Nuts About You -- Mojo Monday Version

Hi, everyone!

Now that I've retired, I'm trying to venture out into different challenge blogs. Today, I'm giving Mojo Monday a try.

I loved the sketch for Mojo Monday 370 Contest. However, it was one of those multi-part sketches -- you know the kind of sketch that typically frustrates the living daylights out of me. But, I have to confess that I really like today's card. And, aside from taking a few liberties with the top right banner, I stayed pretty true to the sketch. Shocking, I know!

It was also fun to be able to use a brand new Stampin' Up! stamp set with some really old designer paper. :)

Creative Memories Abundance 8 x 8 paper; AC brown, Distress Ink core
Stampin' Up! Nuts about You stamp set in DI walnut stain
Recollections jute/burlap; Paper Smooches twine
Paper Smooches Leaves 1 die
EK border punch
Distress Inks: walnut stain, vintage photo, and wild honey
Zing clear embossing powder
adhesive: Ranger multi-medium matte

When I went with an Earth-tone palette, I decided to make a masculine love card for Operation Write Home. So, design decisions included:

• using the notebook paper punch (instead of a scalloped edge) to achieve a more masculine look,
• replacing the banner with the rectangular shape since the banner didn't feel like it fit just right,
• double matting and heat embossing the sentiment, while pairing it with the only green element on the card, to give the sentiment a really strong visual impact,
• stamping on patterned paper -- something I really need to do more often,
• inking around the sentiment and everything other than the squirrels to better pop the sentiment and squirrels, and
• using burlap/jute to add texture while sticking with a masculine feel.

Parting Thoughts

November Challenge:
Nov. 1 - Nov. 21

Hope to try another challenge blog or two this week.... but I really need to get a few craft show cards made.

Our November Words 2 Scrap By challenge went live on Saturday. If you have a chance, we'd love for you to play along.

Have a great week! Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Nuts about You

Hi, everyone.

Today's card was inspired by this month's OWH Our Daily Bread Design challenge to make a card with at least one heart. Seemed like a perfect opportunity to ink up my new Stampin' Up! Nuts to You stamp set.

PAPER: blue: Target ???? clearance; orange: American Crafts; white and black: Recollections
SU Nuts about You stamps in StazOn jet black; SU brads; SU banner dies
Glossy Accents embellishment for squirrels and heart on card front
 

The blue paper is actually from a brightly-colored pack of cardstock and envelopes that was given to me by a friend at work. Thanks, Ginny! You can see that I'm beginning to put your gift to good use.  :)

This card is actually attempt #2. I wanted to use this stamp set to make a love/Valentine card that could be sent to anyone, including a child. Although the heart on the front is not prominent, it's still a heart. So, it's good to go for the ODBD challenge as far as I'm concerned.

I'm just a little concerned that it's too simple for OWH. I tend to struggle with "one-layer" cards. Although I really like the scene on the front, I still felt like it needed a little more oomph. So, I added Glossy Accents to the two squirrels and heart, which seems to help. But, on the inside, I wish I had used a heart around the sentiment instead of the banner. For better or worse, those papers are glued down pretty well. Don't think they are coming off any time soon.

What do you think? Too simple?

Distress Ink core paper

The card at the right is Card #1. Although I'm still planning on sending it to OWH, I'm concerned about it's simplicity -- as well as it being a little smaller than an A2 card.

Since the second squirrel and heart can't be seen until the card is open, I decided to make and post a different card for the ODBD challenge.

 

 

Parting Thoughts

November Challenge
Nov. 1- Nov 21

The November Words 2 Scrap By challenge went live yesterday. We are pleased to welcome I-Teamer Annie as the hostess for this month's "Gratitude and Kindness" challenge. Hope you all will join us.

This afternoon, I'm hoping to work on an idea I have for our December W2SB challenge. Think this one might take more than one or two tries to get right. Then it's back to craft show cards.   :)

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!