Our Creative Corner Sketch Challenge

This week's challenge on the Our Creative Corner blog is a sketch. I can hardly ever pass up a sketch challenge. OCC is a great challenge blog if you enjoy doing different types of challenges and want to be able to use images from any company or line. In addition to sketches, their challenges also include techniques, themes, colors, materials, etc. I don't do the challenge every week, but have done several and have enjoyed them. They also have a very talented DT.

I am really enjoying the different sketch challenges. For awhile I thought all my cards were starting to look the same, but these are helping me come up with some fun new layouts. I am also trying some different color combos. In the past, I probably would have used just the pink and green for this card, but since there was blue in the striped paper and there is some blue in the green floral background (very hard to see but it's there), I decided to try the blue scallop piece, ribbon and brads. I was very happy with how it turned out.

One thing I want to point out - my sentiment is neatly stamped. Club scrap images are often kind of distressed or grunge-looking. That's just the way the stamp is. Although I can be messy - I wasn't this time. :)

Supplies
Stamp: Gerbera daisy (unknown); sentiment (Club Scrap)
Ink: StazOn Jet Black (image); VersaFine Onyx Black (sentiment)
Paper: pink (Bazzill); green and blue (Club Scrap); DP (Daisy D)
Embellishments: Oval and scalloped oval dies (Nestabilities); blue ribbon (unknown); blue brads (unknown)
Technique: Prismacolor pencils blended with Turpenoid

Our Creative Corner Challenge - Use a Tag

First I must confess that I am cheating just a wee bit on this challenge. I actually made this card some time ago. However, I have never posted it on my blog, it fits the challenge and it's one of my favorite cards. I do apologize for the photo. I am not a good picture-taker, which is why I usually scan my cards. I tried to use Photoshop to get rid of the glare above the card, but it just ended up looking worse, so I left it alone.

The main focal point is a stamped collage on an upside down shipping tag. Even though it's somewhat tedious - especially with this many different images - masking is one of my favorite techniques. It's not difficult at all - just a little time consuming. I love the results though.

Unfortunately, I don't remember who made all the stamps I used and I don't want to go dig them out. The ones I can remember are in the supplies list.

Supplies

Stamps: Le London script background (Stampabilities); tulip and large butterfly (Hero Arts); small buttefly (Impression Obsession); fern leaf and face (not sure, but I think they are both Stampabilities)
Ink: Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Ranger)

Papers: Pink and brown cardstock (Hobby Lobby); DP - Bohemia (My Mind's Eye); shipping tag (Avery)

Embellishments: Flower (The Paper Studio); antique copper brad (Making Memories); organza ribbon scrap

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge #23 - Valentines

Here is my card for this week's House Mouse and Friends challenge. I almost didn't do the challenge this week because to be honest, I was getting kind of tired of making Valentines. I think this is the fourth one I've made in the last month. In the end I couldn't resist though. We are going out of town next week to visit my in-laws, so I needed to try to get a little crafting time in before we leave.

This card could probably be used for something other than Valentine's Day as it's kind of generic. I used more masculine colors and may just end up giving it to my DH. The other ones I have made are a lot of pink.



Supplies Used:
Stamp: Chocolate Heart (House Mouse Designs)
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Paper: Brown, red cardstock (Hobby Lobby)
Embellishments: Ribbon, red heart button, Floral Fantasy Cuttlebug embossing folder, Nestabilities circle and scallop circle dies
Techniques: Prisma colored pencil blended with Gamsol; paper piercing, embossing

OCC Color Challenge - Two Shades of Blue and a Neutral Color

This is my first time to participate in a challenge for Our Creative Corner. I found this challenge a few weeks ago and have been admiring the work of the design team. They do different types of challenges - color, sketches, products, themes, etc. If you are looking for inspiration, check it out. All the design team members do lovely work.

The challenge this week is a color challenge to use two shades of blue and a neutral color. I chose one of my favorites - blue and brown.


Supplies
Stamps: Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)
Ink: Vintage Sepia (VersaFine); French Blue Chalk Ink (ColorBox)
Paper: Blue and brown cardstock; DP (My Mind's Eye)
Embellishments: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); ribbon, blue gems, eyelet
Technique: Just stampin'