Three Favorites for Your Next Stamp

Your Next Stamp is having a DT call!  And I'm excited! Some of my friends on Cropchocolate.com first got me interested in YNS.  But, I was hooked when a gal posted an adorable card using this stamp set:

 

And, what's so special about this stamp? Well, YNS designed it just for her.  She asked for a stamp that made a young boy look "spiffy cool", not nerdy.  And they did it.  I thought right then, "I'd love to work for a company like that."  So, here I am, submitting three of my favorite cards, and applying for their new digital design team.  Wish me luck!

 

This first card uses a Penny Black stamp and Echo Park Dots & Stripes papers.  I colored it with Copic Markers.

 

 
This second card, using a Sparkle Creations image and sentiment, is also colored with Copic markers.  It uses Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 papers, and 3 Girl JAM Cherry Lipstick ribbon.  I sponged Tim Holtz distress ink (Spun Sugar) on the image while it was still in the Spellbinders Gold die.
 

And, I'm showcasing this third card for 2 reasons. First, it uses a digi stamp.  I want to show that yes, I can work with digis.  I use them often in my work.  Second, I really, really like how this card turned out.  It uses Fancy Pants Park Bench 12x12 paper, American Crafts glitter paper (I think -- I've had it forever), a digi from Sassy Studio Designs for the image and Unity Stamps for the sentiment.  Three Girl JAM ribbon and a Pinque Peacock stick pin finish off the card.  The sassy image is colored with Copic markers.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crosses and saying a little prayer that Your Next Stamps likes my work.

It's a Watercolor Friday for Friends With Flair

Happy, happy Friday, everyone!  I'm going with the assumption that FWF is up and running this week.  I went through withdrawal last week, checking the Unity blog about 20 times to see if the link was up and ready yet.  My new year's resolution to link up every Friday in 2013 has now been broken.  Or has it?  My post can be found here from last Friday, if you missed it.  It was a farewell post to my favorite online retailer that closed their doors that day, and to design team members I had worked with for nearly a year.  Sad day -- company closing, no FWF.

But, it's a new Friday, and I have Unity to share.  I used the April Sentiment Kit from Unity for both the roses and the sentiment on both these card.  I made this card first:

I used distress inks on the flowers, rolling a second color on the outside of the blossoms, then a spritzed them with water to get the watercolor effect and stamped on watercolor paper. I used Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 papers, and some 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon.  I got the card done, stepped back, and decided I didn't like it.  Do you ever do that? So, I started over.  Here's the second card.

I based it on this sketch by Sunday Sketch and Stamp:

And, with a little tweaking, here is what I created:

I used the same watercolor technique, but just layered things up a little differently.  I used the same Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 papers, some Timeless Twine, bling by CTMH, and some heart sequins I found in my stash.  But, for some reason, I like this card much better.  Funny how that happens.

I'm sending the first card to my 93 year old friend who loves everything I make for him.  He thinks I'm a card making super star.  The second one will most likely be this week's card to my BFF.

I'm entering these cards in the following challenges:

Sunday Sketch and Stamp -- challenge #156, Francesca's sketch
Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations (spring)
Simon Says Stamp -- flower power
Crafty Creations Challenges -- KISS (keep it sweet and simple)
Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes
Marker Pop -- May flowers
D.L.Art Thankful Thursday -- #109 Flowers