Apparently I can’t tear myself away from the Simply Sketched (wood mount and clear mount), stamp set from Stampin’ Up!  It seems to be my favorite lately.  I love how it looks with watercoloring, and it just lent itself well to last Tuesday’s color challenge from Splitcoast Stampers.  And, I did tell you to expect to see that little bird appear in a card soon!  Well, here it is… just as I predicted. LOL.  Remember, the Simply Sketched stamp set is one of the hostess sets available through Stampin’ Rewards.

If you like what I’ve created today, I would love it if you would leave me a comment.  At the end of the month I will do a drawing and one lucky person who left me a comment will receive a handcrafted card in the mail!  Also, if you enjoy reading my posts, why not have them delivered to your inbox automatically.  Just click on the “follow” button in the sidebar.  I can’t even tell you how thrilled I am every time I get a new follower!  I just love sharing ideas with you guys and hearing all about the great project ideas you have too.

Today’s card was inspired by The Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 306 & Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge #469:

I began my card with a  Whisper White card base.  Then I added panels of Always Artichoke card stock and Pistachio Pudding Designer Series Paper from the Sweet Sorbet pack (Sale-a-bration item) using SNAIL adhesive.

Next, I used Staz-on Black ink and my Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the bird and leaf elements from the Simply Sketched stamp set onto a panel of Whisper White card stock.  I used a Blender Pen  and my Classic Stampin’ Pads in Rose Red, Marina Mist, and Always Artichoke to color my stamped image with a watercolor effect.  Then, I used a sponge dauber to ink around the edges of the panel with Marina Mist ink.  Finally, I layered my artwork onto a mat of Always Artichoke and adhered it to the front of the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.  

For my greeting , I chose the “Birthday Wishes” sentiment from Simply Sketched.  I stamped it in Marina Mist ink on Whisper White card stock, and inked around the edge of the panel using a sponge dauber.  Then I layered that onto a panel of Pistachio Pudding card stock, inking the edges of that panel with Always Artichoke ink.  That combination was attached to a panel of Always Artichoke card stock (also inked with the same color) using Stampin’ Dimensionals.  Then the entire greeting was added to the front of the card using SNAIL Adhesive.  I added a string of Basic Pearls Jewel Accents below the greeting for a little extra touch of class.

For the finishing touches on the inside of my card I layered strips of Pistachio Pudding DSP and Always Artichoke card stock and added them to the bottom of the card.

I’m really happy with how this card turned out in the end, but it was a journey getting there.  I was a little stumped by the colors of the challenge this time.  At first, I was trying to incorporate all three colors into my paper selection, but the blue just didn’t look like it belonged.  Then, I remembered that cute little bird and inspiration was born!  That is what I love about card challenges.  They make you think differently than you might otherwise think.  I would love to hear what inspires you too.  Don’t forget to leave me a comment, for your chance to win a handcrafted card!  Also, if you liked my post today, please pin it to Pinterest for me.  I am new to blogging and I would love your help in developing a blog following.  If you scroll to the bottom of the post, you will find a “pin it” button just below my supply list for the project.

If you would like a chance to earn the Simply Sketched stamp set as a hostess reward, I hope you will consider contacting me.  Of course, you can always shop in my online store for any of the great products featured in this project by clicking here.  Remember you can earn the Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper for FREE (Sale-a-bration items) with a $50 purchase through March 31st.  The final days of Sale-a-bration are fast approaching.  Don’t miss your chance to get these great products before they are gone!

You can find a complete list of supplies used for this project at the very bottom of this post.

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Weekly Deals from Stampin’ Up! March 18-24

Here are the new Weekly Deals from Stampin’ Up!:

Click here to see the Weekly Deals from Stampin’ Up! in my online store.  The Weekly Deals are only while supplies last and only available at these great prices through March 24.

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If you need any stamping supplies, I’d be very happy to be your Demonstrator.  Just click on Order Stampin’ Up! Online Now in the main menu or in the sidebar to go directly to my online store or drop me an email if you have any questions.

Happy Stamping!

Heather

• It’s Sale-a-bration time!!  You’ll get a free item from Stampin’ Up! for every $50 that you purchase between now and March 31!  Click on my Stampin’ Up! Promotions page for more information!
• Visit my online store here.
• Shop the Clearance Rack here.

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Stampin’ Up! items used to create this project:

Stamp Sets: Simply Sketched (Hostess Reward – 129672)

Dies, Punches, & Embossing Folders: N/A

Card Stock & DSP:  Whisper White (100730) – 4-1/4″ x 11″ card base, 2-5/8″ x 3-7/8″ panel, 1″ x 2-5/8″ panel for greeting; Always Artichoke (105119) – 4″ x 5-1/4″ panel, 2-7/8″ x 4-1/8″ panel, 1-1/8″ x 3-3/8″ panel behind greeting, 4-1/4″ x 3/4″ strip on inside of card; Pistachio Pudding DSP (Sale-a-bration) – 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″ panel, 4-1/4″ x 1/2″ strip for inside of card; Pistachio Pudding (131294) – 1-1/4″ x 2-7/8″ mat for greeting.

Markers & Ink:  Rose Red Classic Stampin’ Pad (126954); Marina Mist Classic Stampin’ Pad (126962); Always Artichoke Classic Stampin’ Pad (126972); Staz-on Black (101406); Blender Pens (102845)

Embellishments: Basic Pearls Jewel Accents (119247)

Tools:  Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049); sponge daubers (102892)

Adhesive: SNAIL (104332); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)