Sketch Challenges

I think one of the best ways to expand your stamping horizons is to take part in stamping challenges. The card I made today was from Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge.

I also decided to use one of my beloved retired stamp sets, Like It a Latte. This stamp set was in last year's Winter Mini catalog, and it was love at first site. Many a demonstrator were SHOCKED when this stamp set did not make it into the Fall & Winter 2007 Catalog. What was Stampin' Up! thinking? There wasn't one coffee-themed stamp set in the catty. Now, they have redeemed themselves in the new one. There is an adorable coffee cup image in a brand new set called Pun Fun. Yup, you guessed it. Pun Fun is on my first order because it is cute and it's meant to be watercolored. A DOUBLE TREAT FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!

The basecard is a standard A2 Close to Cocoa card. I stamped with my Sanded background and then the coffee bean stamp from Like it a Latte (both in Close to Cocoa ink).

The Soft Sky layer is stamped with a flourish from Season of Joy (was in the Holiday Mini). If you do not own this flourish, the one from Priceless will work just as well. I sponged the edges with some Close to Cocoa ink before adhering to my base card.

Now, I did promise not to hoard my stamping goodies. So, I delved into my stash of retired pattern paper. This cute rose and pink dotted paper was part of a patterned paper pack also from last year's Winter Mini (can't think of the name right not.....yeah, I know, I am getting old).

I sponged the edges with some Close to Cocoa ink to "grunge" it up a bit. I added some 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain and stamped the sentiment on some scrap Whisper White cardstock. I then punched out the sentiment, sponged with more Close to Cocoa ink and adhered on top of the ribbon.

The focal image is stamped on Whisper White cardstock using....you guessed it....Close to Cocoa ink. The candy stick is stamped in Regal Rose. I used my aquapainter and my Soft Sky reinker to lightly color in the coffee cup. I also used my aquapainter to add some color to this whipped cream/foam. My white Signo gel pen provided the final accent on the dollop. I cut out this image with my Coluzzle. I made a Scallop border for my circle using Pretty in Pink cardstock, my Scallop Circle punch and this awesome tutorial by Mary Jo Albright. You have to try this....it's cool!!!!

This post in much longer than I intended. I like to give you step-by-step so you can recreate if you wish. Hoping you're not bored to death!!!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!