I had gotten a new (to me) stamp set for Christmas from my sweet friend Sue that ended up being just perfect for this challenge...Altenew's Leaf Clusters. Here's both of the cards together that I created using the same stamp from that set:
I made a "Just a Note" rainbow card using all the leaf clusters in the set, and then made a birthday card using just one of the leaf clusters. (The red leaf cluster is the same stamp I used to create the green cluster on the birthday card.)
I went in rainbow order (ROYGBIV) stamping the different leaf cluster stamps around the outside perimeter of my panel, and then matted with a thin black layer and attached both to a white card base. Next I stamped and die cut the "Just A Note" from The Greetery's Opposites Attract stamp set, and also die cut two extras to give some dimension to the sentiment. A little bit of black & white bakers twine finished off this easy and colorful card.
My 2nd card came out a bit different than what I had originally planned in my head. I had envisioned covering the whole front of the card with green leaf clusters, and then die cutting smaller circles (maybe 2 or 3) from the covered card front and placing little monkeys behind the cut out circles...like they were swinging around from branch to branch. Just one little problem...I couldn't find any monkey stamps in my collection!! After digging for what seemed like hours I finally found one stamp from waaaaaaaay back when that had never even been opened from Stampendous called Changito Cheer. Only problem now was that the monkey was too big for my original idea and he was already holding onto the pom-pom and megaphone so that it would have been a bit tricky to cut those off and still make it look like he was gripping the tree limbs! OK, on to plan B! I just stamped the leaf cluster at the top of my white panel and then colored the monkey with my Copics, fussy cut him out, and then pop dotted him to look sort of like he was swinging through the trees doing a birthday cheer! The "celebrate" was stamped and die cut from The Greetery's Birthday Blooms stamp set. I added a piece of foam to the back of the panel and then adhered that to a top folding white card base. Not what I originally planned but I still think it came out cute!!
The possibilities are limitless with a prompt like LEAVES, and we can't wait to see what YOU come up with! Make sure you check out what our talented DT and Special GD have come up with this month to inspire you, and then play along with us! You can check it all out right HERE. This challenge is open till the 24th.
Thanks for stopping by today ... I love it when you do!
A leafy rainbow, Marcia, how glorious ... it makes such a bright, colourful and happy frame for that fresh, crisp sentiment ... and what a lovely touch the black and white twine is! That agile little monkey swinging from the leafy cluster is a cutie ... your fabulous colouring makes him look all furry ... and he sure looks as though he's celebrating big time! Hugs, Anita :)
ReplyDeleteGreat ways to use your leaf stamps! Your monkey card is so cute and worked out so well considering your original plans. Happy to be joining the team this month. (@natshobbycorner IG)
ReplyDeleteLOVE your leaf clusters and how have that stamp set on my wish list. :) Gorgeous colours with your rainbow of leaves, Marcia. The popped up sentiment and twine are the perfect details to compliment your beautiful design. LOVE that second card ... it's so fun and made me smile! :) That money sure knows how to celebrate. :) xx
ReplyDeleteYour cards are so bright and beautiful. Just what we need to bring a smile to our faces. I must look up these greeting stamps they are delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pleasure to admire your cards, Marcia. They are both so colorful and full of joy. The rainbow colored leaves are great idea for just a note card. To add the dimension to the sentiment was a good decision. It's great! Birthday card with a monkey makes me smile.:-) Cute motive. It is good you found it. It happens to me too that I find something in my stash, never opened and I have no idea, where it comes from. :-) Hugs, Sonja
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start with your second design, Marcia, because I think it is SUPER cute as a celebration card and the leafy branch looks perfect behind that happy cheer-leading monkey! It's a fantastic 'accidental' and CASlicious design! And I also love your wide border of rainbow leaves all around your note design, with a mat and bow to tie it all together! One thing is for sure: it is a note of cheer! And because the leafy stamp is new to you, I'd love to see you share with everyone at NBUS! Enjoy the weekend! Hugs, Darnell
ReplyDeleteMwah!
ReplyDeleteWhat a vibrant and happy rainbow card with fabulous stamping. Fun second card and it sure is a celebratory card. Love the cute monkey and his pom pom and glad he got an airing....I love how your card turned out Marcia x. Two very different cards and I love them x.
ReplyDeleteWell, everyone knows it's not a party until the monkey dances!! These are just fabulous, my friend!!
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This cheering monkey is adorable! I'm glad you left the pom-pom and megaphone attached. It's just perfect for a birthday day. The bold and colorful border around your second card is cheerful and fun. Both cards are fantastic Marcia!
ReplyDeleteYour monkey just made that leaf canopy sing. Loving your rainbow of leaves for an uplifting note card.
ReplyDeleteWhat great leaf stamps, Marcia! I LOVE the rainbow frame that's so bright and happy! And the monkey makes me laugh! It may be plan B, but plan B worked perfectly! Two awesome cards, my friend!
ReplyDeleteOh that monkey!!! Two marvelous cards, Marcia!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of bright, happy colors, so you know that I'm mad about your 'just a note' card. I can imagine someone opening the envelope and smiling right away because of the 'happy' this exudes. It's a great one! And moving on to 'plan b' as it turns out, turned out perfectly! What a fun little monkey!! That's some damn fine fussy cutting too...(I'd have lopped off a leg!). Those Altenew leaves are gorgeous. Great Twofer!! Love 'em. Got to see four of the grands this past weekend. Totally fun, and totally exhausting. Soooo worth it! Hope you have fun with yours, too. Sending hugs. xoxo Bev
ReplyDeleteThese are such fun cards Marcia, the bright primary colours are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou know we're getting old when "the time of the month" means the Twofer Challenge. lol Sometime plans go awry but the results can be just as wonderful. That celebrating monkey will bring a smile to the birthday person. Rainbow leaves are always a welcome sight.
ReplyDeleteOh my that little monkey makes me smile!! You really do think he's clinging to the trees... Love the bright and happy first card too, in fact as always two amazing takes on the challenge!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun pair of cards using those colorful leaves for your designs! I love the assorted colors in the Just A Note card and the twine adds such a nice touch. As for the monkey, I haven't seen one of those in quite some time, so old is new again, and cute is definitely in when it comes to celebrating! Great twofer!
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