Two Hearts, One Love: CPS Sketch 63

I loved this week's CPS Sketch!  Our sponsor this week was Scor-Pal, so I wanted to incorporate something other than my normal fold. I started with a 4-1/4" x 12" piece of cardstock, then scored it at 3" and at 8-1/2". I then laid it out in a landscape orientation and folded the right flap in first. The left flap has the bracket box attached to it.

How about those papers? Digital! I wasn't very confident after my hybrid foray a few weeks ago, but I just kept getting good deals on lovely digital papers--the ones that I'm "someday" going to digi-scrap with. When I looked at this week's CPS Sketch and saw a box, I wanted to use a bracket box. I had ordered some online not long ago, and when I got them, they were too large for cards. What I needed was a bracket box that I could control the size of. . . Wait a minute! I started checking my digital files, and there were several choices--woohoo! So, other than the plain cardstock on this card, a natural vanilla (Prism), Bordering Blue (SU), and Spring Moss (PaperTrey Ink), everything else is from Shabby Miss Jenn's Lil Guys Collection. I have so many pink, flowery papers, but I wanted an anniversary card to appeal to both genders, hence the blues and greens.

Printer Ramble: When I print digital papers, I have the best luck using heavyweight matte finish paper on best print setting. And if I need only 5-1/2", I resize the 12" x 12" file in my print dialog box to 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" so I'm not wasting ink printing paper that I don't need. Then I can turn the paper around to the other end and print a second 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" pattern, or some smaller elements so that I don't waste paper. I also have a printer for which I can get very economical generic ink, and it will be a sad day when it dies. (It's a Canon Pixma iP 3000. It's probably outdated, but I knew that I would get e-mail asking about it if I didn't tell you what it was. Your best bet on choosing a printer is to check Consumer Reports or something similar. Then check the online ink vendors to see if generic ink is available for the model that you choose. I think my printer was only about $50, so a decent printer doesn't have to cost a lot to buy or to re-ink. Okay, printer ramble has now officially ended.

Stamps, etc.: For stamps, I used Stampin' Up's Kind Thoughts set along with a sentiment from Favor It Weddings by PaperTrey Ink. For the tag, I used one of my new Spellbinders Tags Trio dies, and for the circles I used my Spellbinders Nestability Plain and Petite Scalloped Circle dies. Ribbon is PaperTrey Ink's Spring Moss stitched grosgrain, and those cute little heart rhinestones are made by A Muse. (Yes, I've been waiting for at least a year to use these on something! :-D)

Finally, a word about scoring tools: if you don't have one, and you are an avid papercrafter, you need one. (No, no one asked me to say this. It's my version of a public service announcement. :-D) Here's the scoop: I looked at scoring tools for two years before I decided to buy one. I just kept thinking, "That's two sets of stamps that I'm giving up to buy a tool." I had a little scoring blade for my smallest paper cutter. In fact, I had two of them: one was dull and didn't score well, and the other was sharp and cut into my paper unless I remembered to score lightly. I finally bought a dedicated scoring tool, and I don't think I have made even one card in the past couple of years that I haven't used a scoring tool on--yes, to me, it's that important.  I now have two different brands of scoring tools, and both work  beautifully. Truthfully, the Scor-Pal is the one I use most for two reasons: first, it is lighter to pull off of the shelf while I'm sitting down working, and second, I don't have to bother to look at measurements. I can simply align the cardstock in the corner, and 95% of the time, I'm good to go. (Occasionally I may be scoring a non-standard sized item and use a different tool, or  I may have a piece of cardstock that is 1/16" short. That would account for the other 5% of the time, in case you're wondering.)

Goodness, I'm quite verbose when I'm typing a blog post during the day instead of the middle of the night! Don't worry: I won't make a habit of it.  Have a blessed Sunday!

_______
Credits

Stamps: Kind Thoughts (Stampin' Up), Favor It Weddings (PaperTrey Ink)
Papers: (DIGITAL) Shabby Miss Jenn's Little Guys Collection
Cardstock: Prism Natural; PaperTrey Ink Spring Moss; Stampin' Up Bordering Blue
Accessories: Ribbon is PaperTrey Ink Spring Moss Stitched Grosgrain; heart-shaped rhinestones are A Muse Twinkle Stickers
Tools: Scor-Pal; Spellbinders Tags Trio and Nestabilities Plain and Petite Scalloped Circle Dies; Ranger Inkssentials White Opaque pen; piercing tool, foam tape

Comments

[Linda L]

Wow love the card and you've really got me thinking about the Scor-Pal....like you I have been trying to convince myself I don't need it. Thanks for all the inspiration...your blog is probably one of my top 5 in the whole world!! Have a great day!

