Uncle! There...I've said it. I'm officially done with snow for the first part of the year 2010. We have had enough and I am done -- no matter how pretty. There is no where else to put the snow and now, it is starting to look dirty. So let's dispense with this stuff, okay? All in favor, say I!
This week, Lisa, our Blogger's Challenge list mom, gave us a sketch. I do not know where she got this one, but for me, it was a stopper. I just couldn't get my arms around this one and I had many ideas. Nothing panned out. So, here's the sketch.
Maybe this one gives you some instant ideas, but it was tough for me. This is a group of very talented women and I didn't want to bomb, you know what I mean? So, I challenged myself to come up with something. Here is my result.
This is a piece of DSP from the Sweet Pea Package of Designer Series Papers. For the most part, I really like the selection in this paper packet. However, printed pages, such as you see here, are always difficult for me. I really have to get outside my comfort zone to use them and generally, I just use the back since they are double-sided.
I dug in, gritted my teeth and decided that in some way, I was going to use this paper. I had to move up to a 5 x 7 card, which I don't normally do, but I am "okay" with this design. I'm not sure I would send it to someone, but if I get desperate, perhaps I will.
The card base is Chocolate Chip. I cut the DSP so the flowers would be to the right. I could not find my double stitched Chocolate Chip ribbon (am I out? hmmmmmm) so I created it instead with a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock which I pierced on both sides. I just used my white gelpen to add the stitches and because I can't sew a lick, it actually looks real -- like I might have sewn it! Notice in the sketch that there is some sort of embellishment on that left strip at the top and bottom -- I tried a number of embellishments, but with the flowers, they just looked too busy. So, inspiration finally hit me and I tied knots in 1/4" Rose grosgrain ribbon and attached the ribbon to the strip. Next.....
I have ordered more of the Sweet Pea felt pieces, but they are on backorder. So, I had a few pieces still in a a baggie on my desk and I attached them to the flowers in the DSP with glue dots. Used those up and they are no longer riding around on my stamp desk. Next....
I'm gritting my teeth here trying to figure out a focal image. Butterfly? Nope, too large. Bumble Bee? Nope, don't have any. Hmmmmm...inspiration struck once again and I used the Round Tag punch on a scrap of Pretty In Pink, folded it over and stamped "thank you" from the Happy Moments set from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. And, I put it under the Chocolate Chip strip as if it had been sewn into the seam. Ahhhhh, sketch challenge completed. No, it isn't a beautiful card, but I did meet the challenge and as in one of my favorite shows, Project Runway, I think it would be enough to "get me through" and qualify me to go another round. That's all I wanted with this sketch!
Guess what I did this week? No, that wasn't it. I managed to hit my garage door with my new Explorer. Many of you are thinking that I ran into it. No, that wasn't it...backed into it as it was coming down. I never put that door up as I walk out of the house into the garage, but for some dumb reason, I did yesterday. I got so darned excited that we finally had a newspaper after a week's hiatus that I accidentally hit the button (really, out of habit) and as the door was coming down, I backed into it. Way to go, Tami! Yep, the local body shop gets $1,700 to repair it. Truly, they are soaking us but since the car is new, Thom wants it repaired by a Ford authorized dealership to retain all of its value. I suppose that makes sense, but if I could find someone from Dent Wizard, I know they could pop out the crease that I managed to put in there. It was nicely placed though -- between the glass and the handle and neither of those items were damaged. However, the Ford body shop is saying the entire back panel must be replaced. And trust me, I wasn't impressed with the level of service they gave me yesterday either -- or should I say "DIDN'T GIVE ME". They know they have you, so they made me wait for 8 minutes before even asking if they could help me, and then when I went back to get the quote, the manager, who was sitting on his behind probably cruising the web on his computer, said, "Someone will be right with you" and just watched me as I stood at their counter. Eight minutes later, he finally got off his behind and handed me the quote. Yep, that is some level of service. CAN YOU SAY POOR? Oh well, I must move forward. If I never have to deal with them again, it will be far too soon. Frustration vented.....
Have a fabulous weekend and count your blessings. I hope you can count many as I can. God Bless!
I think the card is adorable. I love it.
Posted by: Mary Jo Price-Williams | 02/19/2010 at 06:26 AM
Tami,
Sounds like you've had a rough week! I think your card turned out lovely! The patterned paper, colors and accents are all very nice--it is a perfect spring design :-).
