Make Mine Stamps

Sometimes, it isn't pretty....

Sometimes I enter a sketch or color challenge and the card that comes out of my fingertips just isn't what my brain envisioned.  Does that ever happen to you?  I generally don't show you too many of my mishap cards, but today, I've got a severe headache (color it sinus!) and I'm not going to get anything else created.  So, in order to show you that I have my share of "ugly" cards, here is one.

 Yep...I know...it's a color and sketch challenge gone bad.  I desperately wanted to wrap some ribbon around this puppy, but the sketch was pretty explicit.  So here are the details (this way, you can avoid making an ugly card like this one!).

I started with a Rich Razzleberry base and added a layer of Cottage Wall DSP.  The color challenge was Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum and Certainly Celery (and this is a great combo, truly!).  I colored the image with my markers and used the three challenge colors.  Now, just in case you wondered, the circle was part of the sketch challenge or it would not have found its way onto my card. 

I layered the image onto Certainly Celery.  You'll note the piercing details and I stamped the sentiment using my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.  I'm loving that clever little tool, let me tell ya!  I layered this onto Rich Razzleberry and used dimensionals to add this to my card.

The bottom sentiment is from Heard from the Heart and I was hoping to give this card some pop.  I think it fizzled!

At any rate, I've got my plate full working on cards for my Card Club this month.  We're doing five cards for $10 (I'm treating them to an extra card this month on me since it is my birthday month) and I'm trying to put together some samples for the Library for classes I would like to do.  The John McIntire Library makes things as easy as possible for me to teach classes.  All I have to do is what I enjoy -- create and teach.  I don't have to worry about registration or collection of supply fees -- anything.  And the facility is absolutely top-notch. The people are the best and besides that -- IT'S THE LIBRARY!  Oh how I would love to get locked into the library overnight.  Next to stamps, books are my passion!  I don't eat or drink when I'm stamping or reading -- who needs to?

You know how sometime you want to do something, you keep saying you want to do it, but you don't get it done?  Well, I took the first step today.  Because I've got so much "stuff" and am such a paper and stamp hoarder (notice those first two letters in that word?), I made up a few samples and approached the Muskingum County Center for Seniors.  I'm going to make 400 3x3 Easter Cards for the Meals on Wheels program, which truly is near and dear to my heart.  I think this program is so worthwhile and although I've never delivered a meal, this is one way I can help out.  I'd love to help bring a smile to the faces of the dear ones who receive this service and now I can.  So, that's how many cards I have to make each day for the next three weeks?  Hmmm.  Better do the math and start cutting!

Okay, 'nuff talk.  More Sketch Challenge entries tomorrow and I hope I'll be able to put together the prize packages between today and tomorrow so I can post them by Friday.  Stay tuned!  And don't worry -- every now and then an ugly card escapes from all of us who stamp.  Do you suppose I could make the excuse that I had a headache while I was crafting this card?  Is it even worth the breath I would have to expend to get that excuse out?

Challenge Entries

Happy Tuesday!  It's going to be a crazy week for me as Andy has scheduled additional college visits for this week.  We're going to be hopping, but he has to make a decision by May 1 or the scholarship money that has been promised to him will dry up and disappear.  He's having a hard time making a decision and we are hopeful that with these visits, his decision making process will become much easier and a "winner" will emerge.  One can only hope...

Here are two new entries for the Sketch Challenge I issued for March.

This card is from Francie -- her second.  The base is Soft Sky and she used some retired SU DSP that has one of my favorite colors -- Groovy Guava.  I loved this paper and these colors and was sorry to see them go.  But, once again, I love how she used punches for her image -- I don't think of that often enough!  The double-stitched ribbon is also one of my favorites.  I'm glad that Stampin' Up! has been offering this in 1/4" and the 5/8" because both size ribbons can really complement a project.

The next card is from Valerie.  She's very active in our community and I truly don't believe she sleeps -- I'm not certain how she gets everything done that she manages to achieve.

It is so interesting to me to see how everyone interprets a sketch differently.  However, that is "So Valerie" because she likes to be different.  Notice that she has used her DSP at the top and chose to leave the bottom layer blank.  Very pretty with the scalloped strip -- it resembles lace to me and really softens the image. 

