JFF

This is my motto this morning: "just for fun." Is "JFF" my invention or do those of you who text (I don't, LOL - not yet, anyway) use this already? Anyway, I decided that it's been way too long since I did a challenge purely for the fun of it, and today was the day to rectify that. Actually I did two challenges: the sketch challenge on SCS and the color challenge on Stampin' Connection (which I can't link because it's a forum for demos only). These colors were really fun to play with so you should try them even if you're not a demo: dusty durango, bashful blue, basic black, basic gray, and whisper white. When I saw this I thought, "Five colors!?! Now this is my kind of challenge!"

I started out with the main image panel. I wanted a stamp that could somehow incorporate all five colors, and I managed to do it with this image from Asian Artistry - let me tell you how! I inked the flowers with my dusty durango marker, then the stems with a basic gray marker. And then, I shaded the bottom and sides of the stems with a basic black marker before stamping on bashful blue cardstock. Finally I added some highlights to the flowers with a white gel pen. I used a similar technique for the bird: I inked it with the basic gray marker (omitting the bamboo around it), shaded with the black marker, then highlighted with the white pen. The bird is cut out and popped up on top of the same image stamped in black, then circle punched.

To finish my card I made the background with a technique I've been wanting to try. I ran dusty durango DP - the sheet that's solid - through the Big Shot with the Perfect Details texture plate. Then I sanded over the embossing with a sanding block - because this paper has a white core, the white will begin to show through. The gray panel is retired DP from A Walk in the Park, and the sentiment is also retired - from Hugs & Wishes. I used the modern label punch and the Movers & Shapers die there. Finally I added three black vintage brads and a strip of white satin ribbon.

Well, what do you know - that WAS fun! ;) Now I have more stamping to do... getting ready for the first DDIC of February tomorrow. I'm sure that even though I'm on a deadline, that will be fun as well. So be sure to check back tomorrow for a timely challenge I hope you will enjoy!