Color me Black and White

So if you remember I participated in the Color Me Happy swap on SCS. I got the most beautiful pink and brown cards (you can see them HERE) and I sent out a set of black and white cards. Now for those that know me, and maybe those that just look at the cards I make *wink*, black is not a color I use. I don't really wear black clothes (I know *gasp* I am Italian AND from NJ but hey I just don't *do* black), I don't use black paper too often, unless it's for some Disney something...., so this set of cards was a bit of a challenge for me. I am a brown girl all the way :) But I LOVED that I got the black and white because it really challenged me to work outside my comfort zone and in my book every so often that's a good thing. I made these cards for stamp-addict on SCS and I wanted to make sure that she received the cards before I posted them here....you know just *in case* she popped on over here, I didn't want to ruin the surprise.

The swap was to make 6 cards, of any size, with matching envelopes. They could have been 6 of the

same design or all 6 could be different. I opted to make 6 of the same notecards AND make a cute little matching "bag" to store them in. I love these little wooden bag/boxes from Michaels. They are THE perfect size for small notecards and they just look so cute when stored inside them, don't you think??? Now you will notice I did cheat *a little*, yup there is the teeniest little bit of pink pirouette on these cards...I just couldn't help it. I was screaming for some color!!!!! I used the CS spots and dots embossing folder on the notecard to mimic the circle pattern on the paper on the box. The stamped image is from the new SU set Upsy Daisy (LOVE it!!!). I made a photo corner using my hot fix clear rhinestones, I thought it was the perfect finishing touch to this set. I am SO happy with the way this came out, even though it was a big challenge for me. And I am happy to report that my recipient LOVED it!!!!!

Materials used: upsy daisy (SU); basic black, WW, pink pirouette cs (SU); patterned paper (scenic route); small notecards (SU); black noir (palette); scallop edge punch (SU); black and white ribbon (michaels), pink twill (papertrey); hot fix rhinestones; dots and spots cs embossing folder (provocraft); wooden bag box (michales); mod podge

I signed up for Round 2 of the Color Me Happy swap. I got my new "assignment" and I am very happy to report that it doesn't quite pose such a challenge for me. But I probably shouldn't talk too soon because I still haven't designed my cards. This could be tougher than it seems *wink*

I've been busy working on baby shower invites the past few days. I have been cutting onsies, coloring duckies......but luckily I am loving the way they are turning out :) I need to work on the wording for the inside of the invite yet-usually my toughest part. Do you have any cute sayings?? I'm always open to suggestions :)

Tomorrow Elizabeth and I have her preschool orientation. I am looking forward to going in, meeting her teacher, the other children in her class, but most importantly watching how she reacts to it all. We were talking about it tonight and I told her that we would both go tomorrow to school but on Tuesday she would go all by herself. To which she says to me "Daddy go with me". I told her no, Daddy's not going, just Elizabeth. At which point she looks at me with this serious little face and says "I don't drive"...I immediately start laughing to which she looks at me, clearly not understanding WHY I am laughing, and says "Mommy drop me off at school" Yes, Elizabeth, I will drop you off :) Silly kid!!!!

Hope you had a great weekend!!!! Thanks for stopping by today :)