Very Challenging!

Over at SCS, the Friday Limited Supply Challenge is being replaced by a brand new challenge called Friday Free 4 All.  It is going to be so fun, because it will be a surprise, a sort of "grab bag" of challenges that will vary from week to week...whatever strikes the host's fancy!  Like Forrest's mama says, "You never know what you're gonna get!"  My friend Wendy is hosting the first one today and I made a sample for her...she has asked participants to use colors that they don't frequently use, lots of texture, and for a bonus, patterned paper.

I found myself WAY out of my comfort zone as I made this card and I still can't decide whether to love or hate it!  When I began, I had my young friend Keri in mind (it's her birthday), who is a huge fan of purple, grunge, and ruching.  I went through my stash to find some purple patterned paper and came across this piece (from an old DCWV Old World pack) which has subtle accents of Apricot Appeal...now THERE'S a color I don't use often!  The paper looks like printed wallpaper with a bit of linen texture, which seemed perfect for Wendy's challenge.

I stamped the flower (from Lizzie Anne Designs March monthly mix, Lucky You) in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, colored it with Copic markers, then stamped over it with a stamped off (Close to Cocoa) linen textured background stamp.  I cut and embossed it with a petite oval nestability, then sponged the edges with both Apricot Appeal and Close to Cocoa.  Keeping with the *things I don't use often* theme, I added a clear apricot Making Memories flower brad just a tiny bit off-center.

I used the same method to stamp the linen background on each of the layers (SU's Lovely Lilac, Apricot Appeal and GinaK's Vibrant Violet), including the card base, the lace-punched mat and each of the layers with the exception of the patterned paper.  I lightly sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink to tone down the brightness of the card stock. The shiny satin ribbon was ruched Heather Pulvirenti-style...then I threaded some velvet through a hole punched in that layer to bring in still another texture.  Finally, I stamped the sentiment (from LAD February monthly mix, Singing in the Rain) in black ink on the card base.

While I am still undecided about my own opinion regarding this card, I think Keri will love it!  It is PURPLE and just quirky enough to be out of the ordinary (yes, even a bit strange and off-beat), and that, for her, is just perfect!  She likes to march to the beat of her own drum!  So happy birthday, my young friend!  Love ya!