Diva's Coffee House Design Team Challenge 101

I was recently asked if I would like to be on a design team for Heidi Michel's weekly challenges, and I humbly accepted. As you can imagine, I'm pretty excited that she would think of me! Here is a picture of our first challenge.

It just so happens that yesterday was my 8th wedding anniversary (10 years together) to my wonderful husband Brian, and I thought that I would like to make an anniversary card for him. Buzzing around online I saw some cards made with the sizzix top note die on Beate John's site, and I really couldnt get over how quick and pretty they are.

I started with some Bella rose DSP and cut a card base to 4 1/4" x 11" and scored it the long way at 5 1/2". I lined my paper edge up on the sizzix at the fold (so I wouldn't cut my card in two) and ran it through the sizzix machine. Next I used some red riding hood taffeta and tied it all up with a ribbon slide. I used crystal effects, mixed with reinker and dazzling diamonds on the ribbon slide to give it a little pizzaz.

I pulled out this adorable flower set, pretty peony, and stamped a two step image. For the first image (which has a larger ink coverage) I stamped off on a separate piece of card stock, then on my whisper white. I stamped the outline image full strength on top to create the outline. It's really wonderful how you can obtain different levels of the same color, by stamping off first. I didn't think I could fit one more thing on the front of this card, so I omitted the oval, rubbing a sentiment from chit chat, in it's place... Can you see the imaginary oval? I can, I guess that's all that matters.. LOL Right?

I always seem to have a difficult time photographing glitter. This is what my friend Robin has named "Selene's Glitter Edging Technique" Basically, I take a two way glue pen, get a little spot in the middle recessed, by pressing it on a piece of paper, then I "edge" the entire paper with the glue pen and stick it in the glitter. It really adds a TON of glitter, and I like that.

Finally, I added 3 brads following the sketch.

One thing I did notice, when using the top note die to make a card, I had a lot less workable space than a standard A2 card. I really felt that I had to cut too much off. It came out pretty and the DH was so excited I made him a card. Now, if i could just get him to make one for me! :) A girl can dream....

Check out the AMAZING creations of the other design team members by clicking on my sidebar links, normally. For today, since this is something totally new, here they are:

Chris Austin http://luv2cre8withu.blogspot.com/
Connie Babbert http://inkspiredtreasures.com/
Dannie Graves http://danniesdesigns.typepad.com/
Dee Tollaksen http://stampwithdee.blogspot.com/
Heidi Michel (Mrs Diva) http://heartfeltblessings.blogspot.com/

Lisa Freeman http://stampingwithlisa.com/
Julie Semones http://inkedujour.blogspot.com/
Kristen Moore http://sunshinesmilesstamps.blogspot.com/