3CT - One Layer (One Headache)

Have you ever tried to figure out how to get out of something that you don't want to do and yet you know you can't?  Well that is the way I originally felt about the 3CT Design Team challenge for this week.  I'm not sure who's idea it was but someone suggested ONE LAYER (oh the horror) cards.   I fretted about this from the very day we received our list of assignments as the team I'm on had this for one of their challenges.  We alternate weeks but can do all the challenges if we want.  I've always been a "fretter" and don't like change much at all.

My first idea was to do something called, "faux layering" where you use masks to create a layered look.  I started working on that idea but it just wasn't coming together at all for me (I need more practice) so then I started Googling 1 Layer cards and found this card http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/2009/06/ftl46.html which I thought was really cool.  Here is my attempt at that type of a one layer card.  Okay it's not bad but it just seemed so, "Boring" and so not me that I couldn't let it rest.  Another idea came to me and I started working on it.  I wanted to create a frame around my focal image using a Nestabilities Die and I had heard you could use your Cuttlebug to do this so I started trying to figure out how to do that.  Let's just say it took more then one try before I got it right and I wasted several sheets of paper experimenting.  Finally I managed to figure it out and at long last my card was created. I have since discovered a very cool video tutorial over on Stamp TV on how this is done. Oh how I wish I had known that first as I could have saved myself a headache coming on and the countless pieces that went into the scrap pile because I'd either put the die upside down and cut through or my die slipped and was crooked etc...
So without further ado here is my card for this weeks ONE LAYER challenge.  Now this may look like it is more then one layer but I can assure you it is not.
The card base is Very Vanilla and I first stamped my background on the side using an old SU retired set called, Eclectic Backgrounds with the new Soft Suede ink (one of the upcoming "In-Colors" from SU).  Then I masked off a portion of the card and brayered Crushed Curry ink (another new "In-Color") over the top.  Doesn't it just remind you a a Giraffe?  Then I made my little frame and stamped the Giraffe image from (Animal Stories - a new set in the upcoming SU catalog) with Crushed Curry ink.  I wanted to add a little pizzaz to the image and I remembered that I had some retired beads from SU in various shades of brown and gold so I picked out the ones I wanted and glued them onto the circle pattern in the giraffe using crystal effects.  Then I stamped my sentiment (SU - Sweet Little Sentiments Hostess set) with Soft Suede ink.  I added some Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon to the side and pierced the corners to complete my card.
I must say that while I am happy with how this turned out I am so NOT going to make very many 1 layer cards as it is just not my style but I couldn't let Kerry down and besides that what Challenges are all about.

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