Today is my inaugural entry into any kind of challenge. I’ve seen sketch challenges and colour challenges but never actually had the right colours or punches or stamp sets to try it out. I’m sliding in, just under the wire, to enter the Pals Paper Arts Challenge 222 which, as a colour challenge, is definitely easier to start with. I hope that you go to the site and check out all the other entries at Pals Paper Arts
The colours that are required for this week are so saffron, early espresso and calypso coral. I tried to create leaves in the three colours for an autumnal look but it just wasn’t working for me. I tried a couple of other stamp sets before I got to Mixed bunch. I love this set – the flowers are just so happy!
I first stamped the flowers in the three colours but the so saffron just faded into the background when next to the early espresso. I’m so glad that I got the Stampin’ Up write markers recently as a 50% off item since I don’t actually have the early espresso ink. Yet. It’s coming tomorrow! Whilst thinking about the next move, I looked at the stamp set again and saw the three flower centres that I’ve never before used. Bingo!
I grabbed some more colours to make this truly a happy happy birthday card – wild wasabi, rose red, cherry cobbler and perfect plum and after stamping the Happy birthday in calypso coral worked my way around the card stamping the flower once in each of the 4 extra colours and early espresso and calypso coral.
After this I stamped the flower centre, and cut it out with my 1/2″ punch but it just didn’t work – the delicate flower centre in so saffron was still overpowered by the dark colours. So I stamped the original flower in so saffron and punched out the centre, again with the 1/2″ punch and adhered that over the centre of each of the flowers.
I know that the punches are expensive, but it was so handy to have this tool to hand. I also tried a 7/8″ scalloped punch. I tend to add the punches to my order when there is one in the weekly deals that I know that I’ll want one day. And I usually add one to my order anyway, just because. This way, I’m building up a nice collection of punches without too much monetary pain and I think my 1/2 inch punch made this card!
Congrats on your first contest entry, Liz! It’s a nice card on its own, without being done for a contest though.
Hooray for jumping in the challenge pool with Pals Paper Arts! Your bright flowers are lovely! They make a very sweet birthday card for sure!
Thanks very much, Linda.
Great job on your first challenge, they are super fun, you will find them your “goto” now for inspiration. Thanks for having fun with the PALS this week.
Thank you Sandra. It definitely made me stretch to use those colours together. I look forward to more challenges.