Cards, yes cards

Hi all!

Well my mom finally ran out of cards and has asked for 25 more (she has been asking for awhile actually) so I am back to doing some card making!  Today I scouted around for some challenges to get me going and I am submitting this duo for the following:

• SCS - card sketch Wed.
• Loves Rubber Stamps - buttons and bows
• Chocolate, coffee and cards - polka dots

I must admit I am a little rusty at this and despite the sketch giving ample room for a focal point I had a hard time with the tiny size!

I probably haven't bought a 6 x 6 paper pad in over 3 years.  So I have a drawer half full of paper, none of which I like anymore - at least most of it I am over.  However I did find a couple pieces I liked!  I wanted to do a semi-mixed media type focal layer - the idea in my head looked much different than it turned out but I decided they are keepers.  The first one has Distress Inks for the background.  I pounced them on my craft sheet, misted with water and then swiped the white cardstock through it.

 For the second card I wanted to do something similar but with Shimmering mists for the background.  I mixed them up myself using ColourArte Primary Elements Pigment Powder, gum arabic and water.  This gives me subtle color AND shimmer.  I added some green polka dots by sponging ColourArte Silks Acrylic Glaze through sequin waste.  Finally I stamped a floral image from Crafter's Companion on each one using Archival Ink.  I added sentiments from my much loved and much used massive collection of Studio G $1 stamps - does anyone remember those?  Ahhh those were the days....