Yes, I'm still here. . . .

I've been so caught up with the holidays, my DH deploying and getting my DS and I on our routine I've just not had the mojo for stamping. Well, I needed a card for a friend and was motivated to receive a digi freebie from Sweet N' Sassy Stamps (SNSS) on Paper Craft Planet (PCP) that I put together a card. The challenge was an inspiration challenge for "The princess and the frog."

Here is the version I entered at PCP:


To receive the early bird freebie your card had to be uploaded by 10pm and I made it by minutes! After I posted this I noticed that my dew drop moved and required fixing. I went ahead and made some upgrades to the card at that time.

I used this week's sketch by 2 Sketches 4 You, isn't it lovely? I did turn it on it's side so I could use this princess image. Color combo from SCS CC254 was to use Bashful Blue, Soft Suede, Ruby Red and any neutral. I colored using my Copics. Here is the upgraded card:


Stamps: Princess, Forget Me-Nots (both from SNSS); Ink: Tuxedo Black & Summer Sky (Memento), Close to Cocoa (SU); Paper: Close to Cocoa, Ruby Red, Solar White (Neenah), Bashful Blue D/P (SU); Accessories: dew drop (generic) Distress stickles, clear atyou Spica, Copic markers, sponge, brown ribbon (American Crafts) brad (SU).

Brentwood

This image is Brentwood from Jessica Lynn. It was a free download. Jessica is giving away 200 free. It looks like she still has the offer going. The image itself allows you to write anything on the line after "I love". When I first was trying to print this out I used my camera program and it cut off the very left edge. Some on-line friends were kind enough to tell me they use their Word program. THAT worked like a charm! So now I'm not so digi challenged, but I know that my rubber will not be replaced.

Obviously this is going to my DS. I stamped his name using Studio G clear stamps from Michael's. They didn't have the 'Y' so I found it on Ebay and bought it. The vendor is ShopOtt.com. These stamps are great because they provide each letter in five different sizes/fonts. I stamped his name in Tempting Turquoise then used my Quickie Glue pen to adhere the Azure glitter (PK Glitz). I got the idea to adhere the glitter from Gina K's StampTV tutorial, Colored Glitter. The layout is SCS sketch challenge #228. I colored him using my Copic markers. :D Also, it is difficult to see except on the right side of the top layer, but I sponged Tempting Turquoise around the scalloped edge. The scanner washes most of it out.

Stamps: I Love ___ Brentwood (JessicaLynnOrginial), T, R, O, & Y (Studio G); Ink: Tempting Turquoise, printer ink, Multiliner SP (Copic); Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Neenah Classic Crest, Designer Paper (SU- retired); Accessories: Quickie Glue pen (Sukura), Copic Markers, stiple brush, Azure glitter (PK Glitz), Rectangle Scallop Nestabilities, CB.

Jerrica

Yes, it's been ages. We were on vacation for a week and when we returned I think I left my mojo in Cancun! Then I was sick, yada, yada, yada. . .

Anyway, Friday was DH & my 10th wedding anniversary. Well, I liked DH's reaction to his Christmas card (scroll down to Miss Crystal) so much that I decided to purchase Jerrica (she's near the bottom on the right) from Rubbernecker. Isn't she just perfect for a romance card?? I wasn't disappointed in DH's appreciation of my card either! Or perhaps it was his appreciation of this sophisticated lady rather than my card.

I went to SCS for inspiration and used card sketchSC224. The embellishments came from K&Company rub-ons I had purchased. They are wedding themed and looked shimmery in the package. Once on my card they didn't look as shimmery but rather like the green color that glows in the dark. Oh well, too late now.

I tried to get the ribbon to tie in with the dress colors, but I'm afraid they take away some of the pop in color from the dress. I used my Copics to color Jerrica. I used some Georia Pacific c/s I was able to get my hands on. (I thought I'd heard that this worked well with Copics. NOT a good mix!) At least I'm back stamping!

