Sunday, March 21, 2010

A Few Challenge Cards

This first card is my take on Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #105. My inspiration came from these beautiful cards posted recently Treasure Life_2_Mar 2010 by my blogging buddy Deb’s on her Scrapbook Czar blog. No lack of Mojo there!  I love the way she created three gorgeous cards in one sitting – all using DCWV’s La Crème Matstack.

My card is pretty straightforward. I inked around the edges of the focal point image and sentiment with Bamboo ink using a sponge dauber. I struggled a bit when it came to placement for the sentiment. In fact, since starting this post, it has been moved up from the lower left corner. I like it better now … I think. I always find it interesting how, when looking at my card on the computer monitor, I see things (potential improvements usually) that I don’t see when the card is right in front of me.

Material & Tools: Colonial White, Black, and Bamboo cardstock; DCWV La Crème Matstack; Black and Bamboo ink pads; Close to My Heart Treasure Life and TLC stamp sets; Hero Arts pearl accents; Martha Stewart Large Butterfly punch; 1 and 1-1/4 inch circle punches; Sponge dauber; 3M foam mounting tape.

 

Fresh Fruit_Mar 2010

 

“Fruits of Labor” is the theme for Raise the Bar Challenge #10. I colored my image with Prismacolor pencils and OMS, trying my darnedest to get the colors to coordinate with those on the patterned paper.

My initial thoughts were that this card would have to be one for the husband. Then, I thought about all the people I collaborate with on a one-on-one basis at work. I’m going to tuck this card into a desk drawer and save until such time as I’ve brought a tough project to fruition with the help of a co-worker.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Cocoa cardstock; Basic Grey 6x6-inch Nook and Pantry Paper Pad; Black ink pad; Stampendous Fresh Fruit stamp set; Ribbon from Wal-Mart; Antiqued Copper mini brads; Black My Legacy Writer; Prismacolor colored pencils; Gamsol odorless mineral spirits; Blending stumps; 3M foam mounting tape

 

A Tweet_Mar 2010

 

This final card today is my contribution for Unscripted Sketches #47. I must have pulled out 10 stamp sets before finally selecting “A Tweet.” I inked up my bird stamp with Honey ink and then used a sponge dauber to ink some Cocoa ink around the edges to give the image a little added dimension. It’s wing, which is not part of the stamp set and was cut freehand, is popped up with a piece of foam tape.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Cocoa cardstock; Basic Grey 6x6-inch Origins paper pad; Cocoa, Honey, and Bamboo ink pads; Close To My Heart A Tweet stamp set; Ribbon from Michael’s; Antiqued Copper bitty and mini brads; Stampin’ Up Photo Corner punch; Sponge dauber; 3M foam mounting tape.

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. The wedding yesterday was lovely. I’ll tell you a bit more about it on a day when my post isn’t already so long. For now, I’d better finish up on some projects I started yesterday. Thanks for stopping by, friends! Later …

21 comments:

Alanna said...

These are all so fantastic Kathi. Each one is just fabulous. I love the elegance of the first one and that pear one is just too darling. Lastly, your take on the US sketch is gorgeous. What a great idea to add a wing.

I hope you enjoy your Sunday and have fun at your stamp club today.

Sylvia said...

I like all three of your cards but my favorite is the bird. That is clever about adding the wing.

Sheila H said...

I, too, really love how you added the wing to the bird. I'm going to try to do the same thing! All of the cards are really nice.

dstandard said...

Beautiful cards!

Darlene said...

Aaawww, what a cute pear of pears!! LOL!! Adorable creation! Thanks so much for joining us at Raise the Bar. Hope to see you again next time!

Linda Beeson said...

I really like all three of your cards, they are each so nice in their own way. My fav is the last one though, I love those papers.

Liz said...

I lvoe what you did with all three cards

Sparkplug17 said...

Such lovely cards! I love the pears!

Laurel said...

Kathi, these are all fabulous! I really love the one with the bird!

Irit Shalom said...

What a great take of our sketch and other card are outstanding too
Irit - US DT

Jeanne said...

Wonderful cards, Kathi! Each one is fabulous. You were very clever to add the wing on the bird!

It looks like you got a lot of play time in, and for that, I'm very happy! You certainly deserve it!

Have a wonderful week, my dear friend!

Deborah Young said...

Thanks for the shoutout, dear friend! Don't you just love that paper pack? Your cards are gorgeous, darling and beautiful! Those little pears with faces - so cute!!!

Sarah said...

WOW Kathi! Way to bring that silhouette bird stamp to life! It looks beautiful there. I have a hard time placing eyes just right on animals LOL but oyu nailed it...and the wing! perfect. Great take on this weeks sketch.
All the cards are beautiful...if you only knew how long it took me to get everything just SO...lol

Kelly said...

Kathi, i love all of your cards! the prayer card is beautiful, very soulful and calming! see you next week- kelly

Melissa Sauls said...

Oh wow, all of these cards are just wonderful! Great job on ALL of the challenges! Thanks for playing in the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge!! Hope to see you again. :)

Carolyn said...

These are all very pretty!! I do love the pear card! Cute!! I haven't used the Tweet SS yet. I bought it bcuz it reminded me of a scripture in the bible... "Not a single sparrow falls to the ground without God noticing"
I love the brad for the eye!

Have a wonderful day!!

~*Joni said...

Kathi this is so cute! I love this image, and your coloring is perfect with the DP. Way to go with the pencils and OMS - you did an amazing job! Thank you for joining us at Raise The Bar this week!

Unknown said...

Beautiful cards! Love the bird on your US card. So glad you joined us again this week Kathi!
Steph
Unscripted DT

Christy said...

I adore all of these...fabulous :)

Anonymous said...

OMGosh What a gorgeous pair of pears, your colouring is awesome. Love that dp too:)

Thank you so much for joining in the Raise the Bar Challenge this week, hope to see you again next week :)

Suzi
xxx

Arielle H Gordon said...

Terrific cards! Love all the papers you used & awesome job with the Unscripted sketch, thanks so much for playing along!