Friday, November 12, 2021

Thankful and Grateful

Hello friends!  I'm afraid I fell short on Thanksgiving cards this year.  Just like always they were overshadowed by the need to finish the Christmas cards.  If I make any more Thanksgiving cards they'll be set aside for next year.

The two cards I'm sharing today are simply patterned paper and dies with only the green-embossed sentiments for stamping.  On the first card I used the SU Subtle embossing folder on the card base.  I put the whole card in the folder and ran it through vertically, then turned the card horizontally in the folder and ran it through again.  Instant textured cardstock!  I've been loving that and always on the lookout for more folders suitable for this whole-card embossing.  The Subtle folder is aptly named so it may not show well in the picture, but is effective in real.



The paper totally covers the card front on this next card.  So much quicker and easier than coloring and I do have a lot of paper to use, but it gives me a twinge of cheater's guilt.  You know what I'm saying... I shouldn't feel that way.  It's just that card making has become so sophisticated and these little ol' cards are so simple.  However, I will say they were fun to make and satisfying in the end.  So there (😊).



Even though the stamping is sparse on these cards, I'm going to play along at Sisterhood of Crafters:  Give Thanks.




Christmas cards are in the works, but fall isn't over yet so I'll see what I can do.  Life is busy!  Wishing you a beautiful day!


Stamps:  Crafter's Companion Thankful Words (#1), Impression Obsession Grateful (#2)  Paper:  Vanilla card base on each, green and rust cardstock scraps, Bo Bunny Autumn Song DP (#1), Studio Light Autumn DP (#2)  Ink:  Versamark, miscellaneous for sponging birds and leaves  Other:  Memory Box Finnegan Fronds die set (2015), green embossing powder, SU Subtle embossing folder (#1)

23 comments:

aussie aNNie said...

Hi Leslie, This is really lovely, love your whole design and thanks so much for entering our challenge,
Give thanks, with your fabulous design at[aNNie designer for The Sisterhood of Crafters]
https://thejourneyisthestarthere.blogspot.com/{My Blog}

Glenda said...

Leslie, these are just lovely! I really love the little bird and I'm with you on pulling back a bit in design. I am loving both and they will be easy to mail. For me that has become a concern!

Pauline said...

Leslie, these are beautiful! I love that you created your cards using papers as your focal point! I know what you mean about 'a twinge of cheater's guilt'! I have some many beautiful papers I could use on my cards, but always shy back from it. I really need to branch out a bit! Your little bird on a twig completes your cards. Well done my friend! Have a wonderful weekend!

Lynette said...

Both of these cards are so pretty, Leslie! I know what you mean about "cheating" but honestly, I bet at least half of the people we send cards to wouldn't know if we ever made the backgrounds or not! Your papers are wonderful. Good luck with your Christmas cards - and have fun with them!

crafty-stamper said...

Both beautiful cards,love the P.paper and die-cut birds.I agree with Lynette above if they are not crafters they wouldn't know if you had made the backgrounds or not as long as they love the cards.
Carol x

Yogi said...

both cards are lovely. I especially love that tall Thanks word... I know how you feel about "feels like cheating". That happens to me too when I do something that seems too easy... Have a great day

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

These cards are so pretty! I love the birds and the DSP goes so well with them. The embossing folder is really nice. I wish I had purchased it. Sometimes simple is better especially when your hands are hurting! Have a great weekend!

HilaryJane said...

Both these cards work really well and it is great to use up some patterned paper. I don't buy it anymore because I never seem to use it on my cards, but you have used it really effectively on these xx

Cat Craig said...

Leslie, lovely cards they capture the season so nicely.

Diane said...

Both cards are creatively beautiful! Love how you created the texture on the first and a great way to showcase the pretty fall paper on the second! Sweet birdies too! Don't feel bad about Thanksgiving cards, I never sent out one single Halloween card and that makes ME feel bad! Hopefully my Christmas card sending will fare much better! Thanks for joining us at The Sisterhood too!

Evelyn S. said...

What a great use of that paper! The cards are wonderfully "warm" for the season.

Bonnie said...

Fantastic papers, Leslie! The die cuts and simple stamping are all they need!

Christine Alexander said...

I should use more of my DP, I have reams sitting on my shelf. Wonderful inspiration to pull it you. your cards are wonderful ♥

Ros Crawford said...

They are both beautiful and so calming... Clever to add texture like that. Thanks so much for your lovely comments BTW... As for my shape, doing the exercise class has lost me quite a bit of weight so that's a good thing and an excuse for new clothes. Have a lovely weekend

Margaret said...

These cards are so gorgeous! I love that technique to emboss your card base. I've never tried it or seen anyone else do it. Love the birds cut from gorgeous paper. Happy Thanksgiving.

Conniecrafter said...

They are both beautiful, I just love those sweet birds and they look great with the pattern papers, I have found I just love putting together the die cuts and using my paper scraps makes me even more happy. I use to think that way about my cardmaking, if it wasn't hard or I didn't color or stamp then it wasn't as special but anymore I don't think that way. If I enjoy putting the card together and then I get responses from people that they loved it then I know I am doing the right thing :)
The second card is my favorite, I just love those papers and like the die cuts for the bird to sit upon.
I so love the idea of putting your folder in both ways, never thought of that on some of my all over patterns how that would look, it makes a great textured background that's for sure, no need to buy textured cardstock anymore :)

Debbie Mageed said...

Leslie, I just love your cards! They are both beautiful and my favorite element is the sweet bird - so sweet! Thank you for playing with us at the Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge and hope you can join in again soon.
Debbie
Secrets To Stamping
Join my Creative Creases Challenge for fun folds!

Loll said...

Two beautiful Fall cards Leslie. I love your patterned paper. The birds and branches make the best finishing touches. xx

Darlene said...

You should not feel guilty in any way ... these are both absolutely BEAUTIFUL! You added touches have made them unique and gorgeous! No one says you have to sit and color for hours to create a beautiful card ... these are proof of that!!
And, as far as guilt for not sending cards ... I am ALWAYS guilty of that. For someone who makes as many cards as I do in a months time, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for not sending more than I do! Maybe I should make that my New Years resolution! lol
These are fabulous my sweet friend! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at our Sisterhood of Crafters challenge! Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
SISTERHOOD OF CRAFTERS
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Please stop in for a visit!

nancy littrell said...

TFS your beautiful Thankful Thanksgiving card, Leslie:-) Denny and I have enjoyed your simple beauty on our dining room table with a few Fall decorations:-) Now I know exactly how you created the DP and die cut images. I loved the textured dry EB cardfront. I do have that folder and need to use more often...I loved the effect. Your sweet die cut bird is so beautifully detailed by using the Fall DP. Love the Tall stamped sentiment and die cut frond too. Perfectly wonderful and creative Thanksgiving card, my friend. Thank you again...so much. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Rich. Love and Hugs...Nancy and Denny

laurie said...

Beautiful fall cards! Very creative too, and not at all cheating...lol!

Ida said...

These are both so pretty and perfect for autumn themed cards. I love that you used dies and patterned papers. Not cheating at all in my book. Sometimes I think we focus like you said on being (fancy) when a quick simple card like this has just as much pizzazz.

AlisonC said...

So beautiful and some great tips. I love that little bird.