I love both of these cards and know that the residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus will love them as well.  I can't imagine having a child be so ill that I have to uproot myself and move to another city while my child is receiving the care he/she needs.  It has to be one of the most stressful things a parent can go through.  And while you are coping with that, life continues to go on around you.  Family members have birthdays, get married, etc. and you still need to acknowledge those events.  The cards that we donate go a long way toward making that possible while these parents are still able to be with their own children and provide the constant support, attention and love a child must have when they are ill.  It gives me goosebumps and I'm grateful to God that I never experienced this firsthand. 

I entered a color challenge to use Certainly Celery and Not Quite Navy.  Here's the card I came up with and I combined the color challenge with a sketch challenge from one of my demo boards.

The basecard is Certainly Celery and I've used the Itty Bitty Background stamp set to add some Not Quite Navy to the top of the card.

I stamped the image from Cheep Talk on the Whisper White Panel, using markers to color the branch in Close to Cocoa, the leaves in Certainly Celery and the bird in Not Quite Navy.

The Not Quite Navy panel is pierced at the top and I layered a Certainly Celery ribbon across the panel just to break up the color.  I added two buttons from the Fresh Favorites Collection and scalloped the bottom of the panel. 

You can tell I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to place my sentiment because it is placed perfectly -- love when that happens!  Overall, this card gets an okay rating from me -- not my favorite set at all, but I have it, so I used it.  It fit the sketch and I was able to incorporate the challenge colors.  Truth be told, I'll be glad when this one retires so I don't feel I have to use it...just the facts!

I'm off to work -- hope all is well in your world and that you can smile today.  The weather is going to be gorgeous.  I'm a snow lover, but I am so glad to see that white stuff disappearing!  God Bless!

Challenge Entries

I love that people are accepting the challenge and making cards!  I've heard from so many ladies that they have never "done" a sketch or color challenge and aren't sure what to do.  Truly, it couldn't be easier.  With a sketch challenge, you make a card using the sketch with whatever supplies -- paper, inks, stamps, embellishments -- that you wish.  The idea is to use the sketch as a layout for your card.  I say to use it as the inspiration for your layout for the card.  Here's Laura's entry for the sketch challenge.

Laura used Mellow Moss as the card base and used Outdoor Denim as her first layer.  She embossed the first layer and sanded off the color (ISN'T THAT GORGEOUS!) to make the background pop -- and it does!  She stamped her image in Outdoor Denim ink on Very Vanilla, but thought it looked a bit stark.  So, she used a sponge dauber to daub some Mellow Moss ink on the image.  I love how it appears to have aged.  She matted her images on Outdoor Denim mats and layered this on Mellow Moss, to which she added a polka dot ribbon.  In my mind, this is a great card and one I would immediately be drawn to if I were looking through a stack of cards from which to choose. 

I really like the contrast of the dark color to the white and the sanding is a fabulous touch!  Nice job Laura!  Thanks for the card for the Ronald McDonald House!

The second card I'm sharing with you is from Francie.  She is a very smart stamper and worked smarter, not harder, which I try to do often!  She entered the sketch challenge, but combined it with the color challenge for an incredible card.  Here is her entry for both challenges.

Francie started with a card base in So Saffron, which is my very favorite color in the entire Stampin' Up! line.  She layered both Perfect Plum at the bottom and Mellow Moss across that seam.  She used a piece of So Saffron DSP as her focal image mat and used the 5-Petal Punch to punch a flower in Perfect Plum and used the Trio Flower Punch to punch a flower in So Saffron for the center.  She stamped a flower in So Saffron and "fussy cut" it out and then stamped a flower from the Trio Flower Punch for the center of this flower and used White Gel Pen to create the center.  (At least I think this is what she did -- don't quote me!).

Francie, I love the card and really appreciate your willingness to stamp for the Ronald McDonald House!

I have approached the Meals on Wheels program here in Muskingum County about the possibility of putting small cards in with their lunch deliveries every so often.  Thus far, I haven't heard back so I thought I would make a few samples to deliver and let them see what I'm proposing.  This would be a service project for me because I love to stamp, I have plenty of supplies, and I need to do something that counts with all of this stamping.  Meals on Wheels is a fabulous program and if I could contribute to bringing a smile to the face of the recipients of these meals, what could be better?  Here is sample #1.  I'll be making several this week to drop off and see if they are receptive to the idea.