ODBD Eagle

I saw the sketch challenge at Our Daily Bread Designs blog and just loved it! It took me a couple of days to have time to work on it, but I really do like it. I don't think I have used this set before. Being military I figured I'd have amble opportunities to use this beautiful eagle. In fact, it would work for any masculine card!

I turned to SCS Color Challenge #201 for the colors Not Quite Navy, Sage Shaddow and Creamy Caramel. I didn't actually use Creamy Caramel but I figured the designer paper and the brown in the eagle would count for the CC.

After I had colored my eagle I knew that the upper left corner of the top layer just had too much white space, even after I sponged the edges so I meandered through my embellishments and came across my Stylized Silver HPH. Check out those stars!

Since this was an ODBD challenge I also wanted the sentiment to be ODBD but the sketch would acommodate either sentiment that came with the set (without making the card huge that is!) so I used my marker to ink up "But they that wait" and stamped it on some Sage Shaddow and added the ". . . .". Then I inked up the rest of the sentiment and stamped it on the inside. I then sponged the edges.


I also used my Ornare paper piercer I received from my MIL for Christmas. This seemed the perfect time to use it. Not much room left for writing! I guess I'll have to use the left side of the inside for a message. :)

Stamps: On Eagles' Wings (ODBD); Ink: Not Quite Navy, Rich Cocoa (Memento) Basic Black Marker (SU), Copic Markers: E09, E31, E37,Y11, YR04, C1, C3, W1, 0; Paper: Not Quite Navy, Sage Shaddow, Pure Luxury #120 (Gina K), Whipser White, Designer Paper (SU), Accessories: Stylized Silver HPH (SU), 1/16" hole punch, sponge dauber, taupe grosgrain ribbon.

My Knight

I usually approach my projects looking at what challenges are out there to help me in finding a direction to go with my project. I needed a Valentine card for my DH (who brought me home roses yesterday) and I didn't want to wait until Saturday to make it! Yes, I procrastinate but I try not to be that bad! LOL!

Anyway, I have been wanting to use the CPS sketch challenge for this week. I knew I wanted to use My Knight set from Artistic Outpost, so I turned to SCS Color Challenge #193 for the colors Real Red, Basic Black and Kraft. Yes, I actually used Kraft on my card. I think it is from the original package I bought years (and years) ago! LOL!

This card is actually the first version. Just a bit wimpy for a knight, don't you think?

After I was completed and saw the card on the screen I decided to remove the kraft as the base and replace it with the black. I also tucked the red "lace" up under the knight layer. Here is the finished card.


Stamps: My Knight (Artistic Outpost); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Kraft, Old World Stack (DCWV); Accessories: Red brads (SU), Tag was modified from CB die tag, "lace" border uses Wrought Iron corner slot punch (SU-retired).

CPS Challege

I really do enjoy being challenged. I decided to go for this week's CPS card challenge. I knew that I wanted to use my new Sweet N Sassy Stamp set Be Still. I needed a jumping off point in choosing my colors so I turned to SCS's color challenge: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel & Cameo Coral. Yes, Cameo Coral!! So two challenges in one card. I will share that while I was making this I was thinking about a boy in my DS's Kindergarten class that lost his father this week to an apparent heart attack. How heart breaking for this family.


The Creamy Caramel layer uses the faux felt technique from Technique Junkies. I did distress the edges a bit to also help soften that layer. I thought that it added a nice soft feel overall to the card. I tried to tone down the Cameo Coral by sponging Creamy Caramel around it. I used my new Rich Cocoa (Memento) ink to stamp both the sentiment and the deer. You've got to love 40% Hobby Lobby coupons! ;D

I colored the deer using my Copic markers on Very Vanilla c/s. Boy, I finally understand why Marianne doesn't recommend SU coated cardstock! It really didn't want to blend at all! I really worked on that bly sky. I used my Colorless Blender to make the spots on the deer's back.

Stamps: Be Still (SNSS); Ink: Rich Cocoa (Memento), various Copic markers, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Label One Nestie, Oive grosgrain ribbon (SU), antique brass frame (SU), crimper.

