This card represents 3 of my 2008 stamping related resolutions -- practice using Copics, only posting items on my blog that I like, and working on my photography. I'm still getting there on all three, but I'm pleased with my progress (my other resolution was to spend less and I'll talk about that later in the post!).
In this case, I used Flourishes Siberian Iris and stamped it on some of the new Gina K Designs Pure Luxury 120 lb. cardstock. I don't have time to rave about this paper on this post, but I plan on doing so and comparing it to the equally great, but very different Papertrey Ink Stamper's Select, which I used for the base card. The sentiment and script background are from Stampin Up's Close as a Memory and French Script background. The very very thin and very luscious ribbon is silk and purchased from Starlit Studio!
My other resolution was to spend less and spend more wisely. I'll give myself a C+ on this one, with a note that I'm improving! I started spending less in the summer of 2008 and my spending really slowed after the financial mess became topic number one on the news. But, still.....I'm a weak person. I'm working on it! Except for buying a Lauren Meader template for $5 (isn't there always an "except for"???), I haven't bought a thing since December 13th! Luckily, Santa came through with stamping goodies or else I'd be chewing on my leg by now!
Joan, This card is beautiful!! Keep up the good work. sandie
Posted by: sandie994 | January 05, 2009 at 06:34 PM
Joan, this card is absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Pamela Tetreault | January 05, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Gorgeous card Joan - fabulous coloursing and the thin silk ribbon is such an elegant touch!
Posted by: claire brennan | January 05, 2009 at 06:54 PM
Over the top GORGEOUS! And great photography, too, girl. I vowed after December 1st not spend any money on stamping-related items until March 1. My "except" was some Tomboy Multi-purpose glue and some black rhinestones and pearls. So far I've done ok but I can tell I'm weakening, especially with new goodies in Ellen's store and a new release coming up on PTI. But I must be strong! Whatever I think I must have will still be there in March.
Posted by: SueB | January 05, 2009 at 07:07 PM
This is really gorgeous! Oh I would love to hear your opinion on the new GinaK cardstock - I'm running low on Papertrey and would love to hear how it compares. Also have you used Neenah cardstock? I really love that for Copics.
Posted by: pegg | January 05, 2009 at 07:47 PM
this is stunning!
Posted by: amy | January 05, 2009 at 07:55 PM
this is stunning!
Posted by: amy | January 05, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Beautiful card! I really love your coloring. Can't wait to hear your review on GinaK paper. I'm also using PTI cs, but I've been hearing lots of rave about Gina's.
Posted by: xiumaiyuki | January 05, 2009 at 07:57 PM
C+?! You're too tough on yourself - it's really beautiful, Joan!
Posted by: Jenn E. | January 05, 2009 at 08:06 PM
This is one of the most gorgeous cards I have ever seen with this set!
Posted by: buzzy | January 05, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Oh Joan! This is just stunning! Fantastic job with the Copics, and I LOVE how you cut around the stamp image so that it extended 'off the frame'.
Posted by: Barb F | January 05, 2009 at 09:27 PM
This is absolutely gorgeous, Joan!! Love your coloring and beautiful ribbon treatment!!
Posted by: Rose Ann | January 05, 2009 at 10:00 PM
this is beautiful - absolutely a stunner... love it, Joan! :)
Posted by: Lori Craig | January 06, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Well I think that you have lived up very nicely to your 2008 resolutions. I love how you used your copics on this card. Just beautiful! Your photography looks great and it seems to me that you have been sticking with only posting the things that you like. As for the spending I think your doing great!
Mary
Posted by: mimihas5@comcast.net | January 06, 2009 at 02:35 AM
Holy smokes, Joan, this card is gorgeous! I can't stop looking at it!
Posted by: Beth Norman | January 06, 2009 at 05:41 AM
I just had to tell you how beautiful your card is. I love it. The iris looks like you could touch it. Beautiful!
