I woke up this morning, the first day of a new year, 2022, with a feeling of something like despair. The feeling that 2022 isn't going to be a good year for me. Not a great way to begin a brand new year. After the last two years we've experienced, I suppose that's not an unusual feeling for some of us to have.
The way I understand it, it's always important to maintain a positive outlook on life. I've been having such difficulty in doing that, especially lately.
For that reason, I chose to showcase this card today. Because the sentiment is so fitting.
BELIEVE.
I vow to BELIEVE that the year will be an improvement over the past two years. I BELIEVE the world will be a better place during the year 2022. Do you BELIEVE it will be?
The card is created on Balmy Blue cardstock, a color that I think works so well with snowflakes.
Have you ever created anything using two colors of embossing powder? I think it has a wonderful interesting look that is a step up from single color embossing.
To do multi-color embossing, stamp some of your images in VersaMark ink randomly across the cardstock, leaving ample space in which to stamp more images.
Cover the initial stamped images in one color of embossing powder and heat set.
Stamp more images in the spaces in between in VersaMark. This time, sprinkle a different color of embossing powder and heat to set.
On my card, I only used two colors of embossing powder, gold and silver. If you space things just right, you can do even more colors. The colors need to be embossed separately.
You can try a few colors of embossing powders in a single stamping, carefully dropping the powders over the stamped images. In this case, however, you will be contaminating any excess powder since they will mix as you tap it off and the powder colors mix. If you don't mind having a mixture of embossing powders, this is a way to get more than one color on a single image.
After the embossing was done, I used snowflake dies from a few sets to cut smaller Balmy Blue snowflakes, which I adhered over some of the embossed snowflakes.
I used a Dark Balmy Blue Stampin' Blend to color some Basic Rhinestones. Others I left in their natural color. I added these rhinestones to the centers of all the snowflakes.
It's the simple sentiment --- BELIEVE -- that gives the real meaning to the feeling behind this snowy card.
How positive do you feel about this new year? Do you BELIEVE that it will be a good one?
Happiest New Year to all of you!
Believing
Smiles.
By nature, I'm an optimistic person. I've not gotten any negative vibes about the new year, so hopefully that's a good sign for me. I hope your feelings change as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteI am so envious of optimistic people. You are very lucky!
DeleteYour card is beautiful! I imagine it was fun to make!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder to focus on the positive!
Glad you same to share at the Sunday Sunshine Blog Hop!
God bless!
Laurie
Ridge Haven Homestead
Thank you so much, Laurie!
DeleteI think my outlook right now is best described as "guarded optimism," One day at a time! Thanks for adding your bit of sunshine and inspiration to the stamping world!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Marty, with your "guarded optimism" outlook. It's probably the best any of us can do in these uncertain times. Hang in there!
DeleteVisiting from Inspire Me Monday. Using two different embossing powders is so intriguing. I wondered about the blue snowflakes on top--now I know how you did those!
ReplyDeleteI'm not naturally a positive person, but I do believe God has a purpose for everything He allows, good or bad. But I am praying for a better year than the last two.
Thank you, Barbara, for your inspiring comments! I too hope 2022 is a better year than the previous two. It HAS to be, right?
DeleteYour card is so lovely. I've never used embossing powders but I'm definitely inspired now to try them. I always try to be optimistic at the beginning of the year, but I'll be honest and say that this year, like last, I'm a bit guarded.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Oh, you MUST try embossing powders! I still -- after ALL these years -- find it to be the most magical transformation. Yes, guarded is definitely the way to feel these days. I hope we can all appreciate 2022 in some way.
DeleteMy prayer for you is that you have an amazing 2022. New Year's Day is my birthday so I try to just focus on enjoying my birthday the first of the year which always makes the day better. I do understand why you feel the way you do though. It is a battle so many of us are fighting right now. 2022 may surprise us all. Thanks for sharing. #HomeMattersParty
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Donna, for your precious words. And, belated Happy Birthday!
DeleteI hope you are feeling better about it all!
ReplyDeleteIt’s easy to be overcome by despair, but we can almost always find something to be grateful for, which helps a lot!
Blessings,
Laurie
Ridge Haven Homestead
Thank you, Laurie. You're absolutely right, if we just take the time to discover something in our lives for which to be grateful.
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