Happy Monday everyone! I have had my first of this week's technique card classes this month and spent a pleasant morning catching up with my ladies, who all left very pleased with their cards. I will share these cards in due course once all my classes are complete (I don't want to spoil the surprise for the next group of ladies!). Meanwhile, today I have a card made with this week's sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches:

I'm also linking this card up with the ladies over at Less Is More this week, where the challenge is to use red, white and blue on your card, which I most certainly have - take a look: 

I decided to pair my bright Real Red with the softer tones on Sky Blue for today's card and added some detail to my main panel using some retired 'Back To Black' DSP although the new Everyday Chic paper would work just as well. I coloured both pieces with my retired Soft Sky Blendabilities pens. My sentiment is from the new 'Friendly Wishes' stamp set and I finished my caard with a few pops of Real Red: some cotton ribbon, an Itty Bitty Accents punched flower (or two!) and a retired button from my storecupboard, tied with some white baker's twine.

I really love the way the combination of bright red with the pale blue, and I think the set off the black and white of the DSP and sentiment beautifully. 

That's all from me today; a basket of ironing awaits, although hopefully I'll catch another match at Wimbledon on the TV as I go, so much less of a hardship than usual! Back tomorrow with another card and a new product share! until then, happy stampin'!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Friendly Wishes Clear-Mount Stamp Set	Real Red 1/4" Cotton Ribbon	Basic Black A4 Cardstock	Soft Sky A4 Cardstock	Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack
Whisper White Baker's Twine	Real Red A4 Cardstock	Brights Candy Dots	Subtles Candy Dots	Whisper White A4 Cardstock

We are on the 'home run' towards the weekend and as it's Thursday that means time for a new challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary. This week we have a great sketch for you:

So many possibilities with this one! I decided to use up yet more of my hoarded DSP and showcase a whole host of retiring product on my card this week:

I've used both 'Back To Black' DSP along with a retiring in-colour, Strawberry Slush, and the Petal Potpourri stamp set and co-ordinating Flower Medallion punch, in colour sequins and Black chevron ribbon - all of which are either retiring or not carrying over into the new annual catalogue next week. Not so though for my sentiment stamp, which comes from the 'Fabulous Four' stamp set (I stamped it in black and coloured it in with my Strawberry Slush marker pen), the dazzling diamonds glimmer paper or the black bakers twine - these at least will still be available! 

I'm not generally a fan of black and white on a card in vast quantities, but when paired with a bright colour such as Strawberry Slush I think it really works - you could try this combo with lots of other colours and I am sure it would look great with some of the new in-colours!

I'm looking forward to seeing what you create with the sketch this week - do check out the cards made by the rest of the Design Team, there's a great variety as always!

I'm off to spend the day outdoors with friends today as we make the most of the milder weather that we've been experiencing this week; a picnic and some tree climbing is on the agenda - well, the latter for the youngsters at least!

Back tomorrow with another project; until then, happy stampin'!