Thursday 9 January 2014

Coastal Shells

I'm so excited!  Guess what?  I've been asked to be a guest designer for four months at Freshly Made Sketches!  FMS is the first challenge I ever entered and it's the first challenge I make time for each week.  I love the sketches and I love the talents of the DT and now I'm one of them.  I only hope I can at least try to meet their level of skill each week.



My first DT card is a very versatile sketch from Jen Mitchell.  I spent ages on this card - wanting to make it really good so I don't get fired LOL.  In the end, I went with a trick that never fails - layer with black for an instant wow!



I had some pre-stamped and partly colored images from By the Seashore, so I finished colouring them with markers and a blender pen and cut them out.  The sentiment was chosen because it was one of the few that fit nicely in the space available.  I adhered some Coastal Cabana ruffled ribbon using Sticky Strip.  Here's a close-up of the starfish and shells.  I colored them with Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral as well as Pool Party and Baked Brown Sugar to add a bit of interest.  I also colored the dots on the starfish with the white chalk marker.



Thanks for looking.  Check out the rest of the DT samples - they're gorgeous as usual!  I'm looking forward to see all the entries.

Products used.

Stamps:  By the Seashore, Delightful Dozen
Ink:  Black Stazon, Baked Brown Sugar
Cardstock:  Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories:  Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Baked Brown Sugar, Pool Party markers, square nesties, Coastal Cabana ruffled ribbon, chalk marker

16 comments:

Narelle Farrugia said...

You well and truly deserve to be on this team Karren and I was extremely excited to learn that were going to be one of the Clean Team!!! LOVE this card and the colouring of your shells is totally fab-u-lous!

Linda Callahan said...

So glad you have joined us! Your coloring is wonderful and the sea creatures look fabulous with Coastal Cabana in the background!

Lee Ann Barrett said...

This is stunning, Karren! I love your pile of fussy cut sea shells. Congrats and enjoy your time on the team!

LeAnne said...

I just love this, Karren! Pretty colors and the shells remind me of warmer temps!

Cindy Lovell said...

Fabulous card,Karen!! I love the starfish and shells! Awesome!!

Julia Aston said...

What beautiful colors on your pretty layered shells! congrats on being on the DT!

Jen Brum said...

Beautiful Karren! Love that pop of black!!! The seashells are coloured so beautifully! Don't worry about getting kicked off....they've kept me for a while now so you're good to go!!!!

Jen Mitchell said...

Awww, I didn't know that we were the first challenge you ever entered. **Sniff** that's so sweet, especially so since we kidnapped you to be one of us! No worries of getting fired either LOL! I love how you colored those seashells! Gorgeous!

Notes by Nina said...

Fabulous card Karren, I love your shells, what gorgeous colours.

Kristie Goulet said...

Congratulations Karren! This is a gorgeous card.

Being Mrs Miles said...

Hi Karren,

I am SO GLAD you posted your card, you reminded me of some Seahorse elements I had laying around and your card gave me an idea.

You did a lovely job with this. Thanks for showing.

Blessings, Barb

Amy O said...

Beautifully done, Karren! And I love how you've colored the shells. We are so glad to have you on the team!

Karen Davis said...

Congratulations Karren, how exciting for you. You have coloured and arranged the sea shells so beautifully on this card. A lovely background colour too.

karen h said...

Wonderful card - love the way you colored the shells!

Greta said...

Love the ruffled ribbon & you're right--the black really makes things pop! Great card!

Cindy Hall said...

Oh my gosh, I love how you colored the shells! The look fabulous. Love the details, like the ruffled ribbon, too!