A card for two challenges and Next Weeks's Challenge

Good Morning Ladies,

Ooh I actually managed to have a couple of hours playing in my newly tidied craft room yesterday afternoon!
For the first time in a long time I actually enjoyed just sitting and playing, I'm not sure why, what the difference was but it was nice. I was trying to put everything away after I used it, to keep everywhere tidy, trouble is that's just not how I work, I never set out with a pre-planned idea of what I am going to use or make, so I often try things and then change my mind and try something else, all the time the pile is mounting up beside me, which usually results in me crafting on top of a little mountain of ink pads, dies, card and tools! But not today, today I stopped an put things that I didn't use away, which was so much easier and it only took me five minutes to clear away at the end.

Today's card works for both last week's challenge and the upcoming challenge for next week too!

I started with a white piece of card as I wanted to make my own background paper, I started by inking horizontal stripes across the card using Tattered Rose distress Oxide ink, I then blended that out a bit, next I used a floral mask to add some more detail, using the same ink, so the details were subtle, I finished by using a stamp with random dots on to add some touches of gold to the background.  Sadly I covered most of it up, so you can't see it, I should have done a step by step sequence of photos.
I mounted the background I had created onto a narrow matt of gold and then onto a white card base.
I die cut a frame from Gold Metallic patterned card (a extra interest) and used it to frame my sentiment.  To embellish the card I used the free stamps and dies that came with this month's 'Simply Cards & Papercraft Magazine, I actually bought mine for £5 on a Craft Declutter page on Facebook.

I stamped the large and small flower stamps onto Petal Pink card (su) that matches perfectly with Tattered Rose Distress Oxide, I used Versamark to stamp and Gold embossing powder to tie in with the background and frame. I die cut the large flower and leaves and fussy cut the smaller flowers, I added some shade and colour using Petal Pink Stampin' Blends and added a few little sparkles to the centres of each flower.

In the top corner I added a bow that I finished with a resin flower that matched the colours in the card.

I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed making it!!

For this weeks Challenge I used Categories:  Metallics/Bling/Feminine

Next Weeks Challenge

I have chosen a TicTacToe for this weeks challenge, as I know that you enjoy them and we haven't had one for a few weeks as I have been trying to mix things up a bit.

I think that the categories are all self explanatory, 'metal/metallics' I think means either silver/gold/copper embossing or card or embellishments, you can add whatever you think appropriate.

I am looking forward to seeing your cards. xx

The house inspection went ok, Paul was right, there was nothing to worry about, the chap was very nice and ex-military so found lots to chat to Paul about, it was quite funny because I could see that Paul wanted to get back to work but he would never be impolite, anyway he finally left, to sighs of relief all round.  Paul went to work and I went to lie down for an hour!

We have Paul's parents arriving today for the weekend, then on Saturday Paul's younger brother Mark and his family are coming over for the day, we did this last year but the weather was glorious and we were sat out in the garden well into the evening, I think that we will definitely be inside this time, suc a shame as the sun makes every thing better!  

So we are in for a busy weekend!! 

I hope that you all have a lovely, relaxed weekend ladies.

Love and hugs to all of you,

Sandra

xxxxxx