Stampin' Sisters in Christ

It's really late, so this post is not going to be long. I'm heading off to the Lavender Festival tomorrow morning - technically THIS morning, really, since it's well after midnight. I should technically be in bed, but I'm in the throes of my insomnia again. Regardless, I heard about this event via a mailing list I'm on. I love going to these kinds of things... it's a nice change from the routine of daily life. A friend is doing the driving, because the one thing I do NOT enjoy is driving. That can, on occasion, put a bit of a damper on my exploratory urges, but not too often, luckily.

So today I have for a a card for the latest Stampin Sisters In Christ challenge. The theme of the challenge is clean and simple. I always struggle with what that means. Initially, when I first heard the term years ago, I took it to mean one layer and I wasn't interested. There are some amazing stamp artists who do gorgeous one layer cards. The talented Susan at Simplicity immediately comes to mind, along with the other amazing women who are part of the One Layer Wednesday challenge. It's amazing what these gals can do with a simple sheet of cardstock folded in half. I do NOT have it in me.

So, while I do like my layers, I keep them very simple, with clean lines and very little in the way of extra 'stuff' to distract from the focal point. And all my cards are quick to make. I don't think I've ever spent more than 15 minutes on a card. Admittedly, I'm not counting the time I spend trying to figure out what colours go together/work with my patterned paper (I have come to realize I really feel better when I've put patterned paper on a card; it just feels more 'finished' somehow). I'm talking solely about the stamping, cutting, adhering process. I usually start with a sketch for the design so that part isn't too complicated.

And now, I am finally starting to feel tired... so without further ado, the last of my cards using The Sounding Joy. Since my bible verse stamps are inaccessible right now as I continue my stamp reorganization, I thought it fitting to use this set, as it does reference a Christmas carol/hymn. A different Stampin' Up patterned paper this time. And again I am unable to remember the name of it. As much as I love SU paper, I do wish they'd add the 1/4" strip on the bottom with the name of the paper line. It would make life so much easier.

Card Details - all products Stampin' Up

Stamps: The Sounding Joy

Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Other: corner rounder