Wednesday, September 16, 2009

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!


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... :)

11 comments:

Broni said...

Both of your cards are wonderful, Kristin! Totally pretty and girly even using the "funky" stamp set! I love them!

dpkennedy said...

These both totally rock! You did awesome with these colors! I love the images you used! The stitching on the second card is fantastic! Love them!

Pat (mspfd) said...

These are both fabulous! What wonderful designs.

LeAnne said...

Holy guacamole, girl, you are an over-achiever! Both of these cards are awesome---I am not sure I would have been able to come up with something using this set! You saw the possibilities, though, and came up with some winners! Love that sketch on the first one, and the embellishments on the second one are incredible!!!

LETTIER.COM said...

Now those are my kinda cards. =)

Tammy Hershberger said...

Fabulous job, Kristin! I love 'em both! (But you already knew that!)

Carol L said...

Well I must say, both these cards have enough "WOW" factor for me!!! I especially love the first one, with those crisp squares and perfect piercing! You're obviously too hard on yourself, because both cards are fabulous! Nice job:)

Barbara said...

Both cards are gorgeous, girl!!! You rocked the colors with them both!

Andrea M said...

AMAZING CARDS!!!! They are just gorgeous!!! Wow - you really made me fall in love with that color combo :)
Thanks so much for your comments on my blog - you're so encouraging and I can't tell you how much it is appreciated :)

Dana Gustafson said...

You rock! Your cards BOTH rock! (silly!) and I love what you did with these colors! How fun!

Winter said...

WOW! I love these cards! This first one is my fav! Love that stamp set! :)

Post a Comment

Thank you for leaving a comment! It really does mean a lot to me. I will visit your blog if you have one...that's where I find most of my inspiration :O)

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.