I want to make 3x3 cards for this project as they are quick and easy and with my Carpal Tunnel still an issue, it only makes sense to make something small.  However, great things come in small packages right?  I used scraps to make this card and know that it needs a bit more color.  However, for a simple sample, this works.  I used a piece of the Certainly Celery DSP from the Cottage Wall Designer Series Pack and layered this on the card.  I covered the seam with a retired Certainly Celery stitched ribbon. 

Remember me mentioning that Krista Visser-Driessen had sent me stamps to play with?  Well, this particular circle is from her collection.  I love it because it works with my 1" circle punch and I have the Small Flowers stamp set -- the images are perfect for the center of the circles!  I stamped this on Whisper White in Old Olive and stamped the flower, stamped the sentiment on the bottom and voila!  It's a simple card that anyone can put a message in and I know if I received this with a meal, just out of the blue, it would make me smile.  What do you think?  I'm not certain if I want to stamp a message on the inside or allow them to do it.  I would guess that those who deliver the meals may not have time to personalize ever card, so I'll probably stamp a small message inside.  I have plenty of verse stamps and will enjoy finding the right one to bring a smile to a face.

It was a great weekend but I'm off to iron -- the laundry has been going all day and I really want to stamp more, but my housework is calling.  Tomorrow is the grocery and I'll have to clean some before I can stamp, but I've got my plan and I'll just have to stick to it.

Have a fabulous week!  Keep your sketch and color challenge cards coming.  I'll post a picture of the winnings this week so you can see what is up for grabs.  In the meantime, be blessed!

Just Add Ink Sketch Challenge

I found a new challenge site and combined two of their challenges to create my card.  I needed a Get Well card for the very nice gal who does my nails.  She had to have surgery and is going to be off for at least six weeks, and if she is smart, she'll be off even longer.  The color challenge was to use Old Olive, Pretty In Pink, White and Chocolate Chip.  Here is the sketch we were given.

Here is the card I created using their sketch with the aforementioned color challenge. (My English teacher would be proud of that word!)

I am so loving my new stamp set, Wedding Sweet, that just about every card I touch gets a bit of that stamp set.  Here, I've started with a Chocolate Chip base and used Craft Whisper White and the Wedding Sweet large image to add some background, stamping randomly. 

I love the Sweet Pea DSP and found a scrap of Pink and White polka dotted paper which I scalloped on the left.  I attached Regal Rose 1/4" grosgrain ribbon to the side because no matter what, I don't do square cards.  They cost more to mail and I don't have square envelopes.  I'm not buying them either...but I digress...

I used Old Olive to stamp the stem from the set For All You Do and then used some of the fabulous Sweet Pea Felt pieces to complete the card.  I have so enjoyed using these pieces and will be sorry to see them go when the Occasions Mini is no longer.  It is good only through the end of April so if you like these pieces, get them ordered now!

I forgot to mention that I ripped the bottom pieces of the focal image and the mat.  I love ripped edges and how they lend something to a card.  I stamped my sentiment in Whisper White Craft Ink as well.  This is one of my all time favorites and it will never leave my possession.  I am often heard to say, "Hear my heart" and this one means almost the same thing to me.

So you can see how I used the colors from the color challenge (Old Olive, Pretty In Pink, White and Chocolate Chip) and how I interpreted the sketch.  I've been asked about my own color challenge.  The idea is to use those three colors (Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss and So Saffron) together on one card.  You can use any neutrals you need as well (Very Vanilla, Confetti White or Ivory, Whisper White) where you need to.  And remember that you do not have to use Stampin' UP! supplies.  Use what you have and enjoy the process!!!

I hope you are enjoying the challenges and that you plan to enter.  I've already gotten one card from my very talented Sister-In-Law.  I'll post it on Saturday or Monday, depending upon my time.  It's gorgeous -- when I like things, I feel them.  I'm a very kinisthetic person, which means I am touchy/feely.  So when she handed me this card, I kept touching it and exploring it with my fingers.  It's a great card and I know the folks at the Ronald McDonald House are going to love it too!  I may have to case it and make several, which means I will be borrowing her stamps -- I don't have the set she used....very sad, isn't it?

God Bless You!  Check back tomorrow -- I'm showing you a card using stamps made by a wonderfully talented stamper, Krista Visser-Driessen, from the Netherlands.  I am going to be using her new Baby set and had hopes of creating more cards with the stamps, but unfortunately, life intervened, as it has such a way of doing.  So, I intend to create some additional cards next week.  Stay tuned to see if life cooperates with my intentions....

