Hello everyone! It's Tuesday morning and that can only mean one thing ... a new Color Challenge from Utah Divas International!
Look what we have for you this week ... the colors of Perfect Plumb, Old Olive, Marina Mist and Basic Black ... all inspired by this beautiful Stained Glass Wall Hanging!
Stampin' Up has a special promotion going on right now. They have partnered with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the Strength and Hope Campaign and have designed this beautiful stamp set as part of the promotion. From now until August 31st, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of 
every Strength and Hope stamp set to breast cancer research! Not only is there this beautiful stamp set but a Digital Kit as well which can be used with My Digital Studio or any design software (click on the small image to view the Digital Kit)! Way to go, Stampin' Up!
So, how did I blend this beautiful new stamp set with today's challenge colors?
I don't usually use the challenge photo as inspiration, just the colors. But this time, I had this cool idea to recreate this checkerboard frame and look what I came up with! It takes a little time but it's really not difficult. I used my Fiskars Paper Cutter (which has a plunging blade ... meaning that you can position the blade in the middle of a paper and plunge it down and through the paper and then make your cut). I made 1/2" slits all around my Perfect Plumb mat at 1/2" intervals. And then just "wove" a strip of Basic Black cardstock in and out of the slits. I secured them on the back with household adhesive tape and then trimmed the edges so everything was nice and even. I then ran it through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.
The rest of the card is pretty straightforward. I heat-embossed the butterfly with Black Craft Ink and Black Embossing Powder and then sponged Old Olive and Marina Mist inks onto it, cutting it out and mounting it with Stampin' Dimensionals.
I think this checkerboard technique provided a really interesting and unusual card! Let me know what you think!
Make sure and stop by the Utah Divas International website and check out the rest of the Design Team projects. There's some really special ideas awaiting you this week!
Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll come back soon for more ideas and inspiration!
The border really caught my eye and it is a great inspired by card. To weave the card stock is a great idea. I thought you had just added squares around the card then embossed. Thanks for sharing this beautiful card.
Posted by: Tonya | May 03, 2011 at 08:42 AM
I love the woven edge technique you used, as well as the colors. Beautiful!! txjennywren.blogspot.com
Posted by: TxJennyWren | May 03, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Oh Gretchen this is beautiful and such a mirror image of the stained glass window. You are much more patient than I my friend to weave that beautiful background. Stunning. Hugs,
Posted by: diane oliver | May 03, 2011 at 05:57 PM
I thought the same thing as Tonya--that you'd added squares and embedded them. This is a gorgeous card! Now I have to get that stamp set!
Posted by: Estella Cuevas | May 03, 2011 at 11:27 PM
Beautiful, just absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Rhonda Nelson | May 04, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Gretchen,
Your cards are an absolute inspiration! You do amazing work. I love everything yu do and thank you so much for sharing yoru creativity! Stunning,stunning card!!
Candi
Posted by: Candi Hume | May 04, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Love it.
Posted by: Mary Lou | May 04, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Very pretty card, I too thought you added little squares of black paper. Love your idea of "plunging cuts" didn't know there was such a thing, h'mmm this must be my new thing learned for today, thanks!
Posted by: Nancy Lempinen | May 05, 2011 at 07:40 AM
Gretchen, I just wanted to tell you that I LOVE your blog! It is the only one I check regularly. You make beautiful cards!
Posted by: Ria | May 05, 2011 at 02:00 PM
What a great idea....it's really very pretty! I was surprised at your technique and really turned out very well...thanks for sharing everything!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | May 05, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Thanks for explaining how you got the checkerboard. I love that!
Posted by: Patti MacLeith | May 06, 2011 at 06:54 PM
What a beautiful border! The whole card is just lovely. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Karen Smith | May 20, 2011 at 07:57 PM
I love the checkerboard effect, neve would have thought of weaving a strip. I also liked your other post with blossom fest and the simple, more, and over the top. Such great ideas and examples. Thanks
Posted by: Kathy Anthony | May 28, 2011 at 06:59 AM