Father & Son & 50% Off Promotion Code

I just had to use one of my brand new stamp sets. Here is Father & Son from Artful Inkables. This set is currently 50% off! Kristin has a number of other stamp sets for 50% off until the end of the month. Run, do not walk to her website and check out her awesome sell!! (Not affiliated just an extremely satisfied friend/customer!) Just make sure to use the promotion code: 50% off to get the discount.

This card combines SCS color challenge CC202 and Techno Stamper's sketch challenge #54. I just realized as I was typing up the recipe that I forgot the Regal Rose for the color challenge. Oops! Well, I'll leave it since I'm pretty sure that if DH thought purple wasn't masculine he'll think even less of Regal Rose. LOL!

Stamps: Father & Son (AI), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Bravo Burgundy; Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Whisper White; Accessories: CB & Folder, sponge, Large Oval, Large Scallop Oval, Label One Nesties.

Thank You

My next door neighbor is a medical doctor. A couple of weeks ago I sliced my finger at the knuckle (pointer finger, left hand) and I showed it to Hyatt and he told me it would need stitches. He'd have done it for me but didn't have a suture kit at home. The next week he did remove the stitches for me and has checked up on me about my finger. What an awesome neighbor!! I say all this because here is the thank you card that I made for Hyatt.

I won this Elvis image from Lori Craig's blog candy awhile back. (You have just got to check out her blog if you haven't already!) The image is from Cornish Heritage Farms' Elvis line. Thank you so much to both Lori and CHF! This image is so incredible that one of my girlfriends was amazed that it was a stamp!

I drove into St. Louis earlier this summer and stopped at The Ink Spot in Kirkwood, (awesome little stamp store!) There I purchased a couple of sayings to go with my Elvis Portrait. I only inked the first "thank you" for this diamond and inked the rest of the "thank you very much" for the inside. Can't you just hear Elvis' voice in your head saying that? LOL!

This stamp has been sitting on my computer desk since it arrived. I've wanted to use it but have been intimidated. What better way than a masculine thank you card?! The layout is from SCS SC184. I kept it simple. Okay, I wanted to add something but really couldn't think of anything bling related to add. What more do you need with that gorgeous face??? Yes, I {heart} Elvis! *sigh*

Stamps: Elvis portrait & Thank you very much (CHF); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Basic Black (SU Marker for sentiment); Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, Victorian DP (SU); Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, various square punches.

ISCC8

Well, I have been itching to get back in the saddle again, so this is as good of a time as any. :) I have "tried" to come up with a card for ISC's Challenge #8, which is to use one of Tim Holtz's techniques. Well, I tried to use his March technique but I don't think Tim has to fear me! Ha! It really didn't turn out anything close to as good as his, but I really do like how it turned out. Lots of shimmer. I used SCSS185 for the card sketch.


It may be difficult to tell, but those side pearls are some cheap knock-offs I bought from my LSS. I used Dusty Concord refill with one of my Perfect Pearls to mix in the spritzer. Yes, I need more spritzers now. *sigh* Tim was right. I used Snow white paint dauber to stamp the small flower from Summer Flair but you really can't see it. My jet black archival ink didn't show up well over the spritz background so I used my Versafine Onyx Black instead and it shows the fine lines of this flower much better.

As I was trying to determine what embellishments to use I got some ink on my ds paper. The only way I could think to cover it was to ink the edges and distress. Here I am using distress inks and hadn't even thought to distress any part of the card! *eyeroll* So each layer except the strip is inked and two layers are distressed using my SU distresser. Add a bit of paper piercing and "wahla" (as my DS would say!)

Stamps: Summer Flair (ISC); Ink: Dusty Concord Distress Ink, Onyx Black (Versafine), Platinum Planet (Brilliance: Flourish on bottom layer), Snow White paint dauber; Paper: Lavender Lace, Pallet O'Prints, Very Vanilla (top layer) and Vintage Violet (SU: Strip); Accessories: Perfect Pearls, spritzer, sponge, SU distresser, pearls, micro dots adhesive.

