Fourth one is a charm!!

Well, after numerous attempts at this weeks color and sketch challenges, I finally made one I like!! The color combo found here:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217585 was tough for me for some reason...I like the colors but had a hard time finding a balance I was happy with...my first attempt was using one of my new Rhonna Farrer $1 stamps from Joanns...


No, the bird is not in the jar trying to get out...it is actually supposed to look like it is painted on it...when I was a kid my mom dabbled in tole painting...mostly on painted metal containers...but since I was trying to stay within the color challenge I couldn't very well replicate it exactly...the more I look at this card, the more I realize how silly it looks...oh well.

My next attempt was to combine the color with the sketch challenge found here:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217861


Contrary to the last card, the more I look at this one, the more it grows on me...this another Rhonna $1 stamp...the sentiment is a Michaels $1 stamp...I stamped the images in blue craft and then heat embossed them...I used my white gel pen to color in the "gaps" of the flower outline...added some jewels of course...maybe that is what the bird needed???? just kidding!!

This next one is another version of the sketch with my own color combo!

The hearts are sizzix and are mounted on chipboard...the sentiment is a wood stamp found at Joanns for a $1...(don't you just love $1 stamps?! I guess I do!!!) Added some jewels and a hat pin to this one...outlined with my white gel pen and stardust pen, although its hard to see the stardust in the photo...

My final attempt I deemed somewhat of a success...in my opinion anyway...this was for the ways to use it challenge to use background stamps, found here:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218215

I stamped paisley on my main background and embossed the top half with the script cuttlebug folder...The art of life is my main stamp image...I embossed script on the lighter blue and the cuttlebug dots on the burgundy...I decided to set them askew just for fun! I tied hemp around the main image and ran the ends through the center of a prima, knotted the two strands and then made a knot at each end. I ran ribbon around the top with a knot on the side...and added two window punch pieces with a large pewter brad...I also pierced on both sides and outline the holes with black marker, but it's a little hard to see...

So, there you have it...my week of cards!! I have some other projects on my to do list so I hope to get those done soon...I'm thinking it might be nice to do something other than challenges for a change!!!

See you soon...