{Caardvarks} Micro Challenge Time!

Morning everyone!

Today I wanted to let you know that there is a new micro challenge brewing over at {Caardvarks}. This time Jen and Sarah challenged us to work with eyelets! This was a good challenge for me because I rarely use eyelets. Why? Because I think I'm a lazy stamper! The less fuss the better! That's why{Caardvarks} is such a good fit for me.....they do an amazing job pushing me outside my"norm" stamping routine. I need a push every now and then!

I was able to kick out two cards for the challenge, and I have to say, I love how they turned out! Especially this card with the apple bucket. The bucket comes from the SU Basket Full of Fun stamp set, which I borrowed from my friend Lue, who borrowed it from one of her friends! It was stamped with Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink in Dark Brown, and then I colored it in using SU watercolor crayons. Those are Lue's too. I got to use all her fun toys when we were over there last weekend watching the Vikings game (ok, so we snuck away for a few minutes....is that a crime?). I've thought about buying the watercolor crayons before but then always question at the last minute if I'll ever use them. Maybe one of these days I'll invest in some.....

The designer paper is Basic Grey/Mellow. I love this stuff! The Old Olive mat around the designer paper is cut using decorative scissors. Of course, I had to add some sewing to the card cuz you know I love the look! The zig zag stitch mimics the decorative edge of the cardstock, can you tell? I added three large eyelets to the main image and tied a brown gingham ribbon to each one. Isn't the whole thing yummy?????!!!!

My second card is based on Julee's Mojo Monday card sketch this week, only I turned my vertical instead of horizontal. I wasn't quite sure that was going to work, but it did! I started with a card base of Old Olive cardstock. I think the designer paper is Bohemia....but I'm not 100% sure on that. It was matted with Chocolate Chip. The main sentiment is from Penny Black. I stamped it using Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink in Dark Brown. Of course, I needed to distress the paper a bit using my Ranger Distress Ink in Tea Stain. I decided to mat the sentiment using a scrap piece of Basic Grey Mellow paper because it matched the Bohemia paper so well! Do you see the ribbon underneath the sentiment? That's some Martha Stewart self-adhesive ribbon that I bought MONTHS ago that I was never inspired to use until I made this card. It works perfectly here, doesn't it?

The image in the circle is from Carte Postale. The scalloped mat is cut from a Cuttlebug die. I added an eyelet to each corner of the main image and I was done. Oh, I guess I shouldn't forget to mention that I used my handy-dandy sewing machine on this card too, as if you couldn't tell! I think everyone needs one of these fabulous little Janome Mini's. I LOVE MINE!!! Can you see that now? LOL.

One last picture to share with you this morning. I finally had a chance to clean up the disaster in my stamping room recently, and thought I'd QUICK take a picture of it so I could show you where all the magic happens every day. This is where I sit each and every time (yes, I sit and stamp!) I make a card. This is where I sat to make today's cards too! I love my room, especially when it's CLEAN, but that's not very often. I'm SUCH a messy stamper folks. I mean, really. It's a DISASTER in here in no time flat once I start stamping. I'm going to try and consciously become more aware of keeping it clean after each stamp session.....I'll try, but there are no guarantees it will work!

Today we leave for Bemidji! Woo-hoo! I'm so excited to get away. We all need it so badly. We are meeting with our old college friends (not old as in age, but old as in we've known them since college) for dinner once we get there. Scott and Ann actually live in Roseau, MN (it's like 20 minutes from the Canadian border, I swear), and they plan on driving down to Bemidji to meet us there! in time for dinner. We haven't seen them in FOREVER, so we are excited to see them and start rehashing the old days! Ann, if you're reading this, we'll see you guys tonight!!!!!

Don't forget to hustle on over to {Caardvarks} for all the details on the new micro challenge. I know the prizes for the winner will be uber cool, so get hoppin' peeps! Be sure and check out the eyelet gallery in case you need a few ideas before you get started, k?

Since I'll be gone on our little road trip, there won't be any posts Friday or Saturday! Maybe I'll do my Scrapstash Saturday card on Sunday....would that make you happy? I could hear your collective groans as soon as I mentioned that I wouldn't be posting Saturday.....so to cheer you back up I just MIGHT do the card Sunday instead. Cuz I love ya all so much!!!

Hugs,
Amy