Sunny Challenges & Creations 035/12

I've finally finished my guest designer card for the Sunny Challenges & Creations this week.  The challenge is a sketch and the theme is Mothers.  Well you all know I do like a sketch.  Unfortunately I don't have the need for a Mother's Day card anymore and they don't seem to sell very well at the Tourist Centre, so I've made a feminine, girlie card which I hope meets the design team approval.

My aim was to create a card reminiscent of the couture houses of the eighteenth century.  Mind you, I haven't seen one in real life but what I imagine they would look like. lol

I started with a base of vanilla with a layer of Attic Boutique which reminded me of wall paper, then to add that floral touch I used another piece of Attic Boutique layered on Blushing Bride.

The focal collage panel was created using the stamp set Established Elegance, stamped in soft suede, blushing bride and so saffron with lace trim down one side.  The sketch has a circle on the focal panel so my wording took this spot, which has been stamped in early espresso.  I've trimmed it and then inked around the edges in soft suede ink with a blending tool and craft mat.  Actually all my layers have been inked in soft suede using a blending tool to give that vintage look.  I don't know that I'm very happy with my sentiment but as I'm late with this card, I'll leave it for the time being.

To finish off the card I've used lace and blushing bride pleated ribbon across the bottom with a hand dyed blushing bride seam binding bow topped with a blushing bride button.  I love bows. lol

Thank you for visiting my blog today and also thanks so much for your encouraging comments on my last card. I appreciated them.

Take care for the rest of the Easter weekend.

Sunny Challenges & Creations 034/12

I'm here finally with my guest designer card for this week's Sunny Challenges & Creations.  A sketch this week which is always a good thing.  I like sketches. lol

This card started out to be totally different from what you see here.  I stuffed around, changed things, procrastinated and basically just couldn't get it right.  Even now I'm not sure that I have that 'wow' factor. 

My base is vanilla with a layer of soft suede.  The dsp is from Attic Boutique by Stampin' Up. The bottom panel is pool party with some Spice Cake dsp (retired).  There is a tiny panel of Attic Boutique dsp in daffodil yellow peeking out from above my pool party seam binding bow.  I've used the new framelit dies that are now available from Stampin' Up, embossing the bottom layer.  I really prefer a narrower border when layering dies like this but that's the way these framelits have been made.  My images and greeting are from the new set called Tea Shoppe.  Around all the edges of each layer of card stock and dsp I have sponged soft suede ink using a foam blending tool and craft mat.  The look I wanted was a little bit vintage but not dirty.  The daffodil yellow of the bottom framelit gives the card a lift and all the colours combine so well together.

I have been away to a craft retreat in Brisbane arriving home last Thursday night.  I spent a couple of days in Nambour visiting friends before retreat.  Kim spends a lot of time and energy on these retreats and I just love them.  Thanks Kim.  Of course, I had far too much gear with me, will definitely have to cull in September when I go down for the next craft retreat. On the way back I fabric shopped in Maryborough and stayed with Jean in Gin Gin for a couple of days.  We played and made Tim Holtz tags from his Creative Chemistry 101 classes.  Now if ever there was something worth spending money on, it's these classes.  Absolutely brilliant.  Tim is a fabulous teacher and he shares his knowledge freely.  I know if ever I got the chance to do a live class with him, I'd be there like a shot. lol

That's a very quick update as to what I've been up to in the last few weeks. Thanks for visiting my blog today and now I'm home again and well (was sick for two months this year), I hope to get back into some serious card making.

Enjoy the rest of your day.