OWH Sketch Challenge #144

The week's sketch challenge at Operation Write Home looks like this:

Here is my interpretation:

Not favorite, I really struggled with the embellishment, I just don't think it works.  I do think I should have swapped the two green layers.  I will be putting this in the "bad card pile" until I figure out what it is I don't like, and how to fix it!

Regardless of how much I like (or don't like!) my end results, I really enjoy and learn a lot from these challenges. 

Paper is Basic Grey What's Up, stamp from Fiskars, Spellbinders die cut. 

OWH Midweek Throwdown - Celebrate Friendship

I have been working on Valentine cards for Operation Write Home, thinking that everyone else is working on holiday cards!!  It fits right in with the Midweek Throwdown - Celebrate Friendship.

My final version:

This is the original, which sat in the "bad card" pile for a few weeks:

I think it really needed the lace and pearls to finish it off.   The original was too plain, even for a lover of CAS, like me. 

Am I the only one with such a "pile"?  Sometimes, I make a card, and it just doesn't seem right - maybe it is missing something, a color match isn't close enough, what ever.   I set it aside, and look at it again later on.  If I step back for a while, I find that I can take a fresh look, figure out why I didn't like it the first time around, and make adjustments. 

Rose paper from DCWV, red metallic cardstock is Recollections, sentiment from Colorbok vellum pad, ribbon from Offray, pearl lace from my stash - a very old purchase from when Frank's Nursery and Crafts went out of business, Spellbinder die cuts.  The card base is black on the outside, and white on the inside.  I buy most of my base cardstock from Hollo's Papercraft in Brunswick, Ohio.  They carry a lot of HEAVY cardstock that is light on one side, and colored on the other.  Since I make most of my cards for Operation Write Home, I want to use the highest quality materials I can afford. 

60th Birthday Card

This hurts, it really does.  My big brother is turning 60 on Friday.  60?!?  Seriously?!?  Good thing he is MUCH older than I am!!!!!

Papers and letters by Cloud 9.  Lovely shot of my iPhone reflected in the silver paper, embossed with the Cuttlebug Diamond folder.  The numbers from my stash. 

OWH Sketch Challenge #143

Here is Operation Write Home's Tonic Studios Sketch #143 Challenge:

 And here is my interpretation:

The sentiment is from My Favorite Things - WTG Godspeed.  I won the set in the My Country/Mit Land Blog Hop last July (thanks OWH!).  My MIL gave me a BIG container of old sewing embellishments, the rick rack is from that stash (thanks Pat!).  The embossed stars in the background didn't show up in the photo :(. 

OWH Midweek Throwdown - Color Challenge!

This week's throwdown is to make a back and white card, and add a pop of color.

I like this version a lot better than I did my first attempt.

Here is my second attempt:

Here is my first attempt:

I prefer the color accent in the bling, not the ink of the sentiment.  What do you think?

Thank You sentiment from TPC Studios.  Stamp is SU Fresh Vintage.  Bling from Stash. 

OWH Sketch Challenge #143

Operation Write Home's Sunday Sketch Challenge #142 uses the following sketch:

Here is my take:

Matteboard sticker and rub on from The Paper Company Studio.  Offray ribbon,  Embossed with Cuttlebug folder. 

We Have A Winner!!!

Stacy B!  Random.org chose #58 - and you left comment #58 on my World Card Making Day OWH post!  You have won the set of Inkadinkado stamps!  Congratulations!

Here is Stacy's comment:

Stacy B October 6, 2012 5:28 PM

Love that sentiment! I hadn't seen that one before. That is what I love about Hops, they are a great way to find new goodies. I look forward to seeing what else you create (just signed up to follow you). Love how you pair your creations with the sketches. Thanks for the chance to win! slbuller at fullchannel dot net.

Thanks to everyone who hopped along with us this weekend.  I hope you found some inspiration, and continue to support Operation Write Home!

Operation Write Home - World Card Making Day

Welcome to World Card Making Day with Operation Write Home!

I based my card on OWH Sketch #27, and switched the orientation. 

Sentiment from Stampin' Up Alphabet Soup, Offray ribbon, paper from MAMBI.

What is a blog hop without candy?  Leave a comment (make sure I have a way to contact you!) for a chance to win a set of Inkadinkado's Kid Quote clear stamps.  You do not have to be a follower, but I would love for you to become one of the gang!! Winner determined by random.org on Tuesday, October 9.  

 

Click here to return to Stars and Stamps to see what your next host has to share!!

Thinking of You - OWH - Midweek Throw Down

This week's Throw Down is to create Thinking of You cards. 

Here is mine:

I used my new We R Memory Keepers corner chomper and twine. 

I am loving the contrast of black and white, with just a touch of gray.