Two Challenges-Hatty Birthday!

I actually managed to make something for this week's color challenge (Whisper White, Basic Gray, and Soft Sky(I had to substitute bashful Blue) and last week's technique challenge on SCS (the negative effect); I think pigs just flew by!!!

I was SO excited to see how the size shape and delicate lines of he narrow border image from WIYT2 goes with Rupa's Thinking of You images, it's like they were MFEO!!("made for each other", Sleepless in Seattle) The first time I saw this stack of hat boxes I immediately thought "cake"!! I stamped the cake first, covered it with a mask and then stamped my label around it. The "cake and hat are colored with ink and an Aquapainter. Next I drew a few lines for candles, added a dab of ink for the flames and went over them with Stickles. I inked up just the "hats off" part of the sentiment so I could use my SU! oval punch and new silver hodgepodge frame. I chose an oval tag to mimic the tops of the hat boxes.

For the background you ink up the negative side (that has the word "Cuttlebug" printed on it) of your Cuttlebug folder (I thought Paisley would be perfect with Rupa's India influenced images.) Add your paper and roll through you bug, and you have a beautiful two-toned textured background! Clean the folder immediately after using. (This was actually a LOT easier to do than I thought, the ink hasn't gone down into the grooves when you ink up this side, so it was just a simple swipe-love it!) I notched out the corners with the cool 4 way corner scissors Gina sells, and added a halfback peal in the corners. To make the mat for my focal point, I stamped the same label onto Basic Gray CS, then went around the outside with another pair decorative edge scissors and put the focal point on top. Perfect! Finished the card off with some taffeta SU! ribbon.

TIP: The location of my accents follows the "rule of thirds", if you split the card up into thre sections vertically and three sections horizontally(tic tac toe bor style), the ribbon runs down on linewith the tied bow being where two lines intersect, the right edge of the coal pint falling on the other vertical line with the hodge podge frame intersecting. This is an easy way to place your details and results in a pleasing layout.

I love the way this turned out!! PLEASE remind me to do these challenges more often!! :) (I'm usually just too busy/lazy to go check, so I bookmarked the challenge forum so it's easier for me to open and check out before I start a new project)

TOMRROW: a very special blog candy and contest to win free stamps announced tomorrow!! :)