Stampin Queen Sketch Challenge #7

Wow this week really went by in a flash.  It's week 7 of the Stampin Queen's Sketch Challenge and here's a look at their amazing sketch:

When I looked at this sketch for the first time I really liked the lay out but was a bit intimidated by the bows. However the more I thought about the fancy sentiment, the bows and scallop, it began to remind me of an old saloon or parlour we had visited in Silver City. I began to envision old wall paper and wainscotting and to tell you the truth the bows began to remind me of a showgirl's fancy garters. Where is all this leading to? Well my card definitely had to be along the vintage line and incorporate all of those ideas.  I hope you can envision them like I did.

I chose Very Vanilla for my card base and added layers of Basic Black and Wisteria Wonder in 1/8" increments.  The next layer was First Edition Specialty DSP (121878) that was been distressed around the edges with Wisteria Wonder ink and the butterfly from Bliss was stamped off in the background.  The motif from Baroque Motifs was embossed on it with Versa Mark and Wisteria Wonder ink and Clear Embossing Powders and the new Dazzling Details (12417) from the Holiday Mini was used to add a little sparkle to the motif.  The sentiment is from  Sincere Salutations stamped in Wisteria Wonder ink on Very Vanilla and punched out with the Scalloped Oval Punch.  A small basic rhinestone was adhered over top of the "O" in the word "YOU".  The Wisteria Wonder layer was punched out with the Extra Large Oval Punch.  The final layer is a Basic Black oval scallop die cut.  

A 1 1/2"  layer of Basic Black card stock was used for the bottom layer of the card.  This piece was run through the Stripes Textured Embossing Folder and the Eyelet Border punch was used along the bottom of the strip.  Two pieces of the 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Wisteria Wonder were attached to the black strip.  I didn't want to use two bows so chose instead to add two butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Sizzlet die.  I did tie a small bow with the Ruffled Ribbon and attached it to the larger of the two Butterfly images.  3 small basic rhinestones add some bling to the center of the smaller butterfly. 

The inside is fairly plain.  There is one layer of the First Edition Specialty DSP layered with a Top Note Die cut in Wisteria Wonder.  I didn't add a sentiment at this time.

And that's what I intended as my entry for this week, the only problem was that I missed the cut off by 10 minutes.  That's what happens when you leave things to the last minute!  Oh well.  Another challenge next week and maybe I'll be on time.    Hope you've enjoyed this one. 

Spotlight on Stampin Queen Sketch Challenge #5

I had a wonderful surprise this morning when I opened my email.  I received a note from Christena who designs the sketch challenges for the Stampin Queen Sketch Challenge and my card for SQSC 5 was one of the three spotlighted.  Whoo Hoo!!!!  Can you say happy dance!  What fun.  Thanks Christena and all the gals from the SQSC Design team for highlighting my card!

Okay so I'm bragging but I can tell you it was very hard to wipe the smile off my face.........................not good when you're trying to eat your porridge!  Have a great day everyone and happy stamping.   SQSC6 has just been posted so I know what I'm going to be doing! 

Stampin Queen Sketch Challenge - SQSC 5

This week' sketch challenge from Stampin Queen involves lots of layers, which always makes for a more interesting and sometimes more elegant card.  The challenge for me is deciding how to get the best fit on the card for all those layers.  Here is the SQSC sketch:

The next biggest challenge for me is deciding on the stamp(s) set to use and of course the colour combo.  For my colour combo I took my inspiration from the weather outside......... it's kind of white and gray because we're having cloudy rainy weather.  And, the only colours I see are the beautiful autumn leaves in the background, mostly maple leaves with their gorgeous burgundys and yellows. 

In choosing which stamp set(s) I wanted to use for today's challenge, I needed a "theme".  My card will be for a friend, and so my sentiment had to focus on friendship.  My next decision was what to use for the "focal point".  Since I was gazing at the garden when all these thoughts were coming together, my next choice was easy.............something with flowers.  And there you have it; that's how this card came together:

My theme revolves around "Friendship".  This beautiful little sentiment is from Pocket Silhouettes and is stamped in Bravo Burgundy ink on Whisper White Cardstock.  The sentiment was then punched out using the large oval punch. I cut two pieces of card stock (Bravo Burgundy and Basic Gray) using the decorative layer punch.  To get the extended look I cut the Bravo Burgundy layer in half and then glued it to the back of the Basic Gray layer leaving a gap in the center.  To finish off the sentiment  I've added three small basic pearls for a feminine touch and to tie in with the pearls on the top layer of the card. 

