Dirty Dare '08 - TUESDAY CHALLENGES

Oh my goodness, I spent the whole morning working on the first of the three challenges -- the one that seemed to be the most challenging to me and I am still not satisfied completely with the results. I need to revisit this simple white card again in the future to see if I can come up with something that just knocks my socks off . . . these three just turned out okay. Maybe I should try one without any cuttlebug embossing? Anyway, here is JulieHRR's challenge:

One of my most favorite cards to make is a clean, simple white one! I encourage you to try letting color, imagery, and just the right amount of embellishment shine on a simple white base!

Here are the details for the three cards! I will be back later with some more challenge cards as I finish them!

Merry Christmas Snowman -- Stamps: Snowman - High Hopes, Sentiment by Amuse Paper: Whisper White, Handsome Hunter Ink: Onyx Black Versafine Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Sansodor, Blending stumps, diamond stickles, cuttlebug, snowflakes embossing folder

A Treat for You -- Stamps: Stampendous Tiers of Treats, Sentiment by Amuse Paper: Whisper White Ink: Onyx Black Versafine Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, sansodor, red striped ribbon by Craft Essentials, Swarovski crystal, cuttlebug, swirls folder

Bugs & Kisses -- Stamps: SU Bugs & Kisses Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black Ink: Onyx Black Versafine, Real Red Accessories: Red gingham, cuttlebug, swiss dots embossing folder

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The second challenge I worked on today was issued by Michelle. Her challenge:

... my challenge is to make a masculine card. Ahhh, I hear the collective groan! That's why they call it a challenge.

I have never been superb at creating masculine looking cards, but I came up with this Thanksgiving Riley one, using a sentiment by Inky Antics that I purchased at my LSS this past weekend. I thought it worked. I also used some of my prima leaves, which have been sitting on my shelf ever since I saw them and thought they were neat and new and different, but had been waiting to be used. I think I swayed to the complete opposite end of the spectrum with this card than the white ones above, leaving almost no white space . . . oops. Hopefully the gingham is masculine enough! One more challenge to complete today, hopefully I can do it tonight sometime after dinner! Happy stamping!!!

Stamps: Thanksgiving Riley, Sentiment by Inky Antics Paper: Really Rust, More Mustard, Whisper White, Crate Paper Crush Collection - Longboard Ink: Creamy Caramel, Onyx Black Versafine Accessories: brown gingham, Prima leaves, SU circle punches, Sewing machine, brown thread, prismacolor pencils, sansodor, blending stumps, brads, glue dots, sponges.

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I managed to get the third and final challenge of the day done before dinner, but I don't have a lot of time to write about it. The challenge:

My favorite way to make a card look WOW is to use some type of water coloring technique. Your challenge is to join me and some friends! Use any medium of water coloring: Re-Inkers, Watercolor pencils, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Markers blended on watercolor paper…whatever is your preference and create something beautiful, or, try a watercolor medium you haven’t used before! Let’s make some WOW today!

I tried to keep it simple! It was my first time watercoloring in this image and I did not want to mess it up. I think Tom Turkey is looking great though!!! I was going to place the image inside the stitching, but when I put it down, it was off to the side like this and I decided it added something and I should do it like that. Love how inspiration has to hit your on the head like that sometimes! I was trying to figure out a way to add some more embellishment, but I really don't have any idea (if you do, please leave me a comment and let me know). Tom was colored using layers and layers of color, starting with the lightest color in each area. I love watercoloring embossed images, it makes it so easy to stay in the lines!!!

Stamps: High Hopes Tom Turkey, High Hopes Bold Gobble Gobble Bdr. Paper: Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Whisper White Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Sun, Real Red, Really Rust, Versamark, Chocolate Chip Accessories: Judikins Rustique Patina Bronze Embossing Powder, Aquapainter, Sewing machine, brown thread, stitched thin ribbon