Happy 4th!!

Okay, so I have a lot to show you and not much time. I stayed up to late, slept to late, and now I am late!!LOL

First of all, I know we just made our announcement for the new Paper Pretties Guest Designers, but we just couldn't leave well enough alone!! We decided to promote Jackie Rakoski(babitoons) from guest designer to Jr. Design Team member!! Jackie has been around since the beginning of paper pretties and has really flourished as a designer. We love her enthusiasm and watching her grow as a designer, so we wanted her to stick around just a little while longer(we have letting go issues, what can we say)!! Taking her place will be none other than Jackie Pedro(strappystamper)!! If you haven't been to Jackies blog, you gotta go, she is FABULOUS!! Jackie was recently at our Stampin in Your Jammies party and when Christie did a little research on her, she knew that is who she wanted to take Jackies R's place. So, besides a little name confusion, we are THRILLED to have her here with us. Be sure to blurf by BOTH of their blogs and leave them a little Prettie Love!!

So, the real reason you are here is some cards right? RIGHT!! I made these two cards for the recent release party over at Paper Pretties. At the party, Charmaine issued a challenge every hour for us, and since you know I love a challenge, you know I had to play!! My first card was for the first challenge which was a sketch challenge. I started with some yummy DSP from My Minds Eye, and drew my colors from there. I chose Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Pumpkin Pie(yummy right). I colored two of the trees from the Soakin Up the Sun set and cut one whole one out and just some palm leaves on the other and added them for some dimension. I added three brown brads and then wrapped the whole card with some hemp twine. The sun, which was part of the sketch, was punched out and sponged heavily and then the end was cut off. I added a sentiment at the bottom using my word window punch. I just love the sentiments from this set!! I believe one of the comments I got was, "Calgon, take me away"-I think she totally got it!!LOL!! By the way, the scene was made with my reinkers and aqua painter. I saw someone doe this once where they just brushed it on and left some white, looks so much more realistic. I think I need a little more practice, but you get the idea. I also cut a slit to hide the bottom of the tree and then distressed the edges of the main card for a weathered look.

This next card was made for the second challenge which was to use your school colors. Unfortunately, mine were Maroon and White, so I had to add a little black to soften the blow of the Burgandy!! I stamped Off To School Sophia on watercolor paper and used my SU markers to color her in. I used my marker to only use which part of the sentiment that I wanted and cut it out and layered it with the SU tag punches. I used the SU star punches to make the stars, which I sanded the edges on and added some silver brads to. There is a ton on here and I used the distressed stripes folder on the burgandy panel for some texture. I guess it could have been worse. My school colors could have been orange and blue like Jodi's!!LOL!!

Well that is it for me! I am going to leave you with two pictures that give new meaning to the words HOLY CARP!! Anyone who ever talks to me, knows that is what I say to sensor myself on SCS and while commenting, honestly, I know I learned it from someone there, just don't remember who!! Anyway, my nephew Jake called yesterday and asked if I could receive picture texts. Well, my phone is a RELIC and I can't but I can retrieve them through the internet. Imagine my surprise when I opened up my text. HOLY CARP!! Yes people that is what it is. My nephew caught it in the lake behind my sisters house. My BIL had to get in the boat and paddle Jake around while he wore this sucker down. Russell says at one point it was pulling the boat!! Can you believe the size of that thing!!

Hope you all have a happy and safe 4th of July!! Be safe!! Be sure to come back tomorrow for some FUN STUFF!!