Happy Hour Challenge: 4

Well, it is a wrap. Officially, I am done with all of the Happy Hour challenges hosted by Laura. Believe it or not I felt this one was the easiest but took me the longest. I wanted to try some different spins on the resist techniques but was not pleased with the first four attempts. Most of the difficulty could be attributed to the flower stamp I selected. Since I was stuck with it I had to use what I had. Ready for the unveiling? Tada!!!!

I did not take photos in progress of this one, but I will give a bit of background. The papers used are from DCWV. I stamped the image on a 3x4 piece of paper weight paper using Versamark and  clear embossing powder which I heat set. Then I went about coloring in various portions with numerous Distress Inks using my Cut n Dry Foam pads. 

I edged the entire focal piece in Vintage photo and gave it a final spritz of Tattered Angels Glacier Mist. I cannot stress enough how versatile this particular spray is for me. It is a shimmery blue but gives just the right amount of color to almost any project. As an added bonus it causes the Distress Inks to blend more.


I cut a piece of blue at 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches and inked the edges with Stormy Sky. I put that through the Cuttlebug Harlequin folder.

The paper weight piece was cut at 3 3/4 x 4 3/4 and the edges inked with Mustard Seed.


The brown piece was cut at 4 1/4 x 5 1/4 with the edges inked in Vintage Photo and embossed with the Harlequin folder.


I did not get a chance to finish off the card by adhering it to a base and attaching a sentiment. That will have to wait. I considered using Skittles, Dew Drops or pastel brads in the centers but wasn't sure that I liked the look. Here is a photo I took to ascertain the effect. Not thrilled. 

So for now, I am going to stick with this. If I can get the entire card put together I will edit this post to add it. I forgot that DS had a playdate this afternoon/evening and allowed time to get away from me. 


There was not even enough time to make my famous Chicken Pot Pie. The chicken smelled so yummy bubbling away in the Crock Pot. There is always tomorrow.



Speaking of tomorrow, I will post my October Challenge entry from my Yahoo group. I had a lot of fun with it. Wanna see a sneak peek? Ok, here it is.

As you can see all was lovingly inked.
Until then.

Happy Hour Challenges 1 & 2

Wow. Can I tell you all that I had a great time on Wednesday. Our very own Laura (designer for Cutters Creek) hosted a Happy Hour Challenge for our group. It was a blast creating and chatting with the girls. It did a lot to cheer me and lift my spirits. 

I have to admit that I have not been in the crafting mood for some time and was not interested in purchasing anything either. I allowed all of my Michael's Martha Stewart coupons to grow cold and unused. Nothing tickled my fancy.

When Laura suggested this crop I was all for it. I sat myself down and got ready for Challenge#1: Use the chalk popping technique to make a background for a card of your choosing...but you are only allowed to use the ONE

stamp (sentiment stamps are ok, though).

Here is my completed card.

Both stamps are from Hero Arts: Flower Cluster Sketch (H3129)--using just the flowers-- and Time to Enjoy (F1843)--separated to create two sections. I used the Pebbles Inc Pearlescent Chalking Set. The green satin ribbon is Anna Griffin and the Pearls are Queen and Co--Just Peachy. I used the Spellbinders Octagon Nestabilites and inked using Tim Holtz Peeled Paint and edged with Spiced Marmalade. This flower image was stamped on Ranger Glossy paper using Versamark which I zapped with the heat gun.

Fortified by my success with the first challenge I was ready for Challenge #2: Use one patterned paper and your one chosen stamp as an embellishment. You can color the stamp in using pencils, chalk, markers, whatever.

So here is what I produced.

First I spritzed the white card with Tattered Angels Glacier Mist (love that color) and this time I stamped the entire image and colored it in using EK Success Memory Pencils. I then went over that with various Distress Inks for a watercolor effect. I used the Tim Holtz Glossy Accents on the petals and dotted the centers with Studio G Sparkle Writer in black.


I cut out the image using Spellbinders Labels 6. I edged the card in black and used the leftover yellow ribbon from the first challenge to tie my stalks together. I simply used my craft knife to make the two slits and threaded the ribbon through and tied a knot.


The middle layer is the Spellbinders Pendants: Fleur de lis. I cut two of them from some Brenda Walton paper and layered so that the edges were aligned. I then used the small pendant square, cut it in half and trimmed to fit the space left between the two larger pendants. I used some of my Memories Direct small ink pads to enhance the colors on the edges of the die cut. It was subtle but made a huge difference.

I stamped the background on the black paper using just the flower portion of the stamp with white pigment ink and embossed with white embossing powder. It gives it a real shimmery look on the black card.  The small quote is from Brenda Walton. 


The entire card is attached to a piece of the American Crafts Sky: Pearl Alligator.


Me thinks I spent too much time on that card which put me way behind for Challenge #3: to use your stamp so that you would not know that you used your stamp.


I will leave you with a teaser and hopefully upload the completed project tomorrow along with Challenge 4.

So what do you think I used this to create?

You are in for a treat tomorrow. I certainly had fun inking these first three challenges...all in the name of love.
Until then.