Stars & Stamps Midweek Throwdown Challenge!

The end of October I was surprised and delighted to receive an email from Jan over at the OWH Stars & Stamps blog, asking me if I'd like to make a sample card or two for their December 1st Midweek Throwdown Challenge.  Um, let me think about that for a nanosecond... heck, yeah!  Are you kidding?!  I'm honored to be asked to do this!!!

The theme for this week's challenge is animals, and as soon as Jan told me what it was, I got all kinds of ideas popping in my head.  First up is a sweet birthday card for a little girl.  Most little girls I know are crazy for ponies and horses, so that was the stamp of choice.  Can you imagine her getting this card from her daddy or mommy who is away from home for her birthday?

The greeting is three different Clear Mount Stamps from the Fabulous Phrases set, mounted on one Clear Block.  I like the flexibility of building a custom sentiment - too cool!

Stamps: Pony Party (W-115217, C-120015), Fabulous Phrases (W-117002, C-120501)
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette (111351), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Melon Mambo (115320)
Ink: Pink Pirouette Classic (111838), Rich Razzleberry Classic (115658), Melon Mambo Classic (115656), Rose Red Classic (101778), Basic Gray Classic (109120)
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch (118870), 1/2" Circle Punch (119869), 3/4" Circle Punch (119873), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (119861),small circle punch from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain ribbon (retired)

The next card is near and dear to my heart, because my hubby and I joke about "love monkey" all the time.  I figured we aren't the only ones with that little joke, so this is sure to bring a smile to a deployed hero's loved one.  

The greeting was printed using my computer and printer, since I didn't have a stamp with that sentiment.  The heart background was inked up with Sahara Sand, then the solid heart wiped off with a Blender Pen and Real Red ink applied with a Stampin' Write Marker.  Huffed to re-moisten, stamped off once to lighten the image, and then stamped over the greeting (gotta love those Clear Mount stamps - so easy to position!).

Lots of layers going on with those hearts!  The Full Heart Punch fits inside the Scalloped Heart of Hearts die, which fits inside the Movers and Shapers Heart die.  If you look very, very closely (click on the image twice), you can see the embossed "dots" are really tiny hearts! 

Stamps: Fox & Friends (W-117020, C-118565), Filled With Love (W-120839, C-121154)

Cardstock: Sahara Sand (121043), Real Red (102482), Early Espresso (119686), Whisper White (100730), Sahara Sand DSP from Patterns Pack (retired)

Ink: Sahara Sand Classic (105208), Early Espresso Classic (119670), Real Red Stampin' Write Marker (100052)

Accessories: Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119251), Full Heart Punch (119883), Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die (117332), Movers & Shapers Heart Die from the Punch Windows set (115953), Big Shot Die-Cut Machine (113439), heart border punch from Martha Stewart

Thanks for stopping by today, and don't forget to vote for Operation Write Home over at Joann's Craft for a Cause. 

Vote every day - you have until midnight Dec. 4th!