Time to Celebrate

The clean and simple challenge at Splitcoaststampers is about to reach a big milestone--challenge # 200!  In honor of the big event, there's a big celebration this weekend that will feature 10 different clean and simple challenges--5 today and 5 more tomorrow.  I have samples to share for two of today's challenges.

Here's my sample for the challenge to use the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique.  With all its sparkle, it's perfect for this week's sparkle themed challenge at CASology.  And, it's also doubling as my entry into this month's Market Street Stamps Block Party.

I used the big bulb image from the Shine On set as my focal image.  I stamped it in black ink on an oval panel,  colored it with Copic markers, then covered the entire panel with Iridescent Ice embossing powder and heat embossed it for a beautiful sparkle.  Unfortunately, I'm not a good enough photographer to really capture the sparkle . . .

The panel is set on a black oval, then layered over a pair of festive dotted patterned paper panels.  This holiday paper--and all other 6x6, 8x8, and 12x12 holiday paper collections--are on sale through tomorrow at i {heart} papers, so be sure to stop by and check out the sale if you still need papers for your holiday cards or December Daily album!  To anchor the bulb, I attached a piece of  baker's twine to the top along with a bow.  The set's "you light up my life sentiment" is stamped alongside the patterned panels in black ink.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Market Street Stamps Shine On stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink, Copic markers (R12, R14, R17), Doodlebug Design North Pole 6x6 paper pad, Divine Twine Black Licorice baker's twine

other:  Real Red and Basic Black cardstock, Iridescent Ice embossing powder (Stampin' Up!); oval dies (Spellbinders)

And, here's my card for the challenge to use balloons as your focal image.  I paired some die cut balloons and washi tape with a Market Street Stamps sentiment set and this week's Clean and Simple Stamping sketch on this one.

I used a girly pink and green color scheme here, pairing two different striped washi tapes--a pink striped one and a multi-colored chevron patterned one--for the sketch's long, skinny panels.

The "happy birthday" sentiment from Market Street's Great Big Greetings set is stamped above the tape strips in pink ink.  I love this sentiment set!  The words are big enough to stand alone as focal images, but they also work with other images, too.  I added a pair of die cut balloons with pink baker's twine strings next to the sentiment, using dimensional dots for a little interest and a line of sparkly bling along the bottom of the washi tape for festive feel.

I hope you'll join us for the celebration.  I'll have a few more clean and simple samples to share tomorrow.

Materials Used:
from i {heart} papers:  Market Street Stamps Great Big Greetings stamp set, Tsukineko Memento Rose Bud ink, Queen & Co. pink and green chevron washi tape and pink striped washi tape, Divine Twine Cotton Candy Pink baker's twine, Sticky Thumb dimensional dots

other:  Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose cardstock (Stampin! Up!); Jelly Bean Green cardstock (Gina K Designs); balloon dies (Lil' Inker Designs); clear crystal line (Michaels)