Clean, Simple, and Natural

This week's Color Throwdown included some of my most favorite colors, so I had to try it out. I created this clean and simple card using images from Unity's Naturally You Stampin Store Kit in no time at all.

I used a Kiwi Kiss Top Note die cut for the image panel. One of the kit's leaf images is stamped on the top section of the panel, first in Kiwi Kiss ink, then slightly offset in white pigment ink for a shadowed look. The "you're a natural" sentiment is stamped at the bottom of the panel in black ink for contrast. I divided the panel using a strip of Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon. The ribbon and die cut piece are set on a kraft card base. A single black corduroy brad is attached to the left side of the ribbon strip as a simple accent.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. May 2010 Stampin Store Kit-Naturally You, Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Zva Creative black corduroy brad

other: Kiwi Kiss Classic ink, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, and Crumb Cake cardstock, Top Note die, Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon (Stampin' Up!)

While I had the stamps and papers out, I made a card for this week's lesson from the Clean and Simple Cards group on Paper Craft Planet. The challenge was to use offset stamping, so I did that again on this card. It's basically an even simpler version of my first card, even though it has multiple layers.

I stamped the leaf image on a white panel in Kiwi Kiss ink, then again offset slightly without reinking the stamp. I stamped the sentiment underneath it in blue ink. The panel is layered on a black mat, then on a kraft card base. More layers than the lesson called for, but still very clean and simple.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers: Unity Stamp Co. May 2010 Stampin Store Kit-Naturally You

other: Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze Classic ink, Basic Black and Crumb Cake cardstock

And, on a personal note, Chloe the cutie puppy is six months old today! Here's a photo of her I took this evening, resting on the couch. We marked the special occasion with a cool treat--Frosty Paws puppy "ice cream"--outside in our front yard and a new squeaky toy with lots of loops to pull on. She thoroughly enjoyed the celebration.

Tomorrow, she's getting spayed, so it will likely be a long weekend here. I shared many a photo here on my blog of Cosmo the crazy dog wearing his cone of shame and it will be Chloe the cutie puppy's turn very soon . . .