Thursday, February 25, 2021

Sending Hugs


Recently I've seen a technique done with sponging colors on black and white designer paper, so I decided to try making one of my own. I pulled a piece of pretty paper from the DCWV black & white pad I've had for years and decided to add some color. I sponged on distress inks in Mermaid Lagoon, Picked Raspberry, Lemonade, and wilted violet. I also sponged a snippet of white cardstock with some Picked Raspberry ink, then cut it with a Pink & Main 'hugs' die, matting in white. To add a little more fun color, I added pink, blue and yellow gemstones here and there.


 Here's an angled view so you can see all the gemstones. I like the look and made a few more backgrounds which I'll share another time. I'm glad to be able to use some of those pretty papers as it was a huge paper pad (about 2 inches thick) with nothing but black & white papers that I found for a little over $3. way back when. A true bargain, but not if it sits around collecting dust! Adding color gave some of this paper new life :)

I'll share this with the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge which is anything goes

Yesterday was gorgeous here in PA with brilliant sunshine and temperatures that hit 50 and melted a lot of the snow. We decided to go for a drive since we've been housebound for so long, and stopped for coffee before heading home. A generous and kind gentleman in line behind us bought our coffee. We were pleasantly surprised and I'm going to pay it forward the next time we go out. It made us both feel incredibly happy and grateful! A kind gesture like that goes a long way - especially from a complete stranger! I don't know who he was, but I wish I could have given him a hug. Little random acts of kindness like that can really lift your spirits and make you feel human again in this social-distancing world we're living in!

May your day be touched with kindness too!

Carol

19 comments:

Maria said...

Que a gente não perca a capacidade de se encantar com o que é simples!

Wendy said...

It's wonderful to hear stories like this in this day & age! There are still lots of good hearted people out there that share kindness each & everyday! Your card is absolutely beautiful, Carol! I love how you did the sponging of colors over you paper! It just adds so much! I love your sentiment soo! Well done! Enjoy this sunny day although it won't be as warm....it's still gonna melt the snow! YAY! Hugs~

Janice M said...

Oh what a fun/cool technique! I'll have to remember to try it as I know I have plenty of Black and white paper laying around here somewhere too. The weather was BEAUTIFUL yesterday! Gave me the Spring fever for sure! Been seeing alot of mention about the paying it forward at the coffee drive thru so cool!

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

OH! LOVE the effect of those gorgeous colours on black Carol, what a wonderful card with the beautiful stamp and large hugs and gemstones too. A real bargain for the papers, I bought a pack of black a few years ago, it doesn't seem to getting smaller, even though I use it for layering often. I'll have to start stamping on it hahaha.
WE have had a wonderful sunny day with blue skies and temperature of 44f, positively balmy. Crocus are up and daffodils. Spring is around the corner. How lovely to be treated to coffee by a stranger. I would feel buoyed up by that too.
Keep safe and happy.
Faith x

LeAnne said...

This is beautiful...and that sentiment is amazing! Love it! So glad you got to go outside AND get a treat as well! There are kind people in the world after all!

crafty-stamper said...

What a very nice gesture restores your faith in human nature.The inky colours look great on the p.paper
Carol x

Donna said...

What a nice gesture from a stranger! You're card is stunning, great technique to brighten up a simple piece a patterned paper!

Claire said...

Wow, what a cool card... I love all the colours against the black background with the big pink hugs die... it's very impressive on the screen so I bet its fantastic in real life.

Doesn't it restore your faith in human nature when someone goes out of their way to be kind... it's heart warming and very touching at the moment x

Verna Angerhofer said...

I love your beautiful card with the gorgeous colors in your design.

aussie aNNie said...

Stunning card absolutely gorgeous background and hugs to you too. xx Have a great weekend. 💌

cotnob said...

A beautiful card Carol, a great technique.
A lovely act of kindness, I'm so pleased that you had such a super experience.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x

Mrs A. said...

The background looks lovely.How did you manage though to not colour onto the black bits or does it just not show? That was a lovely gesture from your unknown benefactor.hugs Mrs A.

Mary Anne / MA54K said...

The sponging was brilliant! Thanks for the idea. That RAK was one of those little blessings that make a sunny day even brighter!

Stampsnob. said...

So fun to get a HUG in the mail.....Lis

Brenda said...

Oh Gosh, I love this card Carol!!! I wouldn't have thought that this was just black and white pattern paper, it's so cool the way you ink blended it and boy does it change things! It's so cheery and I love the colors you chose. I also love those gems. I don't know if I have any black and white pattern paper but I'm going to go look. lol I love this! We reach 60! So it really melted the snow and ice, I couldn't believe it how fast it melted. Now I've got standing water and mud. Mud from the dogs, so gotta clean paws now. Oh how I hate when it is so wet and mucky, but loved those temps. lol I guess you can't have the good without the bad. How sweet of that man to pay for your coffees! It is little random acts of kindness that lifts the spirits, especially during this pandemic. Yes, I always try and pay it forward too. Glad this sweet man touched you and hubby like that!!! Hugs, Brenda

Sarn said...

A wonderful card. The colours are so vibrant against the black.

What a lovely gesture from a stranger. It will be fun paying it forward.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Carol, you are very, very inspiring to me!! Another clever design and -again- I have the same huge DCWV black & white pad, bought on sale!! :D We are on the same street :D
Love this amazing technique, it's easy, quick to do and so striking! Another card to Caseing! ;)
I smiled reading about the unknown man that was so kind paying you the coffee. It's wonderful knowing that still exist kind people in this bad time!
Sorry if I haven't yet replied to your mail. :( I hope to have time soon.
Sending you lots of love and hugs!

Lisa :) said...

Love this card! I have a paper pad like this and omg I have to find it and try this!

Maria said...

O mundo está nas mãos daqueles que têm a coragem de sonhar e correr o risco de viver seus sonhos.