New Stamp and Challenges!

I received a gift certificate from a local crafters haven and found myself walking through today.  I found the perfect stamp for several women I know and have plans to make many cards using this particular stamp.  When cruising through several of my favorite challenge sites, I combined a sketch challenge and a color challenge.  The colors are Going Gray, Rose Red and Pretty In Pink.

If you can read the sentiment, you will understand why this particular stamp really moved me.  And the colors of the color challenge were absolutely perfect!

I started with a Going Gray basecard.  I scalloped a Rose Red layer and pierced it toward the bottom.  The next layer is Pretty in Pink and it is wrapped with a Rose 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, as well as silver cording that I used to represent the Going Gray.

On the focal image, I inked the stamp in Rose Red and stamped it on Whisper White, leaving room for the ribbon, which is a combination of Rose Red, Pretty In Pink and Silver Cord.  The ribbon is attached with glue dots.

When I adhered the top layers to the base card, I used dimensionals to set it apart a bit.  I love the soft colors, but more than anything, I love the verse.  I do know so many women, and men!, who will totally understand this verse and feel a kinship to these words.

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge.  I am looking forward to checking out what the super creative women in this group come up with on Friday.  I'm off to see what I can come up too.....

Stay safe and warm!

DCBD Color and Sketch Challenge

I got to stamp this weekend while Thom was plowing out the neighborhood and the office.  That crazy man of mine plowed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and was exhausted when he got home.  The snow was gorgeous, but it was wet and heavy and didn't plow easily.  While he was out working, I combined a Diva Coffee Break Design Color and Sketch challenge to come up with this card.

The basecard is Taken with Teal.  I love the technique I used here but don't do it often enough as it is messy and takes time. 

I stamped En Francais in Taken with Teal ink on my label sheet.  Next, I used Chocolate Chip and Rose Red inks and the Itty Bitty Backgrounds to fill the sheet with some additional color.  I stamped the grass from Inspired By Nature in Old Olive after stamping off and then I used my markers to color the Cone Flowers from the same set and stamp it on the label sheet.  Instead of huffing on the stamp after color, I spritzed it with water to get a slightly different look.

Next, I covered the label sheet with Crystal Effects...a very thin layer.  I heated this with my embossing gun until it was dry.  This creates a webbing that holds the label sheet together so that I was able to gently and carefully rull the labels off the label sheet onto the cardstock.  I love the look!

I used Rose 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and sticky strip to pleat it along the bottom of the card for some additional color.  Final touch was to round the corners to match the label sheet.  Overall, I am really happy with this card.  Although I didn't finish it with a sentiment, I know I'll probably make some more of these and use them for the card ministry at church.  I just love this stamp set and think it makes a very pretty card.

I hope this is going to be a great week for all of us!  Enjoy the snow and remember that no matter what, Spring is coming!  God Bless You!

Blogger's Challenge - Red, White and Black

What a classic combination!  I needed to stamp something quickly and I found a fabulous sketch to start with through SUDSOL.  I have two weddings that I'm aware of already this year and I've decided that I wanted to do simple, yet classy.  So, here's one of the designs I'll be using.

I realize that this is one of those SIMPLE cards and that it didn't take long to make.  However, I injured myself in the making of this card and I'm still bleeding!  I was cutting the legs off the Real Red Corduroy brads to put in the upper left corner and instead cut into myself in a deep V fashion in the upper palm of my left hand.  Man does it hurt!  I've bled through two band-aids and I have to tell you that you don't make cards while you are bleeding.  I don't want to send my DNA on a wedding card...and then I didn't even like how the brads looked, so I didn't use them.  I tried bling brads too -- decided I like the card plain as it is. 

I've got a Basic Black card base to start.  I added a 2" x 4 1/4" piece of the striped Bridal Designer Series Paper to the bottom of the front of the card and scalloped a piece of Real Red cardstock that measured 1" x 4 1/4".  I also pierced this piece top and bottom and added a strip of the Black and White Gingham ribbon for some interest.  I punched two of the hearts from the 3 Heart Punch from the patterned paper from the Bridal Designer Series Papers and then added a punched small Real Red Heart where the two join.  Ahhhhhh....I like it!

