Monochromatic Sketch

I created this card for the 365 Cards Sketchy Sunday Challenge. Here was the sketch to follow:

I took the sketch quite literally and had one of those stamping moments when the card in my head looks better than the card in my hands. The punchline is that I was so sure this card would turn out as well as the one in my head that I made two! :) Rather than scrap the whole mess and not even talk about it, I thought I'd share some of my favorite elements.

First, I like how the ribbon at the bottom turned out. I used Bashful Blue for my overall color scheme and all I had was narrow grosgrain. By twisting it gently (and adhering the flat portion before each twist), I was able to approximate the look of rick rack. I'd like to fiddle more with that in the future.

I also wish I used my Paper Piercing Tool more. It adds such impact and it's such an easy tool to use (and inexpensive to purchase -- under $4!). I liked the texture it added to the white "stems" of my flowers.

I love the look of the vellum as it's textured in the center of my flower. I ran the vellum through my Big Shot with the Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and punched it with a one-inch circle punch. A silver brad holds the vellum to the Bashful Blue circle.

I am glad I ran the Bashful Blue "stems" through the Big Shot, too, using my Polka Dot Texturz Plate. In person (I'm not sure it showed up in the picture very well), it adds more lovely texture.

If I were to recreate this card, knowing now how the idea in my head translated to the card in my hand, I'd use some Bashful Blue Patterns Designer Series Paper to break up some of the huge white space between the Pretties flower and the paper blooms...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: None

Inks: None

Paper: Bashful Blue and Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Bashful Blue Narrow Grosgrain, Pretties kit, Boho Blossoms punch, 1-inch Circle, Big Shot, Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates

Thanks for hearing me think aloud and helping me to see the glass as half full... Happy nearly-Monday!