adventures in trying too hard

I've been trying to get more pretty paper out of my storage drawer and used up, including on Card Buffet designs.  In order to have enough for Card Buffet, I need to use smaller pieces, so I thought the sketch from Sunday Stamps would work.  I also wanted to use another retiring stamp set, you know, in case it's going to be someone's favorite before its unavailable.  I'm not sure I didn't try a bit too hard on this, though:

stamp set - Awesomely Artistic; ink - Lemon Lime Twist, Fresh Fig; Stampin' Write marker - Lemon Lime Twist; card stock - Whisper White, Soft Sky; designer series paper - Naturally Eclectic; blender pen

I wish there were something more than just the colors that tied the paper to the stamped images; it just seems a bit forced... 

This next card finally came together after I stopped trying too hard.  Inspiration photos usually have that effect on me, I overthink them.  I put the embossing paste bricks on the card base last week, for a completely different card that didn't happen (because after I started it seemed overly difficult), and suddenly this morning it occurred to me that it would work for Jingle Belles Orange You Glad It's Christmas:

stamp set - Ready For Christmas; ink - Lemon Lime Twist, Pool Party, Peekaboo Peach; card stock - Whisper White thick, Dazzling Diamonds glimmer: White Embossing Paste and Pattern Party decorative mask; Big Shot and Christmas Staircase thinlits