The Congratuations sentiment is stamped in Black Staz-On Ink and is from the Well Scripted set.  I've used the definition of "together" on the inside from the Define Your LIfe set and have included two smaller red hearts.  I didn't photo this -- my darned hand HURTS!  It is just throbbing and I feel like an idiot -- I was using my rubber scissons and since I don't ever have to trim my stamps anymore, I didn't think they were sharp enough to hurt me.  WRONG AGAIN!

I love the simplicity of the Bridal Designer Series papers and I love how I can take them really upscale and gorgeous when I add ink.  These papers are fabulous and I hope Stampin' Up! keeps them in the next catty go round.

We're to get a bunch of snow today so we'll see what happens.  I'm ready for a weekend.  I need to stamp like a mad-woman to have samples to post next week and we'll see how that goes.....

Enjoy your weekend!  God Bless You!

Purple & Yellow -- The New "IT" Colors

Okay, I'll admit it...I miss my child!  He had his first physician follow-up appointment today and it went well.  He's right on schedule as far as recuperation and movement, but now that he is back at his father's so he can get back to school, I'm bereft and I miss him like crazy!  I was actually weepy when we left to take him to the doctor!  Thom has been great about it though and is trying to give me some space so I can get over the weepies, which I will, but it always takes time -- lots of it!

I finally had a few minutes to stamp and forced myself to get into the stamp room and make a quick card.  When I say quick, I mean 10 minutes or less!  SUDSOL, one of the demo groups I belong to, issued a challenge to use the new "IT" colors of Purple and Yellow.  You'll see these colors coming on strong in everything this year and I say they look gorgeous together.  One of my favorite color combos has always been Elegant Eggplant, Mellow Moss and So Saffron.  However, when I saw the challenge today, here is exactly what came to me...and I will play with this challenge again!

This is Perfect Plum and Crushed Curry -- and I love how it turned out.  I didn't even need to use a neutral, but it is a very simple and quick card.

I used the large image from Baroque Motifs to stamp the corner of the card in Perfect Plum.  I love this image but I have to admit I don't use this set enough.  I bought it and thought I would use the whale out of it, but I just don't think of it often enough.  I wrapped the Polka Dotted Crushed Curry ribbon around the card and tied it (as per usual, the polka dots are on the down side!).  I used the large Heart Punch to punch out my sentiment from Well Scripted which was stamped onto one of the Crushed Curry Pattern Papers in Perfect Plum.  I used other pieces of the DSP in the Crushed Curry Pattern Papers to punch out the smaller hearts and adhered them with dimensionals and glue dots.  Quick...and very easy!

Here's the inside:   

I used the same image in Perfect Plum to stamp the card liner and attached the last of the three hearts I punched from the Crushed Curry Pattern Papers.  I love the combination of colors!

I am posting late, but hopefully I'm back on target.  It feels good to be stamping again and to be entering challenges.  Now, let's see if I can just get over the weepies and missing my child!  I just love that boy and having had the opportunity to baby him for a bit brought back so many memories...all of them good!

Enjoy what remains in this day and count your blessings.  Then share them with someone who needs to be reminded that God loves them and that God is good...all the time!  I so appreciate all your prayers for Andy and all your well wishes -- THANK YOU!

Black and White Simplicity

I created a card last week for a color challenge to use only black, white and gray.  I ended up using only black and white and I used a sketch challenge that I loved immediately.  Here is the card:

 I started with a base card in Basic Black and added a layer of Whisper White that I had texturized in the Big Shot.  Love those dots that Thom repeatedly refers to as "dimples".  He always says, "I love that paper with the dimples."  Is he just being simple or is he trying to be cute?  Who knows?  Who cares?  As long as he says he likes it, I'm okay with it.

I layered Basic Black once again with the Whisper White Bridal Designer Series Paper.  If you haven't checked this out, you should.  The corresponding Bride, Groom and Bridesmaids papers are outstanding!  Next came a long rectangular piece of Basic Black and I tied the White taffeta ribbon around the top. 

I adhered another layer of Black and White and on this layer, I stamped the the definition of "Together" from Define Your Life, one of those sets that people just don't seem to see and I don't use enough.  I finished the card off with a black and white gingham ribbon that I pleated to signfy black and white coming together. And as you guessed, the layers from the rectangular layer up are all applied with dimensionals.  I'm addicted and I'm happy about it -- no excuses given!

I was fairly happy with this one and will use it for an upcoming wedding.

