Here is another installment in my cards featuring the Life is Beautiful set. My original plan was to also show off the Plaid Tidings with each card, but you know that old chestnut about plans. This card actually came together quite quickly because the stamping is the star on this card. I love this stamp set because it is really easy to create stunning images that are great for any season of the year, and it is so simple to line images up because it is a photopolymer set. This tree reminds me of the crabapple trees in my neighborhood in the Spring. There are white, pale pink and deep pink varieties, and they all are so gorgeous in full bloom. It definitely validates the sentiment ‘Life is Beautiful’ that gives the name to the set.
I drew inspiration from this sketch for my card design. My stamped image is taller, and I added side strips, so the card isn’t a perfect match to the sketch but I think it is still very closely aligned with the original sketch. Do you agree?
Just to be up front, I did pull out some retired Pear PIzzazz ribbon for the horizontal strip element on the card. You will see that referenced below so you know what I used, but it isn’t available for purchase any more. I have A LOT of retired products and sometimes they offer the best touch to a card I’m creating. I try to stick with current products for my creations in case you want to replicate them, but sometimes I have to dig into the retired boxes to get the look I want. Forgive me!
The colors for my card were inspired by this color challenge from TGIF Challenges. Once I decided to pair these challenges, my card came together pretty quickly. I immediately thought of the crabapple trees as inspiration for the foliage on my tree, and these colors are great for creating a Spring themed card. Also, the color inspiration is why I didn’t use the plaid paper – none of these colors are in the patterns. But I really like the more subdued pattern of the color family paper stack to add a touch of flair on the sides without diminishing the focus on the stamping.
 |  |  Pear Pizzazz 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon [144153] $7.00 | |
