today is a new day...


today is a new day

I think those can be some powerful words for someone going through some tough times.


I'm blogging in real time.  Something that I don't tend to do...I like to get all my cards done the weekend before...and have all the blog posts scheduled in advance.  Things haven't been working that way, but I'm okay with that...trying to go with the flow.

I received thee most wonderful compliment from fellow blogging buddie Lora.  It seriously made my morning:)  I thought the timing was ironic since I felt like I was stepping outside my comfort zone to make today's card {um, yes, I literally made it this morning}.

I was inspired by the CAS-ual Friday girls:


It's a challenge for me to not pile on tons of patterns and colors....It's a challenge for me to just {essentially} take one piece of patterned paper and let it be the star of the show....okay, I may have cheated with the sentiment strip, but.....I couldn't help it and that delish blue thread?  vintage...on a wooden spool...just a smidge left **sigh**

So here's the thing, this is exactly what I love about this wonderful papercrafting community....how we all inspire each other.

I'm also throwing this in for the Gallery Idol 2012.....Good grief, there are already 1,400+ cards loaded up into the Flickr Gallery...as the time ticks away, I'm sure that there will be a TON more uploaded this holiday weekend.    I cannot wait to see who makes the Top 20.

I did some digging around the Gallery Idol Flickr Groups:

Gallery Idol 2009
249 members
1,011 items

Gallery Idol 2010
252 members
846 items
HERE are mine

Gallery Idol 2011
501 members
1,620 items
HERE are mine

Gallery Idol 2012
330 members
1,424 items
HERE are mine

You'd think I was some kind of statistics geek, let me make this clear, I'm not:)  LOL...ask any of my friends.  It was pure curiosity...it was a great way for ME to see how much my style has changed....and it has and hasn't.

I'd love to see your current and past Gallery Idol entries....let me know if you played along with me.

Happy Saturday!!!






Comments

Lynn said…
I love how you stitched on the sentiment. The touch of color is gorgeous and the whole design highlights the gorgeous DSP. So glad you could play with us at CAS-ual Fridays.

Very cool to see the Gallery Idol statistics...I like numbers :)! I entered a couple last year and just one so far this year.

And I am totally a planner like you. I tend to create on the weekend and then plan out my posts for the week. Have a whole punch of ideas in my head so I'm hoping to get crafty later today or early tomorrow before we head out to the pool on both days.
Nina Yang said…
I am so glad I clicked on the fb link:) it is interesting how your style has changed, Amy!
li-bee-ti said…
Beautiful CAS card, Amy! and the sentiment is simply gorgeous (and true).
Laurel said…
Beautiful card Amy and good luck with the contest!
Dora said…
Beautiful card and sentiment!
Tenia Nelson said…
This card rocks!!! I made a few cards for the Gallery Idol this year....at least I gave it my all....right??!! Have a great day!!

-t
Angie Tieman said…
Oooh, very cool card! I love how you showcased that paper! Thanks for playing along with us at CAS-ual Fridays!

On the planning note, I admire you for that! I'm not a planner...more like, "I think I'll go take a picture of a card and blog!" ha!

I liked seeing the Gallery Idol statistics! Very interesting! I haven't entered since that year I made it to the top 15. It was so stressful and a such a fluke for me! But it was fun and I wish you GREAT luck!
Sherry Eckblad said…
Love the card! Just clean and simple and to the point. You used some of my favorite SC paper. If I were the judge you know you would win.
Linda McClain said…
Oh, I love everything about this. Good luck with the Idol. I'm crossing fingers for you.
Ryann said…
Love the simplicity of your card today. It really shines!

How cool that you went back and got the stats of the previous Gallery Idol open auditions. I've got a few in the pot for this year. Good luck!!! :)
Jenny said…
Love to hear how people craft, I pretty much craft and blog in real time... Would love to have a marathon craft session at the weekend :0)
I love how you let the paper do all the talking on your card, you've cut and positioned it perfectly and love the minimalist sentiment strip too :0)
Thanks for linking up to CASual Fridays :0)
Jenny x
Leothcraeft said…
This completely caught my eye from the wee tiny pic in amongst all the rest and it is seriously gorgeous in its simplicity. Love!

Might have to borrow this idea - I ordered this paper a month ago and it's still sittin' on my desk:)
Unknown said…
That sentiment is so perfect for this card Amy!
Alice said…
masculine cards are so difficult, but yours is fab, Amy! so simple and effective. love it! and wow! it's pretty amazing if you look at the stats. will be loading a couple more this weekend, too. =) good luck! hope you have a fabulous holiday weekend! =)
Lisa Arana said…
Wow, what a great simple statement. This card is just amazing!
Annette Allen said…
love how you used the DP and your stitching is always so perfect...I need to practice more...this looks amazing...love it...

