Calling my name

I was so excited to hear through Ann's blog that SCS has created a new challenge called the Clean and Simple challenge. I am so ready for something of this nature. As some of you may be aware, there are all types of extremes to paper crafting. Here are my descriptions of your typical paper crafter, based on by copious scrutiny:

*Regurgitation Sally: This crafter type embodies the spirit that all embellishment companies wish to foster. Her daily mantra is, "No embellishment left behind." You may often wonder, when seeing her cards, how they fit in an envelope, not to mention the cost of shipping the card. Figuratively, she "regurgitates" all her supplies on every card. She is also broke most of the time.

*Arty Marty: Arty Marty should have her own art studio. Her cards are pieces of art to be framed rather than sent. When placing a card in the same gallery as AM, no matter how spectacular the card, one always feels a little embarrassed. It's almost like she's "slumming," if you know what I mean.

*Confused Claire: Claire doesn't really understand the purpose of stamps in her crafts. When she does stamp, you definitely see some hesitation in her stamping... some missed spots or something crooked... not falling in the lines of "that's what makes it handmade." Most of us have gone through the Confused Claire stage in our stamping infancy.

*CASEy Macy: When a crafter CASEs something, that means she is imitating another piece of art in order to make it her own. In this world, credit is expected to be given to the card being CASEd. We have all been CASEy Macy (not that there's anything wrong with that). CASEy needs an intervention when none of her cards are completely her own.

*Clean Jean: Personally, I love Clean Jean. She is embodied by artists such as Cathy Zielske, Becky Higgins, and the like. Clean Jean knows cards are meant to be sent, and that writing in them is as important as what they look like on the oustide, if not more so. Clean Jean will do this challenge every week.

Don't get me wrong... I have made cards that represent each of these crafters. That's how I know them so well. :) But I want to be Clean Jean the most.

So, without further adieu, I give you CAS Challenge #1. We were to be inspired by JoAnn's Snuggle Fabric. At first, I saw the fabric with little hand and footprints, and I went a bit crazy with some metal embellies. I hated this card so much, I threw it away. However, it did remind me of a card I had recently made that was very clean and simple. So, in a roundabout way, I was inspired by the fabrics.

I tried to use the circle design on the card I was making. it just didn't work out as I had sketched. So, this is a card I recently submitted to Paper Crafts, but they didn't pick it up for publication. I love this card. Absolutely love it. So screw them. :) I am such a grown up.

Size: 5-3/8 x 4-1/4 inches
Cardstock: The Paper Studio Kraft and Stampin’ Up! Textured Chocolate Chip
Image: Stampin’ Up! Season of Friendship set
Ink: Stampin’ Up! Chocolate Chip and Color Box Chalk Chestnut Roan
Patterned Paper: Stampin’ Up! Autumn Vine Designer Series Paper
Circle Paper Punches: 1” and 1-1/4” diameters
Embossing: Scor-Pal
Techniques: Distressing (on Chocolate Chip circles), scoring, inking/distressing