Layers and Textures and A Challenge (#7) - Oh My! Cardabilities #49 /My Challenge #7

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Hey y'all. Happy Thursday. We're on the downswing towards the long holiday weekend and I couldn't be happier. I'm still amazed at how little energy I have just trying to get over this pneumonia! I've been on antibiotics for almost 3 weeks and was sick before that. At least I'm stamping again! I plan on sleeping in all 3 days! How about you?

Well, it's week 7 of the new year and I'm hanging in with my challenge/resolve to myself to do at least one challenge a week. I was catching up on my reader feeds and found one I liked over at Cardabilities. Have you seen their site? You should totally check it out, but after you're finished here. They do a new sketch every two weeks and at the end of the two weeks the  five most viewed links get posted at the top of their site with links to that person's blog. Pretty neat concept!

So, if you've been following me at all, you know I'm usually a pretty literal interpreter of sketches. I often find it hard to stray at all from the sketch. I've documented my frustrations with that aspect of myself here frequently. It's also rare that I just look at a sketch and know exactly what I want to do with it. That happened to me twice yesterday! I couldn't believe it. I usually try to figure out a sketch before I look at the design teams cards so I feel like the card is really mine and not just a CASE of them. The first sketch I saw I knew exactly what I wanted to do, down to the DSP and wouldn't you know after I had it all planned out, I scrolled down and the first card, I kid you not the very first one, was my idea even including some of the same DSP! They had even rotated the sketch, which is something I don't often do , because it strays from that whole literal interpretation thing I was talking about. Well, that sketch was out! I know I should be happy, great minds and all that, but I was not about to submit that card. *Boo-Hiss*

Then I came upon the sketch for Cardabilities #49 and I couldn't believe it. I knew exactly what I wanted to do...what were the chances? I sketched out my idea including colors and a slight interpretive change and scrolled down, surely no-one had done this...... Score! My idea was no-where to be found. Don't you just love it when you look around and no-one is near your idea? Yeah, me too.

I went home and got busy and here's what I came up with-

Here's their sketch-

What do you think? I just want to rub my hands all over it...all the texture. I added the Whisper White layer (It's my first time playing with this design team so I hope they don't mind), and I used my Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to add the texture. The base is Concord Crush, love this color! It's only around for a little while longer so if it's one of your favorites too, better get it while you can. I also extended the strip of Concord Crush that I used with my Scalloped Border Punch so that it framed the Wisteria Wonder layer. I used my new Adorning Accents Embossing Folder to create the embossed hearts across that layer. I love that you get 3 different embossing folders  and they're just the right size for borders. So cool. Next I used my Fashionable Hearts Embosslet to create the little puzzle frame and the five different textured hearts that are in it. I used Pool Party, Island Indigo (my all-time fav color), Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and I think it's Pink Pirouette (it was in my combo pack, sorry about that). All the layers on the front are Tombowed except the little heart layer. The individual hearts are Tombowed in so they'll stay and then I popped that whole piece up on dimensionals to make that layer stand out just a little more. It's missing my normal shimmer and the only thing I'm not sure about is whether or not I should have let Tink have her way, maybe with the row of embossed hearts. What do you think?

Here's the inside-

 Ohhhh! Sorry about the blur. It didn't look like that last night on my BB. ): I didn't add a sentiment because I wasn't sure who it would be going to and I wanted to leave my options open. I did however feel the need to try and make the inside pretty too, and added one of the left-over embossed hearts.

Well, that's all I have for today and this weeks challenge. It's off to the accountant tonight to get my taxes done and then home to work on my team swap cards for this weekend. There's been multiple revisions on that one let me just tell you. I'll have it here for you next week. I hope I've inspired you to play along with me  for this week's challenge on this sketch or one of the many others out there. Step out of your comfort zone with me and Just Try.

As always, I would love to hear what you think about today's card. If you liked today's card, 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. :)

Today's Card Recipe-
Cardstock- Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party
Big Shot- Perfect Polka Dots EF. Adorning Accents Hearts EF, Fashionable Hearts Embosslet
Scalloped Border Punch
Tombow

If you need supplies to help create your own card, you can shop in my Online Store 24/7. Don't forget Sale-A-Bration is still going. With every $50.00 in purchases you get one FREE item from our Sale-A-Bration catalog.

Till next time-

Remember- Life is not about Waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,
Shan Pin It