Cricut Weekly Challenge #39 & Simon Says Stamps Resist Challenge on Lily Pad Cards

So I've been playing around with my photography skills, and I think I'm getting much better at photographing my work. 

Tonight, I set up the light box I had created, but I put a simple bed sheet over it to make everything white and little softer.  Note to self...I need to make sure to iron the bed sheet next time I take pictures.  

I also need to find a place to photograph with natural light as my apartment has very little.  I might have to better plan my creation cycles so that I take pictures at lunch during the week.  I have a ton of natural light in my office, so I'm sure the pictures would look a thousand times better.

Anyway, this card is being used for two challenges - Cricut Circle Weekly and the Simon Says Stamps Resist Challenge on Lily Pad Cards.

The Cricut Circle weekly challenge was an A-B-C 1-2-3 challenge.  (A) pop of (B)right (C)olor, 1 of something, 2 of something and 3 of something.

My pop of bright color is the burgundy star.  It's not too bright as I kept the rest of the color more natural in the background.  I didn't want to offset the tone of the card by introducing something too bright.  I used 1 ribbon, 2 stars, and 3 strips of stamped-resisted paper for the background.

Create-a-Critter cuts

accessory, moon - 4.5 inches (used the big star only)

accessory, moon - 3.5 inches (used the little star only)

phrase, bear

For the Lily Pad Cards challenge, I was asked to use a type of resist technique.  I stamped with white embossing powder and then inked the white paper to create the shaded strips.  I used a ton of ink pads to create the gradient effect on the strips.  Here is the run down on inks:

Tim Holtz Distress Inks

Old Paper

Peeled Paint

Pumice Stone

Antique Linen

Classic Stampin Up

River Rock

Sahara Sand

Basic Gray

Crumb Crake

Soft Suede

Stamp

Great Impressions, K93  (the big polka dots)

Strip Cuts

1 1/4 inches x 4 1/8 inches

1 3/4 inches x 4 1/8 inches

5 1/4 inches x 4 1/8 inches

Because I made it a Happy Birthday card, this card will also go to the next Birthday Bundle drive with Card Cupids.  The drive will be happening monthly so I have to start on my next batch to send anyway.