My focal point for the card is from the Friends Never Fade stamp set.  I love this one I think it's timeless.  I stamped the image in Whisper White classic ink on Bravo Burgundy cardstock, added some White Embossing Powder and used my heat gun to set the ink.  The 2" circular stamped layer is mounted on dimensionals to a 2 1/4" circle cut from Basic Gray cardstock.  The third circle is 2 1/2" and is in Whisper White cardstock.

Here's a full view of the card showing the additional layers.  The card base is Basic Grey and I've added an additional 5 1/4" x 4"layer of Basic Grey cardstock that was embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder.  Two 2 x2 squares of Whisper White were embossed using the Flower Garden textured embossing folder.  A 2 1/2" x 3" piece of Bravo Burgundy cardstock completes the layers. 

I've added a Whisper White Top Note die cut to the inside of the card that's been embossed using the Flower Garden Texturized Embossing folder die.  This ties the images on the front and inside of the card together. 

One last look at the finished card.  I really like the look of this card and will probably add this sketch to my favourites file. 

Hope you liked this card and would love to have your comments.  The Stampin Queen challenge doesn't close until 9pm tonight EST so join in if you have a chance.  The link is SQSC5.  Happy Stamping!
 

WHAT'S NEW, WHAT'S ENDING AND WHAT'S ABOUT TO START

It's been a while since I've posted, but if you're like me I find summer a challenging time to do indoor activities during the day, such as card making and scrapbooking and by evening time, I'm just too tired to do anything constructive.  I'm hoping to recharge my energies though as we move into the fall season.  So I thought I'd start by sharing a couple of updates with you as we move in that direction.

WHAT'S NEW:
It's always nice to be involved on "Opening Day".  Makes you feel real special.  To that end,  I was reviewing a post called Stampin Queens Holiday Sneak Peak on the ever-so talented Sharon Field's blog "Created by You". 

Sharon's excited to share her first card and her news that she's part of a very exciting new design team called the "Stampin' Queen's".  This new design team led by Christena Bagne a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, started off with their first sketch challenge today. The blog site called Stampin' Queen's Sketch Challenge ,  will publish new sketches every Wednesday, with winners being drawn on Tuesdays.  So if you're interested in participating in the fun of a new sketch challenge site hop on over and check it out.  I'm so optimistic about these sketch challenges I've added their button to my left side panel so you can easily access them.  I know I'm going to be trying out this sketch myself today, so stay tuned for my creation.   

WHAT'S ENDING:

Just a reminder that August is fast coming to an end and along with it two Stampin' Up promotional items are also winding down:   

1. The Summer Mini Catalogue ends on August 31st so if you're still in the market for some great stamps, punches, and paper products, don't delay, visit my on-line shop to place your order.  Once the 31st comes these items will be gone forever. 
2. Your opportunity to get in on the Buy 3 Get One Free Designer Series Paper promotion also comes to an end on August 31st.  This has been a great sale and I know those of you who have participated have been so happy with your products.  Don't forget that one of  the best selling masculine style designer papers this summer called "Nautical Expedition" (page 8 Summer Mini) is also available for this promotion.  All other papers are featured on pages 184-186 of the Idea Book and Catalogue (2011-2012).

Note:  You may have noticed a new button on my left side bar.  I am supporting a campaign of Stampin' Up! Demos who would like to see The Open Sea and Sail Away stamp sets re-instated in next year's Idea Book and Catalogue as well as the Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper.  Click on the button if you support the preservation of these sets and DSP too!  Sign the guest book and give us your support!  Some things are just too good to end. 

WHAT'S ABOUT TO START:

If you use my on-line ordering "shop now" button or attend any of my workshops and classes and purchase at least one $25.00 order per year you are on my automatic mini mailer list and are about to receive the Winter "Holiday Mini" which runs September 1st through January 4th, 2012.  So keep an eye on your mailboxes and let the excitement begin.  There are all kinds of new and exciting stamps and products featured.