Sometimes It's Like Pulling Teeth... OWH #103 -My #2

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Hey y'all. How are you today? We're trying to stay warm and dry here in the DMV because the rain is supposed to be coming later today and they say the white stuff may be coming back tomorrow. Sheesh! You'd think it was January or something, for realls! But I have a card for you today that is bright and cheery and spring-time all the way.

In keeping with my "resolve" to "try" and do a challenge a week I found this one over at Operation Write Home.

Have you been to their site yet? They send cards to military members for them to send back home to their families. How amazing is that?!? They will also send our beautiful cards to our Heros. (Why does that not look right?) Do you love this concept? I LOVE it! So, I love the sketch, and have been working on a lot of Valentine's day cards but felt like it would be too obvious, so I decided to try something else. I saw a card yesterday that I really liked, done in the new Sweetshop DSP and it sparked my creativity for this card. I kinda knew what I wanted but I went back and forth, back and forth trying to decide. Which paper do I want to use, which stamp set, what embellishments will I use? (Are you thinking, really? Shan and embellishments?) Back and Forth, Back and Forth. Even after I narrowed down the DSP series, I still had to narrow down the actual paper I was going to use. I guess that's the problem with having so many amazing DSP's. (: Finally, I was able to pick one. But let me tell you, I bet I still spent a good 30 minutes deciding the paper and embellishments for this card. (In case you haven't been following me long, I don't usually use embellishments. (Rhinestones-that's just bling, pearls-same thing) I rarely use ribbons and I think this is post 70 something and it's the 2nd post with a brad. Prepping for this card was "Like pulling teeth!" Have you ever heard that expression? Thank goodness they did the layout for me!

I took a few liberties with the sketch, something I rarely do. If you know me, and have followed me at all you know I'm a pretty stick to it kinda girl, right down to the dimensions of the layers and the shapes they have on it. In fact there was a time, way back when, that if a sketch had a heart on it, and I didn't have a heart, well I wouldn't be doing that sketch. But, I digress... Ready for my card? Here it is-

I don't know about you but this just makes me smile.

This is Sale-A-Bration to the MAX! Are you SOOO Excited for it? I can't wait for you to see the catalog! I started with a base of Pool Party and layered it with Everyday Enchantment DSP.

Instead of the 2 - .75 x 5.5 layers they have listed on the sketch I opted to triple wrap the sheer Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeaide ribbons, criss-crossing the layers and knotting them. I originally had longer ends but it looked a little fussy. I may go back later and add bows but I think it may be too much, I think just the simple knot works. HMMMM- here's a thought too, I may try this card again without the brads using our new edgelet to frame the curve of the stamps and turn then so they face downward. What do you think?

Instead of the banner across the middle I opted once again to rebel. (I wonder if it had anything to do with the drink I was drinking as I was designing? Hmmmm? No I'm going to simply go with Design Dictate) Instead of the banner I chose to use three of the decorative brads from the Everyday Elegance Brad Pack. I used my mat Pack and Piercing tool to space and punch the holes and then place the brads. I trimmed the edge of the brad closest to the edge so it wouldn't show.

I colored the postage stamp image from Fresh Vintage with my Blender Pens and Classic Ink Pads in Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeaide and then stamped the image on Very Vanilla c/s. I used my Postage Stamp Punch to punch the image out and then matted it with a square of Pool Party that I punched out with my Square Punch. I adhered these with Dimensionals and this is the only part of the sketch that I stuck to. (:




Here's the inside-

A simple greeting from another Sale-A-Bration set (wouldn't you know I looked at the name last night so I wouldn't forget it and I forgot it again) I think it's Elementary Elegance. The font is so beautiful! I simply huffed on the stamp from the front and stamped on the bottom corner for a little something extra. If you send cards to OWH, they can't have any glitter on them. ): If this were going to someone here, then I would definitely let Tink have her way with that little corner.

Well, that's all I have for today. What do you think? I have to figure out something for this weeks EWT, it's coming up quick! I've also got Stampcamp coming up next week. I hope you liked today's card and I hope it encourages you to step out of your box and do something you don't often do, whether that's using an embellishment like ribbons or brads or entering a challenge. Just Try. If you liked it, I would love it if you left me a comment. It's great when I get to hear from you! Also, if you liked today's card, please feel free to +1 or Pin it. I've added the buttons to my side-bar for your convenience. Friends and Followers are also welcome. :)

If you need supplies to recreate this card or others like it you can shop at my online store 24/7

Card Supplies-
Card stock- Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Every Day Enchantment DSP
Ink-Classic Ink Pads- Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeaide
Stampsets -Sale-A-Bration- Fresh Vintage, Elemetary Elegance
Punches- Postage Stamp, Square
Sale-A-Bration Ribbon and Brad Pack
Accesories- Mat Pack, Piercing Tool, Blender Pens, Dimensionals, Glue Stick. Clear Block - C

I hope to see you back later this week for my End of the Week Technique.
Till Next Time-

Be Safe,
Shan Pin It