BEATE'S INSPIRATION CHALLENGE...SORT OF

Hi all! Well, I am still sleep deprived and I have decided Dexter is not nearly as cute at 2am - LOL! I had forgotten about this part.....if I ever mention the word puppy to you again, remind me about this, okay? Seriously, he is a sweet dog, but he never seems to shut off. Most puppies need sleep, but not this little guy. I know I do though... I feel like I am walking around in a fog! And, with Tony gone, the "baby" duties have all fallen to me!! He doesn't get back until Monday...hope I can stay awake until then! So, today's project is supposed to be for Beate's Inspiration Challenge, but I am not sure it qualifies. But, I am going with it. The colors of blue and brown jumped out at me and since they were lanterns, they reminded me of outside, and well, bugs! So, I decided to use my Bugs and Kisses Stamp set for this one - I am really lovin' this set!! The base of this card is Bashful Blue card stock which is then layered with Bashful Blue Designer Prints paper that I actually received in a Hostess Level I set that has several of these sheets in all different colors and patterns - what a totally great Hostess gift!! Anyway, I faux stitched around those two layers, using my white gel pen. I also used my Ticket Corner Punch (don't I always?!) The next layers are Kraft, Bashful Blue, and Confetti White card stock. On the Confetti White card stock, I stamped off the dragonfly image so there are faint images of this stamp all over - it is hard to see here but looks great IRL. I also used my Ticket Corner Punch on all three of these layers, added faux stitching, and then four vintage brads. Then, on all the layers, I added Close to Cocoa classic ink with my sponge. The image is layered with Bashful Blue and stamped on Confetti White card stock. I also stamped the image on some more of the Bashful Blue Designer Prints paper, cut it out, and paper pieced the wings of my dragonfly. The sentiment is stamped on Bashful Blue card stock and punched out using my Large Oval Punch. I added some dotted accents with my Close to Cocoa Stampin' Write Marker, and then I took the small ant stamp from the stamp set and stamped it in Close to Cocoa on my White grosgrain ribbon. I love the effect this left! I then put the sentiment up on dimensionals. Finally, I decided to add a Build-a-Brad so I stamped the ant on Confetti White card stock, punched the head out using my 1/2 inch Circle Punch, and added the whole thing to my card. I have to say, I really like the brad, I think it adds some cuteness to this card! So, there you have it! I hope it meets the Inspiration Challenge because this is what I came up with! And, just to show you there is no hard feelings between me and the new guy in my life, here are some pics of the bad little boy! My Golden Retriever Cisco is ten years old and laying around is what he does best so he is not sure what to do with all the energy Dexter has! The first pic is one of them after playing - Cisco was done, but Dexter was not until Cisco laid his big paw on Dexter's head and that was that. So, Dexter just laid there and stared at him - LOL! The next one is when we were working in the yard - he kept getting underfoot so I tossed him in the wheelbarrow for a ride! This last one is of him after being scolded - he was carrying one of my shoes around in his mouth - he LOVES shoes, socks, shirts, anything he can put his mouth around! He looks guilty, doesn't he - LOL! So, see, I do love him, just not at 2am!!! See ya tomorrow!