Oh, how I love that sentiment. A year ago, friends of ours moved to Milan, Italy, for work. It was supposed to be a one-year contract but they love it so much that they want to make it permanent. I’m pretty sure their two cats are glad they won’t have to endure that flight again. LOL We really miss them but we’ll have yet more friends to visit the next time we’re there! They are the reason for this card.

I’ve had this idea in my sketch book for a while now and little did I know it would be such a nightmare to execute. LOL I’m not kidding! It looks simple but it took me three tries before I got it right since I had to line up three different stamps in the same rectangle.

First, I stamped the International Skyline in the centre of the card. Then I stamped the Clouds background on a separate piece of cardstock. I stamped the skyline on top of the clouds and determined the placement of the rectangle before stamping the sentiment from Essential Messages. Once I trimmed the rectangle, I rounded one corner with the 1/4″ chomp and set it aside. The second rectangle was easier since none of the stamps overlap. The grass is from Whimsical Houses. I rounded the upper right hand corner of the card with the larger 1/2″ chomp, inked up the edges and adhered the rectangles with dimensionals. I love how the inked edges gives a modern design on brilliant white look almost ivory for an Old World look so reminiscent of Italy.

I had to really, really resist the urge to put a rhinestone on the pod of the CN Tower so our friends don’t forget us! You’ll have to trust that the buildings are perfectly lined up in person. It’s just difficult to capture on camera since the lens is focused on the centre of the card and not at the two ends. 😉

This card qualifies for both the Hero Arts June Contest and Paper Crafts Magazine’s Gallery Idol 2011. Have you played yet?

Sources: Gina K Designs 120lb pure luxury white cardstock; Hero Arts International Skyline, Clouds; Essential Messages & Whimsical Houses; Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Antique Linen & Walnut Stain; SU Tempting Turquoise, Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi & Garden Green inks; Stampin’ Dimensionals; We R Memory Keepers corner chomper

34 thoughts on “live richly and savor all of life”
  1. Super cool card, Emily! I believe you when you say it was no easy feat–it's those CAS cards that are often the hardest. Love the sentiment! Sorry your friends aren't coming back, but at least you'll have a place to stay the next time you're in Milan. 🙂 Good luck with the challenges!

  2. Wow! It's worth the time spent, Emily! The card is fabulous and I'm sure your friends will treasure it! Great design! Do drop by at the Netherlands if you are planning a trip to Milan!

  3. incredible! I can only imagine how difficult it was lining everything up so exactly. I think that's why CAS & I have such difficulties 😉 All the teeny details make the whole design pop! And congratulations to your friends – and their relieved cats, lol 🙂

  4. So glad you finally got your idea out of your sketch book and onto card stock! It's so cool! This is a winning card if I ever saw one. It's definitely got my vote. 🙂

  5. Oh Emily I luuurve this card and will have to use the design idea sometime…not sure yet what image to use tho (hmmm)
    The inked edges are fab and the vibrant blue sky patch adds a lift to the card too 🙂
    Thanks so much for your comment on my 'Bat' card:)
    Jenny x

  6. HOLY COW, EM! You totally outdid yourself with this card. It is so fabulous! I love the effect of the two popped rectangles.

    And how in the world do you get your stamps to stamp so solidly?

  7. What a unique design, Emily! Great stamp choices. I love your use of the two panels–adds so much interest. Your friends are so lucky to be receiving this!

  8. That little block o' sky is seriously so super awesome! Love the card, and yes, the inked edges add even more awesomeness! Winner!

  9. First off, maybe people whose cards are made by Hallmark would think this card looks simple to do, but the rest of us know how difficult it must have been! But you pulled it off perfectly, of course. Love this card. (Hey, you know someone in Milan, I know someone moving to Naples… we've practically got Italy covered! :P)

  10. But the result is just perfect, Emily!! Love how you lined up the images and the two raised parts make it more special!! Great card!!!
    Wishing you a lovely day!
    Hugs, Wendy

  11. Awesome design! Love the color combo (that turquoise is beautiful!)and yes, the sentiment is fab 🙂 I have a picture of my foot touching the little plexiglass window in the floor at the top of the CN tower. I was too chicken to stand on it all the way…Ha!

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