A La Card Monkey Challenge 89: A Fresh Start + Sketch

New Year's is right around the corner, but before the clock ticks down there's still time for one more challenge over at A La Card Monkey. And this is another special week for me as I was lucky enough to be chosen as a Guest Designer for my Monkey 87 submission, so I'm really excited to play along with this challenge.   

http://www.pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.com/2011/12/celebrate-decjan-birthdays-with.html

Appropriately this last Monkey Challenge of 2011 is called: Monkey 89: A Fresh Start + Sketch.  Just take a look at this adorable sketch.The Monkey Design Team did a great job choosing this sketch.  The card is a vertical fold card with an element centered and rising above the card top.  The theme can be anything that brings a fresh start to mind, so think New Year's, a new baby, a new home, a wedding or a trip.............. the possibilities are endless.

The moment I layed eyse on this adorable baby giraffe I decided to make a baby girl card.  It seems I  never have enough baby cards on hand so I'm making a "fresh start" for the New Year by pre-making some.  Here is my offering.  The card stock is 4 1/2 x 8":

For this card I chose something old and something new.  Isn't the baby sleeper adorable?  I stamped it in Soft Suede ink on a piece of Blushing Bride striped designer paper from the In Color Patterns Designer Paper Stack, # 117158 pg 186 IB&C.  I love stamping on DSP because it just adds life to the image and brings out the colours.  The Sleeper is from a retired hostess stamp set called "A Slice of Life". 

You're also getting a sneak peak at something from the new Mini Occasions Catalogue.  I've used the new Labels Collection Framelit Dies ( #125598 on page 6 ) to create the center element in layers of  Whisper White, Blushing Bride cardstock that was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (#117335 pg. 219 IB&C ).

This beautiful label is from a wonderful new stamp set called "Take it to Heart" which is in the Occasions Mini Catalogue on page 14.  It can be ordered in wood (125520) or clear mount (125522) versions.  The "Welcome Baby" sentiment is from the retired "Something to Celebrate" Hostess stamp set.  For a little pizzazz and feminine touch,  I've added 3 Basic Pearls (119247 pg 198 IB&C), on either side of the banner label. 

I kept the inside of the card simple adding a sentiment from the "Something to Celebrate" retired hostess set and a rattle from Button Buddies (#122735 w or122737(cm) pg. 71 IB&C).  Button Buddies is another one of those very sweet and versatile Stampin' Up sets that you'll find yourself reaching for time and again.  Although I didn't use any here, the Designer Buttons sold on pg 197 of the IB&C perfectly enhance these images. The inks used are Soft Suede from the Neutrals Collection and Blushing Bride from the 2010-11 Incolor Collection. 

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my latest card.  Hope you enjoyed it and seeing some of the newest products that will be coming your way after January 4th, 2012. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!