Sunday, August 25, 2013

THANKS...PS SPARKS Cool Shades (Aug. 25) and Happy 100th Sketch, Freshly Made Sketches!!

Yet again, I’ve waited until nearly the last minute before finally shifting gears from ‘thinking about’ a card to the act of making one!  We know what the result is with that kind of ‘oh so not strategic planning’! Panic!  Okay, maybe not quite that dramatic, but close!  All week, the Paper SmoochesSPARKS Cool Shades challenge was calling to me, and each time the little voice piped up with ‘Get this done,’ I explained, “We don’t have the 'sizzle' colours in our stash.”  

And the whispers quelled a bit, only to rise again, urging me to ‘look just one more time’ and my response was the same: neither coral, nor yellow, nor cocoa to be found in the ink box (which is a ‘re-purposed’ Swiffers wet container, which makes clear just how meager my supply is!!).  More pestering, keeping me awake at night even – until finally, today, while looking through my paper pads (three ‘real’ containers hold those!), I discovered a pad of NBUS:  My Mind’s Eye All Spice!  Guess what I found – coral, yellow, coca and kraft - and the little voice smugly responded with, “Told you so.”  Yes, sometimes I have to look beyond the Swiffer’s box!  

After settling on the colours, a sketch was next:  the awesome, celebration of Freshly Made's 100th sketch challenge, that features their first challenge from 2011!! An exciting opportunity and a perfect sketch for what I had in mind (although I did take a few liberties...)


My super simple card (seriously…super-duper X 1,000,000 simple! In fact, it’s ‘cas-er’ than cas!) squeaks in with mere hours to entry closing.  My lovely papers do capture all the colours, although the yellow is on the timid side – a glimplse on the butterfly’s wing tip.  Something new for me:  heat-embossing ‘thanks’ on the coral paper. That technique is always so pretty and effective on others’ cards, so I gave it a go.  I like the effect; next time though, I’ll choose a larger canvas (maybe a background), with smaller and/or more images, for greater impact.  Still, something learned and tried…


Next week, my homework will be done earlier!!

Happy 100th Sketch, Freshly Made - and wishes for an abundance of sketches yet to come! And to Paper Smooches:  fabulous colours (even though my interpretation is a stretch)!

Thanks so much for dropping by; please let me know you did! Your comments are always welcome!!





10 comments:

Darnell said...

Very cool, Carol! Love your distinctly patterned butterfly!! Sorry I haven't been around to visit as much. Thank you so much for your sweet get well wishes! I'm doing pretty well and taking it easy. I'm only making cards and letting Mister wait on me hand and foot. Oh, wait, he does that all the time anyway! I'm a lucky, lucky lady!! xxoo Darnell

Shannon J said...

Obviously it's true - good things come to those who wait! No strike that - fabulous things come!! And they come in the way of one fabulous card! I'm like you - I always think of the ink colours first! But I'm so glad that you took the next step and chose these delightful papers to tie in with the colour story! The results are so awesome, Carol! I am in love with the thanks on the coral paper, subtle, yet so decorative!

Greta said...

Glad you found those papers, Carol! Would you believe I have close to a million ink pads & still not always the color needed?!--how is that possible?! Let me know when you find a good coral. This is a great card--love that background paper & the stitched rectangle. You always make my day with your joy at my work--good or not. Thank you, my friend! (Entered Sunday on CAS thanks to your info)

Kylie said...

Woohoo for finding the papers you need! It is a beautiful card. Love how you have captured the sketch too. That large 'thanks' looks fabulous. Did I tell you that you inspired me to buy that set? Thanks! :) Love seeing your cards! Another beauty here! :)

Linda Suarez said...

Fabulous colors! Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches for this special celebration!

Rita W said...

Gorgeous papers (I bet they were super exciting to find!) and design. I love the butterfly! Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches.

Geri said...

Another stunner Carole!!! These 'new found' papers were made for this color challenge! Love the stitched mat - showcases the sentiment so well. The bit of timid yellow looks great and would definitely qualify in my books! Have I told you how much I enjoy reading your posts? Yes, I know, but had to tell you just one more time :)

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OHHHHHHHHHHHH my, Carol! This is fabbbbbbbbulous! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this card! What a fab use of those papers (loved your story about finding this paper pad! LOL! I totally forgot I had it in my stash... now I need to pull it out! LOL!)!!! LOOOOOOOOOVE your use of this sketch and these stamps! You've nailed this card- and the sketch- and the color story! YOU might have waited until the last minute (and lost some sleep-- so sorry this color story kept you up all night).... but it was totally worth it! LOVE x1000000! THANKS so much for joining in the fun and playing along with us over at the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge <3

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

ps... that patterned paper for that butterfly is PERFECT! LOVE everything about this card:)

Houses Built of Cards said...

So pretty! What a PERFECT thank you card! Sorry I'm a little late - but thanks for playing along with us at Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge!

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