It's Weekend Sketch Challenge Time -- IA112! And some extra-special Blog Candy is Waiting for One Lucky Participant!

Good morning, everyone! After taking a break from the Weekend Sketch Challenge last week for the Thanksgiving Holiday, we're back in full-force today with a great new sketch for your weekend inspiration! Isn't this fun! The large open mat in the middle leaves lot of room for stamping fun and the corner bow and embellishments add a bit of whimsy to what is really a very simple sketch! I can't wait to see what you create this weekend with this sketch. Make sure and come back to leave your name and the URL of your creation's post with Mister Linky sometime before noon next Wednesday! Feel free to send this sketch to your friends and ask them to participate -- the more, the merrier! And ... there will be a great Blog Candy prize offered next week for one lucky participant! See details below!

Enough said ... down to business! Here's my first example this morning -- a bright and cheery Christmas card using Merry Moments Designer Series Paper and colors of Real Red, Glorious Green and Very Vanilla. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings and the snowflakes, punched with the Jumbo Snowflake Punch, are covered with bright, sparkling Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. Each snowflake is adorned with a Clear Rhinestone Brad in the center. The ribbon and bow are 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain. So much fun and what a perfect way to send Holiday greetings to someone important to you. I stamped a few snowflakes on the inside of the card as well!

On to my second example -- you know I just love these two Stamp sets -- For All You Do and Great Friend, and I think they work so perfectly together. And combined with the fabulous Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper ... well, what's not to like, right? The colors are Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence and Whisper White. The cut-out flowers are embellished with buttons from Button Latte and Playground Designer Buttons and a Rhinestone Brad and attached to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. I stamped flowers and stems in both corners and the sentiment toward the upper right. The delicious ribbon and bow is 5/8" Whisper White Satin Ribbon (here's a little surprise for you -- there are several new colors of this delicious Satin ribbon coming out in January when you see the Occasions Mini Catalog -- can't wait!). You can see a little stamping on the inside -- more flowers and stems. Now ... humm ... who should I send this card to?

Okay -- one last example card for you today and then it's time for you to get busy with this weekend's sketch! Remember, there's BLOG Candy waiting! For this one, I flipped the sketch on it's side and used the Big Shot and the Elegant Bouquet Impressions Pad to do some embossing. Can you see the shimmer on the Real Red Cardstock? It's that beautiful shimmer mist that you make with Rubbing Alcohol and Shimmer Paint (2 oz. rubbing alcohol and several drops of shimmer paint in a little mister bottle that you purchase at any discount or drug store). The sentiment is from the Level One Hostess Set, Holiday Best. I used the Big Shot as well as the Movers & Shapers Die (with the Scallop Oval Insert) to cut out the opening. And the Big Shot was also used for the lovely little flowers, cut with the Stampin' Up! Blossom Party Original Die. Each flower is sponged with a bit of Real Red Ink and adorned with a button or Rhinestone Brad, and then mounted with Dimensionals! The ribbon is 5/8" Regal Rose Grosgrain ribbon, tied all the way around the card. Such a pretty card for Valentine's day, don't you think?

Okay, tag ... you're it! It's your turn now! use the sketch for your creation and come back and leave your link information with the Mister Linky Widget below! I can't wait to see what you create. And did I mention ... there's BLOG CANDY WAITING FOR SOMEONE THIS WEEK!!!!! OK -- here's the details! When you enter a card this week, you will be put in a drawing where one lucky winner will receive a great Blog Candy prize -- some DSP, ribbon and button samples from the new Occasions Mini catalog! That's right, you will receive everything pictured above, plus a hand-made mini-congratulations card from me -- a samping of 6x6 Designer Series Papers and some of the new coordinating ribbons and buttons from the Mini -- these are products which are not available for sale until January 5th, and you could be the first to play with them. But you can't win if you don't enter! I can't wait to see what you create this week!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you come back again soon!

Comments

[Kelly Acheson]

Hi Gretchen - this was so much fun!!!! This is the 1st challenge I've done and look forward to more!

My card is here: http://stampinparadise.blogspot.com/

[Tessa Wise]

Hi! Hope it's OK that I play along! Your sketch is great and your blog is so inspirational! Thanks for posting such great things!

[Deb Hoekstra]

Thanks for the challenge. I visit your blog frequently, but have never participated in a challenge until now. Thanks for all the great ideas you share.

[Cam]

Another great sketch...I have the hardest time trying to take the picture. Not much lighting today. Hope you can see all the details.

[Carol L]

I recently found your blog and decided to play along with this great sketch! Your blog is so inspirational and so helpful with all the details you post! TFS!

[Becky]

A great sketch for sure! So many ideas floating through my brain!!

Becky