Two Posts and Three Challenges in One Day!

I'm just so chuffed with myself that I don't think I'll be able to get my big fat head back through my studio door! This card was done in response to the Split Coast Stampers' Sketch Challenge today (I think it's # 219)

I used lots of little shortcuts for this one. Sometimes, when I don't know what I feel like making, I'll just stamp a bunch of images in black and colour them. Then I leave them lying around on my work table until they inspire me. Today, something about this giant Inkadinkado cupcake and the look on the Eat Cake Graphics little girl just came together for me. Especially when I checked out the sketch challenge over at Split Coast Stampers today!

All the images are coloured with Copic Marker and trimmed out. The die cut pink paper layer was cut from a K and Co. Die Cut Mat Pad. They're the perfect size for layering on a card and all the fun detail is already done for you! The sentiment is from a Hero Arts Birthday set. Lots of foam adhesive later, the card was done. Super fast and easy!

And, as a bonus, this card turned out to be a perfect entry for the week 1 challenge in the Birthday Blog Bash at Paper Garden. Be sure to check it out!

Who is that Masked Bird?

I made this card in response to a Saturday Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers this week. The inspiration pieces were from an art show where all the canvases were women's bras! One, in particular, covered in brightly covered feathers gave me the idea for this image.

I started by stamping the Hero Arts peacock image and masking it. Then I began stamping Squawk, from Inkadinkado repeatedly, masking as necessary to create a nameless crowd of pigeons surrounding the central bird.

I used shades of cool grey Copic Marker to colour the pigeons, so that my peacock would really stand out. Then I let loose and used lots of bright colours and blending to colour my showboating peacock.

To finish the card, I mounted the coloured image inside a deceptively simple gatefold card with the hand-written sentiment, "You're One in a Million."

I like how the outside looks very plain in contrast to the busy, colourful image inside!

Although the masking and colouring took a bit of patience, I really like the finished effect!