Posted by: Marsha | 02/19/2010 at 06:46 AM
Adorable! I really like how you used the large design on this paper.
Posted by: Lisa M | 02/19/2010 at 07:04 AM
Tami - SO sorry about your rough week. Don't feel bad - 2 years ago when my van was BRAND NEW - I was talking to my son about something he said - I ran my NEW van into the HOUSE! It cost us $3000 in repairs. OUOCH My husband was NOT HAPPY with me to say the least. I am glad no one was hurt in your "accident" For all of you struggles with the card - It is GORGEOUS! I LOVE IT!! So fresh and springy!
Posted by: Chris Dickinson | 02/19/2010 at 09:11 AM
Beautiful take on this weeks sketch, great use of the DSP too!
Posted by: Lisa Somerville | 02/19/2010 at 10:17 AM
Chris -- Thanks for sharing. I feel so much better but still like a dork!
Tami Black | Independent Stampin Up! Demonstrator | 740-819-4739 | 3505 Dresden Road, Zanesville OH 43701
Im the creatively-challenged gal whohelps other creatively-challenged folksmake hand-crafted gifts, cards, scrapbooks and treasures!
My blog: www.MakeMineStamps.com
My email: tami@MakeMineStamps.com
My Stampin Up! website: www.MakeMineStamps@stampinup.net
To: tami@MakeMineStamps.com
Posted by: Tami | 02/19/2010 at 11:54 AM
I think you did a fantastic job with this card, it's great...and I'm sorry about your car!!
Posted by: Kim Howard | 02/19/2010 at 12:34 PM
This turned out quite nice. I like the use of the patterned paper - very spring like.
The tab was a great idea as well.
So sorry about your car, never easy to admit when we do goofy things like that.
Posted by: Ida | 02/19/2010 at 06:07 PM
Great use of the designer paper. Your card turned out really good and your ribbon solution is very creative!!
Posted by: Margaret Raburn | 02/19/2010 at 07:43 PM
I like how you added the felt pieces to the dsp and gave it such dimension and depth! Adorable!
Posted by: Lisa Bohler | 02/19/2010 at 08:49 PM
You did a great job with this challenge...love how you used the DsP as the focal....gorgeous! {SMILES}
Posted by: Nikki | 02/19/2010 at 09:15 PM
Very Pretty! TFS
Posted by: Shelly Schmidt | 02/19/2010 at 09:21 PM
Well dear you aced the card and you can't sew a lick...just like me..and you sure pulled off beautiful faux stitch..love this card so much...
Oh you poor gal hitting the garage door...have not done that in 20 years..
good luck getting it fixed.
connie paxman
Posted by: Connie Paxman | 02/20/2010 at 05:09 PM
Connie,
Yep, but thank goodness the door was fine. It didnt even come off the tracks. However, the car was another story, and at 3,000, the $2,000 it is going to take to fix is just about enough to put me over the top. Thank goodness for insurance!
Tami Black | Independent Stampin Up! Demonstrator | 740-819-4739 | 3505 Dresden Road, Zanesville OH 43701
Im the creatively-challenged gal whohelps other creatively-challenged folksmake hand-crafted gifts, cards, scrapbooks and treasures!
My blog: www.MakeMineStamps.com
My email: tami@MakeMineStamps.com
My Stampin Up! website: www.MakeMineStamps@stampinup.net
To: tami@MakeMineStamps.com
Posted by: Tami | 02/20/2010 at 07:25 PM
Well, after a horrible week, you made a beautiful card! I love this and think it's a great take on the sketch!
Posted by: Robin Merriman | 02/20/2010 at 11:32 PM
Love your card!!! I love using this DSP, it makes perfect cards!! Sorry to hear about your horrible week!!!
Posted by: tiffany bauer | 02/21/2010 at 07:11 PM
Great interpretation on the sketch! I really like the stitched felt leaves on the one flower...really pops!
Posted by: Sheryl Dickinson | 02/21/2010 at 08:44 PM
I love this card, Tami!!! I'm having a terrible time letting go of my felt flowers...they are so pretty! Sorry to hear about your SUV!
Posted by: Connie Babbert | 02/22/2010 at 09:08 AM
I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to come on over and comment on your card Tami! It is sensational! What a terrific way to use this paper! Love it! :D
Posted by: Kimberly Gajewski | 02/25/2010 at 10:42 PM