Good to be back!! I missed you :) Last week was a very, very, busy week for me so my down time became finishing the Hunger Games trilogy instead of stamping as I just didn't have the energy to do much else. To top things off, this past weekend we did our annual cooking for the youth retreat at the church and that is always exhausting, albeit rewarding :) Snuck in a bit of "me" time yesterday afternoon and this Freshly Made sketch with the big circle was calling my name. Sorry about the dark, picture, it was late afternoon when it was taken.
I'm finding the MFT flourish die is a pain in the butt! It's very hard to get a clean cut all the way through the paper even after running it through my Cuttlebug three times. Think I may need to add an extra shim to the sandwich for a bit more pressure as my machine is about six years old and is well used so it isn't as "tight" as it once was (hmmmm....it sounds like my body LOL!).
The next two weeks are pretty busy so hoping to be able to get inky despite it all. Back as soon as I can. Thanks for popping by today :)
What's In It?
Stamps: Kind Words (Verve)
Paper: Costco DP, Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Mellow Moss
Ink: Black
Accessories: Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, SU Scalloped Border Punch, Tim Holtz Brick Embossing Folder, MFT Flourish Die, PTI Flower Die, Crimper, Button, Twine, 5/8" Sheer Black Ribbon, Glue Dots, Bling, Dimensionals
Gorgeous layered flower! Great addition of the flourish too! Yeah, I don't like dies that are hard to get the paper out or don't cut well. Those usually sit in the pile....lol! Try using a couple of pieces of paper as a shim and hopefully that works ;)
ReplyDeleteHope this week is a little less hectic for you(and me too....hehe)!
I could be the die Marisa! I have a couple that refuse to cut properly no matter WHAT I do! Even shims wouldn't get it them to cut! Sent 'em back in the nd. Didn't want to explode my Big Shot! lol
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this card is SOOO CHIC!! To me it's VERY French! OO La La!! Brilliant.
Hugs Viv xxx
Gorgeous, Marisa! Love your corrugated flower. And do not talk to me about bodies that aren't as tight as they used to be - I sometimes look in the mirror and think "Who is that and where did she get that belly?!" ;)
ReplyDeleteYep! Try a shim. I have to use one when I cut the intricate Spellbinder dies. Just the nature of the beast with the thin intricate dies.
ReplyDeleteYour card is beautiful! I love the unexpected black organdy ribbon. Very pretty!!
You're too funny, Marisa....about the tight thing. Oh, the flourish was worth having to run it through a few times. It helped to make your card even more gorgeous. Love that yellow flower.
ReplyDeleteLove the yellow, layered, and crimped flower!! DP is perfect and so is flourish!!! Hope you get a little stamping time in btwn everything else!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Marisa,
ReplyDeleteI wondered where you were. I can't believe a whole year has passed since the last time you did the cooking!!
Gorgeous and elegant card. I love the black flowered paper and the splash of yellow is just beautiful.
xxx
Great to see you back! I am going to admit, I have a hard to with those large circles! They do not call out to me! Different strokes for different folks, you know. Your is beautiful! Love your crimped flowers. We'll see how the week pans out, see if I can work this one in. It looks like it has finally stopped raining here for a while, so yard work make need to get done...grrrr!
ReplyDeleteI'd blame the die =) Plus, it does look like one of those crazy detailed ones that are beautiful, but a pain...especially since I'm lazy! HAHA Gorgeous bow on this beautiful flower and lovely use of the sketch, Marisa!
ReplyDeleteThat corrugated flower is so so pretty! I love the flourish too! The whole card is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteVery classy card! Sorry about the die, hope you find a solution! :)
ReplyDeleteI think this is so beautiful Marisa, love the black and yellow combo and the crimped flower. Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches.
ReplyDeleteLesley
I LOVE the crimped flower. I'm going to remember that for future use! I hope you figure out the mystery of the flourish - I love using mine and would be lost without it! Thanks for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous color combination! I love all the beautiful elements too. Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches this week.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely elegant, Marisa! The flourish is gorgeous, even if it was a pain to cut. Love the texture on the flower, too!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and fresh! Glad you are enjoying the time reading ( have yet to read these books, are they good?). Just think summer is just around the corner and more time to relax. hee hee Right....
ReplyDeleteoh, I love that sentiment...I use it often for Jake's cards. The paper and ribbon are so elegant :) I'm thinking a shim would be a great idea...I had to do that with my old cuttlebug too...I used 3 pieces of cardstock. Actually I kept the cuttlebug and am using it in my class today as we create Mother's Day cards...me and 23 seven year olds...heaven help me (and them!) LOL
ReplyDeletegorgeous, Marisa! Especially love the layered flower and the texture you've added to it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the morning smile! Those intricate dies can be a booger to deal with but they sure pack a wow factor on cards! Love the crimped, layered flower and the pairing of yellow with gray/black - seems to be a trendy combo lately in fashion! Hope you got rested up after your cooking marathon...let me know how the 2nd and 3rd books in the trilogy are. Finished Hunger Games the other week...kinda left me hanging in the end.
ReplyDeleteMarisa,
ReplyDeleteI know there has to be a trick to getting that flourish die to work -I have the same problem with some of mine. Surely there is a solution. Let me know if the extra shim works or if you hear a better answer. I really like this card - very elegant and beautiful. The kind that really would touch the recipient.
Hope you get some time to get inky soon!
Hugz.
Gorgeous....I am loving your color combo here!! Those busy weeks really can cut into our crafting time!!! That was mine last week with all the prom festivities and 5oth parties!! When my friends start turning 50 I know I am getting older then I want to admit!! :-)
ReplyDeleteOooo!! Love your crimped flower Marisa!! And the color combo is fabulous!! This card ROCKS!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! Lovin' those colors.
ReplyDeleteI read the Hunger Games awhile ago. I was so excited to learn they were making a movie. Loved it, too, and thought it followed the first book really well.
My kids are willing to lend me their HG books; just need to make time to read them. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that Verve sentiment; just got it last week, in fact! It looks very pretty here.
I have had problems with intricate dies too. I use a piece of was paper with mine to keep them sharp. Your layout is fantastic. Great job.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Love the die-cut swirls. :)
ReplyDeleteStunning colour combo Marisa, a gorgeous take on the sketch!
ReplyDeletehave you tried one of the metal adaptor plate from Cheery lynn, it is a metal shim that helps get the perfect cut for intricate dies
http://www.cheerylynndesigns.com/supplies/large-metal-adaptor-plate/
hope this helps! :)
Gorgeous! Love the corrugated flowers and the beautiful flourish peeking out from behind!
ReplyDelete