Kiss Me I'm Irish! I really am!!!

I know that most people probably don't get into St. Patrick's Day a lot, but I think it is a great holiday because I am Irish! With a name like Kelly Erin, there is no denying my roots! LOL! The part of me that is Irish comes from my dad's side of the family! The other part of me is German from my mom's side!

Since I have been trying to stay in better communication with my family and friends by sending out more cards this year, I have more St. Patrick's Day cards to complete. I only have two done so far, and I need five just to cover my kids and my husband!!

So, thank goodness for some more challenges that were posted today... I found just the right inspiration to get another SPD card done!

This card also combines two challenges. I feel like I am becoming the queen of combining! I have combined three in one already, maybe I need to try for four someday! Hehe!!

The first challenge is from SCS, the Way to Use It Challenge (WT208) posted today (I can't share a link to them because the site is down for maintenance right now!) . We were asked to make an ATC (Artist's Trading Card) for this challenge. I have never made one before, but I have always thought that they were cute and very creative. They are kind of like making a mini card. They measure only 2.5 x 3.5 inches. I have typically felt that the true "artsy" type people make the best ones, but when I realized I could decorate it just like I would a card, I decided today was the day that I would create one.

Here is my first ATC ever... It is called "Kiss Me I'm Irish"

I know the color combo is kind of reminiscent of Christmas time, but I thought the punch of red worked since I was using it for the reference to kissing! It's cute and all, but since I don't consider myself an artist, and I don't have any artist friends who want to trade ATC's with me, I decided that my ATC would be the perfect feature image for a card!



That is where the second challenge comes in. This challenge is from a new site that is going to be offering sketches every Thursday. The site is called Stamps and Smiles blog and they also have a store where they have just started selling some really cute stamps. You should check out their easter collections just released. I think you will recognize many of the DT members offering up the challenge examples.





Here is the sketch...

And here is what I came up with from it...

The Fine Print: DP: Green Dots (DCWV, Nursery Baby Boy collection), Shamrock (Stemma); CS: Red (WorldWin), White (GP); Stamps: Kiss Me I'm Irish (Studio G), Heart (Autumn Leaves); Red Embossing Powder (Stampendous); Red Stickles; White Brads (Bazzill); White Grograin Ribbon (Ebay purchase); Machine Stitching; Ink: Amuse and Copic Markers; Shamrock Embellishment (Joann's).

To keep the balance of the red elements, I did flip the top panel to the bottom changing up the sketch just a bit. But it was much more pleasing to the eye in doing that and it kept the card from looking too top heavy!

For the next couple of days I won't be getting any computer time because I have planned a weekend away with my husband! It is his birthday on Saturday and we are going to go camping... just the two of us! Camping has been such a negative thing for me lately because there is always so much to do to get ready and I work really hard getting everyone fed and cleaning up all the messes. Well, this weekend is going to be different. The cooking and cleaning will be much easier for just the two of us, and we are also bringing our kayaks so we can relax on the river. We will be hanging out near the Chassowitzka just north of us near Crystal River.

I plan on bringing some images to color while we are away because I know I am going to be going through withdrawals after not getting to make cards all weekend! Tom will want to nap and I plan on using that time to color! I will be back online as soon as I can with another card to share!

Have a great weekend and may your bucket overflow with the joy of spending time with loved ones!