Here's to Oxford Impressions "With Love!"

When I think about how I would answer the question "How do you get your ideas 

for  projects," I think I would say that it usually begins with a color scheme.  

The design then begins to evolve as I work with the colors. 

About 50% of my work is graphic design of educational materials, 

so I like to stay up with current color trends.  I was really happy to see that

 the Pantone color of 2013 is emerald.  I can't wait to see all the shades from 

emerald to aqua in all the clothes and products this year!

(On the way to work this morning I noticed brand new aqua dumpsters 

at a construction site--coincidence?)

In keeping with my process, I decided to use a light pink with 

aqua for my first design team project of the new year for 

Oxford Impressions' With Love collection

 

 I embossed an aqua paper with a wood-grain embossing folder and then rubbed it with gold ink.  I stamped an ivory scrap with various stamps in various colors, and chalked the aqua tint.  I finished with a spritz of walnut ink to give it some age and added a peek of vintage lace.

 

For the card above, I used the With Love collection and the bird and cage
from The Bird's Nest collection.  I stamped a pink polka dotted paper with
a blue cabochon and a brown trefoil in the center.  I added glitter highlights to
the trefoil with stickles.  I stamped the bird cage, bird, and sentiment and then cut them out.
I finished with a piece of embossed paper, light blue seam binding,
and a lovely piece of vintage lace.

This is a versatile new stamp collection with nice images and sentiments for all occasions.

For more ideas, see the five-minute vintage cards I made using these stamps.

I'm linking up with Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays
Whatever You Want Wednesday
Faith, Grace, and Crafts Pearls and Lace Thursday
Just Something I Whipped Up
Share Your Cup Thursday
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Sweet and Simple Fridays
Fabulously Creative Friday 

                                                                                                                              Laura