Friendship Box with Insert Tutorial

I tried out the box at ISC for their ISCC4 and filled it and gave it to Troy's soccer coach last night. Big rush (no surprise there!) so no picture, but I only used designer paper and stamped some soccer stamps I have from SU. It was simple, but nice! I did have some problems with where to score so I had been pondering this box.

Then late last night I came up with an idea. What if you used acetate for the box, then you could stamp an insert. You could actually make up a couple of these boxes and have the inserts already trimmed to size then just stamp when you needed them! Okay, probably not a new idea, but hey, I was excited! So today I started work on my idea to see if it was feasible.

First I made the acetate Friendship Box. It is acetate, so it is a bit difficult to take a good photo of when it is empty. Also, I am using my new portable lighting studio that I bought a couple of weeks ago from Radio Shack; (it was on sale for $19.99!) I'm still learning how to best use it. :D

I did use mini glue dots (from SU) to adhere the acetate together. I just love those little dots! Now the obvious question is can you see the dots? Yes, but since they are only located on the sides of the box you don't really notice them.

The next thing I did was figure out my size and score lines for the insert. Now I had a bit of a problem with scoring my box and had to cut off 1/2" from the "bottom" (that becomes the front of the box without the lid) so my calculations may differ if your box uses that 1/2". :)

Insert size: 8.5" x 4.75"
Score: ETA: .5" along both long sides then score along short side .5", (move forward) 3.75", (move forward again) .5".
You will not have any insert for the front portion of the flap.

I actually messed this up when I scored this insert and did the last 1/2" at the end of the insert instead of after the front fold so I had to fix it when I figured it out. (So ignore the faint score line at the bottom of the insert here.) ;)

Then I cut the bottom half of the sides since I didn't need it to overlap. Here is my insert (upside down.) I hadn't realized that my last 1/2" score was in the wrong spot yet. The score lines are pretty obvious here. I also trimmed out the extra corners for the lid and cut slits for the bottom. (This was when I finally realized my mistake.)

Now comes the fun; you get to stamp your insert. I tried Michelle Zindorf's technique of embossing stamped images and then brayering over them. My colors came from SCS's SCSCC167 of Sky Blue, Certainly Celery and Night of Navy. TIP: When you are stamping this remember that part of your insert will be upside down so you need to figure this out BEFORE stamping! Fortunately, I realized this before I stamped.

After I finished stamping and embossing I then used my foam brayer (to have a softer Night of Navy) to brayer color on the insert. I gently wiped away the ink from the embossed images.

I folded on the scored lines and placed the insert into my Friendship box!

Oh, I did round the corners of the lid to allow it to insert into the box a bit easier. I think that because I used acetate it was a bit stiffer than cardstock.

Please let me know what you think of my "bright idea"! Thanks!

Stamps: Friendship & Summer Flair (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, Sky Blue, Certainly Celery, Night of Navy; Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: Clear Emboss Powder; heat gun, mini glue dots, brayer with foam attachment, acetate.

Mosaic Friend

I love challenges! (I guess that is pretty obvious!) But I especially love a challenge where I can win FREE stamps! Well, ISC has kicked into high gear and has been issuing challenges and offering some free stamps. Well, here is the ISC challenge #3. It is a sketch challenge and this is what I came up with:

I used the TJ technique Mosaic Magic (must be a member to access this link.) I have done this technique before, but it was over a year ago. The technique was in the August 2006 issue.

I used one of SCS color challenges (SCSCC61) which is to use Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and the option of Apricot Appeal. Those are the colors used for the mosaic, however when I embossed that layer it darkened the cardstock colors. You can see this in comparing the green layer under the mosaic, which is Wild Wasabi, it looks like the Certainly Celery in the mosaic.

Stamps: Friendship & Flair of Summer (sentiment) (ISC); Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, VersaMark; Paper: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral; Accessories: Xyron, pewter HPH, Silver Pearl Ex, Clear EP, Ribbon (SU).

Floating Friendship Collage

This card uses Innovative Stamp Creations (ISC), the color challenge from SCS AND two Technique Junkies. The two techniques are Color Collage and Floating Sentiments. The colors for the color challenge are Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black and Soft Sky.

I really like how this turned out, and it really was so simple! I did make a slight change to the Color Collage by using Soft Sky c/s instead of glossy; I hope Pat forgives me! ;)

Stamps: Friendship (ISC); Ink: Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black, Blue Bayou, StazOn Black, Apricot Appeal & Almost Amethyst (background), Snow Cap (Adirondack); Paper: Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black, Soft Sky; Accessories: acetate, corner punch (SU retired).

Flourish Fairy

I recently found a stamp company, Stamp Francisco, and NEEDED to purchase a few stamps. I needed a Thank you card and decided to use some of the stamps that arrived today with Technostamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #13 and used SCS's Color Challenge #162. To add to all that, I used two TJ techniques, Cracked Glass and Aged Tiles. Whew!

I don't think you can see it, but I added a sprinkle of Iridescent Ice EP to the "Cracked Glass" to give some sparkle.

This looks so pink! Ack! The colors are Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom and Basic Gray. Just looking at it now, I think it needs some more embellishments, perhaps some pearly thingies in the lower right???? Maybe??? I'll take a look at it again in the morning, perhaps it will look better to me after a few hours of sleep. :) Hopefully, we won't have another earthquake to wake me up at 4:30 in the morning again!

Stamps: Flourish B/g, Fairy Blowing Kiss (Stamp Francisco) Define Your Life (SU); Ink: Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, Basic Gray; Paper: Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava, Basic Gray; Accessories: Tag punch, Clear Embossing Powder, (sprinkle of) Iridescent Ice, sponge dauber.

Polished Leopard

Did I mention that I made several (quite a few) of these TJ Polished Acetate pieces? Here is another one. Sorry if you are getting bored with them. These stamps are from Artfulinkables called Lazy Leopard. I liked this piece of acetate with Wild Wasabi behind it and thought it could have a "wild, jungle" feel to it. Hence the leopard.

As I began the painful process of determining what to "accessorize" this card with my hand headed toward my Cuttlebug drawer. I quickly spotted this new addition to my stash; so I decided to see how it would look to use the CB folder. I liked it, but wanted to accentuate the "spotted" feel around the edges so I masked the area so just the edges would get sponged with Chocolate Chip.

I had to adhere the acetate to the cardstock so out came the brads. After I added the four black brads I thought it needed a little something more so I added three copper brads (didn't put a fourth because I didn't want it into the sentiment.)

No, it still didn't feel finished yet. . . . . then I decided that I wanted to add some ribbon to give it the feel of a tail. I didn't have any fibers that were the right color, that was when I remembered something on SCS about frayed ribbon (a challenge actually.) I simply partially wrapped the ribbon around the lower brad so it is held in place sandwiched between the acetate, cardstock and the brad. As long as I don't show it to my son it should survive. ;)

ETA: I used a COPIC marker to remove some of the alcohol ink in the ears and eyes (can't really tell there). It is subtle, so you probably won't notice without me pointing it out.

Stamps: Lazy Leopard (Artfulinkables); Ink: various alcohol inks, StazOn Black, Chocolate Chip; Paper: Basic Black, Wild Wasabi; Accessories: acetate, brads, Cuttlebug, sponge dauber, black grosgrain ribbon, masking tape, 1/16" hole punch. ETA: COPIC marker.

River Rock Wedding

I needed a wedding card for today's wedding. One of my DH's co-workers was getting married and I needed a card. Hmmmm. . . . So I procrastinated for awhile, and not to forget that I had to make my masculine congrat cards for this week-end as well so they were a good distraction. Finally I could not procrastinate any longer so I went to my Google Reader and looked at all my posts tagged "WOW" (for those that just defy any other tag!)

I came to Amy at Pickled Paper Designs and loved her card. But dare I??? Should I??? Just CASE??? No, I must add something of my own, just a little. I started with the diamonds and embossed them using CRAFT Basic Black and detail black EB powder. I wanted a little more of a tile look so I used VersaMark to add a layer of clear EP. I still had some River Rock and Porcelain Prints DP laying around and they grabbed my attention. I liked their soft and elegant colors so I went with those. I spread out my diamonds and added some new pearls that I had recently bought into the centers of each. I laid out my new velvet rick-rack and my velvet ribbon (just like the style Amy used), but I really liked how the rick-rack seemed to harmonize with the up and down flow of the diamonds so I went with the rick-rack. This is what I ended up with. (I used my Signo White gel pen to write on the inside, I debated putting a layer of River Rock inside with the corners Ticket punched but ran out of time.) (Yes, I finished this card 1.5 hours before we had to leave!)

Stamps: Mostly Flowers (I got this set just because of this stamp!); Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, VersaMark; Paper: Basic Black, River Rock, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DP; Accessories: Detail Black & Clear EP, Mark Richards Crystal Stickers Pearls, Ticket Corner Punch, velvet rick-rack.
ETA: Those pesky labels I try so hard to remember! ;D

Aged Congrats

Well, I finally finished this card. This will be given to the second newly promoted officer that we will attend his promotion party this week-end.

I wanted to use the Faux Aged Metal piece that I had made, I finally found a sketch that I felt worked with the piece, SCS Sketch # SC120. EXCEPT. . . . . that sketch didn't have a place for the embellishments so I had to add them. And there's the kick. How to add the "congrats" that I wanted.

I rummaged through every thing I could think of. And, well, you know how you are standing there with your hands full of hair, pulling real hard??? Okay, literally, I was blurfing and I came across Mary's Stampin' Pretty post about creating boy cards. It was when I saw her card that I realized what I needed was more metal!! As in SU's Hodgepodge Hardware (HPH)!!

This large oval frame fit perfectly with the All Year Cheer III (now retired) "Congrats, Graduate" sentiment. Of course I omitted the graduate part. I did use CRAFT Basic Black and embossed with detail black to help it stand out a bit more.

The last detail was to balance the frame. I looked all through my HPH and thought of using those, ummm, well those thingies! But they didn't look right. I stole another look at Mary's card and realized that I just needed some brads like hers. So there's the truth, I "took" from her the wonderful idea of added metal (to my faux metal)! I hope she doesn't mind too much!

Stamps: All Year Cheer III; Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, various Adirondack inks and Blender, (ETA the StazOn Black); Paper: Garden Green, Basic Black; Accessories: aluminum foil, scrap cardstock, acetate, CB folder, Crafter's Tool Kit (Template, pad & Piercer), HPH.

Embrace Twinks

I wanted to have a try at Beate's week-end sketch and I really wanted a second try at the SCS color challenge #155, using Basic Black, River Rock and Whisper White. The third element I through in was using the TJ Technique Penciled Twinks. I also added some Faith Style!

IRL the Embrace flower isn't quite so bold. I stamped the flower in River Rock over all the River Rock layers, which I think helped tie it all together. I used to be so stingy with my layers, but I think I am finally letting go! I added a Pop-Up glue dot on the flower layer right side because it would look strange to be uneven. The flower has some sheen to it from the Twinkling H2Os. I also sponged some River Rock onto the White layer to soften it. I really like this card and hope you do to!

Stamps: Embrace Life; Ink: Staz-On Black, River Rock, Basic Black marker, Signo White Gel Pen, Paper: Basic Black, River Rock, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DP; Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Twinkling H2Os, Aqua pen.

A Day Late and A Dollar Short?

Okay, I started this card Thursday night but didn't finish it until this morning. I used the SCS color challenge #155; Basic Black, River Rock and Whisper White. The colors of the scan are a little off. I used some liberty and used some SU Porcelain Prints DP on a couple of layers, as this particular pattern was River Rock. I love this pattern paper, it is so elegant!

For the life of me I can't remember where I got the sketch from!!! (If you recognize it pretty please let me know so I can give credit!) I thought it was Beate's from last week (Hence the title of my post) but I don't see what is in my head on her blog now.

I used the Cracked Glass technique on the sentiment layer. I know this technique is an oldie but goodie, it was also in the most recent TJ newsletter. I have seen several posts come through the Yahoo group using this technique, which is why it came to mind for this layer. The sentiment layer has some sparkle to it because I didn't realize I had some glitter on my VersaMark pad that transfer to the cardstock while I was adding the VersaMark. Oh well, I think it looks good!

I used my SU Distresser on many of the edges to help give it an aged look. All edges except black are sponged to add to the aged feel of the card.

I'm not sure about this card. I like that the sentiment is the focal point, but the card feels a little barren to me. It especially feels this way when I look at the scan. Perhaps a few small prima flowers would help? Or perhaps I can do some faux stitching around some of the layers?

Stamps: Morning Soft; Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, CLASSIC Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip; Paper: River Rock, Basic Black, Whisper White, Porcelain Prints DP; Accessories: sponges, Distresser tool, Corner Rounder, Glossy Glaze EP & heat gun.

Techostamper's Card Sketch #5

Tuesday night I attending our Army Spouse's monthly coffee. Although we are stationed here at Scott Air Force Base we have a nice size group of Army spouses and our monthly get-togethers are always so much fun! This month the two gals hostessing treated us to a spa night. I painted my nails, ate some yummy food and walked away with some Amish Friendship Bread (I think the name of it is anyway). I'm not familiar with this bread so I'm following the directions carefully! LOL!

I say all that because I needed a couple of thank you cards for these two gals. Of course I could go to my extra card storage box, but what fun would that be? Those should only be used for emergency use only! I decided to use MJ's Monday Lunch Sketch. I went to SCS to look for some color inspiration and picked CC127. This color challenge uses Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip and Sahara Sand. I also decided to use a TJ technique. Well, in trying to come up with something meeting all these criteria I lost the Sahara Sand because I decided to use the Rainbow Double technique that requires glossy cardstock. *sigh* I guess you can't win them all! LOL!

Although both cards are nearly identical there is one obvious difference. On one I used black velvet ric-rac and the other I used Blue Bayou tabs using the word window punch. Here is the first one, using the velvet ric-rac.
I love the feel of the velvet ric-rac! (I bought some from here at All That Scraps! Shhh, any order of $10 or more gets FREE shipping! Yikes, once she realizes what a great deal that is she may up the order amount! LOL!) I thought that the ric-rac (lovely as it is) distracts from the rest of the card. On the second card I tried to coordinate that lower right corner and decided to add these tabs of Blue Bayou, but they needed something. Brads and eyelets did not feel right so I decided to (finally) mount my All In A Row stamp set so I could use that row that looks like stitching. Both cards scanned a little crooked and the spectrum pad is a bit darker, so they do look better IRL.

I'm not sure that I am satisfied with this card either, but I need to get these out the door to thank the two gals for the wonderful evening we had.

Stamps: Both: Priceless, 2nd also uses All In A Row; Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black, Pumpkin Patch Spectrum pad; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Blue Bayou, Glossy; Accessories: Detail Black EP, heat gun, grid cutting mat & hobby blade, 1st card: black ric-rac, 2nd card: Word Window Punch and Stamp-A-ma-jig.

Aged Metal, Sort Of

I wanted to try one of the new techniques from the TJ newsletter called Aged Metal, but I didn't have the right kind of sheet so I substituted some Silver cardstock. I also wanted to try this week's Sketch Challenge on SCS. This is what I came up with. I like it, but it feels like it needs something.

Stamps: Fine Lace, Morning Soft; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Staz-On; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Silver; Accessories: Cuttlebug with Folder, Pop Dots (under the sentiment's top right corner.)