Not What I Had Imagined!

I often read on other's blogs that the card they have created was JUST what they imagined it to look like.  Really?  Do people really have the ability to "imagine" a card and then make it?  That's a gift I just don't have.
So when I decided to participate in the Freshly Made Sketches challenge this week, I should have known that the card I "imagined" would never happen.  But truth be told, I'm not unhappy with the outcome...
Here is the sketch:

I started out planning to highlight Designer Series Paper from the new Occasions Catalog.  Birthday Bash Specialty DSP is fantastic!  Great colors and two sheets have actual embossed gold foil images.  Such pretty and fun paper.  But could I get it to work with this sketch?  NO!  So quick detour in plans...

I chose the #Hello Stamp set as a FREE gift from Stampin' UP! for having met a challenge.  It wasn't a set I originally wanted (I'm not into social media) but I got to thinking of my nieces and nephews who love Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc, and figured it would give me a whole year of card-making for their special occasions.

I embossed the @ using Crushed Curry Embossing Powder.  I then cut it out with the Starburst Framelits, and adhered it to a Whisper White circle cut with the 2" Circle punch.

My card base is Basic Grey, after a run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  A narrow layer of Crushed Curry is topped with Bermuda Bay (also embossed, using the Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder).  Then I laid down a piece of Tangelo Twist, topped with two pieces of Confetti Celebration Designer Series Paper (often overlooked and way underused!), and then my @ is popped up on Dimensionals.

#birthdaysrock is stamped in Bermuda Bay; the end was flagged with the Banner Punch (a must-have if you like flagged tips!) and adhered atop a slightly larger piece of Bermuda Bay.

The card had a masculine feel and will be perfect for my nephew's birthday in January--woot woot!  Head start on 2015 cards!

How prepared are you for card-giving in the new year?  Won't you leave me a comment and let me know if you prepare in advance or last minute?

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What have you created today?

(Hashtag) Hello Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$24.95

(Hashtag) Hello Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$17.95

Crushed Curry Stampin' Emboss Powder

$4.95

Starburst Framelits Die

$26.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

2" Circle Punch

$16.95

Basic Gray 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Big Shot

$99.95

Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$7.95

Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$7.95

Crushed Curry 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Tangelo Twist 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$6.95

Confetti Celebration Designer Series Paper

$10.95

Stampin' Dimensionals

$3.95

Banner Punch

$12.95

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