Two-fer:  Global Design Project Color Challenge and Paper Players Sketch Challeng

I love playing along with challenges, and really love when I can combine two challenges.  This week’s #GDP213’s color challenge calls for Lovely Lipstick, Old Olive, and Smoky Slate.  The Paper Players sketch challenge seemed to be designed just for these colors.

My upline and member of the GDP design team, Brian King, created this holiday card using the color challenge.   It’s so perfect, and used his card as an inspiration for my holiday card with these three colors.

Here are the challenge banners:

Here’s my two-fer challenge holiday card:

I’m not quite sure why the bottom mercury glass appears lighter than the top.  I tried photographing it from multiple angles and OttLite positions and it kept coming out that way.  

Mercury Glass Shines

I knew I wanted to use just Lovely Lipstick cardstock for the base of this card.  While trying to figure out which embossing folder I should use, I remembered I had an unopened pack of mercury glass sheets.  I enthusiastically pulled out the paper and cut a piece down to 4- 1/8 x 5-1/4. Next, I pulled out and cut an identically sized piece of Lovely Lipstick cardstock, paired them up and was immediately thrilled with the results.  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remembered hearing that the mercury glass has a clear film on the front which needed to be removed for use.  Thankfully, I did that before gluing all the components down.

In order to incorporate the Smoky Slate, I tried using a piece of that cardstock for the base.  It didn’t work at all because Smoky Slate is basically the same as the mercury glass.  I decided the Smoky Slate banner for the sentiment would be enough of the color.  Since I used a piece of scrap already embossed with the Subtle 3D folder, I needed to use the Stamparatus for the sentiment.  The Stamparatus allowed me to stamp the sentiment over and over until I felt satisfied without having to worry about perfectly lining up the stamp each time.

Here’s a picture showing the similarity between the mercury glass and Smoky Slate:

The Perfectly Plaid Bundle

This photopolymer stamp set and coordinating punch provided all the elements for this card.  I used the In Color DSP for the strip behind the sentiment.  The punch easily cropped Old Olive DSP and cardstock to create the trees.  I simply stamped the focal tree in the front with Lovely Lipstick needles (berries?? decorations??) on Old Olive cardstock and popped it up on dimensionals.  In order to achieve some depth and separation between the trees, I used the brush side of the Old Olive marker to outline all three trees.  I decided to use the dark Smoky Slate blend to color the stump of the trees.

Finishing Touches

I really struggled with the finishing touches.  I couldn’t decide if I wanted to use ribbon, and if so, where would I put it.  After trying a few different placements, I decided I didn’t need ribbon after all.  

This is where the Wink of Stella came into play.  I wanted to have something else, without adding bulk or clutter so the card could remain clean.  I sed the Wink of Stella on dots, alternate stripes, and red needles on the trees.  It adds just enough sparkle without adding clutter.

I used more Lovely Lipstick DSP for the envelope flap and also stamped an Old Olive tree with Lovely Lipstick needles on the front of the envelope.  Another card set completed.  All is well.  Life is good.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today.  A big thanks, in advance, for taking the time to leave a comment.

Have a Peachy Day!

Sue

If you don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I would be honored to work with you.  Please contact me or visit my shop to order the supplies for this card.  

If you are ordering $150 or more, please contact me first so you earn all the Stamping Rewards for your order.

If you are ordering less than $150, please use the host code,  49KJF94R when prompted.  I use the combined rewards for gifts for customers.  

Supplies

Perfectly Plaid photopolymer stamp set, item # 149418 

Pine Tree punch, item #  149521

Perfectly Plaid bundle (save 10%), item # 151143

Mercury Glass Designer Acetate, item # 150441

In Color DSP 2018 – 2020, item # 146973

Stitched Rectangles Dies, item # 148551

Whisper White cardstock, item # 100730

Lovely Lipstick cardstock, item #  146970

Old Olive cardstock, item # 100702

Lovely Lipstick ink pad, item # 147140

Old Olive ink pad, item # 147090

Wink of Stella, item # 141897

Medium Whisper White envelopes, item # 107301

Stamping Dimensionals, item #  104430

Tombow Liquid Adhesive (my fav!!), item # 110755

Glue dots, item # 103683  (behind the trees)

Paper Pumpkin Specials

I am super excited about the October and November Paper Pumpkin coordinating kits!  I recieved my October Paper Pumpkin card kit and it is fabulous!!   The November kit will be the coordinating gift tags.  So excited!  In order to recieve the November kit, you will need to sign up by November 10th.  Here’s the link for you to sign up for these kits as well:    https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2155072