An Enchanting Window (Challenge #8)/ Stamping 411- SSC-243 /My Challenge #8

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Hey y'all. Happy Humpday and Happy Ash Wednesday to those of you that celebrate today as well. I am prepared for the long season ahead.... I gave up my usuals (chocolate and cussing), thank goodness I still have my stamping to keep me happy and sane! (:

I have a new challenge card for you today. Yesterday, when I was looking through my feeds I actually found two sketches I liked and knew just where I wanted to go with them. So rare for me. Of course last time I did that, I scrolled down and found out someone on the design team had my same great idea and I then had to search for a new sketch. Yesterday though, I sketched out my ideas, looked at what the DT and others had posted and was good to go. I sat down at my table and made both cards. Start to finish, they came together quickly and just how I had planned them. I had to do a little happy dance. Don't you just love when that happens. So today you get card one and then tomorrow will be card two.

Here's today's card-

And here's the Stamping 411 Sketch-

What do you think? I kept pretty true to the sketch. This card is so different from my normal style and I'm so excited by how it turned out! I love the DSP from Everyday Enchantment, but I've had a hard time using this particular color/pattern combination. Not sure why. However, my upline Robin Merriman created a project this weekend for our team meeting using this combo and I guess it was still fresh in my mind.

When I first saw the sketch, the image in the background reminded me of this DSP, and I knew I wanted to use DSP, instead of just a background image. The DSP also has little butterflies on it, so in addition to the butterfly on the sketch, which I know can technically be any shape, I took my inspiration for my focal point from the DSP as well.

I used a base of Peach Parfait and made a tent style card, which is also something I don't normally do, but I think it works here. I love the color peach, but somehow I have not used this a lot. It will be gone soon though, so if it's one of your fav's stock up now. Next I layered my DSP with a piece of Pool Party that I used my Scalloped Border Punch on. I have to say my OCD kicked in just a little on this layer. This DSP has a vintage feel to it and all the 12 x 12 pages have darkened edges. Of course when you cut it though, if you cut from an edge, that can leave some edges antiqued and some not. Now you know good and well I can't have that unevenness on my card, right? Right! I knew you'd get it. So I got out my faithful CrumbCake Classic ink pad and sponge and evened the edges on my DSP so they all matched. Of course, once you sponge one elelment, you're pretty much committed to sponging them all, so my Pool Party addition got a little CrumbCake luv too. (:

I used my 1 3/4 inch Circle punch to punch out the window. Then on a scrap piece of Peach Parfait c/s I used my 1 3/4 Circle Punch and then centered it inside my Large Scalloped Circle Punch to punch out my Scalloped Frame. First time I've done that and I have to say I really like the effect. Now, you know I couldn't risk not having those circle line up, so I laid my DSP down on my card base and lightly traced the outline with a pencil and then used that as my guide to punch the window out of my base layer. This way I  knew everything would line up just right. I then took a small piece of Lace trim and laid it over the front of my DSP, and wrapped it through the edge of my punched window. Both ends were secured under the DSP with just a small amount of SNAIL adhesive. I then Tombowed my Scalloped Circle frame over the lace ribbon and the punched window to secure it. Add a little lace bow secured with a Mini-Glue Dot and the front of my card was completed.

Here's the inside-

I used two of the butterflies from my Beautiful Wings Embosslet for the inside of my card. I used Peach Parfait and Very Vanilla. I lightly sponged the edges to give them a little dimension and used Mini-Glue dots so secure them to each other and the Very Vanilla c/s I used inside of my card. I sponged the Very Vanilla all around the edges as well to carry that design theme from the front of the card. My bottom butterfly's wings are curved up just a little . Any more than this and they catch on the edges of the window. I was able to give the center butterfly a little more dimension and elevation without any impingement. I didn't add a sentiment, because I wanted to be able to have this on hand for any occasion, and I think it will be able to fit just about any need I might come up with.

What do you think? I'm so glad Stamping 411 gave us such an Amazing sketch to work with this week. I hope you like it and I hope it inspires you to try something new the next time you sit down to create, maybe a new sketch challenge, color combination or maybe even just using a punch in a different way. Remember the goal of this blog is to Just Try!

I hope to see you back here tomorrow. Don't forget I've got another challenge card ready and waiting to go. :)

If you like today's card, please feel free to leave  me a comment, I would love to hear what you think. Also, friends and followers are always welcome.

Till next time-

Remember- Life isn't about Waiting for the storm to pass- It's about learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,
Shan Pin It