Thursday, August 15, 2013

Let's Duel at School!

Hi all!

I'm back for another Dueling Darling challenge. We have a group over on Splitcoaststampers with two teams, the Divas and Dazzlers. (I'm a Dazzler) Terry is our Dazzler hostess this month. LJ is the Diva's hostess.

Here's some details from Terry:

THEME: "Fall Kick-off"
LJ suggested to put together kits with a fall kick-off theme.....not specifically football, but anything that would start the fall season. I chose to put together a school themed kit for you all to work with, I hope you all enjoy it!
In your blog post, please share with us a favorite memory of the fall season!
Your kits include:
Image: Stampabilities: House Mouse "Smarty Pants" stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: Recollections: "Back to School" paper pack
Bakers Twine: Target dollar spot
Candi Dots: Craftworks
 Ribbon: Michaels


Now, I must say that this month is not a favorite month around our house, all because of school starting. Our kids love being home. They love going on little summer "adventures" and know those go away with the start of school :( August does redeem itself on the 23rd though.....that's Bethany's birthday :)
I like August because it puts everyone back on schedule. I'm a very "to do" list and schedule oriented person. It gives me hives (well almost) during the summer when hubby walks through the door and says "let's go to _____________ this weekend" or "let's go camping, how fast can we get ready". ha ha ha! I know it should thrill me but it just gives me anxiety. I need to know way ahead of time so I can plan and make to do lists and worry. *giggle*
So, when I saw the kit from Terry, I LOVED it....but also thought.....**gulp** SCHOOL TIME.....ewwwwwww. :) Thank you Terry for this cute kit. I love the image and all those school themed papers you sent!
Here's what I made:
 I used the spotlight technique on the image and colored that circle with Spectrum markers. I wanted to make the rest of the image look "antique" so I used lots of distress inks and then the SU! so saffron ink pad in the middle. Since I couldn't get all the papers used in a big way on my card, I decided to mimic the spotlight circle by adding a few on the edge of the image from the papers in the kit.

Now, for my Fall memory:
I believe one of my favorites (it's hard to chose just one because Fall is my favorite season) is when we stopped one day at a road side pumpkin patch one of our local churches was having. We let the kids pick out a pumpkin and I was getting all kinds of pictures of them and hubby. I thought "I really wish we could have a family picture made out here" but of course it was just us....no one else around that we knew. I'm not a forward person as far as asking someone I don't know for something, but that day.....I got up the courage. I asked the woman behind the cash table if she would mind getting a picture of us in the patch (my heart was racing asking her). She said "of course I don't mind, that would be great". That picture is one of my favorites of us together and I'm so glad I had courage that day to ask a stranger to do something for me.

I am entering my card at the Red Carpet Studios Challenge:
School of Rock! ~ Back to school card
and at Paper Time Tuesdays #133
Back to School

Well, that's my post.....sorry it is very lengthy.
I can't wait to visit my Dueling Sisters blogs to see what fun Fall creations they made!
< < <  Their blogs are listed in my left sidebar.

Until next time...
Blessings...


Melina
 

15 comments:

kadie said...

SO CUTE! Love your coloring and that super fun layout!

Judy McMullen said...

Oh, Melina, what a marvelous post! First off, your card is a delight for the eye! Love the spotlight technique you used on the card both with highlighting a portion of the books and with the designer papers!! Creating an antique look with the rest of the image and the background was so unique! The whole layout, paper, ribbon and embellishments added to the overall effect!

Secondly, what a beautiful fall memory! So very glad you had the courage to ask for help and get that wonderful family photo to always remind you of a special day!!

Terry Ladwig said...

That's really cute Melina! Love the way you spotlighted the books!

Glad you liked the kit and sorry it reminded you that summer is coming to an end!!

Thanks for being a Dazzler!!!

bel said...

What an adorable stamp and I love how you only coloured in the spotlight section!! What a brilliant idea. It looks so effective.

Laura Jean (LJ) said...

Such a fun card - Love the circle punches on the side!

LJ

MiamiKel said...

Oh Melina, can I tell you how much I absolutely LOVE your card! Your vision this round was just 'spot on!" (hee hee!) What a magnificent coloring and the design with the circles is just so much fun!

I challenged another group I'm in to use the spotlight technique - I will have to point them here to show this wonderful example, too!

Big hugs to you, glad we are Deuling Darlings!

April said...

One of my favorite techniques, Melina! I have awful luck with distress inks and you made them look easy to apply! WTG, girl!

Dawn T said...

what a delightfully cute card. thanks for playing along at Red Carpet Studio this week.

Dawn DT

Liz Williams said...

Always love these little house mouse friends. This is really cute and love the spotlighting technique you chose to do for this card.

Jeanette (Forest Ranger) said...

Oh my goodness... Melina, this card is AMAZING! I think it might be the very best one you've ever made. I love it!!!

Carol W said...

Great card Melina, I love the way you used the spotlight technique and carried it through on the rest of the card. Great memory as well...

dweatter said...

Oh Melina what a fantastic card. I love the spotlight technique you used on the books in the image as well as the distressed and saffron ink on the rest of the image. The way the image is colored and inked is just amazing. I love the other circles of the different papers too. They are perfect across from the "spotlight" circle.

Gael said...

Very cute! I especially like how you incorporated the school themed dp

Darlene said...

Melina, this is over the top! Extremely creative and artistic, very impressive! Spotlighting technique, distressing, oh my!

I especially like how you cut the row of I school DP and used it as if it was a ribbon. It really looks like it's a ribbon!

Zella said...

I've never used the spotlight technique but have been wanting to give it a try. You've inspired me to do so! Thanks!!!