Lemony Friends and DT News

Wahoo! There’s a NEW Challenge Blog on the Block and I’m on the DT! I was SO excited to see Kathryn’s new challenge blog idea, the Photo-Synthesis Challenge ~ ALL photo inspiration challenges, and I was even more thrilled when she asked me to be on the Design Team. I was on such a high, I left for a mini-vacation and missed the first challenge! LOL!!! Thankfully, she is super awesome, must be the ‘Kat’ in her name, and I’m posting my card a day late.

This is a Bi-Weekly Challenge, with new challenges posted EVERY OTHER TUESDAY so you have lots of time to participate. If you wish to be eligible for a prize when one is offered, you must submit your entries by the Monday morning prior, the current challenge runs through Monday, August 16th. There will be a winner and Top 3 announced for each challenge.

The challenge will also give special recognition for cards and other projects that use mostly recycled or re-purposed materials, to encourage us all to use what we have better, and to be more eco-friendly by following the motto "Use it up, Wear it Out!" Players who use recycled or repurposed materials in their projects will also receive bonus points toward the prize draw (when offered). Since we are new on the scene, we’d love to connect with sponsors for our challenges. If you are interested in sponsoring a challenge, please contact Kathryn at kat.ritter143@gmail.com.

On to our first challenge. Photo inspiration challenges have always been my favorites. There’s so many options to find inspiration from – it could be the colors, the theme, items in the photo, the arrangement or balance of elements, patterns, or just the feeling you get when looking at the photo. There is so much FREEDOM in the challenges and you can really let your creativity go wild. Kathryn provide 3 lucious photos for inspiration and I chose this one as my launching point. I pulled several elements out into my card – the colors, the damask pattern, water, and my favorite –the LEMONS! I was able to use a few other great challenges for inspiration as well.

Sketch Inspiration ~ Midnight Madness #65
I thought I’d use the simple version of Priscilla’s sketch, but when I saw there was a sweet mouse just asking to be ‘circled’ in my image I used the fancy version. Extra BONUS, I'm using the current challenge!

 Photo Inspiration ~ Photo Synthesis Challenge 1

Inspiration
Charisma Cardz #30 ~ Something With a Tail
There are FIVE tails in my image.
The Pink Elephant #78 ~ Something Yummy
Mmmmm, a cool pitcher of lemonade on a hot August day. Which leads me to...ABC Challenge ~ A is for August
House Mouse and Friends Challenge # ~ Vintage
Okay, vintage isn’t my thing. I realize bright yellow may not be normally associate with vintage; however for me the damask pattern always makes me think of grandma’s. I also kept with neutrals and greys for all but the lemoney pieces of the image. I did a bit of Googling and was further thrilled to see Wikpedia defines Vintage Clothing as anything from the 1920s to 1980 is considered vintage. I so get the ‘mod’ fashion feel from the 60’s, so that’s vintage – right? :o)
Simon Says Challenge ~ Sing it Baby (inspired by a song)
I kept hearing this song in my head ever since I WON this awesome stamp from my friend Lorraine. "Make Lemonade” by Debbie Fleming. Here's part of the verses or click here to hear the whole song.

What do you do when your life turns sour?
Add a little sugar, and you make lemonade.
What do you do in your darkest hour?
Light up a candle, and you make lemonade.
What do you do when the times get tough?
Put on your boxing gloves and make lemonade.
What do you do with a string of bad luck?
Tie a kite on the end of it and make lemonade.

If a lemon makes you sour,
You may have to drink your cup alone.
But add the sweet sweet taste of your power,
And somebody will always come along
To help you be strong.

My Creation

I can never get an accurate pic with large pockets of white on my card. I tried to adjust it the best I could without totally distorting the colors. The papers are all black, white and yellow.

Image Detail

I added a layer of Diamond Glaze over the entire pitcher and also the exposed part of the lemon about to be bitten.

Inside

I didn't add a sentiment yet as I wasn't sure who'll receive the card. Just used the same papers to give it some oomph.

Ins and Outs ~ Lemony Friends
Stamps: Lemony Good Times (House Mouse from Stampabilities)
Paper: SU Whisper White and Basic Black, DCWV Citrus Stack, The Paper Studio Black and White Stack
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics (E000, 00, 41; R20; C00, 1, 3, 5, 7; YG0000; Y00, 02, 08, 11, 15; BG0000); Spicas (Blossom, Lemon, Pitch Black)
Accessories: Misc gems, Marta Stewart Edger Punch, Diamond Glaze