Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Another Diva Challenge!


It's time for another Diva Coffee Break Designs challenge! You know I always love a good challenge, especially a sketch or a color challenge. So guess what- I combined this week's DCBD113 with SCS's color challenge from yesterday to use Creamy Caramel, Old Olive and Cameo Coral. I feel a certain fondness for the colors in the Earth Elements color family because they were my first choice when I signed up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator in 2004! I've used them a LOT since then.

When I start designing with a sketch in mind I often hunt for a color combo to also work with. While making this card I learned a trick for making a difficult color challenge easier: Don't insist on using every color from the challenge in cardstock! It's OK to use only 2 of the 3 colors in cardstock and get the remaining color(s) in ink! Less pressure, more flexibility, you're not cheating and often the design elements are a little stronger.

For this card I stamped the Olive background with Canvas background stamp. Then sponged all the edges of the vanilla pieces with Creamy Caramel. The faux stitching I drew on with my Creamy Caramel marker. The center flower is raised on stampin' dimensionals for more depth. Did you notice that both pieces of Creamy Caramel paper is crimped? Sometimes digging in my scraps pile yields an unexpected twist like that, without my even planning it!

My sentiment label is a stamp from the retired hostess set Best Yet, which is punched with the label punch and backed with a 1 3/8" circle. The slot punch was used to thread the ribbon through the label. Speaking of ribbon, remember that Old Olive Twill from a mini last year? Ooh, love it and I still have some. I put a knot on each side of the sentiment label just because, then just glued the sides to the back of the vanilla piece. Hope you like it!

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! If you haven't already, go check out the other Diva's blogs to see their work (located on my sidebar under the coffee cup logo). Then be sure to play along and post here so we can all come and see your work! Come on, don't be shy!

~Kristin

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Best Yet, Canvas
Cardstock: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral
Ink: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral & Ruby Red markers; lable punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, photo corner punch, crimper, sponge, Old Olive Twill, slot punch, vintage brads

12 comments:

  1. I have Not liked this stamp set until now! This is soooo
    cute Now I'm ready to work with it.
    Judy

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  2. Kristen,
    I love your card...it is so pretty.
    Lisa

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  3. This is so elegant. I love how the layers just flow together. Great use of color. A masterpiece!

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  4. I love your card...beautiful! Great challenge card!

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  5. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
    Elizabeth

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  6. Gorgeous card and thanks for the tip on not using all the colours in cardstock. This has often stressed me out! Not good with more than 3 colours but now I can give more a go! Thanks again
    x

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  7. I LOVE this card and it's going into my favs! Earth Elements is also my favorite color group. Thanks for sharing your great design.
    Jeannette

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  8. This is gorgeous! I love the fun layout and the details are perfect! Thanks for the sweet comment you left on my blog!

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  9. What a beautiful card. It's a great way to use this stamp set.

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  10. Really luscious color combo! LOVE what you've done with it!

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  11. this is stunning! I haven't used this set in a while, hmmm, think I need to ink it up! great design tip. love all the little details you added.

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