A Polka Dot Thank You
Polka dots -- love them, but I can't help but wonder where that name came? Why polka dots??? I wonder if it is somehow related to the diagram of the dance?
How I made this card:
Stamped the Polka Dot Background from Cornish Heritage Farms with Stampin Up's Chocolate Chip Classic ink onto SU's Very Vanilla cardstock. Mounted on SU's Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla Cardstock and set aside (smudged it, but the strip hides the smudge!).
Cut out the circle "T" with the Mini Monograms cartridge and the Cricut machine. Stamped "hank you" and the three dots with Papertreyink's Paper Tray set (try saying that 3 times) in SU's Chocolate Chip Craft ink. The dots actually had a little star in the middle but I used them upside down and got a slightly bigger dot that way (and no star). Added some SU Certainly Celery cardstock under the letter "T" and some SU celery brads to balance out the card.
I saw the circle monogram on another card, but I honestly can't remember where. I was browsing stamping magazines yesterday in a book store (didn't buy) and I think I saw this monogram used this way in the most recent Take Ten (does anyone believe those cards took 10 minutes??). If anyone knows the artist's name, please let me know so that I may give her credit.
The Paper Tray set is acrylic. As at least one person commented on my previous post, it isn't all that easy to line these little words up evenly on the laser gridded blocks -- takes a few practice tries to get them just right. However, once lined up, they are a dream to place. I stamped each dot separately and the placement was perfect the first time. Cannot do that with rubber. Stamping with acrylic takes practice -- if you press too hard the stamp "smooshes" a bit and the image is not clear. I understand that some folks stamp on top of a mouse pad. I'll have to try that. The jury is still out on acrylic as far as I'm concerned.
*******
To answer a previous question -- Cardstock Vellum is a much heavier weight vellum than regular thin vellum. I love it and it is the only vellum I use. I get mine from Stampin Up, but I believe that Marco's Paper also sells it.
I see that some of you prefer my "before" card to my "after" card (post below). I really appreciate the feedback. I'm not blogging to soak up compliments (well, not entirely)! I prefer the second version, but these little bits of art are going to get different reactions from different folks. All opinions welcome here!
Thanks for answering my vellum question. I'll have to get some of the vellum cardstock. Hmmm...a good research question for me about polka dots...as a dancer I should know this...I'll get back to you with what I find out. Very nice card, and I love polka dots too.
ReplyDeleteOOOOH, loving the chocolate and polka dots!! You crack me up Joan...your posts are always looking for a deeper answer!! But I can relate, I'm anal and a perfectionist when it comes to crafting...sometimes probably too seriously...I even through away an altered tin I attempted to make yesterday...it was beyond help...lol
ReplyDeleteThis card really appeals to me because of it's simple elegance The colors are wonderful and I love the Paper Tray set too, lol.
ReplyDeleteWell, thanks for enabling! I too love polka dots and am always searching for polka dot patterned paper, but it looks like I'll be ordering the stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms so that I'll never have to buy polka dot patterned paper again! Great card.
ReplyDeleteYou know I would love this card being he polka dot crazed person that I am! Love it! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteActually, to comment on your revision, I agree with you. I like the newer version of the card. I think that the borders stand out more with the lighter color. It is more "crisp", if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteLove the card! I have the PaperTary set but haven't had the chance to use it yet - maybe this week. That's a good question about the "polka" dots....hmmm...I may have to do a little research.
ReplyDeleteI didn't see an email link, so I will post what I found about the polka dot here (I know you are all dying to know!). I found this explanation in many different places:
ReplyDeleteBack in the mid-19th century, the U.S. was awash in polka dots, that pattern of dots of uniform size and arrangement, because we had all gone polka-crazy. The polka, of course, is a simple, lively dance step that took Europe and America by storm soon after its introduction in 1835. The name "polka" is a minor mystery. Although "polka" is Polish for "Polish woman," the polka dance is actually of Bohemian origin, and "polka" may be a corruption of the Czech word "pulka" (half) referring to the short half steps involved in the dance.
None of which, I realize, explains polka dots, but I'm getting to that. At the peak of the polka craze, from about 1840 to 1890 (this was a very long craze), a variety of manufacturers cashed in on the public's polka-mania by naming a dizzying range of products after the dance. Polka hats, polka gauze, polka curtain ties, and, of course, polka-dotted fabrics, had little or nothing to do with the dance, but sold like hotcakes, for a few years anyway. The polka dot pattern, however, had staying power, and remains popular today, especially in neckties.
A super creation.
ReplyDeleteCheck out The Straight Dope on the naming of polka dots:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_019.html
Love the polka dot card! I so happy that "dots" are hot right now because I love that look. Celery is a great accent color.
ReplyDeleteI also just got the background from CHF, and the reverse dot one also after I saw what Lisa had done with it.
Joan, your card ROCKS!!!
ReplyDeleteI *am* getting that background stamp! I saw the reverse dot one of MonaLisa's blog a few days ago and loved it as well. Very classy card, Joan!
ReplyDeleteI love this card. The colors, the design, everything!
ReplyDeleteI love the simplicity, colors, and balance, you did a fantastic job.
ReplyDeleteI've been down with a very NASTY bug. I'm not back yet but I was going crazy wondering what was going on in my "blog world".