Oscars-Inspired Floral Note Card

I love the fashion-inspired challenges provided at the Runway Inspired Challenge and this (RIC79) must be my favorite.  We were given a selection of Oscars looks from which to choose as our inspiration and I chose this one (among others; stay tuned for future posts and I'll come back here and link them):

Photo: Oscar.go.com

When I look at this dress, it translates to the floral image from Butterfly Basics** (a set in the Occasions Catalog), Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke, Blush Blossom, florals, a bit of sparkle (see her ring?) and vellum.

To mimic the construction of Keira Knightley's dress, I mounted Sahara Sand on itself, but used Stampin' Dimensionals to give it a lift.  The lettering on the dress is recreated using the "Thanks" from the Hello You Thinlits (I bought the bundle).  

I wanted the floral to be subtle, much like it is in Knightley's dress, so I inked it in Sahara Sand, as well.

The Blush Blossom blooms are simply punched using the 7/8-inch Scallop Circle punch, scrunched and sueded.  The top layer is the soft sueded "inside" of a circle and it's mounted on the smooth "outside" of a circle.  Double your card stock that way!

A Rhinestone Basic Jewel in each center is inspired by Knightley's lovely ring.

**The Butterfly Basics and Butterflies bundle (and individual items) are currently unavailable, but will be back in stock to order soon.  The strike on the Pacific Coast docks will require weeks of work to sort out and these items will be on their way to SU! Headquarters soon. If you're interested in ordering them, please let me know and with no obligation to purchase, I'll notify you when they're available to order again.

Shabby Girly Lotus Blossom and the View from Today's Studio

Today's feminine project was made using the Retrosketches #156 sketch and will be entered at The Shabby Tea Room, for "Pop of Pink," TSTR247.  The color palette was inspired by the gorgeous gown seen here, at the Oscars:

Photo: oscar.go.com

The good people at Runway Inspired Challenge (RIC#79) invited us to use a variety of Oscars looks as our inspiration.  I loved the softness and the sparkle in this gown, so I used Blush Blossom and gold sequins from my Gold Sequin Trim to echo that.

I used the Lotus Blossom stamp (a freebie available with Sale-a-Bration) and inked it in Blush Blossom over Pink Pirouette. Soft and subtle!

To add a bit of texture, I used the soft Gold Satin Ribbon as well as some Pearl Basic Jewels.  Finally, I added scrunched strips of Pink Pirouette card stock that I'd cut using my Stampin' Trimmer. These little touches make it eligible for the Friday Mashup Challenge #200 (FM200), in which we're to pick two favorite Challenges from before (to celebrate the big 2-0-0!). I chose #7 (Feminine) and #14 (Flowers).

The Ornate Tag Topper Punch and White Baker's Twine add touches of class to the tag.

This sweet sentiment comes from the And Many More stamp set and was inked in Perfect Plum.  I also used it to sponge the edges of the punched piece (using the Modern Label Punch). A pearl ties it to the rest of the project. 

And here is the view from my Studio today:

What they say about Seattle is true.  It rains here.  A.  Lot.  Thing is, when the sun comes out, it's hard not to drop everything and head out to enjoy it.  

We've had *unseasonably* lovely weather for the last few weeks.  I have daffodils and hyacinth peeking up and blooming in the yard. My lilacs, blueberries and hydrangea are budding and some leaves are even beginning to unfurl. It's magic.  

For a mom whose kids play baseball and softball, this weather is sublime.  The kids have had so much fun practicing in this weather (let's hope we have some games on days like this).

As you can see, the sky is robin's egg blue right now, all over, with NO clouds in sight.  A PNW rarity, to be sure!

This is our deck, which we've waited forever to build.  It took all summer to be completed and I've been gazing longingly out the windows at it since October, but I've finally been able to enjoy some morning coffee and blogging out here.    

On the right side of this picture is our grill, where I've temporarily set the hummingbird feeder.  Anna's Hummingbirds (we love that name) are native, year-round residents here and I've got one who's been visiting the entire time I've been out here working.  

I hope Mother Nature lets up on you snowbound folks and gives you some respite from the cold and that the thaw is gentle and uneventful. We'll be back in the rain and gray soon, I'm sure, so I'm going to enjoy this sun and clear weather while I can!

Stop by tomorrow for my latest Mojo Monday entry (a masculine birthday card)...