Bloggers' Challenge #81

This week the challenge is to use background paper....or some of us call it Designer Series Paper (that's a SU term!!). I LOVE using background paper in my cardmaking! It can bring a richness to a project that cannot be achieved any other way....the colors are rich and crisp.....not to mention that if you wish to send the card, it adds almost NO weight!!

Ok, so I was actually done early this week. I completed this first card on Tuesday.....I was determined to be on time!!! So, it sat on my desk since then and sometimes I liked it, and at other times, I did not. Right now, I'm not sure.....I'm thinking that it's ok, but a little "over the top." Remember, I usually like plainer, simpler designs. But still, I thought I'd share.

Stamps: Cute & Curly

Inks: Night of Navy

CS: Very Vanilla, Kiwi Kiss

Misc: Urban Garden DSP, Night ofNavy Grosgrain Ribbon, Flower Fusion (Old Olive), Scallop Edge Punch, Light Blue Felt Flower*, Designer Button, Light Blue Self-Adhesive Dot*

*Non SU)

Well, then I decided to begin again. I came across this background paper by DCWV that has been in my collection for more than a year. The colors in this pattern seem to match our colors almost exactly....and I really like this pattern. This card is much more pleasing to me, but kind of ordinary.....you know, nothing especially different about it! Although I did use paper piecing for the little blue bird and some double layered Prima Flowers with a little glass-type brad inside. (Company source not known for these items!) It's cute....it's ok....and it's certainly easy to reproduce. But, I wanted something even better to share!!

Stamps: Fun & Fast, Sweet & Sassy Sayings

Inks: Basic Black, White Craft

CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise, Kraft

Markers: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, YoYo Yellow

Misc: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon**, Hodgepodge Hardware buckle in Antique Copper*, Prima Flowers, "Glass" Bead*

*Non-SU

That brings me to this third and final sample. Not long ago, I saw some "quilted" cards using the Top Note die....and you KNOW how much I like using that!! This one was fun, not really difficult, although a tad time consuming. But, it's a bit different, and really showcases the Patterns Pack DSP, Level 1. Each of the papers in this pack are double sided, and they really all kind of coordinate. So, I just cut a bunch of 1" squares and glued them to Whisper White CS, then placed them in the Big Shot and cut out the Big Note. Afterwards, I used a White Gel Pen to create the zig-zag stitch lines. Cool idea, isn't it?!! Then this was turned into a "tent card"....so the black background is just that...a back drop and not a part of the card! Twill was stamped onto a folded piece of Whisper White and the completed Top Note was adhered, but stands up over the top of the stamped base. Does this make sense? Add in the ribbon and the greeting with the cute little addition of the Designer Brad and More Mustard Mini Brad....and Voila!! The card was complete!

Stamps: All Holidays, Twill

Inks: Close to Cocoa, More Mustard

CS: Whisper White, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa

Misc: Taupe Grosgrain**, Top Note Die, Big Shot, Designer Brad, More Mustard Mini Brad, White Gel Pen

So that's my saga for this week's Challenge! LOL It's been a process, as many of these challenges can be....but when all done, I ended up with 3 samples for you! So, maybe you're not too unhappy with me that I'm late? Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you'll take a bit of time to visit the other bloggers. Have a great day! (It's snowing here....maybe I'll find some time to stamp some more!!)

Edited to add: Card #3 does double duty! Not only does it fit the DSP Challenge, but also SBS#24, Friendship Cards. I've been very lax in staying up to date with their challenges! But this one works for last week's requirement.