also from the You've Got This stamp set and the lovely ribbon is Sahara Sand Lace Trim.  My card base was Tip Top Taupe but it blended beautifully with the Sahara Sand Lace Trim.

I got my inspiration for this card from Leena Girsa at A La Cards.  Leena often inspires me to think outside the box!  I hope you like my creation.  Please leave me a comment below.