Why the Hell Not?

St. Patty's Birthday...

In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, I decided to make a (mostly) green card.  I've also noticed that I've fallen into a layout rut and seem to be using the same boring layout, in some variation or another, on all of my cards.  So, I decided that I'd stop kibitzing and finally start participating in Splitcoast's Sketch Challenges.  Here's my entry into today's Sketch Challenge (SC272).

For this card, I stamped an image I bought in London over two years ago for the first time.  Aack!  I bought this image from Blade Rubber right before we went on a lengthy trek to the British Museum (aka a huge building where the British showcase all of the things they've pillaged from other countries - and they've pillaged a lot of stuff).  While in this store, I discovered some fabulous products, including a few that I could not find in the U.S.  Shock of shock, I stuffed as many things into my basket as I could slip past my (then new) husband.  This stamp was one of those things.  It's made by The English Stamp Company.  It's also some sort of clear rubber-like substance that feels like red rubber, stamps like red rubber, and yet is an opaque white in color.  It's also wood mounted on a totally ergonomic handle.  you could stamp for forever and forever with that handle.  And, it stamps like a dream.  I really should have inked that baby sooner! 

Here's a detail shot of my stamped medallion, which is really four of the same image cut out and layered on top of each other -

I love this stamp.  Just sayin'...

Ingredients:

Stamps - Gina K Designs (Punchy Words), The English Stamp Company (love ya!)

Cardstock - SU's Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, and Confetti White

Patterned Paper - Basic Grey

Ink - Always Artichoke Classic Ink, ColorBox Chalk in Chestnut Roan (for inking the edges)

Accessories - Chatterbox Wooden Brad (note that I inked the edge first), SU Soft Suede 1/2" Polka dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Spellbinders Labels Nine

Dancing with Dad

Well, I didn't make the design team.  That sucks.  However, you still get to enjoy my page.  I'll also be remaking one for myself as I had to send in this page. 

As I posted last week, Spellbinders sent the finalists the Film Strip die and a set of the Inverted Scallop dies.  We were required to produce a 12"x12" scrapbook page using the Film Strip die and at least one of the Inverted Scallop dies.  I used four.  And I cut countless Film Strip die pieces from card stock and metal. And I used up some of the 80+ sheets of Bazzill Crimson card stock I have left over from my wedding!  Woo hoo!

Here's the page -

I love this picture of dad.  I get my spunkiness and fun side mostly from him, but thankfully I got my dancing ability from mom (sorry dad).  And mom, you are spunky and fun too, it's just in random spurts.  Dad's is more effusive.  This picture, though, is a classic example of how we dance with each other and it really reminds me of dancing with him when I was a kid.  We'd do silly things even back when I had to stand on his feet to be able to dance with him. 

I was amazed that the photographer caught this image.  And,I have to say, the pictures they took of the wedding were FANTASTIC.  I'm truly impressed with Ryan Green Photography.  If you're in need of a photographer in the Austin, Texas area, they are amazing to work with and produce quality, one of a kind pictures that truly capture the moment.  I can't say enough good things about them!  Plus, they were nice enough to allow me to use their photographs in published items, which just makes a crafter happy. 

You know, the really funny thing about this photo is that dad told me only a minute or so before that he couldn't dance to this song.  We'd meant to practice and it just never happened.  I'd told him which song I'd chosen, only never played it for him.  And, it's not like I picked a common song.  I'd picked an obscure Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong duet that has nothing to do with fathers and daughters.  But the song reminded me of him as it's spunky, silly, and well, sung by two of my favorite singers - singers he introduced me to.  When the music started, and everyone was looking at us, he looked at me and said, dead serious, "I can't dance to this."  I quickly wracked my brain trying think of how fast I could get over to Carlos the DJ and get him to change the music and just how many people would notice that I'd run the 20 feet over to Carlos and had him flip songs spur of the moment.  And I wondered if Carlos would have one in hand that he could change the music to, and realized he likely would not.  So, I said the first thing that came to mind, "Make it up!"  Dad smiled, nodded, and proceeded making it up.  And we had a blast! As you can see...

 

Some detail shots-

 

I love you dad!

Supplies:

Paper: Bazzill textured 12” x 12”- Crimson , Stampin’ Up! – Basic Black, Whisper White, Kaiser Craft patterned paper – To Have & To Hold   Ink - SEI Chalk Ink – Black, Ranger Distress Ink – Weathered Wood  

Accessories: Spellbinders™ Film Strip Die, Spellbinders™ Large Classic Inverted Scallop Circles, Spellbinders™ Premium Craft Foil – Red, Ranger Stickles  – Star Dust, Close to My Heart Designer Brads - Pewter, Tim Holtz Paper Distresser, Copic Markers – R46 Strong Red, 0 Colorless Blender, Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabber – Pitch Black,  Tsukineko Co., Ltd. All-Purpose Ink – Platinum, May Arts Burgundy Velvet Ribbon, Stampin’ Up! 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon – Basic Black, Joann Scrap Essentials metal letters, Tim Holtz Idea-ology sanding tool and sandpaper , Stampin’ Up! Stampin’ Sponge, Fiskars scissors, Fiskars Paper Trimmer, paper towels  

Adhesive - Scotch ATG, Zip Dry Paper Glue, Stampin’ Up! Dimensionals, Scotch Tape