Today’s card is based on this week’s MOJO Monday sketch challenge. I haven’t participated in a MOJO challenge for several months, but today’s sketch really spoke to me. In all its simplicity, I knew exactly which stamp and which accessories I would use when I saw this layout. I made some changes to my original plan, but I stayed mostly in-line with my plan. Here’s my card:
And here’s the sketch that inspired my project:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders:
- Adding Texture. I knew I wanted to use my Window Frames piercing template to add a nice appeal around this image. After I punched all the little circles, I decided to use the “other side” of the piercing to give a nice texture to the project.
- Cheater. Cheater. Pumpkin Eater. The sketch calls for a square shape to the left of the central image. I played around with a hundred squares – red, blue, patterned, simple. I landed on a piece of vellum card stock. Cheating, no? I brushed the edges of the vellum with a sponge and some Marina Mist. I really like the look of it, and I never would have added this element without the gentle nudging of MOJO.
- Layered buttons. Were you just saying, “That’s all fine and nice, but Brian, what’s your favorite part of this project?” Well, let me tell you. I planned to put a big, silver button here, but I needed to add some Marina Mist to balance everything out. I grabbed my Marina Mist buttons (from the Subtles buttons) and added the small silver button on top. I tied the two up with some Cherry Cobbler Twine. Oh, I love how this turned out!
Stamp sets: Just Thinking Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist Papers: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Parker’s Patterns, White Vellum Card Stock Accessories: Window Frames Framelits, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Designer Buttons (Subtle), Silver Designer Basics Buttons, Cherry Cobbler Twine, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots
Click here to see the other entries in this MOJO Monday challenge.
A Very Special Surprise
Did you read my post yesterday? If not, please check it out here.
NOW, have you read the post? If so, scroll down for a very special gift from me to you…
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Thank you for stopping by my blog today.
Brian
Hilarious Brian but perfect at the same time! Btw I am impressed by your perfectly centred and cut patterned paper – and yesterday’s embossed card. It makes such a difference, as well as showing how professional you are!
That is SO funny (and actually quite cute!) 🙂 I like the mojo layout – very helpful for inspiring a different look. Love what you’ve done with it.
Lorraine – never ceases to amaze me how we both feel inspired to comment on the same things buddy. See you tomorrow hopefully x
Love it.
Love love love this card! The sketch is fantastic, not terribly busy I understand why it “spoke” to you! Tinting vellum, genus. I love the hint of Marina Mist here, it would be missed without it!
I agree with Patti about tinting the vellum …especially using Marina Mist …I think that would be cute on one of the little Whale cards also. Love the hand done “Porkies” …. You should start designing your own card line … !!
Beautiful card, Brian. I need this stamp! Love your designed card…cute, yet funny fer sure!! ;D Some people’s ideas are quite strange, huh? But, that’s what we’re here for…to come through for even the ideas that seem very strange to us! Bwahaha! Love it!! You may start designing more than you can imagine, my friend!
Beautiful card! I love the small blue touches around your sentiment.
And those porcupines! Wow.
The card is great! I especially love how you used the vellum. I haven’t used vellum in some time. May have to pull some out. You really start our day off in a happy mood — LOVE the porcupines! That is priceless and so sweet of you to gift us with that!!
This card is gorgeous, love the colors, the vellum looks amazing, very elegant and soft, Brian…..Ahhh!! but those porcupines…..cute, cute and super cute!! I think you have some hidden talents there, my dear.
This card is impeccable!
I love ALL the embellishments! It’s a wonderful card!! LUV IT! 🙂
I’ll bet you made the porcupine card first….probably designing it in your head since you wrote the blog…..LOL! Love the layered buttons, grand idea!!!
I bet SU is all over themselves designing a nautical porcupine stamp set as we speak! And I don’t think I have ever spelled the word porcupine before because my first few attempts were not even recognized by spell check.
I love using Velum on my cards…such a pretty and different surprise! Your card is wonderful…I don’t use a lot of buttons, but love you double stacked touch..as well as the piercing…cool that you reversed it! Now to the surprise….you are just tooo funny….they got what they asked for…love it…thanks for giving me a big laugh to start the day!
Hi Brian, just found your site and must say, I love it. Got such a kick out of yesterday’s post, and what a nice surprise to see your porcupine card. How creative and cute is that. Oh and way late for your open letter, but I agree Island Indigo is a must keep color. Also love that Midnight Muse, it’s a keeper.
HI Brian:
You are my first smile of the day every day. Thank you for the porcupine card, I was having a hard time imagining it yesterday. LOL
love the card Brian and the surprise 🙂
Hahahaha! Porcupines! Oh, and love the Mojo Card!
your just to good !!
Love the thinking of you card, I have that stamp,excellent example.You have a gift for making people smile,that my friend is priceless.
You cease to amaze me…………..Love the details on your card! You rocked the porcupines! What’s next? Oil painting? LOL
Brian, would you laugh if I said the porcupine card is my favorite card yet? Just because you made it especially for us and it’s totally handmade, now that’s love!
Hmm. I don’t know which card I like better! Great job on both! 🙂
I LOVE the porcupine card!! They are SO cute! You should send a sample to SU for the 2013 Holiday mini or the 2014-2015 catalog. It’s probably too late for this year’s new annual catalog. Thank you for showing it to us! I also really like the Thinking of You card — especially the vellum tile. I will definitely copy that idea. You are a hoot!
Call Stampin’ Up…. we have a new artist for their creative team. With stamps like that how can you go wrong? (hahaha) You always make me smile and today you made me laugh out loud. Thanks for being you.
Wow… didn’t know you were a sketch artist… knew you were a card artist. Maybe you SHOULD design your own stamps… I know someone who could make them for you… =)
Wish I were clever enough to design the perfect “thank you: card for your adorably hilarious gift!. . .
We’d love for you to try out at our new design team: Sister Act Card Challenge
Brian- Yesterday I was going to ask to see the porcupine card and today’s sketch brought me a big laugh! Now I want to see a fully done one!
HAhahaha, you crack me up Brian.. Your posts always make me smile. I love your fresh look on so many sketches and situations. This card is gorgeous. Love it! And your story about the hedgehogs is just so funny.. it really made my day.
Inky hugs, Pauline
One word…perfection!
The “Thinking of You” card is very nice. It could be used for birthday, sympathy, or just catching up!
As for your free-hand card..I believe this must be a vintage Chris Craft, and they are on the bow.
You are one special fellow!
I just love all your ideas, looking forward to seeing them everyday.
thanks for the inspiration