Papercraft Star 97: Gingham or Checks

I cannot tell y'all how excited I am for Papercraft Star's Challenge 97: Gingham or Checks!

That inspiration photograph is right up my alley, so I used every ounce of it to inspire the below creation.  But remember, that it's only there to use, if you so wish to do so.  We just ask you to use gingham or checks in your creation this week.  Onward and upward!

{Out for Publication}

I started this card by trimming a piece of woodgrain, patterned paper, just below its top edge enough to let the leaves and red, flower bud images show in the top right corner, with a strip of red, damask, patterned paper and machine stitched, with black-threaded, straight stitches, across the latter's top edge.

{Out for Publication}

I then framed it with a piece of Real Red cardstock and machine stitched, with black-threaded, zig-zag stitches, around it edges.  The rooster image was hand cut from patterned paper and stamped, in Basic Black ink, with the "HOOT & HOLLA' It's Your Day" sentiment frame, as well as the "CONGRATS" sentiment itself.  I just cannot get over how perfectly it fit in that little framed block!  I also couldn't resist adding a touch of glitter to the rising sun.

{Out for Publication}

I then anchored a length of red, gingham fabric, with black-threaded, straight stitches, pleated, across the sentiment piece's bottom edge, before adhering it, with foam tape, just below the red, damask print.

{Out for Publication}

Finally, I wrapped a length of red, saddlestitch ribbon, around the prepped piece, just above the rooster image; tied it, in a bow, near the left edge; and embellished it with a black button, laced with a duet of hemp twine bows, before adhering the entire panel, with foam tape, to the Whisper White, cardstock, card face.

{Out for Publication}

Further inspiration for this card came from the Gingham Challenge in the Moxie Fab World and PageMaps' 6th Anniversary Celebration Card Contest.

Now, it's your turn!  You have until next Monday, May 21, 2012, at 6:00 am EST, to link up your takes, over at the challenge link above, in order to be in the running to win digital sheets from our permanent sponsor, The House Across the Bay.

Please also use that link to check out what the rest of the team has been up to.  Sylvia is our featured designer this week and is making those THATB images absolutely shine!  Thanks ever so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful Wednesday!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Label Layers 4 (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White & Real Red (SU); woodgrain (Crate Paper); red damask & rooster (Jenni Bowlin) Ink: Basic Black (SU) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); gingham fabric (JoAnn Fabrics); Dazzling Diamonds (SU); black button & red saddlestitch ribbon (Hobby Lobby); hemp twine (May Arts); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives)