How to make something seemly simple take for EVER!
Now to look at this card, you might think it was the work of a few minutes. Stamp out the umbrellas, add a bit more stamping using the colours and the sentiment, grab a band of ribbon and Robert is your father’s brother. Hell, no.
For a start, the umbrella comes in separate bits. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. It is a feature of the stamp set that I really like, because there is room to play. So, I started my repeat pattern with the central umbrella, to make sure it was where I would want it. Handle first, then the canopy outline.
So far, so good. Now, each canopy, either spotted or striped, comes in 3 pieces. Again, I was happy with this because I wanted to mix it up a little, both with colour and pattern. I wasn’t confident I could stamp exactly in the right place 20 times and not fudge up though, so I decided to stamp then on scrap card and cut them out individually. Nobody say anything, OK?
Cutting curves accurately is not in my skill set. I had to re-do a few, but, eventually, I had a full cast of canopies, spotty and stripy, at my disposal. Hurrah! Assembly time!
Casual abandon is not in my skill set. Whatever arrangement I came up with, something offended me visually. Two blues too close together, yellow stripes too far apart… I decided that maybe it was because I didn’t have enough sections. Perhaps there was a basic maths principle I should use, to work out my pattern requirements?
Maths is not in my skill set. Pretty much the only thing I remember about maths is the Fibonnaci sequence and how to quickly tell if a number is divisible by 3. How often do either of those come in handy?! Unless I am trying to make small talk with two Italians whilst splitting our restaurant bill, not so much. I gave up on the maths idea. Back to winging it.
Winging it is not in my skill set. Rational thinking occasionally shows its face though. I gave up on the idea of mixing the colours and patterns and went for uniformity. So, a card which could have been relatively quick ended up taking ages. Just peachy…
Supplies: Clearly Besotted April Showers stamp set; Brilliance Pearlescent inks in Rocket Red, Sky blue and Sunflower Yellow; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; ribbon from The Ribbon Room
It’s turned out beautifully! Those stamps are fab with all the different possibilities. Winging it after a lot of pondering is a super (and massively underestimated) skill possessed by many crafters.
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Thanks Mrs C! You have a good point there. Crafting is probably good for decision making skills!
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Hello, I think that it turned absolutely adorable! I love it!
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Hello! Thank you! I do like it, just wish I hadn’t taken the long way around!
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You make it look so very easy 🙂
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Thanks! There is a lot of underwater paddling going on though!!
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Gillian, it turned out fabulous…no visible signs of the knots you tied yourself into working on it!
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Thanks Kathy! I should remember to not overcomplicate, I think!
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I love this card “rain or shine”! So sweet and cheerful. The story behind its creation makes it even better!!
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Thank you! I love this stamp set too.
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So beautiful 🙂
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Thank you!
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This card could say March showers here in Arkansas. Winter is rearing its ugly head as all our fruit trees are in full bloom. This is a lovely card and I am sure not easy to make. 🙂
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Thank you. I hope the weather doesn’t impact too much on your yield from the trees later.
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Turned out nicely…so, how are you at rescuing hostages a la Liam Neeson…and I do actually have an Uncle Bob!
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Really? I had ten uncles, no Bobs. I got a Paddy Murphy though. Haven’t seen ‘Taken’ for a while. I will research, practice and let you know how I get on. I am hoping that he mostly changed a cat litter tray at speed and buttoned his cardigan one-handed. Otherwise I might be in trouble…
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Whilst simultaneously putting the kettle on for tea and saying: “No, darling, you’ll look lovely in whatever you decide to wear…”
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Your card is amazing! It looks super easy. Unfortunately, when God was handing out Math skills, I was in the wrong line! Have you ever thought about buying a Stamp Press like a Misti or Memory Keepers? If the stamp set you mentioned has clear or cling stamps it would work easier for you in repeated stamping.
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Thank you! I don’t think a press would work for this card – I’d still need to keep moving the base card or the stamps around. But I have thought about getting one for some other stamps I have. I need to do a bit more research I think!
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I’ll be writing a post about this. In the meantime, what do you know about markers? I have Tombow and Marvy but thinking of buying the water-colour ones- Spectrum I think they are called.
