Punchin Up the Digis

I get so many ideas for cards and projects throughout the day, but I forget about 90% before I ever start crafting. I've even tried writing them down as they occur and this helps, but sometimes I can't remember what my notes meant or I lose my notes! But I saw a card on the talented Cheryl Gorka's blog She Stamps which reminded of a technique I had been wanting to try.Cheryl used Flower Soft (something else I need to remember to work with some more), but I had been wanting to take one of the branches from the LSS Birds and Branches digital stamp set and add punched flowers to it.

This was so easy and I loved adding the flowers. I just sized the branch to fit the card, printed it out, and colored with copics. I, then, just punched a few flowers with a small flower punch, added the centers from a retired SU Simply Scrappin kit, and glued the flowers to the branch. I used a similar but larger punch to accent the sentiment which is from a PTI set. The two brown stripes are also from the Simply Scrappin kit.
Wonder what the talented ladies of the Lindsay's Stamp Stuff design team have been up to this week? Be sure to go find out and don't miss Lindsay's blog. She's got some free goodies for you today in addition to the great eye candy!
Project Recipe

Paper: GinaK White Pure Luxury CS, SU Rose Red DSP

Stamps: LSS Birds and Branches, PTI Vintage Picnic Sentiments

Tools: EK Success flower punches, copic markers

Embellishments: SU Simply Scrappin kit, PTI Vintage Holiday Mix button

Thoughts and Prayers

After my neon-bright card in the previous post, I decided to pull out some more calming colors. I'm getting geared up to go back to work (we start Monday and the kids come back the following Monday) and I decided to make a few sympathy cards for just in case. Things can get kinda busy at work and I don't always have the time to create sympathy cards as needed. So, this is one type of card it is definitely a good idea to make and have on hand in advance.
I used my branches cuttlebug embossing folder for the background layer. I just think it makes a perfect non-frilly card background. Love that texture. I even got to use up a little bit of some retire SU DSP. I sure have a lot of this stuff I need to use. I'm going to have to be on the lookout for a BIG project that requires retired Baja Breeze papers!
So there's my quiet, calm card made especially for a serious occasion, but don't think I won't be pulling out all the stops and sparkles again soon! So don't put away those sunglasses just yet!
Project Recipe
Paper: PTI Very Vanilla, SU Old Olive CS, SU Close to Cocoa CS, SU Manchester DSP (retired)
Stamps: SU Thoughts and Prayers
Ribbon: PTI Very Vanilla grosgrain
Accessories: Cuttlebug, branches cuttlebug embossing folder, SU Markers, PTI Chamomille and Chai inks