First Step Card

     If you read my blog at all, you know how I love the Sketchy Thursday sketches Tracy does over at Eat, Sleep, Stamp.  This week is no exception and I incorporated her sketch into this, my first ever step card -- because it really is her fault that I even tried a step card!  She more or less shamed me into it.  Not intentionally, but ...

     Last Wednesday, she posted a fabulous card she made for the challenge at All That Scraps where they want to see Fancy Folds.  She had never done a step card before and jumped in like a professional and created pure magnificence -- click here to see it.  Now, I'd never played in any of the challenges at All That Scraps, but I was so inspired, I went on a shopping spree, bought several of their wonderful digis, and followed the center step card tutorial on SCS.  I'd love to tell you it was "easy peasy" but if I'm honest, it took a while for me to feel comfortable with something that different from my "normal."  However, I have the basics now, and I know I'll do more of these in the near future.  For now, here's my CASE of Tracy's center step card.  Thanks, Tracy!  Hugz.

     This is the sketch, but I turned it a quarter turn so it would work as the center part of my step card.



     The image is one of the Swiss Pixie collection at All That Scraps and I colored her with Touch Twin and Copic markers except for her little wings, which I did with glitter gel ink.  I did an 'Outside the Box' cut with an oval Spellbinders die (I had to use a craft knife instead of scissors because I ended up cutting a bit of each of the four sides), and then layered it onto a scalloped oval die cut.   The light pink and the polka dot dp are from SU and the dark dp with the teeny-tiny dots is from DCWV, Garden Party stack.

     The ribbon and the lace came from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the roses are from my stash.  I stamped it with a sentiment which came from a SU stamp that I masked so only the "Happy Birthday" part was inked.  I like the end result and I know I'll do step cards again.  Now that I have my first one done, the rest will get easier because the "fear" barrier isn't there any more.  :-D

     Challenges for this card:
Addicted to Stamps -- Birthday with dots
Birthday Sundaes -- Stair Step
Flutterby Wednesdays -- Inspiration photo: colors and flowers
Paper Sundaes -- Birthday cards

     Thanks for visiting and if you haven't done the blog hop at Just Inspirational Challenges (their first ever!), you might want to do that.  Click HERE to start. There are some really incredible sponsors and tons of prizes!  Don't miss out.  Happy Stamping.  NanaConnie