Love a colour challenge? Well you're in luck as our new challenge for you at Just Add Ink is this combination of flirty flamingo, rose red, crushed curry & pear pizzazz: I thought this challenge would be a breeze but it was one of those times where the idea in my head didn't quite gel at first, then changed into this this very clean & simple, almost one layer card that's all about that gorgeous flourish. To create the graduated colour on the flourish I created a watercolour wash on a piece of watercolour paper with my aquapainter & rose red, flirty flamingo & crushed curry ink. then die cut it out. Since the flourish was so pretty I kept the rest of the card super simple & resisted the urge to layer. A couple of card strips, some bling & sentiment from the new Birthday Banners stamp set (in my fave typeface too - win!) finished it off. Love that flourish? It's one of the one of the dies amazingly fine & intricate Flourish set (& part of the coordinating Flourishing Phrases die & stamp bundle). Isn't it pretty? These are all the die shapes in the set. You can see the coordinating stamp set in the supply list at the bottom of this post. When cards go wrong It's a great feeling when an idea comes to life as planned or a happy accident turns into a fabulous card, but for one reason or other it doesn't always work out that way. I do love a puzzle so generally it's fun for me to figure out what's 'not right' & change it into something I like more. Other times, I realise I need to say 'it's done' & move on to something else. This week I made a card for the challenge & for many reasons it just doesn't work for me. I wasn't going to share it but decided I would because: - it's good to realise things don't always work out as planned & that's ok, - miss-steps often lead you to another idea that does work for you, - someone else may still like it - in this case my darling girl likes the one I don't like more than the CAS one I like. Surprised me too :-) So here's my ugly card so you can make your own decision. I'm sure you see that's the watercolour wash panel used to cut the flourish. I mounted the panel on some vellum which I pierced & added a glittery flourish cut with dazzing diamonds glimmer paper (wish I hadn't added that) & a sentiment. I mounted the panels onto striped flirty flamingo paper with dimensionals & a thick white base. So what doesn't work for me? How would you change it? - The striped paper is too much & too bold. I'd tried plain card but it didn't really gel. I'd probably change this to plain white card. Less is more :) - I think the glimmer paper flourish made the panel look quite flat & too glittery. I think just leaving the vellum showing behind the watercolour panel (with all the the little inside bits) would have looked cleaner & more intricate. - The watercolour wash looks ok but is more splotchy than I'd wanted & maybe the crushed curry is too bright when combined with the paper... not really a fan of CC. - the pear pizzazz strip doesn't really belong with the other colours but the colour challenge needed it. I think I've made my peace with the card now & hope you've found my thoughts helpful for times when you can't figure out how or why something works or not. Thanks for visiting today. Now head over to the Just Add Ink blog to see how the rest of the team have totally rocked the challenge colours. I'm sure you'll be inspired to try them too. Until next time, sending you inky wishes, Di Supplies To see & order any items used in today's project, just click on the items below to see them in my Online Store. You can order from me if you live anywhere in Australia. I would love to be your Demonstrator if you don't already have one. Please allow "Demonstrator contact" in your preferences so I can thank you properly when you place your order. Note - Stamp sets & bundles noted below may be available in other mount options (eg wood, cling rubber or photopolymer). I have listed the option that I used, then alternative separate options at the bottom.. Please check the online store if your preference is different. Print Recipe Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Bundle Birthday Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set Flirty Flamingo Classic Stampin' Pad Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pad Basic Gray Archival Stampin’ Pad Whisper White A4 Thick Cardstock Watercolor Paper Rose Red A4 Card Stock Card Stock A4 Pear Pizzazz Aqua Painters Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments Big Shot Big Shot Magnetic Platform Precision Base Plate Big Shot Die Brush Flourish Thinlits Dies Flourishing Phrases Clear-Mount Stamp Set