Better Together - A Mix and Match Challenge Week 4 by Andie

During this time of quarantine, Brandy and I miss crafting together.  It isn't that we did so often - we didn't see each other every week sometimes.  It's more that we can't see each other.  So I had an idea to create a challenge each week - one just for Brandy and she could create one just for me.  Brandy has to amp the idea up and came up with our official title.  This is our fourth week of challenges.  I present to you Week Four of the Better Together - A Mix and Match Challenge.

Brandy wrote a poem for my challenge this week:

This week’s challenge is a bit funny, 

as it is all about being punny.

Don’t fret, you are all set,

write your own pun on the run; or

use one from Dawn or Lawn Fawn.

Please no perspiration, I provided inspiration.

The color pallet is bright, 

primary colors will make a pretty sight.

Use just the three or maybe

mix those colors for a rainbow effect, 

either way, the card will be perfect.

Rules are for schools, but there are a few,

Clean and simple is fine or add a layer or two.

Your images must correlate with the joke,

or you will owe me a lunch and a coke. 

Now go get creating my friend,

Because on Monday this challenge comes to an end.

My first card was very simple, but did give me an opportunity to use a stamp that I purchased on a whim and have never used.  It was a clear cut pun so I knew that I had to use it.  The trick is what to do on the card to make the sentiment (pun) seem appropriate.  I ended with a stenciled, ink blended sun behind some die cut letters using my The Greetery Slimline Alphabet dies. Simple, punny and definitely hits all the color palette.  However, this card took less than 30 minutes to put together so I decided to make a few more cards to respond to the challenge.

My husband and I are fixin' to celebrate our anniversary in the next month.  When I read Brandy's challenge I also thought of my Lawn Fawn Whale You Be Mine? stamp set.  I think this card also accurately captures the challenge - punny on the inside and outside.  Those whales were stamped onto Bristol and colored with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers and then fussy cut out to be able to mount on the front of an stenciled, ink blended sea.  I did get all three colors in, though because I used my waterbrush, the red and yellow are not quite as bright as I'd like in the final picture (better in person).

I didn't know if I was quite done because I also remembered by Clearly Besotted That's So Tweet stamp set.  I decided to put these two cards together after coloring some of the birdies from that stamp set.  I like the bluebirds best, but both cards are charming.

I'm so grateful for a bestie who is willing to inspire and challenge me.  This challenge was a bit out of my box again with that primary colors palette.  I'm loving the opportunity to stretch as well as the connection with Brandy each week.

A Late Valentine's Day Post

I'm ever so late in posting these cards of my Valentine's Day fun!  Time slips away and I could give you the list of reasons why I missed this post, but none of that matters.

I watched a video technique using white pigment ink to stamp an image and colored pencils to color on the image.  These Valentine's cards are inspired by that and I have this amazing heart/love stamp that I never quite know what to do to use it.

On the inside, a simple stamped sentiment to make sure everyone knows what the card is for.  I'm  not sprinkling romantic love around the office randomly, just expressing some holiday,  not weird at all "love".

I ended up trying a variety of coloring combinations,  mainly to keep me interested.  The effect is not "in the lines" neatness and so I had to reign in my inner perfectionist.   She decided a nap was in order and I got to make quite a few.  She still cringes at some of the finished results, but they really are lovely and the recipients thought it a special surprise.

My daughter asked for help in making a few valentines herself.   I used my Lawn Fawn Whale You Be Mine stamp set.  Cute, easy to make and, apparently, easy to forget because she ended up taking them to school the day after Valentine's Day.

I'm in Flagstaff recovering from participating in the Honors Explore day with same daughter.  She's committed to NAU for school which means she's leaving me in the fall.  It's a beautiful campus (we walked  through a large portion and many flights of stairs in the high mountain air) and she's very excited.  I'm grateful for some quite time this morning with which I remembered these pictures and actually had time to edit and post.

I hope your weekend is fantastic.