Thursday, January 4, 2024

Playing Along in the First Word Power Challenge

Hello friends!  I'm back so soon because there's not a chance that I was going to miss playing along in the first of the brand new Word Power challenges from Darlene and Diane -- the same crafty duo who brings us Double D and 7 other challenges.  That makes 9 challenges altogether!  Wow!

The idea is to make the sentiment the focus of the card, whether a phrase or just one word.  I generally use an image as the focal point so I wasn't sure how this would go for me, but in the end I like how it worked out.  I happily played with several of my crafty toys, and they're all there just to support the large sentiment which is clearly the star of the show.  Very fun!



That's designer paper behind the leafy background, and the polka dot flowers are cut from the same paper pad.  I added punched flowers and white gems to their centers.    The Penny Black sentiment was stamped in Versamark and embossed in black.  I edged the scalloped mat with a darker blue Copic so it would stand out from the background.

I have a goal to play in all nine of Darlene and Diane's challenges this month.  That's two down, seven to go.  I looked at my archives and that's a lot of cards for me.  We'll see how it goes.  Short term goals are best for me.

Word Power Challenge #1


I hope to see you again soon!


Stamps:  Penny Black Birthday Love  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80 & 110 lb, SU Bordering Blue, My Mind's Eye retired designer paper  Ink:  Versamark, Copic for scallop outline  Dies:  Creative Expressions Leafy Frame, Spellbinders Classic and Big Scalloped Ovals, Elizabeth Craft Bunch of Flowers 4  Other:  Small flower punch, Honeybee white gems, WOW superfine black embossing powder


23 comments:

HilaryJane said...

That's quite a challenge you are setting yourself this month. You are clearly back in the swing of making. I shall look forward to seeing all those makes. I do love this sentiment, how true. It is how we should all look at it. Your little polka dot flowers really help bring it to focus and they are so cute. The touch of darker blue highlights the inner frame brilliantly. Clever old you xx

crafty-stamper said...

Love the sentiment and beautiful die-cut background.
Carol x

Nanny's Pansy Patch said...

What a great challenge!! I'm going to have to look through my sentiments and see what I come up with. I love yours centered in the beautiful die with the pretty DSP and polka dot flowers! Have a great weekend. WE are suppose to get a lot of snow so maybe I'll get some crafting time!

Yogi said...

well done. that work and is very striking. Have a great day

Bonnie said...

I have this stamp and have never used it so I'm so thankful for the inspiration! I LOVE how you've framed it! Darlene and Diane are amazing and so is your card!

aussie aNNie said...

Stunning design and love that stamp too.. gorgeous entry for the new challenge, about to get one done xx

Glenda said...

How wonderful! I do love this sentiment. Now I'm thinking I must play with this challenge!

Pauline said...

Beautiful card Leslie, love this sentiment and how you framed it. Lovely colours, and love the polka dot florals! I very seldom use large sentiments on my card fronts, but I think you have inspired me to do so. Thanks for the inspiration, have a wonderful day!

Diane said...

Wow, what a beautiful and brilliantly created card!! It is exactly the kind of card we are looking for!! I certainly am one that hope you make your goal this month, you should as doesn't January seem like the longest month of the year? It does to me anyhow and I get lots done in my craft room, too cold to do anything else!! Thanks for helping us promote our new and crazy adventure, this one was all Dar's idea, the last 8 were all (gulp) mine!!

Donna Ellis said...

What a fabulous card, Leslie, from the background papers, layers, gorgeous leafy die cut, and fun sentiment! I concur - Darlene and Diane are incredible at making fun challenges, and playing in a ton of others, not to mention how they join other people's DTs as well. How do they do it? They are definitely gifts to the global on-line crafting community. Thanks for sharing you awesome card, and about the new challenge! xx

Margaret said...

That's a great sentiment. I love how you showcased it with the beautiful die frame. The flowers really add some flavor to the card. So pretty.

Glenda said...

What a beauty! I love the die cut and the sentiment is lovely as well.

Lynette said...

What a beautiful card, Leslie! Great sentiment and perfect for the challenge. Oh my - nine challenges in a month! That's a lot!

I Card Everyone said...

I love that big bold sentiment, Leslie!! and you've framed it beautifully! I think that will be the key to 'bring it all home' so to speak with the sentiment being the star of the show!
I'm hoping to play along, too - maybe not all of them, but I'll try to follow your lead!
=]

Barbara said...

Fabulous card for the first challenge. That is an amazing sentiment and the perfect one for the challenge. I love how you framed it too. You have quite the goal to do a card for each of the 9, challenges, but I think you will make it. Hugs!

Darlene said...

Oh sweet friend ... this is AWESOME and just perfect for our new challenge! That sentiment is fabulous (I'll have to go in search of)! LOVE how you've showcased it and your little polka dot flowers are the perfect finishing touch! I am SO GLAD you've helped us launch our newest challenge adventure and can't thank you enough for helping us to 'spread the word'!
OMG how awesome would that be to have you create a card for each of our challenges this month! CAN'T WAIT to see!! Your creations are always inspiring! HUGS and HAPPY CRAFTING!!!
Good Luck and we hope you’ll come back often.

Darlene
DAR’S CRAFTY CREATIONS
Co-Owner … Can You Handle the Pressure, Double D, Four Seasons, Peace On Earth,Stencil Fun, Simply Clean & Simple, Two Old Bats, Triple B, Word Power

Lisa Elton said...

Your big bold sentiment is front, center and fabulous! It's even better topped off with those sweet polka dot blooms. Terrific card, Leslie!

Marcia Hill said...

You definitely made the sentiment the star of the show Leslie, and what a perfect sentiment it is too! Loving the subtle but amazing detail all around that sentiment too...lovely, lovely card my friend! And good luck playing in all the challenges this month...I'll be rooting for ya!! Hugs. :0)

Conniecrafter said...

I do like the sentiment, the framing is so pretty and like your fun flowers to go with it! Good luck getting the others done

nancy littrell said...

You have me inspired, Leslie...your Sentiment Double D Challenge using your beautiful sentiment, die cut framing, sweet die cut flowers and DP background perfectly frame your outstanding sentiment, my friend. I am going to really try to play in this new challenge. Love and Hugs..Nancy

Cat Craig said...

Beautifully done. I love the idea of this challenge.

Vicki said...

This is so stunning, Leslie! The soft colors and the black embossed sentiment look amazing. And, I just love that sentiment stamp. So great to see you share at the new Word Power Challenge Blog!

Pam Sparks said...

This is so pretty Leslie! I have this sentiment set! I've used it a few times now! I think finding the perfect sentiment to use for family and friends to be challenging and this one is a good one! I love how you framed it too!