Something Old, Something New...

Something old, something new;
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

One of my fun girlfriends was back in town, and we went bridal shopping for her upcoming wedding. Did I mention she'll be getting married in a castle? So not missing this one, even if it means flying across the pond. Anyways, one fun element when talking about accessorizing for her gown was thinking how she was going to make sure she had herself covered with "something old, new, borrowed and blue." Before you know it, these four elements were repeating themselves in my head - over and over like a rhythmic chant.

So what happens when you add "rhythmic chant" and this visual?

Yup - the fact that there were four layers or elements in the card was the first characteristic that jumped out. And the only characteristic, since I fell into my obsessive design behavior right after that. Four sketch elements - four bridal elements!


Stamps: Victorian Fripperie (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Paper: Paper Basics Card Stock - White (Papertrey Ink); Basic Card Stock - White (Recollections); Wausau Crinkles Card Stock - Beige (Creative Collections); Porcelain (Basic Grey)
Ink: Earth Elements - Chocolate Chip (Stamping Up!); Tea Dye Duo - Chai (Papertrey Ink)
Embellishments: Rhinestones (Recollection); Nestabilities - Labels One, Standards Circle Small (Spellbinders); Stamp 'n Stuff Embossing Powder - Detail Clear (Stampendous!); 1/8" Ribbon - Brown (Offray); General Purpose Thread - Beige (Coats & Clark); Double-ended Art Markers - True Blue (Prismacolor); Gelly Roll Classic - White (Sakura); Point 88 - Art No. 88/45 (Stabilo); Hand-made beaded Necklace

The neatest part is that this card made me push my comfort zones. Scrappy cards aren't my thing, but here is how I tried to satisfy the elements:

• Old: inked up the outer layer with my Tea Dye ink; used the sewing machine to run a stitch along the border (since old things tend to need mending?); ran my thumb across the edges of to distress it
• New: chose white, fresh card stock, which symbolizes new; heat embossed with clear on a lace design to give it a (new) shiny look (see picture below for a better close-up shot)
• Borrowed: this one was the brain teaser of the day: i wanted to include something - a pair of earrings (but I don't remember if my girlfriend had her ears pierced) or something personal from my jewelry stash; the "borrowed" is kind of a loose term here, since she may keep this cute necklace. It is hand-made by another dear friend that also knows the bride-to-be, and I have had it and worn it for a while now. I bundled it with some ribbon; ran it through with a tag through a punched hole, and voila - a gift that is detachable. Does it pass for "borrowed"?
• Blue: a nice juice blue rhinestone; no heat embossing on the circle, since it's not new (See below in picture for texture difference.)

So Victorian Fripperie was my obvious choice, since the Bride-to-be has been in love with lace veils, lace dresses, the lacy-vintage look. So what else screams lace? The dimensions of the card was worked backwards based on the circle stamp in the Victorian Fripperie set, since I knew I wanted to end with that beautiful stamp.

And another close up of all the uneven, sloppy hand-written sentiments.


Maybe Claire will take mercy on me and create a sentiment for "Brides-to-be" Best a tongue-in-cheek kind, with a few sweet sentiments in between. Yeah - one of those customers with endless wishes - but one is allowed to wish ;)

What kind of stamp sets do you wish for that you haven't seen out there?