August 28, 2011

Color Throwdown #156 & Square Sketch Challenge


Well hello, strangers!  Can you believe I'm actually back with a card today?

As you might remember, I went back to work last week after spending the last 6 years at home with my kids.  It's a part-time job, but I was still exhausted every afternoon last week while adjusting to the new routine.  I am the new lab technician for the Health Sciences department at a local college, and I am loving the job so far!  I have a lot of flexibility and independence, which works perfectly for me and allows my hubby and I to coordinate our schedules so that one of us can still be home with the kids when they are not in school.  I feel so fortunate to be back at work doing something I enjoy after such a long hiatus.  Thanks to everyone for leaving your words of encouragement, and for your patience during my absence over the last week!

To get back into the crafty swing of things, I decided to use some lovely colors from The Color Throwdown with the Square Sketch Challenge in Card Ideas Week in the Moxie Fab World.


This is the first time I've played with PTI's Mehndi Medallions stamps and impression plate.  Oh my loveliness!  I just adore the highly detailed impression this plate leaves!  *swoon*

I also took inspiration from Maile Belle's interpretation of the sketch as seen in the challenge post.  I layered a hand-cut Plum medallion over the impressed cardstock, then gave it a Saffron center by stamping the medallion onto Saffron cardstock with Versamark, heat embossing with clear powder, and punching out the center with a 1 inch circle punch.

The sentiment banner was cut with PTI's Double Ended Banner die and stamped with a sentiment from Birthday Basics.

I thought about adding some scattered bling or glitter pen details, but I really like the simple elegance of the medallions as is.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Perfect Plum, So Saffron), Papertrey Ink (Kraft, white)
Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Mehndi Medallions, Birthday Basics)
Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Perfect Plum), Versamark
Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Mehndi Medallion impression plate, Double Ended Banner die), Martha Stewart Crafts (circle punch)
Accessories:  Stampendous (clear embossing powder)

In other news, we are in the midst of Tropical Storm Irene right now (recently downgraded from a hurricane), but the rain and wind have been manageable here.  My thoughts are with those along the East Coast where the impact of the storm has been much greater, and where flooding continues to be a threat.  Stay safe, friends!

See you back here soon!  Thanks for stopping by!

36 comments:

Karen B. said...

Just beautiful, of course! Did you cut out that medallion by hand? It is perfect! Glad your job is going well and that you were spared from the worst of the storm.

Marlena M. said...

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful! ;)

Brandi said...

Gorgeous card! Love the colors and embossing!

Anonymous said...

Stunning interpretation of the sketch! x

Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin) said...

Love this.... I understand the working shift, I went back to work in December and left my husband at home with the kids, a shift for all of us!

Lynn said...

So glad that your first week on the job went so well...and how wonderful to have flexibility! Your card is gorgeous...I just got the impression plate, but haven't used it yet...soon!! It's calling for me!

Unknown said...

this is so pretty!! I'm glad you are enjoying your new job!!

Debbie Carriere said...

Wow, wow, wow!!!! This is stunning!! That impression plate is just fabulous!!! I do not have any PTI sets (yet). Congrats on your PC publication and being showcased at Moxie Fab World!! Happy your new job is going well! I would love to get a job like that when all my kids are in school. I was a biochemist in my previous life :) Best of luck!!

Vickie Z said...

The impression bg is fabulous!! Glad you're enjoying your new job!!

Sara Mac said...

This is so gorgeous and elegant Christina! I cannot believe how perfectly you cut that medallion image. I was thinking that you found a matching die that I had not heard about yet:) Glad you are enjoying the new job too.

Unknown said...

this card is beyond amazing. Love it. Congrats on re-entering the workforce- it sounds like an exciting new chapter!

Sue McRae said...

Gorgeous cards! Love the simple elegance of the medallions!

Virginia L. said...

Beautiful execution on BOTH challenges!! Love the embossed background with the embossed/stamped image!! Good luck on both challenges!

Nancy said...

