3 Rather Elegant Swaps

I got some great swap cards at the meeting last week!  These 3 are very elegant and beautiful.  Sometimes when I have to do a swap in a hurry I feel a little guilty when I get great cards in  return for my so-so card.  This was definitely the case with these 3 cards!

First is an Easter Blessings card with no name on the back of it so I don't know who to give credit for it.  She used the Abundant Hope set from last year's Occasions Mini catalog.  The set is no longer available but you can substitute a different flower for the buttercup.  Why oh why didn't I order that set last year?  If you read yesterday's post (yes, I'm posting 2 days in a row!  That seldom happens) then you know how much I love buttercups.  I also love the way that wide ribbon adds such a unique touch to this card and the DSP behind the eyelet border punched card front is another great technique.  I love this not-to-bright but very sunny card!

Next is a beautiful Thinking Of You card made by Patti Keitzmn.  She said it is CASEd but didn't say where she got the idea.  The big shot for the embossed background and our fantastic Basic Pearls are a quick way to add an elegant touch.  She also used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch and stamped her floral image and punched it out with the Wide Oval punch.  You know how I like to add a bit of texture through inking so I love that Patti inked around the oval before attaching it to her card with Stampin Dimentionals.

Last is a beautiful sympathy card made by Linda Cathey.  I had 2 funerals Saturday so I really needed this idea.  The stamp set is called Thanks for Caring and is in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The Sympathy sentiment and the butterfly are both in this set.  I love the Very Vanilla/Chocolate Chip color combination for a sympathy card.  It is soothing and warm.  Linda also used a length of the 1 1/4" Striped Grossgrain Ribbon and Basic Pearls and layered it on a Tulip Frame embossed background.  I think it is a very tasteful sympathy card.