HYCCT1201A - Wonderfully Special

Here is another card for the Splitcoast Stampers Hope You Can Cling To challenge.

This is for the first challenge, HYCCT1201A, hosted by the amazing Lyda (Understand Blue). She says:

"Because cancer is such a difficult test of a person, I thought we would begin this challenge by showing the world what we're made of, artistically speaking!

My challenge to you is to make a project that reflects the absolutely essential part of your style - the thing that makes you, YOU. You will journey to your stampy happy place and find that go-to design principle that makes you the happiest and most comfortable.

For some of you, it may be vintage, for some it may be a card that sparkles, or one that makes you laugh. All I want you to do in this challenge is BE YOURSELF and tell me what it is in your description that your stamping style is made of.

For me, I am the happiest with very high contrast, clean designs. My favorite card is a simple card on white cardstock with a WOW punch of blue and yellow, or blue and orange. I like very saturated and surprising color combos in a sea of white. My ideal card would look very much like a stained glass window, which is what I think of when I make cards like my sample, attached. Those vivid colors just make me sigh with happiness.
I can't wait to see what YOU'RE made of!"

To see what other participants came up with, check out the SCS gallery for this challenge.

OK, on to my card!
I like to do a few different styles, but no matter what I am not very good at abundant embellishments. No sprays of flowers and big poofy ribbons for me. I like that look, I just can't DO it. So shabby chic is out, and if I do vintage it is usually subdued. I do like the distressed look which I guess is one exception to the rule. Normally I prefer a clean, if not always simple, look. I like graphic images and patterned papers laid next to each other to make a new pattern rather than layers. I really love inking techniques and using both dry and heat embossing to add texture. And unfortunately pretty much every card has some mistake I notice at the end! Here, I forgot to corner round the dry embossed piece before adhering it. Oh well!

The card is really simple. I used some patterned papers from the MME Blush pack, adding a bit of Worn Lipstick to the pink to brighten it up. I clear embossed the sentiment, then used Worn Lipstick and Picked Raspberry Distress Ink to color the sentiment banner, and popped it up with foam dimensionals. The border punch is from Martha Stewart, the embossing folder is Musical Flourishes by Cuttlebug and the ribbon (retired, I think it was called cotton twill) and Very Vanilla cardstock are both Stampin Up.The sentiment is from a Simon Says Stamp's Absolutely Delightful set. Lastly, I rounded the corners with a Corner Chomper and added the pearls which are by Recollections..

I really like this patterned paper, and the texture added by the thick cotton ribbon.

Thanks for looking, and I really encourage you to check out Hope You Can Cling To. The cards go to MD Anderson Cancer Center and there are also some really fantastic prizes!