Color Throwdown Challenge #60

Today marks my third week as the September Guest Designer for the Color Throwdown team! I'm still super excited to work with the team this month! What an absolutely fantastic group of talented ladies. They really have the small challenge details worked out perfectly :) Love the organizational methods of their team!!

Anyway, I digress...before I even got started! LOL This week's colors are definitely unique and I've seen some amazing creations using them:

For some reason, I struggled! I told myself going into this month that I would give each challenge my all (I DON'T like to let people down) and do my best to make WOW cards every week. I made TWO cards this week and I still don't have that completely satisfied feeling, but I like the unique differences in each card.

We were so lucky to sample some adorable stamps from our sponsor, Simon Says Stamp! I LOVE this "You Rock Guitar Hero Music Instruments" stamp set! It's perfect for the teenagers in my life (my daughter, my niece, many of my daughter's friends...), and when I received it, I thought immediately that I wanted to make the images girly! So, my first card...

I made this card using Jen Del Muro's sketch challenge (SFYTT) as my layout. I created the patterned circle paper using a border stamp from the set, and colored the drums using a blender pen and ink pressed into the lids of the pads. I highlighted the rims of the drums using a white gel pen, and made them girly with punched flowers and pearls! These pearls and the felt flower are sold at Simon Says Stamp also. Oh, and I have to tell you, these pearls (by Kaisercraft) are sooo pretty in person! You can see them next to some no-name pearls on my next card and the difference is so apparent! These look like real pearls vs plastic white dots :) My ribbon is from the Martha Stewart collection (pretty good match to the Bermuda Bay, huh?)

...and two days later I decide I no longer like the card above :O) LOL...seriously, I do that ALL the time. My problem this time? It's my submission for the CTD challenge! TRAGEDY! LOL

I created another card...

I envisioned this one being elegant despite the "funkiness" of the stamp set. I challenged myself to make it fancy :O) I felt like the Bermuda Bay and Barely Banana pieces needed something to "connect" them, so I stitched a unique design. I adhered pearl rhinestones to the center of the thread where it crossed (NOT Kaisercraft pearls like the one on the right).

For the main panel, I used my black marker to outline the image while it was still snuggled tight in the nestie. EASY, QUICK impact :O) I colored the trumpet using the same method I did on the first card. I used Crushed Curry to darken the shaded areas and added a shadow with Going Gray ink. I really like how simple the main image is. I could have added a ton of different embellishments, but I wanted it clean. That gorgeous ribbon with the flower are eye catching enough...I didn't want to lose the image entirely! No sentiment on this one, but perfect for that student who has a musical ability (whether they play the trumpet or not) or the band teacher...just to write a simple note!

...and today. I kind of like both cards! LOL I'm so indecisive this week!

Okay, that's it for over-explaining :O) Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out the Color Throwdown design team's creations! They are FAB!

Barbara
Broni

Cathy
Danielle
LeAnne

Tammy

Also, use keyword CTD60 in the online galleries and be sure to post the direct link to your creation using Mr. Linky on the CTD blog.

Hope you're having a wonderful week so far! You're half way there... :)