Shaking Things Up

Maybe it was because of the earthquake that startled me awake this morning at about 4:40am, or maybe it was because I'd read a comment on a stamping forum that said that scalloped Nestabilities and shape dies are overused and boring, but I decided to shake things up a little and make a card that's not my typical style, and I wanted to use some Nestabilities in a way other than just layering on a cardfront. I've always thought that if something has become boring, it's probably because it's not being used creatively enough. So instead of complaining--do something about it! :-)

Here's what I came up with.


This is an accordian card. I used the spiral clips to hold it closed for now. The stamped images are by Inque Boutique and stamped using chalk inks. The flowers and leaves are Primas. The patterned paper is by K & Company. And yes, I'm using more Robin's Nest dew drops.


This is the card unclipped. I'd used my scalloped rectangle Nestabilities dies to make those parts that stick out from the fold. They're still attached because I only ran them through my die machine part of the way. I described that here a while back: partial Nesties. I did layer a smaller scalloped rectangle on top of both to add color and interest. I'd used my Scor-It to make all of the score lines and folds for this card.


That's a view of the card completely open. The sentiment is by Hero Arts.

I hope that this may have started some creative wheels turning. Nestabilities dies are like Cuttlebug embossing folders, shaped punches, clear stamps, and any of the other tools that are popular in crafting. You can use them the usual way and make gorgeous works of art, but you can also use them creatively to give them a new twist and sometimes a new lease on life. :-)