Take A Break

Have I mentioned before how much I'm loving the Annie LaPoint stamps by My Favorite Things? They are just so fun to work with! This first card is my sample for Jen's Sketch for You To Try. Another great one! (I know I say that every week, but it's true - her sketches are always great!) You can see the sketch and Jen's sample at i{heart}2stamp, as well as Jen's newest guest designer's sample (but I'm going to make you go there to find out who it is -- hint, hint, she's one of my favorite designers!). Some of my other favorite stampers, Carole, Shannan, and Susan are standing by with even more sketch inspiration. Remember to use keyword SFYTT if you upload to SCS. I hope you'll join us this week!

I set out with the plan to do a shabby, antiqued design. After stamping the image in Memento Rich Cocoa ink, I paper pieced the tub and flowers using various papers from the Simple Pleasures line by Close to My Heart. (I've been doing some purging and reorganizing of my craft room and have come across all sorts of forgotten gems!) I colored the shower head and tub feet with a Copic marker, then went over it with a clear Spica pen. I also added sparkle to the flowers with the clear Spica. A liberal coat of Crystal Effects gives the tub its shine. To complement the distressed look of the designer papers, I heavily sponged the edges of the Very Vanilla panel using a combination of River Rock, Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramel, and True Thyme. I turned the sketch on its side to accommodate the landscape-oriented image. Since the sentiment is part of the stamp, I filled the space where the sentiment panel would normally be with a length of ribbon, then added a bow. The overall shabby look is finished up with lots of stitching, distressing, and sponging ... did somebody say my favorite things?

One thing I like to do every so often is complete a series of sketches, all using the same papers and stamps. Most of the design decisions are made on the first sketch, so it's usually a fairly quick thing to crank out additional cards using different sketches. And by the end, the 3-pack or 4-pack (or even more) makes a great small gift. The next card in this "series" is my sample for this week's challenge over at Our Creative Corner. Our July hostess, Jennifer Meyer, has put together an awesome sketch challenge for the week. And guess what?! More prizes this week!! Go to the OCC blog for all the deets and how-to.



Once again I've used one of the Annie LaPoint images by My Favorite Things. Most of the design elements are the same as the SFYTT card, with a few small differences: This image is colored with Copic markers instead of paper pieced. The edges on the layered panels are still sponged and stitched, but not as heavily distressed. For an embellishment, I added two small pieces of Aged Copper Hodgepodge Hardware, but no ribbon. I also took a page out of fellow OCC designer Denise Marzec's book and decorated the inside of the card, too. I've done that on a bunch of RAKs here lately, and I'm addicted now!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you this week for one or both of these sketch challenges!



Stamps: Chamomile and Take a Break (My Favorite Things)
Paper: card stock and dp (Close to My Heart); Very Vanilla (SU!)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko), River Rock, Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramal, True Thyme, Blue Bayou (SU!)
Accessories: clear Spica, Crystal Effects, Copic markers, Aged Copper Hodgepodge hardware, sewing machine and brown thread, sponge daubers, distressing tool, sponges, dimensionals, foam tape, Blue Bayou double-stitched ribbon, paper piercer