Peridot

Daring Cardmakers Day today (is it really a whole week since the last one?)
A new month too and that usually means a lovely new Guest Designer to introduce - but this month we're extra fortunate as not only do we have a brand new GD joining us, but our July Girl Ania is going to be staying around for August too, woowoo!. I'm so happy because Ania's blog is one I've followed for a couple of years now - thanks to Google Translate I can even understand most of it now too!
The brand new face on the team is none other but the Queen of WOYWW herself - yes, really!  Our new GD is Julia Dunnit of Stamping Ground fame. wow! How exciting can it get?

As it's the first dare of the month we return to our Birthstone theme this week.  

The August birthstone is the Peridot - well I had to look that one up as I hadn't a clue what it was!

 

The colour of the peridot can range from lime, yellowish green, olive green to medium dark green.
As well as being the birthstone for August, Peridots are also 

the gemstone for the 16th Wedding anniversary
The Peridot is the National gem of Egypt. The Ancient Egyptians called the 

Peridot “the gem of the sun”.
They are associated with love, truth, faithfulness and loyalty, and also

and also with fame, dignity, and protection

So, it turns out to be a colour I use quite often - a bit of a relief there then, I could go down the pink and green path that always looks so pretty.  I then decided to use the August sketch over on the Sketch File (have you seen the lovely cards made by the two new helpmates I have on there?)

 

I used:

Papers are from Fancy Pants "Thinking" collection

Prima flowers stamped with a free swirl stamp using "Peeled paint" Distress Ink

Paper Rose made from handmade paper, stamped as above

Scalloped circle (behind flower) and wavy border cut with Craft Robo

MS border punch used on deeper green panel

Sentiment is pc generated then inked and distressed

Assorted beads threaded on silver thread, Deep Olive Green grosgrain ribbon, White Lace, 

Pink and Green Gems (Anita's Gem Wheel), Lime Stickles

I really enjoyed making this card. The sketch helped focus my ideas and as  that paper collection has a few designs using the same shade of green I could use three of them and get a more interesting effect.  The Prima flowers looked a bit dull to begin with, I loved the way the stamped (yes, I actually did stamping!) swirls lifted them. On reflection I think stamping the petals for the rose was a mistake, they'd have looked better with just some gentle inking around the edges.

The sentiment is one of my favourites - I saved the original version I made so that now I can just change the font sizes and colours to match my projects - I save each new version I make as sometimes I only need to change one colour to get a match - saves a lot of work!

It's been a bit hectic this week. Loads of stuff seems to be needed at the same time.  Funny how that happens, isn't it?  It's all good though, just means a bit less net browsing time!  And less time to finish things like that recipe book - but I will get there eventually.

I'll also add "pocket card tutorial" to my to-do list as some people expressed an interest in that one.

Right, back to the craft desk now.

Thanks for visiting