Comfort zones

Why do you do participate in challenges? I am sure there are a million reasons. For me, it is often about getting outside of my comfort zone. It's kinda funny, but when I was new to stamping, my motto was "try everything". Like a child I was very free in my creativity and just did what ever amused me. Now, as an "adult" stamper  I tend to stay within very prescribed boundaries and color themes. Challenges force me to step out of my box and comfort zone and to let my inner child stamper out. I hope this all makes sense to you.

Marisa's challenge at Just Us Girls is an inspiration photo. These are generally the most challenging to me for a number of reasons. one is I tend to get overwhelmed by all aspects of the photo and think I need to represent everything. Colors- often they are colors I would never use in my stamping.

I have really been checking out how others interpret photo challenges and see if I can find some help there. I discovered just focusing on one or two elements is the way to go. All this to say is I found I really liked this photo and you can see for yourself the two elements I grabbed onto. The colors- well I never would have used them on my own, but I REALLY like them together on my card.

I would love to hear from you about why you do challenges and what challenges you find the most  challenging.

Can't wait to see how YOU interpret this week's challenge at Just Us Girls!

Stamps used-

Simon Says Stamp- Flower Friend

Papertrey Ink- Ruby Rose

Orange is the New Challenge

This week's color challenge at Just us Girls just breathes hot sunshiney summer days with a tall glass of lemonade in hand. Orange yellow and a neutral color. Just perfect for this time of year.

I went with my favorite trend right now-ombre. I created a yellow orange ombre card. Please disregard the ink smudge. I do not know where that came from. I didn't even have a black pad out!! Don't you hate when that happens!!??!

Anyway today's card uses two Memory Box products. The "floating butterfly background" die and the "garden peony blossom" stencil. I cut the butterfly twice, save both the positive and negative pieces.

 I colored the butterflies with copic markers using yellows and oranges, creating an ombre effect.
The negative piece, I put through my big shot with the peony stencil to emboss the design. See this post for a how to.  Then I put the whole thing back together with foam tape.

Here is another look in pinks. this time I embossed the butterflies and not the background.

 Hope you enjoyed my creations and will join us at Just Us Girls for this week's color challenge!

Technique time at Just Us Girls!

Hi everyone! We have had a week of rain. I am so ready for some sunshine. This weeks JUGS card makes me feel sunny! Sue V. is hosting a great technique challenge this week at Just Us Girls. She is asking us to do watercolor stamping. 

 I wanted to try something a bit different then distress ink on my stamps and spritzing it. I remembered Shari Carroll demonstrated a distress stamping technique on the Hero Arts website that was cool. I have included the video on how she does it.

 The first card I stamped the flowers on a separate panel and popped it up. The card below is one layer. I used bristol board for the card base. I discovered this card stock from taking the online watercolor class. I love how well watercolors work on it. They blend an mix with little warping. Kinda reminds me of working on tags.

Join us with your watercolor stamping creations over at Just Us Girls!

True North

I just celebrated my 27th (Yikes!!!) anniversary! It really does seem just like yesterday that George and I were exchanging our vows on a very hot day in May. We had our wedding and reception out doors and it was about 98 degrees! The minister who married us was in his 90's and this was the last wedding he performed. His poor wife was holding him during the service and he called me sarah through out the wedding! At least the license had the right name!

George is very interested in maps and navigation. He always plans our trip routes. When I saw the the Avery Elle stamp set- Knotty, I knew I had to have it for my anniversary card.

 CAS-ology is having a challenge for anniversary cards and I am entering George's card. (I had to sneak it off his desk to photograph it)

 Today was a problematic day to photograph cards. It was cloudy and rainy. The primary card I photographed without any extra light. The card below I turned on a lamp in my studio. Not sure which I like better.

Thanks for stopping by!

PS- incase you weren't sure what "true north" is here is a quick definition from Wickepedia.

True north is the direction along the earth's surface towards the geographic North Pole. True geodetic north usually differs from magnetic north, and from grid north.

Time to celebrate!

I know it is only June, but July will be here before you know it and I have several male birthdays to plan for in July. Usually I am scrambling at the last minute to make a card. That is NOT the best time to create! Nancy at Just Us Girls has a sketch challenge this week that is the perfect inspiration for a male card.

Since I have been trying to enter other challenges, I decided to make the same card using the challenge colors over at The Card Concept under the clean and layered category. The twine I used on this card is hand made. I show how here on this blog posting.  I never buy twine any more, I make my own!!

So, head on over to Just Us Girls the other designers take on the sketch. Be sure to show us your creations!

Stamps used: Make A Wish

                     Casual Fridays: Bold Wishes

House of Cards Blog Hop

Hi everyone! It's time for an end of term blog hop over at House of Cards! We have this awesome photo challenge for all of you along with tons of great prize opportunities for any of you who join in the fun! 

If you have come here from Daen'Ys blog then you are in the right spot. If you have stumble here and would like to participate, please hop over to House of Cards challenge blog to get started! Be sure to leave comments at each spot for a chance to win some fabulous prizes from our sponsors! you haven't already, please start all the way back at the House of Cards hop post and follow the list found in the body of the hop post. 

How much fun is this photo! There is so much to choose from. It was hard to keep to my design team aesthetic- CAS. This photo just screams team shabby chic! (Oh- you lucky shabby chic girls!!!)

My card features stamps from one of our sponsors- Stamplorations. I used these sets- Eclectic florals, Chevron and Arrows and Retro Mod Shapes. This is my first experience with Stamplorations and I was really excited by the stamps! They ink up and stamp well and they have a great price point.

I knew I was stamping the flowers, but I also needed something to anchor the flowers. I remembered the piece of cork I had from my Christmas coasters. The cork provided that anchor and was used in the photo too. How perfect!! 

I really liked the idea of wire basket, so I made a second card and stamped over the whole card with a grid stamp.  It has a cool and unusual look that I kinda like. What do you think?

Also- House of Cards is looking for new DT members! If you are interested in being part of this wonderful challenge blog, please add DT after your name on your entry for this challenge!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Please join in the fun of our hop and make your way over to Anita's blog for more inspiration! if you get lost, you can always head back to the original blog hop post and don't forget to link up a project at the House of Cards blog after finishing the hop for an extra chance to win a mysterious prize from one of our fabulous sponsors!