The Challenge #40–Theme: Nautical!

NOTE:  THIS IS THE FIRST OF TWO POSTS HERE ON MY BLOG TODAY – IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR THE AVERY ELLE/CARDMAKER MAGAZINE BLOG HOP POST, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Hello, Friends!

It’s time for another challenge from The Challenge!!   I really think you’re going to like it . . . I pretty much love it.  Check it!

I know, right?!!  Nautical is everywhere these days!!  Here’s my take on the challenge:

So, I was inspired by the last Online Card Class that was all about Masking!  I’ve really been digging the whole masking thing lately, as well as the whole ink blending thing.  I’m kind of obsessed, really.  Sorry about that!  LOL  Here’s how I created my project:

1. Trim an A2 vertical, top-folding card base from white cardstock; score at 5.5” and fold; perfect crease with teflon bone folder.
2. Trim an A2 image panel from white cardstock.
3. Trim an A2 panel from masking paper and die cut a stitched circle; remove the die cut circle.  Remove the release paper from the back of the mask and adhere it to the image panel.
4. Using Squeezed Lemonade, Mustard Seed, Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Abandoned Coral, Ripe Persimmon and Fired Brick Distress Inks, a blending tool and a piece of acetate, blend strips of color going lighter to darker from top to bottom of the circle.  Carefully remove the mask from the image panel.
5. Die cut the image panel using a stitched rectangle die.
6. Stamp the sentiment using black ink.
7. Die cut the sailboat from black cardstock; adhere it to the image panel with foam squares.
8. Adhere the image panel to the card base with foam squares.

There ya go!!  Super easy, but packs a huge color punch!  I’ve listed the products that I used below.  We’d love to see your beautiful work in the Nautical-themed Challenge gallery!!  You can find the link up HERE.  I hope you’ll click on through if only to see the beautiful samples that the Design Team have created for your inspiration!

This is my last day as the Featured Designer for The Challenge.  I want to thank Lesley Croghan for having me play along with her and her amazing team!!  I’d almost forgotten how much I love card challenges, so this was a sweet trip down memory lane and a great reminder that challenges can really spark your mojo!  Thank you, thank you, thank you Lesley!!  I had a great time playing along with your fun challenges and will most certainly be back as a player!!

Thanks so much for stopping by, sweet friends!!  I’ll be back in a minute with a super fun Avery Elle/CardMaker Magazine Blog Hop post!!  TTFN!!

Mama Elephant Clear Stamps, Potted Pretties

Poppystamps Dies, Marina Sailboats

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 12

Lawn Cuts Dies, Small Stitched Rectangle Stackables

Lawn Cuts Dies, Large Stitched Rectangle Stackables

Neenah Cardstock, Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, 25 pk

Essentials by Ellen, White Linen #100 Cardstock, 25 Pack

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Licorice Twist, 10 pk

Crystal Clear Plastic, Medium Weight 8 1/2" x 11" (10 pk)

Inkadinkado Stamping Mask Paper, 5x7, 12 pk

Sizzix Big Shot White & Gray

Sizzix Accessory, Magnetic Platform for Wafer-Thin Dies

Sizzix Cutting Pad, Standard

Martha Stewart Scoring Board, Mini

Soft Grip Embossing and Stylus

Teflon Bone Folder

Scrapbook Adhesives 3-D Foam Squares, Mixed

Scotch Double-Sided Foam Mounting Tape

Martha Stewart Footed Stamp Mount, Medium

Martha Stewart Footed Stamp Mount, Small

VersaFine Ink Pad, Onyx Black

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Squeezed Lemonade

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Mustard Seed

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Fossilized Amber

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Wild Honey

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Spiced Marmalade

Ranger Distress Ink Pad, Abandoned Coral

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Ripe Persimmon

Ranger Distress Mini Ink Pad, Fired Brick