Today is HUGE! Today, I’m the Guest Designer for this week’s CAS(E) This Sketch challenge. Can my excitement be contained?! I’ve played along with this group for quite some time, and I’ve been recognized for my projects. That’s wonderful and exciting! When I was asked to be Guest Designer, though, I fell out of my chair (well, I jumped out of my chair and tripped on the ottoman). Anyway, it’s quite an honor! This is a brilliant design team, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it – even if it’s just for a week. Here’s my card:
And here’s the banner for Leigh Penner’s sketch challenge that inspired my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- So Uplifting. My card features two stamp sets that are perfect for an uplifting card – Lift Me Up (a balloon-themed stamp set from the up-coming Occasions Catalog – starts January 4) and Marquee Messages (a Vegas-style sign with lots of great coordinating sentiments). While Lift Me Up bundle has lots of great sentiments and a set of must-have dies, I used only the small balloon from the set for today’s card. If you’d like a look at how the dies play out, click here to see a card I made with this bundle last week.
Lift Me Up Bundle, Stampin’ Up!
I created the sentiment sign and coordinating stars with the Marquee Messages photopolymer stamp set. I was skeptical of the flexibility of this set, at first, but I was quickly sold on it. There are so many more things to make than an oversized sign.
Marquee Messages, Stampin’ Up!
- Working Around the Stamp. If you look at the image of the marquee sign above, you see that the big arrow crosses over the retro panel I used on my card. I suppose I could have masked off the point of the arrow and then filled in the line on top of the sign, but I thought it would be easier to just cover the arrow tip with another super-fun star. Easy as can be!
- Awesome, Uplifting Colors. An uplifting card that says “You are awesome!” needs an uplifting color combination. I’m not sure how this combination came about, but it all started with Calypso Coral. I guess the yellow stars and black borders fell into place after I started in with Calypso. If you like this combination, too, feel free to save this for future inspiration:
Stamp Sets: Lift Me Up, Marquee Messages Papers: Calypso Coral, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Thick Whisper White Inks: Calypso Coral, Archival Basic Black Accessories: Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Stampin’ Dimensionals
I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE for you to pop over to this week’s challenge at the CAS(E) This Sketch site. Even if you can’t play along, please pop over to check out the cards by the design team members – they are wonderful!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
Mystery Grab Bag. During December, I’m giving away bundles of Designer Series Papers, ribbon, and embellishments for every $50 you spend with me. What you receive is a mystery, but I know you’ll love it! Click below to read more:
Whooooo you just out did yourself!!!! This is Awesome!!! #myfavoritebkcardever …well at least until my next favorite!!! This is so perfect #bkrocks
Super Awesome, Brian!
🙂
You are awesome! Congrats on being,guest designer…..and such a wonderful guest you are! This is fabulous!
Now Brian – this is the card WE should have made for YOU. Congrats on being the guest designer. Now, sign this card from Grace, put it in an envelope and mail it to yourself. Then jump up and down in surprise that you received such an adorable card from one of your faithful admirers. Tee Hee – oh, and I’ll reimburse you the cost of the mailing!
Oh.My.Gosh! Brian, you really outdid yourself with this beauty!!! Definitely a MUST case, my friend!!!!!!
YOU are AWESOMER !!! Great job. Love the stamping off technique for the background.
Yay for you and yay for them for selecting you !! These air balloons are such fun !
Cute cute card !! The gradual stamping off is a very creative detail !!
Up, up, and away!!! Brian your card as this week’s guest is spectacular!!! Thanks so much for joining us …
=]
Wahoo !! Congratulations on being chosen. Although I’m not surprised at all. What a great card Brian. You are the master of combining different stamp sets to make a completely new look. Hugs my friend. .
Woa…out the park again! U Rock!
This card IS awesome! Love it and the very creative use of the Marquee Messages!
Brian! So exciting to have you guesting with us this week! I LOVE your take on the sketch–those ombré colored hot air balloons are so awesome!
Congratulations on guest designing for CAS(E) This Sketch! I love your fabulous card!
Absolutely brilliant! Your mastery of the Stamp-a-ma-jig, and the stamping off technique, is truly astounding. Bravo!
Congratulations, Brian, on being chosen as the guest designer — a well-deserved acknowledgement of your talent and creativity! The card you designed is incredible — the ombré effect, the combination of several stamp sets, and all the attention to detail came together perfectly 🙂
Great card, Brian! I love your colors and the perfect placements of the balloons. It’s awesome!
Love it!!!
Your card is totally awesome!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this card. Pure genius too – but you already knew that! The balloon placement, the stamping off and the mastery of the stamp-a-ma-jig can only be described as one of artisan ability.
You fell on the ottoman because you’re head is now so big from being asked to be on CAS(E) that you couldn’t in fact hold it up, causing you to be off balance and fall on the ottoman. Have I got it correct? Yup. Thought so.
Love you!
Adore the balloon background and delightful color combination!
Gorgeous card!
Totally and completely fabulous! You’ve nailed the ombre design with your faded balloons (you’ll note that I failed miserably in that regard) and then you added the marquee sentiment which took this from oh! to oooohhhhhh! I am so happy that you are joining us this week at CAS(E) This Sketch!
A masterpiece of perfect stamping! Stunning design, love the colors and images you chose. Congrats on being the guest designer!!