Posted by: Connie Pruitt | January 06, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Your card is exquisite! Your coloring is beautiful. Don't know that you need to "work on" anything in that area. Your photography looks really good, too. If you have any hints, pass them on....I need it. Did you ever get your light box? Even with mine, my pics aren't what I'd like them to be, but I'm still playing with various things. That's a great image to put with that sentiment. Love your card!
Posted by: Karen | January 06, 2009 at 08:38 AM
Oh My this is absolutely Beautiful!!! I think this is probably my fav of yours! Awesome coloring and I like the raindrops on the petals too :) Love how you have cut around the flower, I always love script backgrounds, don't know why I don't use them more in my cards. I too am trying to spend less but when Michaels had the cuttlebug dies on sale for 50% off, well I couldn't pass it up!
Posted by: Conniecrafter | January 06, 2009 at 09:29 AM
Fabulous card.
Posted by: marciad | January 06, 2009 at 09:56 AM
What a beautiful card! Are those drops of Crystal Effects on the petals? And did you make the brads that match perfectly, or find them somewhere?
I just love everything about this!
Posted by: Marie | January 06, 2009 at 09:58 AM
Absolutely stunning card! Does spending more wisely mean spending when there is a sale- because there is one today over at Gina K and I am very tempted to buy some of her paper to try.... debb
Posted by: debb | January 06, 2009 at 11:53 AM
I really like your beautiful card!
Posted by: C Burke | January 06, 2009 at 11:58 AM
What a gorgeous card!
Posted by: Ann | January 06, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Hey, only a Top Notch stamper could produce a beauty such as this! So there ya go!;D
Oh, in case you missed it, they say our recession will be over this summer so you only need to control your spending for a little while longer.. heh heh heh...
Posted by: denise:) | January 06, 2009 at 02:48 PM
This is just a beauty Joan! Wonder why it was deleted from SCS! That kind of miffs me!!! Thanks for pointing me in this direction!! All the best in 2009 my friend!
Posted by: Julie Koerber | January 06, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Gasp! This is a beautiful card!
Posted by: Jacki Jones | January 06, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Love this card - I think it's one of my favorites that you've done. However, it's hard to pick a favorite, as you've done so many truly lovely cards.
I've given the whole Obama Inaugeration issue quite a bit of thought and I decided you should go. Here's why. I'm a teacher and no one I know is going. In fact, no one I know has ever gone to anything like this at all. Therefore, you should go and send me pictures which I will post in my classroom. The issue then would be more of performing a public service to the students, rather than accepting a gift. I think I would be the only biology teacher in the state of Idaho with Obama inaugaration pictures posted on my bulletin board. I figure my vote probably carries a fair amount of weight in your household, so I'll look forward to getting the pictures. Have fun.
Posted by: T.Kaiser | January 06, 2009 at 09:57 PM
Joan
this card is just stunning. Time well spent my friend!
and by the way... in Indy we are now rooting for Eli this weekend. Gotta keep it in the family!
Indy_Patti
Posted by: Patti | January 07, 2009 at 07:11 AM
Beautiful card!! Like you, I've cut back on my purchases. I haven't bought anything in so long (oh, I forgot about my just-rite stamps that I just received) but besides that, it's been way too long. Oh well, hopefully 2009's economy will allow me to splurge more often.
Posted by: Ellen | January 07, 2009 at 10:06 PM
I think you can stop practicing now. Looks like you've got it.
Posted by: marianne | January 08, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Joan, this is an absolutely stunning card! I love every aspect of it.
Posted by: Louise Granlund | January 08, 2009 at 07:15 AM
What an AMAZING card!! totally love everything about it. The touches of yellow on the flowers on this particular background is divine!!
Posted by: Etha | January 08, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Joan, this card is totally gorgeous--beautifully colored!
Posted by: Debbie (aka debbiedesigns) | January 14, 2009 at 02:03 AM
Gorgeous card! Holy cow, Joan, you're doing some really fabulous stamping/paper crafting! I like your idea of only posting cards you like. Is that why they all look so over-the-top amazing? Your photography is looking great, too!
Posted by: Leslie Miller | January 20, 2009 at 10:28 PM