Super Sketch Sunday #17

Morning! I've decided that if a sketch "comes to me" sometime during the week, I'll share it on Sunday's over the summer. But if it doesn't, I'll just go with the flow. I need to let my mind rest over the summer if necessary!

This week's sketch isn't exactly "pretty", and it isn't "traditional" in nature. Some of you will choose not to try it. It's sure to stretch you beyond what you think you can handle. But stretching ourselves now and again helps define who we are as artists. It helps us establish who we are and what we do. This sketch encourages you to step outside the safety net we've all created for ourselves that tells us a card should have a main image (square, rectangle, or circle preferable), some ribbon, and a sentiment (preferably off center)! This card has all these things (except ribbon, I guess), but just presents them in a non-traditional way.

Besides the sketch, I want to encourage you to make this a card for a teenager....a son or daughter, niece or nephew, or someone else equally as special to you. Make it a card that encourages who they are as individuals, and celebrates who they are at this time in their lives! Let them know how special they are to you. Lastly, MAIL the card. We don't tell these young people enough how important they are in our world. Most of the time, what they hear is nag, nag, nag. These kids are navigating a world none of us ever had to. At least let them navigate it knowing someone loves them and is there for them should they need help.


So, here's the card the sketch is based on! I made this using my Amuse Ipod stamp, which I got specifically to use for kids cards, and my new "you rock" sentiment, also by Amuse! Love that Amuse is gearing their stamps to young people! This is a company that is 'forward thinking'.

The paper is from Scenic Route, and lent itself to well to a "happy" card! I first matted the paper on Old Olive cardstock, and then adhered it to a Taken with Teal card base.

I actually drew my star on a piece of paper and cut it out to use as my template--I drew it exactly like a teacher would draw a star, and just cut around the outside edges. Worked like a charm! It's matted with more TT cardstock, and I cut around the edges using my tiny scallop scissors. I cut the tail of the star freehand, and then stamped it with my Impress polka dot stamp. "You Rock" was stamped in black ink down the tail. I used my oval punch in the lower righthand corner of the designer paper, and this is where I stamped my happy birthday sentiment, also in black. For the Ipod, I colored it using my H20 paints in a bright blue that matched the paper perfectly, and matched the blue Ipod currently for sale this summer! The dial and screen on the Ipod was colored in using my Sakura Stardust pen, to add just a little teenage 'bling'! I cut the Ipod out, and adhered it to the star using foam tape, where I had also stamped the Ipod image. It's such a fun teenage card, I can't wait to send it out!

I hope some of you play along with today's challenge. I can't wait to see what you come up with for the special teen in YOUR life!

Have a great day!
Amy