Friday, November 29, 2013

Just Us Girls #217 - Wild Card Challenge


There are five weeks in November so this week's challenge is a "Wild Card" challenge, and Nancy is challenging us to make a one layer, "Winter" themed card.

One layer cards are a real challenge for me so I had to think this one through a bit!  After much fretting and stressing, three failed attempts, and a lot of blood sweat and tears (even the cat was picking up my vibe LOL!), I am finally happy with a card.  Phew!!  One layer cards are a lot of work! I'm thinking I need to do one of those CAS on line classes sooner than later.

Anyway, enough complaining!  As I was digging through my Christmas stash, I came across this adorable HoHoHo set from There She Goes stamps.  I created the scene, coloured it with Twinkling H2Os  (sorry for the poor colouring -- what can I say, the challenges of making this card continued throughout!) and added a bit of snow along the base of the images to ground them.  It is hard to see in the picture, so if they look like they are "floating around" look a bit closer - there is a line of "snow" there!  The upside to the card:  My wonderful daughter teaching me how to use the clone tool in Photoshop so I could erase a "misplaced" snowflake - ha!  Card 4 - Marisa 1 {grin}


I decided to post this card as well, as a tribute to my one layer card struggles and a reminder to myself that this wonderful hobby can stretch you and allow you to grow as a stamper!  I love this tree image (Sue from Australia gave it to me after we met in person while she was here in Vancouver - thank you Sue!) and I wanted it to be the focal point of the card.  It's embossed in gold and "grounded" with sparkly snow like the first one but this time I couldn't get it to show up in the photo.  It felts like something was missing, so I tried twine across the top, a sentiment, twine with a hanging tag etc. and none seemed to do it for me.  So, you CAS pros out there, I need your help! 

The rest of the  JUGS team, along with our November GD Nancy Penier, have some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog and check out what they've created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be chosen as the Chic of the Week.  Plus if you are chosen as Chic of the Week, you could be invited to be a Guest Designer.

Decorating the house for Christmas this weekend and trying to get my Christmas letter done as well a some Christmas cards out the door so I'll be a busy lady.  


Hope all my American followers had a great Thanksgiving spending time with family and friends and eating some delicious food, not to mention finding some good deals if you were brave enough to face the Black Friday crowds.

Have a great weekend! 


Challenges:  Simon Says



What's In It? 
Stamps:  Hohoho (There She Goes Stamps), Sentiment (Hero Arts)

Ink:  Black, Silver 

Accessories:   Twinkling H2Os, Glue Pen, Glitter   

16 comments:

Sue VanDeVusse said...

Marisa, both of your OLCs turned out great! I really do like that first one with the darling Santa and reindeer with the falling snow.

Colleen Dietrich said...

Good job on the OLCs!

Carol Hurlock said...

Look at you Marisa! A one layer card. You would never have known that you toiled over these sweet cards. They are both gorgeous. I bet it took longer than your layered ones but with a little practice you would be whipping them out.
Bear Hugs,
Carol

Sharyn Polesel said...

I know what you mean about the challenge of making a one-layer card. I am a layering person too! You were able to overcome it, though. Love the fun images you used on both cards. I can see your snow bank on the first one. lol Great job!

Lynn said...

Marisa, your hard work paid off! Your card is adorable. I love the sweet little scene. On your second card, the gold tree is beautiful. Try a sentiment tilted on the left hand side of the tree following it up the edge. Does that make sense?

Betty Wright said...

Marisa, these are great! I feel your pain, though. One layered cards are not my favorite to create. You rocked it, though!

Vicki Dutcher said...

LOOK AT YOU!! Persevering and getting it done! -- I love the Santa and reindeer -- adorable images -- GREAT OLC!!

Lisa Kind said...

You are too hard on yourself! These are great one layer cards! The first one is so adorable! The second is very elegant. Just stamp a sentiment and be done with it! Glad you stuck to it!

Ravengirl said...

CAS cards and one layer cards can be hard! I think a gold mat on your tree card would make the tree stand out that much more! I was brave enough for Black Friday and it was so worth it!

nwilliams6 said...

I totally share in your struggles when it comes to a one layered card Marisa. I think your cards are great and well done. I totally see your snow and really like your cards! Hugz!

nwilliams6 said...

Oh, I forgot to mention that my DH decided we should do Black Friday so he could get some bullets at Bass Pro Shops. It was actually our first Black Friday ever - we were 1,300th in line and actually still got some bullets! It was a zoo but was pretty fun - I would do it again. Hugz!

Bonnie said...

The Santa card is so cute and fun and I can see the sparkling snow they are standing on. I love the CAS tree and think it's perfect as is.

Maureen said...

One layer cards are tricky! Great tries! I love the white line of snow. Maybe some bling ornaments on the second? I like to try it out first and see how it looks.

cm said...

Adding my applause and cheers to your OLC here, Marissa! Your Santa and reindeer is soooo cute, while the swirl tree is lovely. I have that set, and agree that on its own, it seems, well, lonely. I've added wee ornaments to mine in the past (my entry to the AB stamps Christmas challenge, where I used the poked-out parts from the snowflake dies) and a sentiment. Thanks for the inspiration. I've yet to make a one-layer card ever, so this is the nudge I need.
c

Anonymous said...

Marisa-love both your cards! Santa and his reindeer are adorable and the clean look of the die cut is a great idea for a one layer!!

Benzi said...

I'm here to comment on one or two cards I missed while away. I've looked at all and you've been busy and very creative.
Going CAS, huh? I love both cards. So simple and adorable. Now, you don't want to get that cat upset! LOL