Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Freshly Made Sketches 144 and Color Throwdown 300

Today is extra special because it's the reveal of a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and I'm also doing a little guest spot at Color Throwdown.  Last week I was chosen as the featured stamper at CTD and so this week I get to play along with the design team over there as a guestie!  And how sweet that this is their 300th challenge!  That's quite an accomplishment and I'm honored to be a part of it!  Over at FMS, Karren is our hostess this week and she's designed a sketch for us with an ever-popular flag.  I admire Karren's fearless approach to card-making.  There doesn't seem to be any technique she's not willing to try and I always seem to learn a thing or two when I pop over for a visit!  Now on to my card.




I will admit I gave a little squeeeee of delight when I saw these colors.  First of all Baja Breeze is one of the best blues ever and I'm not sure I'll ever forgive Stampin' Up for retiring it.  And there's just something about how it looks with a nice navy blue and a true orange that speaks to me.  These colors also inspire me to make less "girly" card, which is not something I do very often, but need to do to stay sharp in the man-card department!

I softened the navy blue rectangle a bit by adding a piece of velllum over it, but I shifted it slightly off to the side so that you could see the blue peeking out.  Then I decided that making my own plaid paper was in order so I set about sponging away.  Finally, I die-cut several of these "hi" letters and glued them on top of one other so that I would have some dimension to my sentiment.  A button, some fiddled-with thread and voila - I was done!

So I owe a huge thank you to the ladies at Color Throwdown who let me join in their challenge this week.  I admire all of them so much and drool over their cards week after week!  And speak of drooling, I suspect  you are going to do some of that yourself when you check out the cards the Freshly Made Sketches design team made to inspire you this week.


Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie (SU); Solar White (Neenah)
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Pumkin Pie (SU)
Accessories:  Fishtail Flags STAX, Happy Hellos die (My Favorite Things); Woodland Park button (October Afternoon); thread

22 comments:

Lori said...

This is fabulous, Jen! Love the plaid paper you made--it's perfect! And, I agree with you about Baja Breeze. I'll be so sad when my stash finally runs out.

Deepti said...

What a cool design! I love the use of colors in ur layout and the button looks awesome !

Linda Callahan said...

The plaid is wonderful! Yes Karen is fearless and so are you! Always up for a new technique! You rocked the colors with the sketch!

Shelly said...

This is beautiful! Love it!

Tammy Hershberger said...

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with you about Baja Breeze! I LOVE that color! Your plaid is awesome, and the whole card is darling! Thanks for joining us today!

Lisa Elton said...

TERRIFIC card Jen! The plaid is perfect. Congrats on your guest spot!!

Joan Ervin said...

What a genius idea to make your own plaid paper...it looks fabulous!!!!! I'm so glad you are guesting with us this week!!!!

Diane Jaquay said...

Love the plaid on this, great design!!

Happy Dance said...

I had to chuckle, Jen. I was reading your post, saw the colors from CTD, and thought, "wow! Jen's really going to love this - it has our favorite Baja Breeze in the combo!!" Then I finished reading your post.. Still have a smile on my face. As to your card...just plain brilliant. After seeing yours, I might just have to dig into my stash once again. Your card is so inspiring. Bev

Karren said...

There is nothing I don't like about your card, Jen - and I'm not a fan of Pumpkin Pie so that's sayin' somethin' LOL. Speaking of fearless, I'm so impressed you made your own plaid - it looks fabulous. I haven't tried that yet, so you've inspired me (yet again) with your work.

Patti said...

Get out of here! you made that plaid paper? you are amazing!! : )

I'm with you Baja Breeze was my favorite color too. I will never understand why they let it go : (

Beautiful card!! congrats on your DT spot : ) I am going to try to play along with FMS this week so maybe I will see you later!

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Vickie Z said...

Wonderful Jen!! My sis and I have discussed the Baja breeze retirement too...it's a fab blue!! Fab use of the sketch!

Cindy Lovell said...

WOW! Jen,i love this card!! Fabulous colors! Your plaid looks so stunning and i love the vellum!!!

Wanda Cullen said...

Jen, your card really rocks these colors for a masculine version! I'm with you as a fan of Baja Breeze! You think we should form a picket line outside SU headquarters and demand the return of Baja Breeze?! :-) Congrats on being our star stamper this week...a job well done!

Claire said...

Huge congrats on being the guest designer Jen! That colour combo is just gorgeous and I quite agree about baja blue. How rude of SU to retire it! I can't believe you made that plaid yourself. I thought you'd used dp!

Amy O said...

Wow! I was so amazed that you found a plaid piece of dsp with those colors, and then was amazed when I read that you made it. I also love the vellum against the navy. Beautifully done, Jen!

Monika/Buzsy said...

What a super cute card Jen. Love the fun papers and the thread! Congrats on being our GD at The Color Throwdown this week.

Barbara said...

Gorgeous card, Jen! I love that plaid so much!!

AB. said...

Beautiful bold and stunning card! The plaid banner looks amazing! You have worked those colours together beautifully!

Claire Grantham said...

Great card Jen, love that messy twine/thread detail behind the button. I too drool over the CDT DT cards each week..such talent. Cx

Jen Timko said...

This color combo is perfect for you!! Perfect!! Love this card, love the papers, love that fun thread!!

Narelle Farrugia said...

Your plaid is just fabulous Jen and i love the simple sentiment you've used.