Splitcoast Challenges

I haven't stamped for two days (the horror!), so decided I would do a Splitcoast Challenge this afternoon. I've seen some great cards there combining Sketch Challenge 131 and Color Challenge 121 (Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Pretty In Pink). Below here I thought I'd share some of the steps I took and tips. The eagle-eyed readers will notice the card changed somewhat from the final one posted above.

When I decided to place the little flowers from the new Three for You Punch Box, I found it easier to place them exactly where I wanted them (without adhesive), place the cushion mat underneath, and then poke the hole for the brads through all the layers. Next, put all your brads in the holes, then flip the entire thing over to close the brads. The paper pierced holes are small and tight, the brads won't fall out.

The prongs of the brads can be sharp and pointy, so use your paper piercing tool to open the prongs and spread them out.

So you probably noticed, the flowers changed. At first I didn't like the Pretty In Pink flowers because the card stock was quite a bit darker than my Be Happy flower stamped in Pretty In Pink craft ink. So I tried the Pretty In Pink craft ink on the Very Vanilla card stock, but they just looked too blah and didn't show up.

Lastly, when I put the Pretty In Pink Flower on top of the original design, it still looked too plain and needed something more. So I decided to add the Old Olive shape behind it, but then that couldn't go on top of that Old Olive strip on the right. Thus, the new Chocolate Chip strip on the right. I really *needed* the new Stampin' Up! Scallop Circle Punch, but since it's not arriving until next week, I had to make do with a Marvy Uchida scallop oval punch that I have. It's really too big, and I used the only Old Olive scrap I could find...it already had some "direct-to-paper" Creamy Caramel markings on it, but as it was getting late and I was feeling the need for a nap, I went ahead and used it.

Hope your weekend is going well! I have a crop from 6:00 to midnight, I'm not packed or ready, and I still need that nap! What's a girl to do? Probably arrive late to the crop!

Recipe Stamps: Be happy. Card Stock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Pretty In Pink, Very Vanilla, Au Chocolate Designer Series Paper. Ink: Chocolate Chip & Pretty In Pink craft ink. Accessories: Old Olive Brads, Three for You Punch Box, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon, Crafter's Tool Kit, 1/16 inch Circle Punch.