A sketch challenge

It's seems I've been neglecting my blog. I can't believe how quickly this week has gone. I managed to do yesterday's sketch challenge on SCS finally today. I used an image from the retired SU set Friendships Grow for the main focal point. I stamped it three times on vanilla card stock with jet black stazon ink, and then colored the images with Copic markers and punched out the images with my 1-1/4" circle punch. I layered these on 1-3/8" circles of black. The other two circles are ruby red card stock layered on black.

The background is stamped with the victorian pattern backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms in night of navy ink. Since I usually ink my backgrounds with my brayer and black stains the brayer so badly, I prefer to substitute another dark color instead of black on backgrounds, in this case - navy. The background was then embossed in my cuttlebug with the textile folder.

The sentiment is from a new set that I just received today, Celebrate Everything, as part of my preview order from SU's new Spring/Summer Collection 2008. I had to mount it in order to use it on this card. I don't often use my hardware, so I thought that would make a nice border for the sentiment. I added some faux stitching around the sentiment, the red circles and the mustard rectangle.

I also added some crystal stickles to the flower centers for a bit of sparkle.

The details:
stamps: friendships grow, celebrate everything (SU), victorian pattern backgrounder (CHF)
ink: jet black stazon, night of navy, basic black, copic markers (R29, G07, E99, E09, C1)
paper: basic black, ruby red, more mustard, very vanilla
accessories: piercing tool & mat, hardware, cuttlebug, textile embossing folder, crystal stickles (Ranger)

Yesterday I received my complimentary demonstrator copy of the new Spring/Summer catalog and I've spent a lot of time perusing it and deciding what is going to be on my first order. I like way too much and I must say that it's well over my budget, so I'm going to have to limit myself... {sigh...}.

I also finally got my Christmas cards mailed. I think I have all my shopping done, but still have some wrapping to finish up.

Thanks for stopping by.