Sketch Challenge

Well, this challenge on Splitcoast was pretty interesting. The challenge was to use layers that were almost in a rhombus shape (right? Am I right here??? I hated Geometry!!!), then with an oval in the middle. This challenge was interesting for two reasons: 1) I don't have any oval punches except for a mega scalloped punch...and I knew I didn't want that to be my only thing in the middle (plus my stamp is waaaaay bigger than the punch), and 2) I figured I'd screw up the layers. YEP! I orginally intended to have a layer of cardstock under the patterned paper, but forgot that when I followed the instructions for cutting the cardstock. So I had to really use my Math skills (there seems to be a Math trend in this post...) to accurately cut the patterned paper so it was layered on the Blush Blossom cardstock properly. Here's my finished product:

Since I don't have any big oval punches, I had to get creative. I knew I wanted to use this image from Inky Antics, so I went ahead and stamped it in Black Stazon and colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol (which is odorless mineral spirits, for those who haven't discovered the wonder of Gamsol: essentially it's a blending fluid that allows you to blend all the strokes of the pencil so it looks nice and purdee!). I then opened up Microsoft Word and selected the Auto Shape tool, which allows you to draw shapes in different sizes. They have an oval shape, so I drew a couple and printed it out. It turns out I did a great job on my second try (my first try had ovals that were bigger than the whole damn card...I don't know what I was thinking!) of making a perfect size oval and a matted oval. So, I cut the oval out, matted it onto my image, traced it and cut it out of the cardstock. I think chose the mat oval, cut it out, and traced it on Close to Cocoa cardstock. Instead of just cutting it out, I found some "old school" decorative scissors that I had to have purchased about 10 years ago at Michael's and cut a nice pretty design around my traced line.

I just LOVE how it turned out! It really worked wonderfully for two reasons: 1) it allowed me to get creative with my card, and 2) it proved to my husband that I DO use this stuff again and again! I'm mean, puhleeze!!! Those scissors were just sitting there waiting for the perfect opportunity to pop out of my closet (hee hee) and be used again. So now when he says, "Will you ever use that again?" he already knows the answer!!! hee hee

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps: Image and Sentiment by Inky Antics

Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom and patterned paper (retired) by Stampin' Up, White Stamper's Select Cardstock by PaperTrey

Ink: Black Stazon

Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Blending Stumps, Prima Sprites, retired Cream Organdy ribbon by Stampin' Up, decorative scissors, Microsoft Word (hee hee), Paper Piercer and Mat Pack