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I've seen some beautifully done examples of black and white cards, but executing them has always been a huge struggle for me. I've never been one to back away from a challenge, so I decided to pick out some pretty pattern paper and try again this afternoon.

This was the result:

I like the variety of pattern papers I picked out. The old-fashioned ads are maybe a touch unconventional for an otherwise elegant card, but I like the quirkiness of the overall effect.

I'm playing along with the Catered Crop challenge this week. The theme is "ribbon" -- one of my favorites!


Supplies
Pattern Paper: Echo Park "Happy Days" 6x6 pad
Stamps: Autumn Leaves "Borders Love Each Day"
Ink: Stampin' Up! "Basic Black" Pigment Ink
Embellishments: Stickles "Silver", Bo Bunny "Enchanted Brads", Bo Bunny "Enchanted Trinkets", Bazzill Basics Paper "Paper Flowers: Daisy White",  black gel pen, ribbon from my stash.

It's snowing here today. After a mild winter, we've been getting buried under a mountain of snow for the past week, and I'm tired of it. It's March - shouldn't spring be here by now?

I wanted a bright card to cheer me up. I pulled out the "Springtime" 6x6 paper pad from Echo Park, and set to work. This was the end result:

Unfortunately, the photo doesn't show the silver accents as well as I'd like. They're bright and glittery, and very pretty in real life.


Supplies
Cardstock: Recollections "Vanilla"
Pattern Paper: Echo Park "Springtime" 6x6 pad
Stamps: Fiskars "Grateful" stamp set
Ink: Versafine "Imperial Purple" ink
Embellishments: Stickles "Silver", Prima Flowers "Sugar Blooms Celebrate", Jillibean Soup "Apple Cheddar Soup" labels, ribbon from my stash.

Alright, enough with the pink for a while. (I can hear you -- yeah, you over there -- breathing a sigh of relief.)

Simon Says Stamp also has an "Anything Goes" theme this week for their challenge, and I couldn't resist playing along. This is what I came up with:

I like the end result so much, I'm going to save it and give it to my parents for their wedding anniversary. It's not until June, but they don't read the blog, so I'm safe revealing this so far in advance. :-)


Supplies
Cardstock: Recollections "Vanilla"
Pattern Paper: Fancy Pants Designs "Beach Bum" 6x6 pad
Stamps: Autumn Leaves "Borders Love Each Day"
Ink: Dew Drop Brilliance "Cosmic Copper", Inkadinkado "Terra Cotta", Memento "Rich Cocoa"
Embellishments: Stickles "Platinum", Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearls, Prima Flowers, ribbon and buttons from my stash.

As you already know, I've been on a pink kick... and it continues today, with this very bright, cheery card:


I wanted to create something for the Ribbon Carousel Challenge, which this week features the ever-popular "Anything Goes" theme. The only requirement was to use ribbon, bakers twine, jute twine, lace or thread somewhere in the project. I used the cute pink organza ribbon at the top of my card. I pulled it out of my scraps pile, so unfortunately I'm not sure where the original came from. I hope that doesn't disqualify me from participating in the challenge. :-)


Supplies
Cardstock: Recollections "Pastel"
Pattern Paper: s.e.i Bright Blossoms 12x12 pad
Stamps: Hero Arts "Spring Borders" stamp set
Ink: VersaMark, VersaFine: Crimson Red
Embossing Powder: Recollections Opaque White Embossing Powder
Punches: Martha Stewart Monarch Butterfly Large Double Punch, Stampin' Up! Butterfly Punch
Embellishments: Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearls, Martha Stewart Butterfly Stickers, ribbon from my stash.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been enamored with the color pink of late. I can't get enough of it! So I figured I'd give in to the urge to make another pink paper craft, and came up with this adorable card.



Supplies
Cardstock: Recollections "Pastel"
Pattern Paper: K & Company "Sweet Nectar" Designer Mat Pad
Stamps: Hampton Art "Carpe Diem"
Ink: "Festive Berries" Distress Ink, Memento "Bamboo Leaves"
Die Cuts: Sizzix Tags, Scallop Combo #2
Embellishments: Recollections Adhesive Faux Pearls, Forever in Time Floral Embellishments, Recollections Butterfly Brads, ribbon from my stash.

I've been drawn to the color pink lately. I know Valentine's Day is over, but I'm not done with frothy, girly color hues. Despite that, this card ended up quite a bit more Christmas-y than I was expecting. I think that's due to the green hue and the way the stripes are placed in the pattern paper.

I really like the twine made to look like it's just floating out there on the card. I assure you, it's quite securely laid in place with some Tombow Mono Multi Glue.

I'm also crazy about the scalloped blue ribbon, and the way the sentiment fits just perfectly on top of the green ribbon.

Supplies
Cardstock: Recollections Signature Shimmer
Pattern Paper: K & Company "Sweet Nectar" Designer Mat Pad
Ink: Evergreen Bough Distress Ink
Die Cuts: Sizzix Tags, Scallop Combo #2
Embellishments: K & Company "Sweet Talk Love Birds & Butterfly" Grand Adhesions, Bo Bunny "Sweet Tooth" Brads, ribbon from my stash.