Challenge day!!

  Wednesday is always a fun day because there are lots of new challenges and two of my favorites are over at Simply Scrapping Crafts.   My very favorite is the 'Stamp n' Scrap' Challenge and that was the first card I started on today!

  Our challenge this week was to try and create a 'faux suede' look on our project.  To me this is totally new and not something I've ever tried.  The instructions were to crinkle up and roll up our paper really tight and then un-roll it and kind of peel about the layers.   I found that my paper (the pink scalloped circle on my card), did not really want to peel, very much, so I ended up sanding it a bit and using some distress ink.  In the end, I was reminded of how much I hate to rip, tear or crumble paper.  I think it so pretty just the way it is and I just am not one who likes it wrinkled, LOL!   But, I did finish my card and this is what I am submitting to the challenge.

As you can see it's very hard to see the 'suede look' in my photo, but I do understand the concept, it simply did not work out well for me.

   But, I am much happier with my second card and this card was created for two different Copic Challenges.  I have been trying all year to get ahead on my Christmas Cards, so I totally enjoy taking part in any Christmas themed challenges and that is the theme this week over at SSC.  Our challenge was to use the color 'Red' and create a Christmas Card.   Our card also had to have at least two squares and 2 flowers (or embellishments) and a sentiment.  I made my squares with a one inch punch and then embossed them in my Cuttlebug for more dimension.  For my embellishments, I chose to use Ribbon and Pezza Bling.

  I also created my card with a second challenge in mind and that is this week's "shading" challenge over at Copic Creations!  If you would like to learn more about shading or see some fabulous inspiration from the Design Team,  please head over the the Copic Creations Blog and look under Challenge #35.   The cards that the Design Team has created are fabulous and you'll also find some great links which will help you with this coloring technique.  Shading for me, has been one of my struggles with Copic Coloring, some days I do great and some days, it's a lot harder.  It's a technique that requires a lot of practice and that is one reason I love to take part in challenges.  It's a fabulous way to practice the skills I've learning in my Copic Classes.   Currently, I take my Copic Coloring Classes from Suzanne Dean over at her  'Color Me Creative Classroom'.    If you looking for Copic Classes, I highly recommend you visit Suzanne's classroom and join the new 'Challenge Group', which is open to all.  If you find you like it, you can then sign up for a variety of Copic or Cricut Classes, offered by Suzanne and Marti.  .  Right now, is a perfect time too, as Suzanne is currently is offering a Back to School Special. 

   For my card, I colored my little Reindeer by Bugaboo in a three shades of browns, and then dressed him in a cute red top.  Although it's hard to see in this photo, the entire image was then highlighted with my B60 sketch marker and I finished off my edges with some Distress ink in Tea Dye.  To give his eyes and the ornaments more dimension, I added a layer of 3D Crystal Lacquer.    My new Christmas Paper is "Spiceberry" from Memory Box and I love it.  I can tell you already that I will be buying more, as it's even pretty in person.   I bought mine from Susana's Custom Art & Card Design, along with this cute "Snowy Day" set from Crate Paper.  I'm very much into making Christmas Cards, so I'll be looking for more and more Christmas and Holiday Challenges!   If you see any, please let me know!  :)

   This is my completed card and it will be submitted to the Copic Challenge at SSC and also this week's  Challenge at Copic Creations.

    And now I am off to work on my card for the Challenge over at the CMC, if you would like to join in, you can find the challenge HERE.  It's another Copic Coloring technique, called 'Feathering'.  Hope to see you there!  :)