Happiest Day Card

Hello friends!  Just wanted to let you know that I'm trying to work on some of those 'works in progress' stacks sitting on my countertops instead of constantly starting something new.  So far, I've managed just fine, but this is only the first day.  Will I make it for a whole week?  We'll see.  But today was an especially productive day.  No, I didn't get started putting away Thanksgiving decorations and getting started on the Christmas decor, even though I should have.  Instead, I finished putting together the Christmas treats for my Sunday School ladies.  I always had so much fun sharing cards or little treats and goodies with my friends in Michigan.  Guess if I start doing it here on a regular basis, maybe some others will catch on to the idea.  I used all retired products for my goodies, so I don't think I'll share that.  But... when I finished them, I picked up a card that was semi-finished and got it out of the way.  I'm pleased with how it turned out, so that's what I'm sharing today.

So Not Christmas!  Or even winter related!  But I was in the mood for pastels and that makes me think of spring.  And these cute little dragonflies from the Happiest Day set are just the perfect fit for spring.  Wouldn't it brighten your day having this show up in your mailbox on a sloppy, grey winter day?  Hope so.

To make the card, I started with a layer of Basic White that measures 3 3/4" x 5".  All the stamping will be done on this layer.  I wanted a really skinny layer to accent the white, so a piece of Basic Gray cardstock was cut to measure 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" to fit.  Then the Basic White cardstock base was cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and then scored and folded in half.  These pieces were all set aside while I planned the color scheme for the card.

I stamped a bevy of dragonfly bodies to work with color choices.  These were stamped with Basic Gray ink to keep them just a little less harsh with all of those pastels.  And they were stamped on scrap pieces of Basic White cardstock.  I finally ended up with these colors:  Pretty in Pink, Summer Splash, Peach Pie, and Balmy Blue.  The wings on the dragonflies were stamped with some of these colors off-stamped to keep them a little lighter, especially the Summer Splash. Just try your colors out and see what you prefer. Unfortunately, this set does not come with matching dies.  Doggone it!  Luckily, these dragonflies aren't that difficult to cut out.  It only took a minute to cut each one out, so unless you have a whole swarm of them you need, you shouldn't have a problem.

After laying them out on the cardstock, I knew it needed something to really pop the color on the card more.  Using the smallest square die from Stylish Shapes Die set, I cut one small square of each color I used.  The idea was starting to come together but wasn't quite there yet.

The stamp set has several cute sentiments to choose from, and I didn't want the birthday one.  This one I chose is pretty generic and could fit the bill for many uses.  Doesn't it just make you want to smile?  It's stamped near the right edge about 1" up from the bottom edge.  I used Basic Gray ink again to keep it just a little softer.

At this point, the squares and dragonflies were laid out on the card to check spacing.  Still needed a little something more.  The stamp set also has a little bitty stamp with sparkles and dots that could add a little more color and interest.  With the squares held in place, one was removed, and the sparkles were stamped showing out of both sides.  Then the square was set back down to hold my place.  Don't fret when you have a muddled mess of stamping under the squares.  The stamping on either side overlaps in the middle but is covered up when put together.

After the stamping was complete, the squares were attached to the card front with "green glue" on each one.  One Mini Dimensional was placed under the center of each dragonfly and attached to the corresponding color square.

It still needed a little something else.  Ah hah!  Wink of Stella was added to each of the dragonfly wings.  Then I went ahead and spattered the entire front of the card with it too!  This is just so stinkin' gorgeous!  I wish I could have captured the shimmer with the pictures, but they just don't do the card justice.

After all the spattering dried, the white layer was attached flat to the Basic Gray with adhesive and then this was attached to the white card base with adhesive also.

One last little bit was added to my creation.  The little white sequins with a touch of iridescence to them.  I know, I said I was trying to leave all the new goodies alone until I freed up some space occupied with all my semi-finished projects.  But... this is a little sneak peek of a Sale-a-Bration freebie that is coming in January.  Woo Hoo!  Just a little something to look forward to playing with on those long winter days.  Love these!!!  They come in shades of purples and pinks and oh my, are they ever adorable.

Hope you enjoyed our little fast-forward trip to spring.  I really enjoyed playing with an assortment of colors trying to find just the look I wanted to create.  And that just means I've got more dragonflies and squares that are going to have to find their way to another project down the road.  Many times I have an idea that should be fabulous, but when all the pieces are there it's just not what I thought it would be.  Don't be afraid to scratch an idea and rethink the whole thing.  Keep an open mind.  You never know what you might come up with if you don't give up.

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon