Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator - Coldwater, Michigan - KatheD@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

challenging challenge adventures

It's not so much that the challenges I was working on are unusually challenging, but I certainly felt challenged.  Take this card, for example:
stamp sets - Aviary, Teeny Tiny Wishes; ink - Basic Gray, Versamark; Stampin' Write Marker - Basic Gray; card stock - Sahara Sand, So Saffron; designer series paper - Basic Gray (neutrals pad), Twitterpated; punches - 1" circle, 1-1/4" scallop circle; Big Shot with Square Lattice embossing folder
  The Fab Friday colors immediately seemed appropriate for a sympathy card, but then it took me quite some time to choose a focal point. The Paper Players sketch seemed easy enough to work with, but I ended up needing to rotate it to accommodate my choice of focal point.  It took me several tries to decide on a combination of papers and textures I found pleasing - I have several cuts of dsp cluttering up my workspace that didn't make the final selection.  I still haven't decided on an inside sentiment...

This card was also more of a challenge than expected:
stamp sets - Star Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes (card), Scentsational Season (envelope); ink - Always Artichoke; card stock - River Rock, Very Vanilla; designer series paper - Be of Good Cheer; Big Shot with Bitty Banners framelit; Victoria 5/8" crochet trim, Stampin' Dimensionals
This time the colors were from Festive Friday and the sketch from Merry Monday; don't they go together well?  The challenge to me was that I really wanted an oval, and had to hand cut both layers.  I used a template I have from a retired Ovals die and my hobby blade to cut out the stamped River Rock.  Then I flipped that oval over, sketched the outline for the mat on Very Vanilla and cut it with my snips.  It's a little wonky, but that adds to the charm, right?  As I was assembling the card, it occurred to me that the Labels Collection framelits would have been a good choice...

13 comments:

Lesley said...

You hand cut that oval? Wow! That is amazing Kathe and the colours are gorgeous, perfect for Christmas of course. So happy you play along with us at Merry Monday.
Lesley

Dawn Easton said...

Both cards are lovely! Not sure why you were feeling challenged on the first one. You created a wonderful card!!! Thanks for playing along with us at the Paper Players!

Amanda Mertz said...

I never would have thought of using Aviary for a sympathy card but it works, especially with the Fab Friday colors. I like the textured strips! Thanks for sharing with us at Fab Friday!

Bonnie said...

Wow! Hand cut ovals! Wish I could cut that smoothly! The tree is perfect as the focal point and I love the colors! Thanks, Kathe, for sharing with us at Merry Monday!

Terry said...

I think both cards turned out well - especially the color combinations. The more sketch challenges you do, the easier they come together, I think. Thanks for adding your card to the Merry Monday challenge!

Hugs,

Terry (FD)

Terry said...

I am now following your blog and hope you'll follow mine at http://goinovertheedge.blogspot.com!

Thanks,

Terry

Notes by Nina said...

Very nice card, I love the rich colours. Thank you for joining us for Merry Monday this week.

Marla Reed said...

These colors work so well for a sympathy card. The strips of texture give it a nice visual interest.

I also really love the Christmas card! Those colors are beautiful together and are perfect for Christmas. I'm totally impressed that you hand cut the ovals! Wow!

Thanks for playing at Fab Friday!

Sarah said...

Great job at cutting out those ovals! Love your card. Thanks for sharing :)

LeAnne said...

Beautiful cards...I love how you turned the PP one on its side! Thanks for playing along with us this week at the Paper Players!

Bada-Bing Creations said...

Very nice. Neat layout and great colors for a sympathy card! Thanks for playing at Fab Friday!

Amy White said...

Lovely cards - great idea to stamp the little bird behind the sentiment in the circle. Thanks for playing along with the Paper Players this week!

Wendy said...

Love this! Such a pretty tree and papers! Thanks for playing along with us this week over at Merry Mondays! :)