Hello everyone and welcome to Inspiration in Action! It's Friday and that means a new sketch challenge from the Stamping 411 Operators!
I used the Take Care Stamp set for my card this week. This set was one that I thought was so cute and then when I got it I was clueless to know what to do with it! Well, I decided to dust it off and give it a try with this week's wide-open sketch! And I must say, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. The 
more I look at it, it almost looks like you are on the inside of a hollow tree, looking out and down below at a branch with a nest on it! Well, maybe if you use your imagination just a little -- he, he!
I used the Big Shot and the Apothecary Accents Framelets large die, cut in Whisper White cardstock. I then used Marina Mist ink and a sponge, along with my CLOUD TEMPLATE, to create the soft clouds. Next I stamped the branch image (Chocolate Chip and Old Olive). The next was stamped with Versamark on Crumb Cake, embossed with Clear Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool and then sponged with Chocolate Chip Ink to bring out the embossing. The eggs were stamped with Pool Party Ink and embossed, using a Versamarker (retired, sorry). Nest and eggs were popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.
I created the woodgrain background with a brand new Embossing Folder which will be available beginning August 1st in the Holiday Mini Catalog. I began with Crumb Cake cardstock and then inked on Chocolate Chip ink. I tied it all up with a little Linen Thread and put it on a Marina Mist Card Base (cut at 5.5 x 8.5", scored and folded). And that's it! This week's sketch leaves lots of room for creativity. It's a wide-open canvas for your creativity to soar!
Speaking of creativity, you'll want to make sure and check out the other Operator projects on Stamping 411! You'll be glad you did!
That will do it for now. Wherever you are, I hope you're able to stay cool this weekend. 105+ in Central Illinois today and for most of the days to come! Thank goodness for AC!
Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you'll come back soon for more Ideas and Inspiration!
Fabulous creation! I did feel as though I was in the tree trunk looking out...marvelous creation!
Posted by: Carol Carriveau | July 07, 2012 at 01:43 AM
So cute, just like I sometimes feel, out on a limb when trying to come up with an idea for my stamp sets.
You always solve many of those problems. I would also like to have the instructions for the bag you made for the tour de Freaks. Will you be putting it in a tutorial or kit? Thanks for always sharing your ideas.
Posted by: Seletta Henry | July 07, 2012 at 07:29 AM
Love what you created this week with the sketch Gretchen, such a fun card, I need to go take another look at that set!!
Posted by: Vicki | July 08, 2012 at 03:40 PM
Love your card--that nest is too cool!!! Great job!
Posted by: Tammy | July 09, 2012 at 06:07 PM
I love your handcrafted sky!!! That nest is SO cool!!!!
Posted by: Patti Chesky | July 16, 2012 at 07:25 PM