Last week's (May 16) Bloggers Challenge was to use the layout from page 21 of the Occasions Mini Catalog. I chose to use one of my favorite stamp sets, "Heartfelt Thanks" (because it also happens to be a stamp set my daughter Missy owns-I've been staying here for the past week, and have been pillaging her stash of supplies!).
I used Basic Black cardstock for the base, and layered it with a black, red, and white floral print. On top of that is a layer of red-textured cardstock from Die Cuts with a View Neutrals Cardstock Stack, then another layer of black, red, and white floral print with butterflies, topped off with a layer of white speckled cardstock. I stamped the heartfelt and thanks with Black Archival ink, and used SU! markers to color directly on the floral stamp, and then "huffed" the ink and stamped the image on the cardstock. "Huffing" moistens the ink and allows you to ink the stamp with more than one color. I used a piece of sponge that had been lightly inked with red to ink the edges of the white cardstock and to add a little more color. For embellishments I added a white swiss-dotted ribbon and clear rhinestone brads. Sometimes I try to step outside my "comfort zone" and use colors and techniques that I "normally" don't use. That's another way to make challenges, well, more challenging.
Stampin' Up! catalogs offer many project and layout ideas as well as featuring their superb products.
Be sure to check out the other fantastic Bloggers Challenges by clicking on the links in the left-hand column! It is amazing what everyone comes up with with the same challenge!
Thanks for looking!
