Friday, May 6, 2011

There is Poetry in Kindness



A funny thing happened in the making of this card ... I used no patterned paper! Long-time friends and subscribers might remember the designer paper phobia I proclaimed a few years ago. Now, it's a little scary going without! I was playing with some of the Crate Paper Portrait patterns, which is where the black/yellow/green combo began. The green background panel was done with a stamp from JustRite's Kindness cling set and then die-cut with a Spellbinders Labels Twenty Nestabilities die. On top of that is a layered ribbon/trim treatment that includes some May Arts crochet trim and some yellow and green grosgrain. Then comes a black die-cut done with one of the dies in the Fleur-de-Lis Doily Accents Shapeabilities set by Spellbinders. And last, the sentiment, also from JustRite's Kindness.



On an unrelated topic ... my 10- and 7-year-old are completely into Cake Boss, so one day while at Michael's, I expressed an interest in a cake decorating class for them to take. As it turns out, the Wilton rep suggested they not take the kids' class but the regular/adult class instead. I thought the 10-year-old was too busy with his extracurriculars and the 7-year-old too young to attend by herself, so I ended up signing up with her. She ate too much frosting during the second class, threw up all night long, and that was the end of cake decorating for her! My son gladly stepped in and finished up her last two classes, and this is what we ended up with this week for our "final" cakes ...

First, my son's:



He picked up everything so quickly and was really good it!

And here's mine:



I'm sure to an expert, it has "beginner" all over it, but I'm excited about it because I didn't know how to do any of this a month ago! Wilton offers two more courses that go into the really fun stuff -- fondant, gum paste, flowers, royal icing, etc., but we'll most likely postpone those for a little while. My son is so busy with baseball in the Spring, and, as I told the instructor, I soooooo do not need another hobby! I've already scratched Silhouette off the Mother's Day wishlist and added a table saw instead (for my new DIY "hobby") -- LOL! I won't be getting one, but at least a seed is planted for birthday and Christmas :)


Thanks for stopping by! I've been quite sporadic with my posts lately. Spring is a busy time, yes? Looking forward to getting back into a more regular routine soon!





Stamps: Kindness (JustRite)
Paper: Papertrey Rustic White and Black card stock
Ink: Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi, Versafine Onyx Black, Ranger Vintage Photo Distress
Accessories: Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Doily Accents Shapeabilities, Labels Twenty Nestabilities, and Classic Circle Nestabilities, Stampin' Up Wild Wasabi ribbon, Papertrey Harvest Gold grosgrain, May Arts crochet trim, Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder, Pizazz Aplenty 3mm Yellow Gold flatback pearls, foam adhesive, Quickie glue pen
Size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

14 comments:

June Houck said...

Your card is amazing, and I probably wouldn't have realized there was no patterned paper. Your details are always so enthralling for me! GORGEOUS.

Both your ds and you would get an "A" in cake decorating in my book! Are they as delicious as the are pretty?

Heidi said...

The cakes are gorgeous and what a wonderful thing to do with your children.
So what I want to know is who got sick eating TWO cakes. LOL!

Connie B. said...

I love your card with the black, yellow, and green color combo. Very pretty.
The cakes look great. I've always wanted to take a cake decorating class. Lucky you!

Unknown said...

Such an elegant card, Amy! Love the no pp look.. :)

Your cakes are wonderful.. they do not look like beginner's work to me! Enjoy!

inga said...

You are such a talented and beautiful lady and the card is prett cool too!

Marisa said...

You have delved in to my world of DP issues/fobia - welcome LOL! Love the colour combo and the black on the sentiment panel is stunning.

Well done to the two of you on you cake decorating! SO much fun to learn something new.

I LOL at your table saw request - I could be right there with you as love to do things with my hands and see the finished project afterwards. Keeping my fingers crossed that the hint gets registered and your birthday and/or Christmas wishes come true :)

Wanda Cullen said...

I am lucky to get one layer of icing on a cake and can't imagine creating any flowers! I'd say you both got an A plus! Love your card as well...I'm trying to tell myself I don't need that Labels Twenty Nestie. :-)

Luanne said...

Looks like creative talent runs in the family! (not the sick all night part) Your card is gorgeous, I love all the layers and that wonderful Just Rite stamp and Labels 20 die. Beautiful. Have a Happy Mother's Day Amy!

Susi said...

Such a beautiful card, Amy, as well as the cakes. How sweet that your son made his version to celebrate Your Day (Mother's Day). I wonder if your daughter will pass on a slice ... Enjoy!

Oliwiaen said...

First to the card: you know, when I, with my limited funds, looked through the Spellbinders newest release, I crossed out the Fleur de Lis sets as being not THAT interesting and chose the Paris sets instead. Now, because of YOU using them so beautifully, I of course deeply regret my foolish decision and can't stop thinking how to get them too. {lol}

Now to the cakes: I wouldn't even have to eat them, just looking at them is a treat itself! Congratulations on your new skill!! Your son's cake doesn't look like a creation of a 10-year-old AT ALL!!

grandmalee said...

STUNNING!

Conniecrafter said...

very pretty card, great colors and terrific layering. Such a great job you both did on your cakes, neat thing to do together

Lea L. said...

This is a gorgeous card, Amy!! I love the amazing dimension you have given it!! Great job on the cakes, too!!

Magento Themes said...

Gorgeous card!!! I just love this card.. This colors and the designs are looking awesome. I love this cake..Those orange flowers are looking great. Thanks for this great post.