Mar 4, 2019

Using Older Products

Every six months or so I go through all my craft supplies and decide what to keep. This is the only way I feel comfortable with the hobby. I don't like things that I cannot find or a big mess. I do the same thing with my clothes and kitchen stuff. Inevitably, I find things that I forgot I had -- it's like shopping with no cost!

This weekend I found 2 dies -- this ornate frame (manufacturer unknown) from Altenew's New Day Card Kit, and this beautiful flower and leaves die from Penny Black -- and decided it was time to use them or giveaway. Using them won. Thank you to several folks who identified the die! It's a keeper.


I originally die cut a gold glitter frame and wanted to make a few layers to adhere together. I used an Altenew Chocolate Brown alcohol marker to color a white frame to put behind the glitter one (I didn't want white peeking out). The colored frame looked a little like wood and I decided to use it this way (I made 2 layers.)

Die cut the flowers and leave from the backside of some hotpress watercolor paper disaster. Added color with Zig Clean Color pens and a waterbrush. Then added Wink of Stella clear glitter pen over the flowers. Love that shine!

The sentiment is from an older Altenew Set -- Label Love.




Everything's popped up with foam tape, which brings the design some life.

MOOD WHEN DONE: Great. I'm almost done going through my stash and it's such a good feeling to see empty boxes and plastic sleeves and more space.

Later this week I'm having a very minor procedure on one of my hands, so I may be out of commission for a couple of days (milking it to avoid cooking!).

13 comments:

Betty said...

lovely card Joan - I need to do the clean out too - good luck with the hand.

Denise Bryant said...

Gorgeous card! Love the wood look of the frame! Elegant!
Best of luck with the hand procedure!

Sabrina said...

That is beautiful. The flowers steal the show but the frame reminds me so much of the wooden cuckoo clock in our kitchen when I was a child. It's fabulous.

LaurieJ said...

Lovely! I love the warmth that the brown frame adds to the card. I think the frame die, especially, is a keeper. Best wishes on your procedure.

Laurie (@lauries_jardin)

Leslie Miller said...

I'm big on purging, including clothes and household items. Clutter is not my friend. I agree that it's like having a whole new stash when you clean it out and reassess. Just look what you found to play with! Beautiful dies and design!

Cat Craig said...

I think its great to clear out old stuff, it is so much easier to be creative with fewer choices to make.

Your card is a lovely collection of bits. It all comes together in a beautiful way.

Joan said...

You're right, the frame does look like wood and it showcases the flowers beautifully. Wishing you quick healing from your procedure so you can get back to crafting. Cooking.... can wait a bit longer.

Suzanne Russell said...

Gorgeous card! Tis the season of cleaning out and using products that haven't seen light for a very long time. (or ever) It's a refreshing process and gets me out of the creative doldrums every winter. If you ever figure out the manufacturer for the frame, please post!

I Card Everyone said...

I really love this idea of shopping your supplies more often... I'd never part with my own Altenew frame, Joan - but I surely do not use it often enough! That frame was part of their New Day Card Kit https://altenew.com/products/new-day-card-kit - LOve your card, Joan!

Ginger said...

Thank you Mr. B for choosing my number to win the Gratitude Giveaway.

Lovely card. Simple and delicious. Best wishes on the hand..take good care.

Jeanne H said...

What a lovely card, Joan. Thanks for sharing it. Hope you feel better quickly so we can see more cards!!

Elaine C said...

Love the card and that gorgeous “wood” frame! It all looks stunning together. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.

judkajudi said...

I think I admire your ability to purge every six months .. but it makes me a bit anxious! Love that Penny black die … and I, too, am using some old favorites lately.