Good luck on the Gallery Idol 2012...
Virginia L. said…
Love this CAS card of yours, Amy! It's really cool! I think you can really do all styles! And thanks for the statistics on Gallery Idol (it's my 2nd year entering). What fun, huh? Good luck to you and I think you have a VERY GREAT chance to be in the top 20! So glad that you join the fun with us at CAS-ual Fridays!
Mona Pendleton said…
Cute card Amy! Love the colored stitched detail!
Lynnda said…
Beau-TIFUL... CAS card Sista!!!...

Likewise... usually I'd cramp my sunday to do at least 5 cards/LOs...but I don't pre-post all of them... usually I'd pre-post 2 at one go!!!..

Good luck with IDOL... I've heard of it... but never have a chance to play along....

I always love your style... be it from the eloborate to the CAS style.. It's amazingly interesting!!... Happy Sunday... hugs...xoxo
Lynnda said…
*elaborate!!!*... too quick left without checking!
Anonymous said…
Amy, this card is amazing! And you're right, who could resist that pretty and bright blue thread?
Best of lucks in Gallery Idol! I'm giving it a try too, who knows? :)
So glad you are playing with us this week at CAS-ual Fridays!
Karen B. said…
Hey girl, I still have that email that was sent from a particular blogging idol way back in 2010 congratulating me on making it as far as I did! I wonder if the stats went up because they recently (was it last year?) opened it up internationally. Your card is true amazement, just the right amount of color and the stitching is perfect.
Valerie said…
Perfect simplicity, Amy! Thanks for sharing the Gallery Idol stats - very interesting :)
Sylvia said…
always lots of fun here, Amy! I have never played at Gallery Idol, but will go comment on yours the next chance I get! I hope you make it, if so I will be right there voting for you! Have a fun day!
TesaB said…
Gorgeous!!! :)
jen said…
What a great card! Love that vintage thread & fun to see the stats!
Ivanka said…
Love your card Amy and love seeing the Gallery Idol stats, thanks. Wow, that is a lot of cards. This is my first year entering, but not expecting much with all the beautiful cards submitted. Good luck!
Heidi said…
LOVE the idea of each day being a new chance to be better, forget about the day before, etc. You should check out the song "Brand New Day" by Joshua Radin. One of my favorites!
Trinh said…
Great way to showcase that PP and I love the stitching on your sentiment. I love the stats; I'm surprised there aren't more members for this year. I gave it a shot but not holding my breath. Good luck to you!
~jan said…
Love the stats! :) Your card is so smart, so simple, so perfect. Love it. :) Top 20 worthy in my book!
Jackie Rockwell said…
Thanks for the Gallery Idol stats! This is my first year trying out for it. I know it's a long shot but thought I would give it a try anyway. :)

The stitching on this card is wonderful! Good luck with the contest this year! You have some great entries!!!
Audrey Pettit said…
What a lovely card, Amy! You did an amazing job letting the patterned paper shine as the true star here. Love the bit of stitching on the sentiment, too.
Unknown said…
another great card. the simplicity of it makes it beautiful to me. that sentiment and the sun image are perfect together.

i submitted some cards to gallery idol, but i'm not holding my breath :) it's just fun to play along to see "if" any make it :)
Anonymous said…
Jeepers, how much more perfect could that paper be for the sentiment!! Awesome!
Larissa Heskett said…
Hey Sweet Lady!! =)
I LOVE that you did the research!! Honestly last year was the first year I had even seen the Gallery Idol and NO I didn't enter anything!! I was still NEW to the whole BLOG land and fairly NEW to card making!! I watched and voted though and ENJOYED the WHOLE EVENT!! I did enter a few cards this year and I am pretty sure with the talent out there that its only a DREAM!! Which is good enough for me!! I LOVE all of your entries!! THANKS SO MUCH for sharing them and I wish you LUCK!! Have a FABULOUS WEEK my SWEET Blog Friend!! =)
Jen W. said…
My new favourite of yours. Love that the DP is the star of the show!
Love love love this!! LOVING the stitching on the sentiment!!!
Lisa A. said…
What a very cool card, Amy...with a very profound sentiment:)!! I admire your bravery at entering the contest...I am still not that brave:)!! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us at CAS-ual Fridays this week:)!!
FLEUR de Lo said…
YAY!! I'm so happy I was able to add a little sunshine to your day!!!

I was struck by the simplicity of this card when I scrolled past it in my reader the other day. It's the perfect cherry solution for someone who could use a boost.

I just love this friendly crafty blog world we are a part of. Thanks for being a part of it.

:)
Rose said…
perfect paper for that sentiment!!! love the touch of stitching :)
Amy, I love it when you go all CAS on us - it really suits you!! Wishing you all the luck in the world with the Gallery Idol competition!! Thanks so much for playing with us at CAS-ual Fridays - we're so glad you did!!