Thursday, January 5, 2012

My first Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge!

I was so super lucky to win my first Paper Smooches stamp set from sweetie pie Barb at kinsale creations in December as part of her first Barbles challenge (ahem, check my sidebar for the link to her second challenge...awesomeness!) I've coveted PS stamps for a while, and this particular set, Hope, is one I wanted for a very specific reason. A close friend has been diagnosed with cancer, and the prognosis is not good. You can't give someone in that situation a get well card. This set is perfect.

When I saw the inspiration photo for this SPARKS challenge I immediately had an idea for my card, and I ended up making two versions. Here's the photo:
I love the rainbow colours, the text, the inspiring messages, and the white space. I find white space very challenging to incorporate into my cards - patterned paper and I are thisclose and I don't like to leave it out too often ;)


Supplies: Hope from Paper Smooches;
twine from Emily at Art from the Heart (who made me covet PS stamps sooo badly!);
brads from Basic Grey;
inks for "hope" (from top to bottom): Taken with Teal (SU!); Broken China Distress ink, Citrus Adirondack,
Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold, & Fired Brick distress inks;
Ribbon stamped in Versamark, and sentiment stamped in Memento London Fog

Supplies: Hope from Paper Smooches;
rainbow coloured rhinestones;
Memento London Fog ink for sentiment & border words (faith hope love);
Inks used for "hope" from top to bottom: 
Taken with Teal (SU!); Broken China Distress ink,
Citrus Adirondack, 
Mustard Seed, Dried Marigold, & Fired Brick distress inks;
ribbons stamped in Versamark



For my second card I wanted to include the distressed effect of the text in the inspiration picture, and so I stamped off once after inking each colour.

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This SPARKS challenge runs until January 11, so go check out all the awesome entries already there & then make something of your own :) 

xoxo,
Jessi

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Jessi, both cards are awesome! i love your take on the inspiration photo, colors and textures. the second card is my fave. i adore that text overlaying the hope script...while the prognosis isn't good, your cards will lift their spirits...a happy heart is a gift in itself. beautiful designs! xx

Emily Keaton said...

WOW!! Jessi--both cards are FANtastic. I can see why you wanted this set. LOVE it, and I think your friend will be touched. You did an awesome job with using white space for this, and I had to laugh about you and patterned paper being *this close*. You are too funny!! Hey, we both entered the SPARKS challenge for the first time with this one--yay for us!! I think this inspiration photo is the best I've seen in a long time. I've got more ideas; we'll see if I get time for them. :)

lisa arana said...

these are amazing. I can see why you couldn't wait to put your idea down on paper!!! they are beautiful and your friend will treasure them.

Anonymous said...

Oh WOW Jessi!! These are truly inspirational and your friend will really cherish it for sure!

Ulina / Apricot Bubbles said...

These cards are both great, Jessi!
I love the stamp and the way you used it!!

Annette Allen said...

love your cards...great color and love the added twine..

Emily Leiphart said...

These are amazing and I love that Hope set! I'm so happy to see you using Paper Smooches. YAY!! Great colour choices and I especially love how you layered the words on the second card. Thanks so much for playing along in the Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge!

Karen M said...

Both your cards are gorgeous!Sorry to hear your sad news, I hope these cards brighten your friends day, hugs x x

Marie said...

Such fabulous cards, both of them! I like the first one the best, especially with the added touch of the brads =) Thank you so much for playing along in this SPARKS challenge!

walchowDesign said...

Awesome cards, Jessi! Love your take on the challenge and definitely with all the colours in the white space!

Jen W. said...

These are both gorgeous. We need to get more PS stamps into your hands...