Thom and I have received two "Save the Date" cards this year -- and impossible as it seems, they are both for the SAME DATE!  I'm not certain what we are going to do as both of these weddings are important.  I have a feeling we are each going to go our separate way and won't be spending our time "together" on that day in May!

Remember that this week starts my "contest" if you want to call it that.  Leave a comment on my blog three days a week now through the end of February and if I draw your name on March 1, you'll be the winner of over $100 in stamping goodies!  Can you use some new stuff in your craft room?  Or, do you want some new stuff you can use as gifts throughout the year?  It couldn't be easier and less painful!  Go ahead...leave a comment and let me know what you like and what you don't like, what you would like to see and what you'd like to learn.

Andy has his surgery tomorrow so please say a prayer for a complication-free surgery, and a quick, easy, painless recovery.  Please also pray for the doctors, nurses and assistants that they will be guided by God and know what to fix and how to fix it properly!  Thanks bunches! 

God Bless!  See you tomorrow!

Color Challenge - Out of my Comfort Zone

As I try to improve my stamping skills and my creativity (I pray daily that God will give me more creativity if that is His wish for me!), I want to challenge myself to do the hard things.  These would be the things I don't truly enjoy doing and find difficult, so I normally shy away from them if possible.  2010 is the year I try at least one color challenge a week if I can find the time.  My second goal is to combine my chosen color challenge with a sketch challenge and I've managed to do it here.  I actually really like this card!  It was a total shock and surprise when it came together as I envisioned it...well, sort of anyway...

The layout is the Lord Have Mercy Sketch Challenge 56 and Color Dare #51:  Melon Mambo, Barely Banana and Garden Green.  I chose to do this color challenge because I rarely, if ever, use Barely Banana or Garden Green.  However, it is sort of a weenie out because at least with a green, you can do flower stems and you can make your flowers any color you want.  But -- I did complete the challenge and I like the card.  I would actually mail this one to someone!

The card base is Barely Banana.  I knew I wanted to use the Flower Fancy set and that I wanted to stamp with the new Stampin' Up! blocks.  I love using my blocks to create images and since I purchased the entire set of blocks, I've got all the sizes.  I used the blocks themselves as stamps on a Whisper White panel to create squares in different shapes of Barely Banana, Melon Mambo and Garden Green.  I started with the Barely Banana, then moved to Melon Mambo and then accented with Garden Green.  Where iI felt the panel needed more color, I filled in with additional squares of Barely Banana.  I mounted this panel onto a larger panel of Garden Green that I pulled out of my scraps -- no cutting and I just figured I would make it work.  I did use my Piercing Kit to pierce a line of holes next to the stamped background piece (if you click the image, it will enlarge and you can see the detail).

Next, I stamped the main floral image by coloring the rubber with my markers.  This is a two-step stampin' image so I inked the second image to fill in the outline stamp with markers as well; however, I stamped off so the green leaves wouldn't be so solid.  I re-inked the flower in Barely Banana and then I used a sponge to add just a dab of Melon Mambo over that portion of the image.  I huffed on the stamp to moisten it and used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to position the filler and voila!  I know that it could have been positioned better, but trust me, I don't mind that it is a bit off.  It's a hand stamped card and the fact that it isn't perfect is what makes it mine.  I just go so excited that I was actually making a card I liked that I accidentally moved the image after stamping off to color down the leaves.

I used a smaller mat of Melon Mambo and adhered this so I could place the Melon Mambo ribbon next.  I used a dab of adhesive on the back of the ribbon (polka dots are down again!) so it would stay.  Then I mounted my floral image with dimensionals and finished the ribbon by tying it off into a bow.  Because I just really felt this card needed some "ooomph", I added the brads above and below the image.  I have Barely Banana brads, but I thought they would get lost in the card base.  I honestly wanted some bling brads but my colors were off just enough that I didn't want to mess up the card.  I love how happy and cheerful this card looks.  Who in the world thinks of these color combos?  I would never have put these colors together if I weren't challenged to do so.

Techniques Class meets Thursday night and I have an afternoon appointment so I'll be rushing tomorrow.  Consequently, you get two posts today -- that and I really wanted to get this card posted to the challenge sites (okay, I'm being honest here!).  I've got to go cut materials for class and get my technique cards written up.  See you on Friday with Blogger's Challenge!  Hope you'll join me...

Blessings!