Mad For Markers Challenge 1 (Entry 2) + Copic Creations Challenge 26 + Anya Ink 2 + Cupcake Inspiration Challenge 54

Just a quick post for now as I want to get this card in before the 5pm deadline with the MFM challenge and its now 4;51pm!!

Nothing like a wee bit of pressure!!

I'll be back in a second to add all the blah, blah, blah. :)

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Okay.....I'm back (I made the deadline and can breathe again!!). :)

I have been wanting to make an Easel card ever since they first started appearing on blogs, but couldn't quite work up the courage to step out and do it until this week. I started this card on Monday night with a clear vision in mind and went about creating the base and the matted layers.....then my mojo up and left home. Its not back yet, but has popped in for a moment here or two and I've made the most of those moments. (In reality, I just stamped/printed several images and coloured them in using the three colours from the Mad For Markers challenge and was not happy with any of them. They're actually coloured in quite lovely, but I wanted to make this card for one of my BFF's who's having a birthday this coming week and I just wasn't all that ok with the images I'd coloured. They were either tooo young/girlish or in the end didn't match the DP I'd already started with.) I came home after a truly frustrating day yesterday (Friday) determined to get the card finished. Looking through my out-of-control collection of stamps, I happened upon one of the very first sets of TGF stamps I ever purchased, The Anya Collection. They were perfect because my BFF is well-known for her handbag/shoe collection and her love of all things related to SHOPPING!! My roomie and I were watching the brand new BBC version of Sense and Sensibility last night as well and I think this encouraged my mojo to come home!! :)

For this card I've blended a few different challenges. Copic Creations challenge for this week is "black hair", which is perfect as my BFF has lots of gorgeous, long, black hair. I'm also entering this into the Anya Ink challenge, which is Pink and Sparkly as there is some of that going on here, plus the current Cupcake Inspiration Challenge - I was inspired to use the lace on this card because of the beautiful lacy icing pieces on these cupcakes.

Anyway, there are a couple of firsts for me here too: my first easel card; and, my first time using flowers (not entirely sure they work for me tho). Once I was done colouring last night, I pulled out my Crystal Effects and coated Anya's shoes and handbag to give them the appearance of patent leather (see the piccie above left). Then it was off to bed so they could dry. I was off to my BFF's birthday brunch this morning and had a lovely "high tea" with some other darling girlies. Thanksfully, I hadn't planned on taking the gift or card with me today, which was just as well since the card was still in a gazillion pieces. I got home (via a stop at my local scrapping store) at 3:20pm and raced to pull it all together before the 5pm deadline at the MFM challenge!! Phew....my mojo definitely likes a challenge!!

That's it for me atm. I'm off to swallow some pain meds, have had an annoying headache all day (probably related to the fact that I didn't get my coffee in yesterday - remember I did mention it was a frustrating day - plus I was a little down on my H2O intake the past few days too).

Have another project on the go as well that I want to spend some time playing with tonight.

Hope your weekend is shaping up to be all kinds of lovely. :) Hugs, Michey xxx

CARD DEETS:

Images/Stamps: TGF The Anya Collection; Verve Birthday Surprise (Sentiment)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Choc Chip, Distress Ink Old Paper and Frayed Burlap

Copics: (See picture below - sorry for quality - used my iPhone)

Paper/Cardstock: SU Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Flourishes Classic White, Crate Paper Lillian Collection "Gathering"

Others: Fiskars Upper Crest Punch, KaiserCraft Rhinestones, Nestabilities (Label Eleven and Large Scallop Oval), Prima + Hero Arts + KaiserCraft Flowers (coloured with Copics to match), SU Crystal Effects, Glue Dots, Maya Arts Lace