Guest Designer on CAS(e) This Sketch

A while back I made this card for CAS(e) This Sketch and blow me down if they didn't just go and make me the winner. That, for me, was honour enough. What I hadn't realised is that by winning, I would also have the excitement of being asked to guest design.

So here's this week's new sketch...

and the card I designed

Ever since Pantone released the colour of 2014 as Radiant Orchid, I've wanted to use it in a card and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. I've heard it being referred to as purple but I have to say, that unless my eyes have weirded out with age, I would class it as violet. Purple, for me, leans more towards the blue spectrum, more indigo.

Having picked out some violet card, I initially tried pairing it with other blues and purples for a more monochromatic palette but when I laid them out before me, I wasn't happy. Too safe. It's my default go to palette. So I started to scan the web for ideas and when I saw this photo, I knew I wanted to use grey and white instead.

The grey border strip I stamped with a swirl design from Inkadinkadoo, using Adirondack's Slate ink. Onto the white square, I stamped and clear embossed a flower and a row of stitches. I then stamped the sentiment in archival black.

Thank you once again to the CAS(e) This Sketch team for inviting me to join in with them this week. What a lovely way to start the year :)