BUILDING ON THE BASICS

I continue to have so much fun working my way through Stampin' Up!'s online class, The Basics, as I originally spoke of in this post http://www.paperseedlings.com/2013/03/the-basics-in-beginning.html

And, as I had promised, I will keep you up-to-date on my progress with four projects per post.

Project 5 called for one of the Stampin' Up! Kraft Gift Boxes (item 124106). Not having these darling boxes in my possession, I decided to make this project into a card.

Project 5

I loved the notion of layering a punched-out space in a piece of colored card stock over Designer Series Paper. I will most assuredly be using this idea again in the future.

I must admit that I was not totally enamored of the example shown in Project 6, so I drastically switched it up to become my very own. 

Project 6

As you can see by comparing the little project photo in the background, my changes were considerable.  The part I like the best about my creation is the corduroy buttons that serve as the center of my black-eyed susans. Retired, of course. But . . . they work perfectly in this card. 

Project 7

Since I already had this stamp set out from yesterday's project, I decided to utilize it for my rendition of Project 7. Besides using a different set than called for, I made only a few basic changes in my card. I stayed with Stampin' Up!'s color palette and added a bit more whimsy to my background.

Project 7 detail

Project 8 introduced us to the Stamp-a-ma-jig. As I've said previously, I totally resisted using this little tool for a long time. Until I finally discovered just how indispensable it truly is. 

Project 8

I am sad that I do not have the alphabet set called for in these instructions, Morning Post Alphabet (page 144), because isn't it TRULY ADORABLE?? So, I substituted one of my retired alphabet sets, ending up with a more whimsical-looking card. By adding the flowers with Basic Pearl centers atop a Perfect Polka Dots background to mimic the happy pearls, I am very happy with my outcome.

So, while you can see that I am remaining a faithful follower of the techniques being taught, by making a few basic -- and sometimes not quite so basic -- changes, I am switching up these little projects to be entirely my own.

I am in paper crafting HEAVEN! I already feel so downhearted thinking about when this little online course will end. But, in the meantime, I am enjoying my daily excursions completely!

Smiles.