Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #21

Here it is Sunday and I've finally got a card finished for MaryJo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge; one can't accuse me of being too prompt on getting these challenge cards done.

This is the second card for one of MaryJo's challenges where I've ended up with a very patriotic card. (I think the first challenge that I did for her used virtually the same papers as this card.) I'm NOT sure why I keep ending up with flags, but ..... there ya go!

I used the same Die Cuts with a View cardstock pieces on this card, that I did my last flag card. I also used a Hero Arts stamp (see the photo below for a close up view of the stamped image.)

I stamped the Lady Liberty stamp on white cardstock with black ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I had tried initially with clear embossing ink and black powder, but the statue of Liberty image just blurred out. I was happier with this final image. I didn't think that I wanted to leave all the cardstock white, so I got out my Cut n' Dry nibs and colored. I used Antique Linen on the back of the stamped image and Old Paper for the outside edge of the stamp.

I have to take two seconds and rave about the Cut n' Dry nibs. When I first saw them at Michaels, I thought: WOW! Those are expensive little things. Since I've purchased them and started using them on a regular basis, I don't know HOW I got by without them. If you've looked at them and had the same sticker shock that I initially had, wait for a 50% off coupon and get them then. They're seriously worth every penny; even at full price.

I used the Cuttlebug Script embossing folder to emboss the red stripes on the card. I thought it gave the card a little more interest without getting too busy. (Remember: this is my simple brained weekend.)

Materials: cardstock: Die Cuts with a View; cuttlebug embossing folder; stamp: Hero Arts; ink: Colorbox (black), Ranger (Antique Linen, Old Paper); clear embossing powder: Stampendous; flowers: Primas; brad: Making Memories; adhesives: Tombow's Mono-Multi, Pioneer mounting tape, 3M mounting foam squares.

As always, thanks again for looking.