WOWZERS…this is our 8th week of these fun personal challenges! I was going to stop them but I must say…I am sooo happy that so many of you are giving them a try! I smile from ear to ear when I receive an email with a picture of your take of the sketch…I am very proud of you!
For those of you that are new to my blog…1st welcome and 2nd, let me explain what these are about! I found that when I first started making cards I would get stuck. I would look and look at ideas, try to re-invent a wheel and many times just try a technique that ended up frustrating me…(sound familiar)
I also tried to participate in the Pal Paper Art Challenges on Thursdays and I really like the color challenges but found the sketches too intimidating (sound familiar)
I felt that when you saw a sketch you needed to take that sketch literally and do it exact…(and that too frustrated me)…then the light-bulb went on and I found the more I would try a sketch, the more I learned about my style and my likes and dislikes of paper-crafting!
So today is our 8th week of me providing you a simple sketch and let you play around with it and have fun…FUN is the key word to this…if it is not FUN than you are going to get frustrated and that is NOT fun! Here is your sketch for today! I think it is fun and there are lots of options here!
There are 2 stamp stars for today's card…one is new, Sea Street Creatures and it is a fun and whimsical stamp set but I see lots of possibilites with it!
Look at those 2 long stamps….wow, wouldn't these make great borders…I did a card with this adorable Octopus, click here for a smile! The school of fish are great to do a faint stamping behind a bold stamp! Fun!
I used the stampin Trimmer to make 1" squares and then I used the 1 1/4" square punch for the Night of Navy Squares. I know that it takes time in building up your punch inventory but they are lifesavers but to me there is nothing better than our stampin' trimmer….one great must have!
The other stamp set that I was doing the "happy dance" that it was carried over in the catalog is A Dozen Thoughts…hands down….if you do not have it than you need to hit that shop now button and get it! This is a very versatile set that always comes in handy. The sentiments are great and the fonts are fun!
When I looked at the sketch I felt that a ribbon was in order but in hindsight I should have just used the handsome stripe DSP and cut it into a 1" strip and BAM…a big and bold statement! (next time – I just thought about it as I was typing). The thick bakers twine did the trick…this is soooo great to work with – love it!
A bit of stitching around the edges is a fast and fun was to add dimension and interest! Please do not stress about making dots and dashes…just go for it…it works every time. I think we have a tendency to "over think" things….as my Mom would say, stick with your gut instinct!
The DSP star for the day is the big, bright, bold and just fun paper called, Martime…aren't these colors amazing and the prints so fresh, clean and crisp! I can see many cards with this gem!
A card would not be a card without a fun envelope! To me, this is as fun as doing the card. Why? Well…I like to make the mailman smile and would this fun envelope pit a smile on your face…it's all about the 1st impressions (another thing my Mom would say)
Jazzing up the envelope might take a bit more time…but it is time well spent as it makes the whole card. This is just a fun card to brighten up any ones day and let them know you are thinking of them!
That's it folks…one bright and cheery card! I do hope that you give it a try and if you do and want to share it with me, please feel free to email me! I love seeing your work!
Yesterday was so much fun being Mary Fish's guest stamper…isn't she the BEST! I feel so fortunate to have her as my mentor and a friend…one sharp lady! She is an endless tower of support to her SU business and team….
Let's have a GREAT week…and please do not forget that if you would like to take advantage of the Ribbon Share, please click here to see the post and remember to put in the subject line RIBBON AND PAPER SHARE….this was I can spot it quicker!
I will be ordering the products on WEDNESDAY….so please shoot me your order if you would like to take advantage of the ribbon and DSP paper stacks offerings! I will 2nd day ship the product and turn it around to you next week! It is great to have the opportunity to have the new products but not having to buy them all – a BIG savings until you can see which products you think you will use!
Thanks for popping by…take a spin on this challenge and until tomorrow!
Susan – I really like this card layout and I can see so many things in those little squares! I like the crabs and I like the lobsters, but I just don’t feel the love for that Octopus…of course, with my limited stamping money I bought that set, dang it!!!
I’m so glad you do the Make It Mine Monday – truly I drool over every one of your cards and have yet to see one that I don’t love! As the number of bloggers grow, I have to be more and more selective about who I can give my time and attention to and it’s always you at the top. You certainly have some fabulous talent up and down but when the rubber hits the road….it’s you, Susan. I bet you would never see the day when this would take over your life and I know you love it – you can tell in every card that you do. Love and hugs – Lou
Love those Maryland crabs! : )
So cute ! I love that little crab ! I received a swap card from Suzie C. using this set and it is much cuter in the real than it appears in the catty ! Your card is great ! I like your sketch and I love squares ! Using Baker`s Twine is the right choice for this card and don`t you love that Maritime DSP ?
Susan, this is an adorable card using the cutie crab from Sea Street. I did CASE a great card from Donna W.(which was a real challenge placement-wise, but she really helped me via PM on SCS) … Susan, yours is perfect for making many quickly AND besides the crab and lobster, you can substitute the anchor and possibly the big starfish?!?! Thanks so much, Susan! (“Hey, Sonny!)
Love the Monday challenges. I would miss them if you stopped. Thanks for the effort each week!
Don’t even think of not doing a Monday Challenge. How could we get our week started? Keep it up.
What a fun card!!!
Glad to see that many of your “groupies” love the Make it Mine Monday. Add me to the list. I love this weekly inspiration from you. I’ve participated since week 2 and while I don’t always send them to you I do really look forward to the challenge. I’ll send you my take via email. Not quite ready to post it to my little blog yet. Thanks Susan!!!
Hi Susan,
I uploaded a card for this challenge to my SCS gallery. Here’s the link:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2532195?&cat=500&ppuser=224414
Happy Stamping!
Kathy
Oh I had to laugh. I used to have a button that said “Have a Crabby Day!” I actually got it at a seafood place. People used to think of me as that old lady on the Hallmark cards because of that. I guess she said it too. Actually I love her wit! Anyway, fun card though I would have to have a Have a Crabby Day on there! The envelope is over the top on this one! So much fun!