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Well, I am terrible at colouring. I have bought a LOT of markers in my time, hoping for a miracle. Early days I had some Tombow and another UK brand, which were water based I think. Then I tried alcohol pens like Promarkers, which worked a bit better for me but still, I basically lacked the skill to use them well. I also had Spectrum Noirs, when they first came out, but didn’t get on any better with them. All this kind of put me off colouring so when the watercolour versions came along I just avoided the temptation! They look great when demonstrated, but I would really like to try them out before buying, because you always seem to have to buy such large sets to get ‘the blend’. Sorry, long answer! I look forward to reading your post about the stamping tools!
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Making lovely cards and writing very amusing posts are definitely your skill sets!
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Well, thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Even if it took you ages to make this card, it’s adorable.
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(dots + stripes) x multiple colors = headache
I believe that is the equation you were creating. Oh how I love equations!
Your process made me laugh! I don’t know how many times I’ve carefully cut out a million little pieces only to find my vision didn’t quite work out the way I planned. I so admire your persistence. At some point, I think I may have thrown my hands up in the air in defeat.
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Totally get where you are coming from, something that seems so simple ends up (usually) in the bin or at the back of the shelf! Yep…..frustration rained and we all got wet eh! Love the card though so it was worth it!!!
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Thanks Kim! I still might try a mixed up version. When I have recovered….
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Oh I just love this one!
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Thank you!
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I love your talent. From something simple to something extrodinaty 😊😊
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Thank you so much!
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Your posts are always fun to read. You wouldn’t know you had any problems at all. Oh, yes, the Fibonnaci sequence! Mmmm….Que? lol! Fabulous card and super design.
Hugs Flo x
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Thank you!
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I love the story behind this. Great looking card, but even better for the oh-so-relatable thought and frustration before winging it.
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Thank you. I don’t know why I make things so difficult for myself!
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Ha ha, the minute I looked at your picture I could see all the work that card must have taken. The results are great though and a funny post 😀
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Thank you! I did need a lie down afterwards…
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I know this was more work than you initially thought it was going to take but it was worth it – it really is a super card! I love the colours of the spots and stripes that you have chosen too 🙂
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Thanks Karen. I went for cheery colours. I love this stamp set!
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I love this cheerful card, the primary colors along with the graphic dots and stripes are a perfect match. But looking at this on my iPhone, at first I thought you had a single umbrella image and had stamped onto patterned paper, then cut out. You did an excellent job of matching those canopy sections!
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Nothing that simple, sadly! I could have made the whole thing much more easily if I had just engaged my brain first!
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I love your work! I know how tricky can be things that look simple. Well done!
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Thank you. You are always so kind!
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You have such amazing ‘staying power’ .. I’d have said ENOUGH! after one umbrella. See .. I have no staying power. Jigsaws and the like have never been my ‘thing’. lol
LOVE the card. It makes such a statement and it would really stand out amongst other cards on the shelf. It has an inbuilt smile, and that comes from you.
It’s brilliant Puff. Really.
love and squidges ~ Cobs. x
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Oh I used to love jigsaws. But they do not mix well with a cat that likes to swipe things off surfaces, whilst watching you watching him do it.. Thanks for the kind words about the card!
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Yew very welcome!
Alf Capone (Used furniture dealer) aka AlfiePops, would be able to help your cat with that job. He’d LOVE it.
🙂
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Haha, the simplest cards are often the hardest to make! I love how yours turned out though, really liking those umbrellas!
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Thanks! I love this stamp set. Lovely clean lines and cheery patterns!
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Even though it took forever, it really looks amazing! I love the story of its creation — you are a wonderful storyteller!
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Aw, thanks! That is such a nice thing to say!
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Umbrellas are always great on any card…I love it! Such a great story also!
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Thank you!
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But, apart from all that (giggle), what a brilliant card. Bravo.
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Cheers!
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Ah yes, how to artfully randomize a pattern while keeping it non-repetitive. I’m sure there’s a math term (& probably a formula) for doing this, but I’m with you – maths are not in my skill set. The card looks great though – sometimes the things that appear simple and easy are actually the most complex.
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Yes, plus sometimes I can manage to make the simplest of tasks over-complicated!
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Same here!
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