Monday 8 February 2016

Bittersweet love.... by Astrid

Well, it's nearly Valentine's day, so I thought I'd share another project featuring some of the marvelous Valentine inspired craft parts. This project was really quick and easy to do, perfect when time is running short.


I created an envelope out of black card and gave it a decorative flap with the help of some dies. There are numerous tutorials out there on how to do something like that, so I won't go into the details here.


I covered the base with decorative papers aged with the help of some inks and then decorated with various Craft Parts. These are the ones I used:



As you can see, I positioned the large heart from the Valentine set with the Art Deco ornament in the center and added a little flower on top. I then used two of the corner embellishments to balance it out. I love how the different craft parts echo each other in shape and can kind of harmoniously work together like this.


All I did to alter the wood shapes a bit was colour them with dark brown ink (I used Adirondack Espresso) and then high lighted them a bit with Decoart Metallic Lustre in Champagne


The feather and other elements were all coloured in the same way. I added a few details to the feather with a black pen.


The envelope closes with a little magnet.


The back was left plain, just lined with paper with a bit of back ground stamping.
Next I made a card to fit inside the envelope, using some of the other Valentines elements from the same sheet.
I chose the title bittersweet love, as this particular heart reminds me of barbed wire, and don't we all know that love at times can have this other bitter sweet side...... That's also the reason I kept the colours quite dark, a change from the usual red and pink.


The little heart has the words I Love You engraved inside, because, yes, true love can overcome those tricky prickly patches, and as the saying goes, - Love can conquer all.....

Well, I'll leave you with that philosophical musing, all that remains is to wish you all a very happy Valentine's Day!!
Thank you for visiting like always
xxx

13 comments:

  1. Absolutely gorgeous Valentines card Astrid! I love the deep rich colours and the envelope is just as beautiful as the card. Amazing work as always! xx

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  2. Wow, Astrid! I love all of this, but am especially taken with how you've used the Calico Craft bits - fabulous inspiration!! I love that feather on your envelope flap and the "barbed wire" heart" on the card - wonderful aspects that let us each invoke our own story here. Thank you for the inspiration! xxx Lynn

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  3. WOUW I absolutely LOVE this card Astrid, it´s sooo much more me than the red and pink ones too, and I love how you build it all up here, soooooo sooo beautiful.

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  4. Really charming - love the layering of the Craft Parts with the papers, and the punched edging is a great touch. Beautiful work as always!
    Alison xx

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  5. I love your philosophical musing, Astrid, and your gorgeous card and envelope. I dare say the real love shows with this beautiful redwine tones as the blood from our hearts , lol !! Your envelope is a masterpiece with the wonderful wood embellishments , and love the edge of the flap. The card is equal beautiful, and I truly love your color choices .
    Dorthe, xx

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  6. Great use of the Calico craft parts they look amazing when used together like this. Mo x

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  7. Understated, gorgeous, BRILLIANT! Such a wonderful way to use these parts. Jenny x

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  8. Isn't time always running short. Not being a lovey dovey kind of person - I really like your Valentine. So neat to have its own little envelope too. And you know, you could take this same idea and not use hearts.
    Sandy xx

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  9. A truly beautiful combination! Chrisx

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  10. Astrid another fabulous piece of art from you. You keep on to impress me. Just LOVE your work. This envelope and the card look fantastic. Love the way you used the wooden cut outs and the other embellishment items. You are such a talented artist.
    Thank you for sharing this. It is always great inspiration to see your work.
    Hugs from Monica... Spain

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  11. How incredibly gorgeous Astrid!! Love love how you designed the envie with those parts!! xoxo

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  12. Gorgeous Astrid, love the decorative die cut on the envelope and all those lovely layered Calico parts, wonderful palette too! Deb xo

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