I'm participating in a demonstrator card swap that features new stamp sets from the new, gorgeous catalog. This post is the first of two designs that I created for the swap. Like always I am waiting until the last possible minute to create and send my swaps out. I've known for three weeks what stamp sets I would be using, but apparently I need the stress of the deadline to get the creative juices flowing. Sheesh! I'm always thrilled with the cards that I get back, so the stress is definitely worth it.

I also decided to do a sketch challenge for my design; you can see the sketch to the right here. Again, I am doing this at the last possible minute – the challenge runs out in a little over an hour. That's leaving it really late, even for me! When I saw this sketch my ideas really started percolating for the swap design, and I'm very happy with the result. What's really cool is that the focal design is 3×4" which is perfect for a Project Life card. Using one of those would make the card even easier!

There are many new catalog items featured on this card, and I love them all! I was drawn to the Flashback DSP when I saw it in the catalog, and I was thrilled to use it on this card. Doesn't it jazz up the background nicely?

I used the following materials on this card:

• Stamps: Pictogram Punches, Something to Say
• Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Real Read, Very Vanilla
• Ink: Crushed Curry, Smoky Slate, Pool Party, Real Red
• Accessories: Stars Framelits, Pool Party 1/4" Cotton ribbon, Flashback DSP, Hodgepodge Clips, Itty Bitty Accents punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponges