I’m excited to share today’s card – it inspired me to break open my Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper and ink up my Another Wonderful Year stamp set. My card simple, sweet card is inspired by Amy O’Neill’s sketch for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches challenge. I love online challenges that give me a great starting point for many of the cards I share with you. Here’s my card:
And here’s the sketch for Amy’s Freshly Made Sketches challenge that inspired my card:
Tips, Tricks and Reminders
- Another Wonderful Year & Twinkle Twinkle. This card features one of my Favorite Things from Stampin’ Up!’s 2018 Annual Catalog – the Another Wonderful Year sentiment stamp set. So many people (I’m guilty of this, too) are drawn to the images in our gorgeous stamp sets, but you can easily build a card around a perfect sentiment. Here’s a look at this awesome, must-have stamp set:
I’ve included links to all of my Favorite Things at the base of this post if you want to read more. If I could pick a favorite piece of Designer Series Paper from all the papers in this year’s catalog (and I CAN because I make the rules on this blog), I’d have to say it’s this gorgeous, watercolored panel of Night of Navy sky. It’s both sophisticated and fun! Here’s a look at all the colors and patterns in the Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper: 
To see similar graphics for all of the new Designer Series Papers, CLICK HERE. - Play. While Freshly Made Sketches gave me the overall sketch for my card, I played with different colors and patterns until I got the layers I wanted. I cut into a couple different pages of paper and layered several colors of cardstock in a variety of patterns until I landed on the combination I liked the most. That was the fun of it – coming up with the combination I liked the most. Every day I receive an email that asks me for the measurements on a card I’ve made. I love the “playing” part of this craft and encourage you to play around to get the exact look you want. That’s where the joy lies for me – by being unafraid to make errors, I think I can make a better card every time. <3
- Color Combination. I’ve been using Smoky Slate a lot lately. Not sure why that is, but I’m really loving the tone it offers – it’s somewhere between casual (like cold concrete) and formal (like a muted silver). This combination of Smoky Slate, Pool Party and Night of Navy makes me so happy – if you like it, too, please save this:
Stamp Sets: Another Wonderful Year Papers: Twinkle Twinkle Designer Series Paper, Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Night of Navy, Thick Whisper White Inks: Basic Black Accessories: Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies, Stampin’ Dimensionals
If you’d like to take a look at all of the products in the Twinkle Twinkle Suite of products, click on the banner below:
I hope you’ll pop over to the Freshly Made Sketches site to see the cards by the design team members and to play along with this week’s challenge.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
My Favorite Things. Want to see what I love most in this amazing book? Maybe you’ve missed something or maybe I can help you to pare down your wish list? Be sure to check out both days and let me know what you think! Click on the links below to review my list of Favorite Things:
- My Favorite Things from Stampin’ Up!’s 2018 Annual Catalog – Day One
- My Favorite Things from Stampin ‘Up!’s 2018 Annual Catalog – Day Two
Amazing card! The colors work together perfectly. I too love that set of sentiments. Nicely done!
Thanks so much, Diane! I really enjoyed playing with this paper and couldn’t be happier with this sentiment set. <3
Good morning, Brian! Beautiful card … you are so right about the Smoky Slate! I’ve grown to love it, too; and to pair it with Pool Party and Night of Navy … ? The Twinkle Twinkle DSP is very tempting. Who doesn’t love all those tiny twinkling stars. Thank you so much, Brian!
So happy to share, Suzie! I’m glad you like this card – the paper is gorgeous. It’s a great mix of beautiful and fun papers. <3 Thanks for your comments.
Another great card!!
<3 Thanks, Lucy! I appreciate it.
Lovely card Brian. The color combination is great!
Thanks, Rene! It’s a soothing color combo. <3
Firstly, have I told you how charming, unique and naturally talented you are? This card is gorgeous. I didn’t even notice that sentiment until you used it. I always tell you I love you more and you always say that can’t be possible! <3
Thanks so much, Louise! I’m so glad you like the card and appreciate your sweet comments. I can’t say that I didn’t think of you when making this card. <3
Sweet card! Love how clean and simple you made it but with your perfect matting!
Thanks, Windy! I love me some layers with a simple look. Always love to hear from you. <3
I love your great take on the sketch! The color combo is perfect. Thanks for the nudge to experiment with different colors and sizes until we find what’s right to our eyes. I seem to be a hoarder of my growing stash (lol) and use solid CS instead of cutting into a pretty sheet of DSP. Your inspiration is appreciated. Enjoy your day!
Thanks so much, HJ! To me, there’s such great joy in finding a new combination that works beautifully. As always, I appreciate your kind comments. <3
Love it!
Thanks, Liz! <3
Love this card! Can’t wait to try these colors together! ❤️
Thanks so much, Tina! I’m so glad you like it – you’ll love working with these colors. <3
Sweet ! I think this is the sweetest suite ….tee hee ! Love what your color choices were and the Night Of Navy heart is POW !
I like your layers lay out !
Thanks so much, my friend. I had fun with these layers and agree that this is a sweet suite. <3
This card is chic and sophisticated all in one. The DSP is absolutely gorgeous and my mind jumped to using it as a backdrop for Christmas cards. I have no idea why but that was my thought process. As always you combined colors perfectly and your framing of each layer is impeccable!
Such a super Sunday treat Brian. Thank you.
Yay! I’m so glad you like it, Grace! You’ve stolen my thunder from the next time I use this paper because I have that in mind, too. This watercolored starry sky is perfect for a Christmas card. <3
love these colors and just the whole card really.
I’m really liking today’s card Brian! The white behind each of your panels really make your card stand out. A very smart looking creation! Love it!??
Thanks so much, Sharon! I love playing with little white borders and am glad they popped here. <3
Perfection . . . I don’t know what else to say, BK!
Thanks so much, Mary! That means so much to me – especially coming from you. <3
Brian, your card is oh so lovely!
Thanks so much, Robin! <3
One word “Perfect”!
Another paper pack added?
Thanks so much, Katrina! I’m glad you like it and know you’ll enjoy this gorgeous paper. <3
The paper is fabulous! I love your fresh look with the white borders on each panel. It’s a great sentiment (personally I lean toward good sentiment sets first and this is a good one!) Thank you for playing along with us at Freshly Made Sketches.
Thanks so much for your kind comments, Kim! I’m so glad you like the card – the sketch made it so fun to create. This paper and stamp set are wonderful (they helped, too). 🙂
Beautifully done, Brian! I love the color combo and thanks for bringing this stamp set to my attention — I totally missed it in the catalog. Thanks for joining us at Freshly Made Sketches this week!
Thanks so much, Amy! Your sketch was a wonderful inspiration. <3
Great use of the sketch! I really like the color combo you used in this as well.
Thanks so much, Laurie! The sketch was a great inspiration – I’m happy you like my card. <3
Simply fabulous! I wasn’t sold on this paper originally, but now have to add it to my wish list. I’m glad you like to be an enabler. Love the color combo.
I love to share the stuff I love in hopes that others will love it, too. You’ll love this paper, Sue! I have another project lined up this week that I hope you like as much. <3
I love what you’ve done with this beautiful paper – and I agree, it might be my favorite page of paper as well! What a sweet, lovely card! You’ve inspired me to take another look at Another Wonderful Year. I may just have to add it to the collection 🙂