Hi everyone!  Welcome to my stop on the Operation Write Home Stars and Stamps Blog Clean and Simple Blog Skip!  I was delighted to be asked to be a part of this pint-sized blog hop showcasing cards done in a clean and simple style.

I think one of the most difficult things about CAS is that there isn’t always a clear-cut definition of it.  I tend to think of it as being “uncluttered” – lots of open space, generally just one main focal point and a sentiment, with understated embellishments.  It’s definitely more about the finished design than about how much time it took to make the card.

So anyway… I have a few CAS cards to share with you today.  First off is a card I created using the Stars and Stamps Blog sketch #81.  I think it lends itself wonderfully to CAS cards.  I slightly changed the shapes for the background and sentiment panel.  The leaves are just three petals from the flower punch.

The next card uses emboss resist for the main focal point.  I hadn’t done that technique for a while but I thought it was the best way to show off these delicate leaves.  It was fun to pull out my embossing tool and powders and glossy paper again.  I chose a fall color scheme.  I’m sorry that resizing the photo for my blog squooshes the pixels so that you probably can’t see the texture in the golden yellow cardstock.  I really like how textured cardstock adds visual interest to a card, yet it’s very subtle.  It’s perfect for adding a bit of pizazz to CAS cards.

You’re welcome to browse through my blog for more CAS ideas!  Most of my August 2011 posts show CAS creations.

If you’re following the blog skip, you should have arrived here from Dawn’s blog, The Chatty Stamper.  The next blogger you should visit is Kate at Hello From Kate!.  But here’s the whole lineup:

OWH ~ Stars and Stamps Blog
Barb ~ Paper Therapy Ponderings
Maureen ~ Hideaway
Brenda ~ Infinite Possibilities
Jan ~ She’s Gone Digital
Dawn ~ The Chatty Stamper
Patricia ~ Thinking of Inking ~ YOU ARE HERE
Kate ~ Hello From Kate
Lisa ~ Stamping With A Mission
Julie ~ Handmade By Julie
Courtney ~ Back To The Drawing Board

Thanks for skipping along with OWH and me today! I hope you’ll visit again!

All supplies for today’s cards are from Stampin’ Up unless otherwise noted:

Thinking of You:
Stamps: Trendy Trees
Cardstock: Kraft, Tea Party designer paper, Western Sky designer paper
Ink: Ruby Red
Other: 5-petal punch, Spring Flower Bouquet punch (SU); Labels Five Nestabilities die (Spellbinders); mini brad (Making Memories); sponge

Thanks:
Stamps: Autumn
Cardstock: Summer Sun textured, Real Red, Glossy White
Ink: Summer Sun, Ruby Red; VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Other: Clear detail embossing powder; sponge