Mar 24, 2012

Paola's Punch Art Swap Cards

Last weekend I tackled my friend Paola's Punch Art Swap cards.  Known as Sama on SCS (or Sweet P as we've dubbed her) Paola has a swap coming due on Splitcoast and the theme or challenge is to create something using our punches.

Well, I only have a few (less than 10) punches, and this was new territory for me, so of course I just had to sign up (ha ha).  Paola gave us loads of inspiration, including galleries, web sites and blogs to visit for ideas.  Then it became "what to choose?" for me.

Here is the card that I CASED for my swap.  I found Susan Rowe's SU Website during my search and thought her clever use of SU's Ornament Punch made a great flower.  Please check out her blog because she has some really great things there!

So here is what I came up with.  The base is Wasau's Stardust, it has little flecks of color in it that I just love.  The orange panel was embossed with a swirly design from a Fiskars EP.


The Top Note panel is also the Wasau Stardust CS, stamped with a leafy vine wheel from SU (not sure of the name).


The flower petals are punched using the Christmas Ornament punch, edges have been lightly dragged across the ink pad to give a hint of color.  The paper has a bit of a design in darker orange, although it doesn't seem to show up much here in the blog editor.




A scallop circle in green, smaller circle and then part of SU's punch that has 3 blossoms (sorry I can't seem to find the name of it) completes the inner portion of the flower.
The little gem in the center is actually more iridescent than purple, as it shows here.  I think it was reflecting something else around it.






Here's a side view attempting to show the panels which are popped out.  The flower is also popped, with each petal curved by rolling it from the center. (I sure hope that they don't get too flattened by shipping!)

After these pictures were taken I also added an orange panel on the inside to give it more substance.  The Wasau CS was only 80# so it was a little thin for my taste.

Well I must say that this swap made me wade into new waters, so thank you Paola!!  I sure hope that my cards are up to everyone's standards, because I've seen what some of the others have made in their weekly challenge game and it is IMPRESSIVE!!

Off to play, I need to create a special card for our son's 25th birthday this week.  He's our youngest and I have to say: "How did he get this old????"  LOL  Thanks for stopping by and thanks also for all the love you leave here for me!  It's truly a bright spot for me!

10 comments:

jimlynn said...

Darlene, this is wonderful! Love all the orange too. I would have never thought to use the ornament punch, yet it made a fabulous flower!
Lynn

~Paola~ said...

whoaaahhhhh..look at youuu!
I'd say U took the plunge...err..I mean..PUNCH...quite wonderfully my friend!Your card tured out AWESOMELY indeed ...I am so impressed w/all the details U added, and love loveeee LOVEEEE the end result ♥ U did wonderfully at your first punch art card....are U ready for the next one then??? sure U are!!LOL
(in a year time....eheheh)
Thanks for partecipating and for the awesome inspiring link U included as well...♥ xox

paige said...

Darlene, I'm so glad I stopped by to see this post! How clever to use the ornament punch for a flower! That idea is going in my notebook! Great card!

Louise F NZ said...

fabulous use of the punch, the flower looks wonderful :)

April said...

I love it!! I think you and I are in the same boat with so few punches (I do have some on my wish list)!

Your card is fabby dabby and I love how you used so many punches to make the beautiful flower!


Ps. The little flower is from Boho Blossoms...that is one punch I have...lol

:: BlueInks :: said...

Oh Darlene, I think your card turned out great! I really like the colors and the textures. I am sure it will be a hit in the swap.

Shelly Schmidt said...

How cool is this pretty card- I love the ornament punched flower- and I think I have the same card in my file to case- using this punch as a flower- awesome!!!

MiamiKel said...

Oh Darlene, I have been saying the same thing all month, ROFL!! When did I get to be THIS old?! Yikes. I do believe your son and I share the same bday, too :)

THis card ROCKS!! IT's a dazzler for sure - the colors are splendid, the design is amazing. This will be a huge hit with the swappers!

*5 stars!*

Marilyn said...

Love this flower Darlene and how you've made it the focal point of your card. The little splashes of green add so much and the perfect little bow is just right for this.

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

Oh my goodness... I love love LOVE that flower! So creative! And beautiful, too!