[Dolly Mixtures]

I really LOVE this card. Everything about it is just perfect. And, by the way, you can be a s verbose as you like....it's so entertaining to 'listen' to you!

[Velta]

Just beautiful!! Love the layout of this card and the colors. I have a Scor-Pal also and it is one of my MUST HAVE tools. Thanks for the info on it :)

[amy]

Deb, this is gorgeous! All digital? Don't get me started on printing my own papers please!!!! I can't keep up with the paper I already have, and I USE my paper, I don't hoard it! But gosh, I should give it a try, shouldn't I? I've got a few papers I've downloaded for free, maybe if I have a little spare time today I'll try it. All because of you! BTW, check out my blog today, I mention you just a little bit today in my post! All good, don't worry:)!

Hugs,
Amy

[Teresa Abajo]

I totally agree about the scoring tool - I couldn't live without mine, even tho it's BEIGE! I'm glad to finally 'meet' someone who thinks the same way :)

[CherylQuilts at SCS]

Beautiful card! I love your "blog talk." It's always worth the read! I'm intrigued by the digital paper. I too have downloaded some but never used it. I really love this Lil Guy paper. Hmmmm... Thanks, as always, for sharing your beautiful work!!

[Conniecrafter]

Your printer prints great, that paper is so pretty, Love the pattern on the butterflies, thanks so much for showing us the WHOLE card, it 's lovely!

[Bonnie Sharp]

This is so pretty - love those papers and the butterflies are beautiful! and.....YAY!! Thank you for finally making up my mind!! I keep waffling about the Scor-Pal - but now I am feeling LIBERATED!! I'm getting it!

[Andi Sexton (rrlscrapgal)]

Gorgeous card!!! I just love the digi papers you used! Thank you so much for sharing your sources and your tips!

[KimberlyG on SCS]

This is absolutely beautiful Debbie! And thank you for your thoughts on scoring tools. I was just talking with a stamping friend of mine yesterday and said that I really think that I need to invest in one. After reading all that you wrote, I now know that I NEED one!! I personally think that it would make a lovely Mother's Day gift, don't you...lol! :D

[Charmaine]

Just GORGEOUS! Love those butterflies!

[Charmaine]

This card is beautiful.

Thanks for your thoughts on the Scor Pal. I, like you did, keep thinking why buy that when I can have all of these other things instead!...I may have to just break down and get one.

Charmaine

[Cindy H.]

Debbie, I love this gorgeous card!! I think I may just have to *admire* your ability to do digital papers and images like the brackets box (lovely!), I'm just not that informed to be able to do digital/graphic manipulations on the computer. That's not to say I won't in the future - there's always hope:)

BTW, it was your lovely card with the lattice work and the peaches in a lettuce bowl image that convinced me that I needed the Scor-Pal. I bought it, love it and have never looked back! Thank you for turning me on to it:)

[Beth]

Debbie- this is beautiful! I'm so impressed with how well you used the digital elements! I totally agree with you on about the scoring tool. I got a Scor-Pal for Christmas and am not sure how I ever did without it. I'm considering buying the "other one," also, to have the flexibility when I need it.

[Becca]

Debbie, I'm speechless! I love the digital papers and all the colors mesh together so well. See what you did!!! Now I have to go into my digital stash and open up my mind to making them work somehow. I'll have to study your post to see how you made this all work so beautifully!

[Pushpa]

I can't believe this is from a digital kit! The bracketed square in the center is FABULOUS!! Very cute PP too. If only it were easier to use Photoshop....

[Laurie Schmidlin]

Debbie, this is breathtaking!! You are absolutely amazing!!! I want to be just like you when I grow up!!

[Melissa]

Hi Debbie,
Every day I read your blog excitedly to see what beautiful creation you have made, and this card is no exception! I love the blues and greens, and the butterflies are georgeous! Can you tell me what you use tie your tag? And is it tied to the ribbon? Being a beginner I so appreciate the time you take to explain things! Thank you
Melissa

[Melissa]

Oops- I also meant to ask which ink did you use to stamp the butterflies- what blue is so beautiful! Thanks!!
Melissa

[cindy]

Love this card! And I really like your new banner too!

[Ann D]

Debbie, your card is lovely and just perfect
for an anniversary. I couldn't help but notice the similarity to your Thinking Inking logo! The gems on the butterflies are
eyecatching, too! Hope your Sunday is a
beautiful one!

[Kimberly]

Beautiful card-love the new banner too! :)

[Kathleen]

Debbie--This is so beautiful! I LOVE those papers----so "muted" on the screen---are they this way IRL? I love the fold, too! Thanks so much!

[Mandy Cheshire]

LOVE the papers and LOVE the rhinestones! Beautiful!

[peggy lee]

what a beautiful card. a great idea the digital papers- they're gorgeous. love all the details. I love your new banner too!