Come Sail Away...

I find that blog challenges are a nifty way get my creative juices flowing.  I had sketched a sailboat die cut about 2 months ago.  Something I saw, that I can't remember now, inspired me to do it.  I finally designed it on the computer a couple of weekends ago but then I didn't know what to do with it after that.  I suppose I could make some vacation "bon voyage" cards, but nothing really grabbed me.  (Actually, I do plan to use it in my scrapbook of my youngest nephew, but I haven't started that project yet!)

Then I saw the Crafty Hos sketch challenge #23!  I thought the centre of this sketch would fit my little boat just swimmingly. Here is the sketch:

I liked the look of square brads like the sketch has.  More straight edges seems more masculine to me.  However, I'm not a big fan of brads, so I had incredible trouble placing them evenly.  Once I was able to wiggle them where I wanted them (which was on my second attempt on the card front), I taped them down well on the back to keep them there!

For some reason, I seem to have a lot of green in my paper stash.  I don't have a whole lot of blue, but lots of green.  I suppose that makes sense - I love blue and I don't really like green.  I was happy to find a use for it!  I coloured around the circle inside the scalloped one with copics.  Copics are indeed a nice marker.  Pricey, but nice.  I have a small collection and I find myself looking for the same few colours that I don't have time and time again.  I will have to write them down next time and then buy them at the store.

available on iCraft

My blog has showcased a lot of challenge entries.  I am still very much in the design phase of my shops.  However, I always intended to also cover business topics, like my last post.  I tend to post the challenges though because they have a deadline.  Then I tell myself I'll do the business post "next time".  Redesigning my shops has given me a fresh perspective.  It reminded me why I started selling cards in the first place: to support charity - but on my schedule.  So, get ready for a 2-series post on "The Business of Charity".  Next time.  PROMISE.