Two more challenges ...

... I've been having lots of fun this afternoon, and I've made cards for two challenges.  The first card is for a new blog that I found the other day while browsing - by it's just the type of challenge I like.  The Blog is called For Your Inspiration - and new challenges are posted on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, there aren't many specific rules - just create a project based on the inspiration photo posted using any medium you choose (ie: paper, sewing, jewelry, art, etc) - you can enter up to three times.  The challenge this week is based on this wonderful photograph:

We've been told that this building is a library - I don't know where it is or what's it's called, but it looks just wonderful in this photo.  I can imagine sitting reading, immersing myself in books and knowledge - joy!!!  And this is my interpretation of the photo:

In my scrap box I found this lovely blue vellum that looks a bit like the cloudy sky, so I cut it to fit just inside the card base.  The blocks of colour in the library window reminded - by some strange route - of a lovely flower stamp that I have in my box.  I've had it a long time, but I think this is only the second time it's seen ink!!  I stamped it four time and embossed each image with clear powder to give a nice raised edge.  I painted each image with Twinkling H2Os and then cut them out.  Initially I was going to layer them up and make a single flower, but I decided to make them individual flowers.  I cut out the vellum mat with my nesties and stamped the single word "Imagine" and embossed it.

Stamps:  Funstamps - 3D Flower 3 (FF69); Hero Arts - Letter I set
Inks:  Versafine - Onyx Black
Twinkling H2Os: Snap Dragon, Lemongrass, Autumn Skies, Dreamsicle
Spellbinders:  Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-318) die #4
Accessories:  Card, vellum and clear embossing powder from stash

My next card has been made for the Just Add Ink challenge - I've not played this one for a while - don't know why, just kept missing the deadline!!  This weeks challenge is also an inspiration photo - and it's just beautiful.

When I first saw this photo - I was going to make a card based on a window with flowers in a beautiful window box.  But that's not what I made. 

I found myself drawn to the lovely sky and sea and the shades of blue - so relaxing, so calming.  And I remembered a lovely sailing ship stamp that I got from Ebay - it's part of a discontinued Stampin' Up! set and I just love it.  I started off with a bit of nestie scrap that I have in my box - a lovely oval.  I attached it to my card and stamped the ship image through the space and put a mask over the image.  Next I added a couple of cloud masks (from my OLW61 card - I don't throw things out).  Then I stippled on a variety of blue inks, starting with the palest and building up the intensity around the ship.  After removing the various masks I added the sentiment and coloured the ship and flags.  Mu Mum loves this - and I'm quite pleased with it too! :)

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! - Discontinued set
Spellbinders:  Mega Classic Scalloped Ovals Lg (S5-024) die#4
Inks:  Memento - Tuxedo Black;  Distress - Tumbled Glass, Broken China, Stormy Sky, Chipped Sapphire
Accessories:  Card and pencils from stash

That's all for today - I've been making up for the last couple of days!!  Tonight is our last Scout meeting of the term.  We're doing some community work this evening by selling programmes at our local theatre - we started on Wednesday night and finish on Saturday.  The leaders and Scouts have each taken a night.  It's fun!!

See you tomorrow for two of my favourite challenges - Less Is More and Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge.  Bye for now!