Inspired Birthday

First off, I have to say how utterly chuffed I was to find my "Blowing Kisses" bunny baby card was selected by Nance as a "Cut Above" in last week's Paper Players challenge!  Thank you so much, Nance!  It's been so long since I've stamped or entered a challenge and to have my card selected was such a delightful surprise!

So, I needed a birthday card for Brien's grandma's husband (B's step-grandpa?) and had no idea what I wanted to do.  Masculine cards are a HUGE challenge for me (and I have to say, this one is most likely still a little to fru fru for a "guy card"), so I thought I'd see what the Paper Players were up to this week in an attempt to find some inspiration.

I was inspired, all right...it was a sketch challenge and I really struggled with it.  But, that's the point of challenges, right? To oh, I don't know, challenge yourself?? Hm.

Looking at the sketch, I saw the "Inspired by Nature" stamp set in my mind's eye and decided to see how I could make it work. 

This is the sketch. 

I turned it on its side and used the sentiment (and the scoring on the Chocolate Chip card base) as the vertical element.  Can you still see the bones of the sketch in the bones?

I have always loved using Summer Sun on the cone flowers, but it was a bit intense for this card.  So, I used More Mustard, then stamped off, then went over the flowers again with the Summer Sun marker, thereby toning down the intensity somewhat. Then, I stamped off the main image to make it softer. 

It's a sunny, happy card and I hope it makes Bill smile when he sees it. :o)

--Rach

This card uses:

*Stamp Sets: "Inspired by Nature", "Wonderful Words"
*Paper: Crushed Curry textured card stock, Whisper White, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, vellum
*Inks: More Mustard, Summer Sun, Garden Green and Chocolate Chip Markers

Happy Birthday, Brien

Today is my sweetheart's birthday and I needed a card.  I knew it was going to be tough to get something together today, for you see, Miss Ellie is teething and as such is a wreck of gigantic proportions. 

I was able to pull out a card I had previously made and repurpose it by simply changing out the sentiment.  No, it's not particularly masculine, but it's not too feminine either.  I happen to love this card and this is really a go to set for me because it is so versatile. 

This card uses:

Stamp Sets: "Sincere Salutations", "Inspired By Nature"
Papers: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Garden Green, Whisper White
Inks: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Garden Green
Accessories: hemp twine

One of my goals for this year is to get more time in my studio, so hopefully my poor neglected blog will be up and running once again. :o)

--Rach

Moonlit Inspiration

I'm can't remember where I saw the challenge, but it really called to me. The inspiration photo was black and white with some "pops" of green. I immediately thought of this set, doing a "scene" on a moonlit night in black and white, with cat tails blowing in the breeze. I liked the image so much I left off the green and said to heck with the challenge. ;o)

My challenge was deciding whether to mount the image on black and use a white card, or to mount the image on white and use a black card. Thank goodness for Brien, he comes through time and again when I ask his opinion on color combos and such. :o)

I have to say, I'm beyond pleased with how this card turned out. I don't know who the genius was who first determined you could use the slot punch to make the tops of the cat tails, but I'm beyond happy they did.

This card uses:
Stamp set: "Inspired By Nature"
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black
Inks: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Basic Black
Accessories: Slot punch, 1" circle punch, brayer, sponge daubers, blender pen

Technique:
First I cut the white card stock to 3 1/4"x4 1/2". I then punched a 1" circle from a Post-It note and stuck it to the card stock where I wanted my "moon" to be. Next I inked up the brayer with Sahara Sand and in one even stroke, rolled it on to the image sheet. This left a lighter area in the bottom of the card which I would use as my "water" later.

Then, using the Basic Gray, I went in with my sponge dauber and worked from the corners out and down around the moon. I went over that with Basic Black, confining it to a smaller area, being sure to allow the gray to show through.

I then removed the Post-It, inked up the image and stamped it. I punched some "slots" and adhered them to the card stock. Finally, using a blender pen, I picked up some Sahara Sand that I had "kachunked" into the lid and colored back and forth across the lighter background area at the bottom.

Now, to determined whom I should send the card to...;o)

--Rach