Remember Lisa Strahl's birthday party that I mentioned last post? I had volunteered to do one of the challenges, not even thinking about the fact that I had never even tried to use a graphics program for creating a sketch before. Still, I know how to use my programs and didn't think it would take long. (Note to self: volunteer for something that you've actually done before next time.) After conquering it, however, I definitely want to share it with you!
My top card uses the Light of Peace stamp, inked in Basic Gray and stamped on Shimmery White (Cryogen White), matted in Basic Black, and overlayed on Basic Gray card stock stamped in Basic Gray ink with the Leaves 3 background.
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My second card used the Stonehearth Hutch image and the Leaves 3 backgrounder again, but this time stamped on Poison Ivory card stock, as well as Prism Dark Suede Brown and Medium Suede Brown. (I'm loving that Medium Suede Brown--it's rich, and somehow light enough in value without appearing faded.) I should have trimmed this image a bit more before I started matting the panels; as you can see, I didn't have room to leave space between my panels without having the image too close to the edge. So I just shoved the three together. It looked better than way than having them spread further apart and too close to the edge. Ribbon is SU's Wide Chocolate satin, and the mocha pearls are found here.
You know, a sketch is merely a starting point, a suggestion. See where I have a ribbon in the lower right corner on the sketch? Let's say that your stamp has dead space in the upper left instead. Flip the sketch 180 degrees. Put your ribbon in the upper third of the card and on the left. What if you want a horizontal card? Flip your sketch 90 degrees. In this case, you'd probably want to move the ribbon to the bottom right instead of the bottom left, but do you see my point? Sketches really are helpful, if you use them to jump-start your own creativity rather than feeling enslaved by them.
Green card is made with a retired SU set, A Beautiful Season, and Verve Visual's "Wishing You Peace" stamp from Wonderful Wishes. Background paper is Cosmo Cricket Wonderland, and green mats are Prism Sage Medium. Ribbon is SU's Wild Wasabi after an encounter with my distressing sponge. . . It's not as bright in real life as in this photo, for some reason.
If you feel so inclined, use this one and leave me a link. Also, how about checking out the CHF gallery to see what Lisa's birthday bash participants did with it? Thanks for visiting!
P.S. You have only Sunday left for Ellen's Sale if you're headed there. I'm posting some more inchies after I finish editing them--definitely by morning!
