Say Yes to a card challenge? Why would you want to do that?
There are many reasons to participate in a card challenge, and just as many types of challenges to join! First of all, card-making challenges can help spark your creativity. They provide a starting point for your card design with a sketch, color combination, theme, or stamp set. Secondly, you can combine two or more challenges to create an even more unique card. Thirdly, you’ll get to see a wide variety of card ideas from the design team, as well as many participants. If you find a design you like, you can often visit the artist’s website for more details. Finally, challenges help beginners limit the design choices they’ll need to make in order to get started.
After I Say Yes to a Card Challenge, Where Do I Start?
One great challenge to start with, especially if you’re a beginner, is a Stampin’ Up! #Simplestamping Challenge. These challenges are designed to showcase cards that require minimal supplies and stamping techniques. The card we’ll create today falls under this challenge type. It’s a simple design using two colors of paper, two colors of ink, and one stamp set.
As you’ll see shortly, a few details like embossing and one die cut step this card up a wee bit. However, you could certainly skip the embossing step. You could also replace the die cut shape with a square or rectangle to create a simpler card.
Another struggle beginners sometimes face is what colors to use. By combining a #SimpleStamping challenge with a Color Challenge, that decision is made for you. The Color Challenge for this card uses a combo of Evening Evergreen, Merry Merlot and Crumb Cake. These are all colors in the current Stampin’ Up! color pallette. But feel free to substitute your favorites to make your card one you’ll be proud to send.
#Simplestamping Color Challenge Card
Now that we have a color pallette of Evening Evergreen, Merry Merlot and Crumb Cake, let’s get to the card details! Begin with an 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Crumb Cake cardstock, scored and folded at 4-1/4″ for the card base.
Next, stamp leaves from the Free as a Bird stamp set in Evening Evergreen ink around the top edges of the card front. Also stamp several of the flower images in Merry Merlot ink on a scrap of Crumb Cake cardstock. Optionally, add Clear Embossing Powder over the ink and heat emboss the flowers with a Heat Tool. Cut these flowers out with a Paper Snips or other small scissors. Then adhere them with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals over the stamped leaves.
Once the flower section is complete, stamp the single bird image in Merry Merlot ink at the bottom of the card front. Be sure to leave enough room on the right for the greeting! Next, die cut the small label shape from Evening Evergreen cardstock with the Stitched So Sweetly Dies. Alternatively, cut out a small square or rectangle to place behind the sentiment. Also stamp the Hello greeting on a small strip of Crumb Cake cardstock in either Merry Merlot or Evening Evergreen ink. Attach this greeting on top of the Evening Evergreen shape with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Add the Perfect Finishing Touch
Finally, add a little bling to the flower centers, and in a few random places, with the 2021-2021 In Color Jewels (Evening Evergreen jewels). These gems add a gorgeous sparkle to keep the card from being too plain and are the perfect finishing touch!
If you purchase the suggested products for this card, or any other products totaling at least $50, during Sale-a-Bration, you get a Free Sale-a-Bration item! This opportunity ends February 28, 2022, so check out the details today.