I found out about the Mojo Monday site a month or so ago, and have been itching to try my hand.

Last week I had an operation and have to take it easy for a couple of weeks, so I had the perfect excuse to take some time off from working, and make some cards.

Every Monday a new sketch is added, and participants need to make a card that follows the sketch formula. Here’s this week’s sketch:

I must admit, I found it rather challenging to have to follow a design sketch, and after some time running ideas through my head, came up with this card:

I started off with white cardstock, and a little over half way down I began to ‘sponge’  to the end using Tim Holtz Distress Inks. The base color I used was Tattered Rose
, then I added a little bit of Worn Lipstick
(very little – don’t overdo it.)

Then I took the template from a Sizzix butterfly die, and sponged over the small and medium butterflies using Worn Lipstick and Tumbled Glass.

Now for the card toppers:

The pink paper at the back is Mulberry paper.  I cut that using my Nestabilities.  In this case I used Nestabilities Large Classic Scalloped Ovals Die Template, but you can use any shape you like.  The gold paper was done use the same Nestabilities die, but the next size down.  Then I added an oval shape on white textured cardstock.  As you can probably see, I cut it about two thirds of the way down.  I stamped a cupcake stamp on it, then a sentiment that suits.

I colored the picture using Stampin’ Up Write Markers (Brights) as well as water color paints (Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth paints which I bought at my local craft store for around $16). You could probably use any water color paints, but I’m not certain – this one is supposed to be specifically for using on cardstock.

I added some pale blue ribbon across the front, played around and made a bow using loops, and made a small rose using the same ribbon, which I then attached.

Last but not least, I added three butterflies on the top right corner (per the sketch) by again sponging from the template I’d used for the bottom of the card.

I wasn’t happy with these last butterflies as I felt something was missing, so added a small pearl to each.  It finished it off nicely.

If you want to enter your card in the Mojo Monday 190, you’ll need to do so before this Sunday to be in the running. (No prizes, just good, clean fun.)