Week 21: thanks

I am officially living up north for 5 weeks for my schooling. I am lucky enough to have a brother who is willing to take me in. As a result I made this card for him and his fiance as a token of my appreciation. 5 weeks is an awfully long time to have to put up with me.

This is one of my first "rustic" cards. I must say I think the twine makes it! I will definitely use more twine in the future. As in my rainbow card, I carefully stamped out the main message in green and the dictionary definition in black. It is simple but impactful. I hate to gloat but I love this one! 

Week 20: Bridal Bliss

Wedding Season has started again and this year I am more than a mere spectator. I have officially started planning my own wedding about one month ago. However, my wedding is not for about a year and a half so I have lots of time to think about it... 

In the mean time, we have a couple weddings this year for close family and friends. I must say I love weddings. When else do you get to go to a huge party that celebrates love and meet all the people that are special to that couple. I can't imagine a more perfect idea! This week's card (or should I say last week's card) was for my sister-in-law. She had her bridal shower this past weekend. Unfortunately I was unable to attend as I was out of town for the Victoria Day long weekend here in Canada. 

This stamp I have used a bunch of times but it is one of my absolute favourites. Happy Couple by Stampendous is so simple but timeless. I love using patterned paper as my inspiration for the colours in a card (much like my wardrobe). The bride is using navy blue and lime green. This pattern is the closest that I had. If you look REALLY close, the scrolls are lime green.

Week 19: Oh happy day x2

Happy Mom's Day to all the mothers out there young & old! Since I have two mothers now, I thought matching cards would be perfect. 

The sketch from CAS(E) this sketch this week was just so inspiring. I found the hedgehog in these quirky squares from Red Rubber Designs and thought it fit the sketch perfectly. While the matching sentiment that came with the sketch is not Mother's Day specific I still thought it was fitting. However, when I went to stamp the pink card I got a smug from the outer edge of the stamp. I stamped the polka dots on the outside to try & cover it up. 

Looking at the brown paper for the sentiment, I think I'll have to use that colour in the future with some kind of wood grain stamp perhaps. 

Challenges:

• CAS(E) this Sketch! - sketch #27
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards - Mother's Day

Week 18: Have a Sassy Birthday...

This week I have been on placements for my program which means that I work somewhere for 5 weeks (without pay). As such I have very little homework to do in the evenings. I am able to fill my evenings with reading, swimming, and yes.... CRAFTING. This is my second card this week! Perhaps I'll make a third :)

A couple weeks ago I won a challenge for my Rainbows After the Showers card and received two digi stamps from Sassy Studio Designs. I used one of the digi stamps to make a sassy card for one of my good girl friends. Its her birthday coming up and I wanted a card to reflect how fun and vibrant she is.  The image is "Martini Pin-up Sassy" from Sassy Studio Designs. The accent paper is from Creative Memories and the ribbons I got from Michaels. The inspiration for the colours in this card from a picture from the Sparkle N' Sprinkle Challenge blog. The hammock and bright colours reminded me of an old trip to Ecuador.

I must say I had to colour this image twice. The first time I tried putting "highlights" in the girls hair and it just looked AWFUL. I only have a 12 basic colours pack of Copic markers so the highlights just looked too dark. I love how all the warm colours came together though.

• blonde hair = Y13 Lemon Yellow
• red dress/heels/olive centre = R08 Vermilion
• dress accent/earrings = YR04 Chrome Orange
• olive picks = E09 Burnt Sienna
• olives = YG03 Yellow Green

Question: What Copic markers would you recommend, based on the ones I have, to blend? What Copic markers are your essentials?

Challenges

• deconstructing jen - Deconstructing Sketch No.100
• Sparkle N Sprinkle - SNSSC19 (see colour swatch above)
• The Stamp Spot - simply feminine 
• Mad for Markers - One for the Girls