Christina your card is so beautiful. I too have the Mehndi Impression plate along with others of PTI and I never have good luck using them, I must be doing something wrong. Could you tell me which machine you use and the order of the layers, maybe that will help me. Your impression is so clear and crisp, what's your secret.
Congrat's on returning to the work place.
Thanks,

Marisa said...

That impression plate is fabulous! Love how you combined it with the image. Great take on the sketch! Glad to hear you are safe and sound too (((hugs))).

Cassandra said...

Gorgeous card Christina. All the best with the job, it is tiring at first but I am sure you will have a routine sorted out in no time.

Rachel Izakowicz said...

Beautiful card! I just love those medallions - stunning! Glad to hear the job is going well - sounds like a big adjustment!

Lindsay said...

So so amazingly beautiful Christina! Wonderful job with the colors and the texture is fantastic!

Cristina said...

Glad to hear that work is going well! So exciting to have something new going on. And this card is beautiful, as always. Rock on, Queen Purple. :)

Jean Martin said...

Oh wow Christina! This is soooooo beautiful! I'm not much of a purple person...but you're making me love it! I have to get that impression plate and stamp now!!! Is there a die that comes with the medallion stamps? I haven't gotten anything new since I came back...seems it's time for a little shopping. :)

Ginny said...

This card is beyond gorgeous! Can't believe you hand cut that medallion - double WOW! And I'm so glad you are enjoying the job and making it work for your family's schedule. I'm all for flexible part-time jobs for moms!

Darla Weber said...

Congrats on getting back into the working world. It is a HUGE adjustment, but sounds like you are making it work! Love the card you posted. I think I need to go do some shopping! :)

Suzanne Russell said...

Fabulous card! Gotta love the Mehndi impression plate. Great idea to cut out the center in the contrasting color.

Laura Pryor said...

Absolutely STUNNING!!! I'm so glad you joined us at the Color Throwdown! You were given an honorable mention for this week's challenge! Yay! Good luck with your new job too!

Monika/Buzsy said...

Gorgeous card Christina. Love the dry embossed doily and lovely colors. We just got the power back! :o)

kasia c. said...

WOW WOW WOW!!!
I love the colours, the embossed medallion behind, stunning!!

Also, got your card yesterday. Thank you so very much for thinking of me! It too, is amazing. :)

Jen Carter said...

This is SO pretty!! I love the impressed medallion! That is so beautiful! I also love the touch of yellow in the center of the medallion, such a perfect accent and pop of color!

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Editor said...

Hey Christina! Thanks for linking this up to the Square Sketch challenge in the Moxie Fab World! I'm so glad you joined in on all the fun! :)

Laurie said...

I can't believe I haven't commented on this beauty yet! WOW! This is amazing! I love this set and IP so much and this makes me love it even more! Awesome job here girl!!

Amy Kolling said...

Ok, when I first saw this card the other day..........I thought it was amazing. Now, I look at it again and think it's BRILLIANT!!!

Jinny Newlin said...

LOVE this color combo! And that layered, textural medallion is absolutely scrumptious!

Nerina said...

Swoon, smooch - this is deliciously gorgeous! I had to look twice at the hand cutting :0) I was SURE there wasn't a die for this one, but your cutting sure looks like there is!

Lisa Petrella said...

GORGEOUS!!! LOVE the layering and the colors (especially the POP of yellow)!! You are SOOOOO making me want that medallion stamp and impression plate!!! Just beautiful! Glad to hear you like your new job!! YAY! Also happy to hear that Irene wasn't too hard on you!

The Paper Parade said...

Oh my goodness...now this is a stand-out "wow-za" card!

Andrea M said...

This is STUNNING!! I got the Mehndi plate before I left TN and I can't wait to use it!! This inspiring beauty makes me want to drag it out right now! Gorgeous!!!
So glad you are enjoying your new job! I know how you feel about adjusting to a new routine - it certainly can be tiring! But it's great that you love what you do :)

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh.... SO SO pretty! I love it all, color combo, texture, stamps; pure loveliness, that's what this is!

I hope you are adjusted to working a bit better now, hoping you can give me some tips soon! :) Now Ia'm heading over to PTI, gosh darn you..... ;) **hugs**

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