Lunchtime Challenge

Well, it's no longer Monday (when this was due), but this one actually had me stumped for a bit! You know sometimes sketches just kind of "speak to me" and I know exactly what to do when I see them.....and sometimes, like for this one, they really are a challenge! So, you see, I've been working on this butterfly version for a few days, but it just wasn't coming together for me! Maybe it was too light and Spring-like? I love the butterfly idea, but....hmmm, the rest of it?!! This card has been ripped apart and repositioned so many times, I'm actually kind of surprised that it is holding together! Just this morning, I put the corner punches on and it seemed to help tremendously, by giving the card some life. It was just way too light and airy looking without those darker corners. Still, I'm not really happy with it, but it's OK.

Stamps: All the Best, For All You Do
Inks: Not Quite Navy, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze
CS: Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Baja Breeze
Misc: Large Oval Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Paper Piercer, So Saffron Mini Brads, Apricot Appeal Narrow Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Butterfly Die, Big Shot, Walk in the Park DSP
Please note: ALL materials used to create this sample are from SU!, some items have retired.

Then, last night while lying in bed, I envisioned this second version.....which I like so much better! It's actually a much simpler version of the sketch, so much less busy, and uses some of our new In colors for this year. Of course, the Big Shot was also used....maybe that made the difference? By adding a bit of texture on the Dusty Durango (orange-ish) panel, and creating the "window" for the tree with the Mover & Shaker die, it really all came together, don't you think?

Oh, by the way, the leaves on the tree were created by first inking with Crushed Curry ink and then before stamping, I added in a touch of Dusty Durango and Old Olive markers. The final touch? Lightly sponging over top of the finished tree with a Sponge Dauber in Crushed Curry!

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Inks: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango

CS: Natural White, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Old Olive

Markers: Dusty Durango, Old Olive

Punches: Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Curley Label

Misc: White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (used up-side-down), Sponge Dauber, Big Shot, Textuz Plate--Kit #4, Mover & Shaker Die, Paper Piercer & Template

Please note: ALL materials used to create this sample are from SU!

So, there you have it....which one do YOU like best? (My vote is for the second one....the one with the tree!) Thanks for stopping by today! You can check out MaryJo's original sketch and see who has participated this week, by clicking here.