Pinspired Challenges #3: Sponsored by Sweet Stamp Shop

(If you're looking for my post on Sweet Stamp Shop's new release, today, first check out this Pinspired post (**cough,shameless plug,cough**), then scroll down one post.)

Today is a pretty "Sweet" day for me!  Not only do I get to show my projects for Sweet Stamp Shop's new release today, but I also get to highlight them as a sponsor of our third challenge at Pinspired Challenges today!!

A little about our sponsor (from Nicole Rixon):

Sweet Stamp Shop is a small business out of sunny southern California that features hand drawn clear polymer stamp sets made here in the USA! The shop was started in 2011 by Nicole and Jacob Rixon with the idea that there was a space in the industry for fresh, hand drawn, clear stamps. Sweet Stamp Shop is a stamp company dedicated to creating fun and unique stamps that are easy to use and fun to color. We know how important it is to you to know the latest techniques and we are excited to share our knowledge with you. Whether on youtube, Face- book, or a well placed 'tweet' ... we'll help you stay on top of the trends!

Nicole has graciously offered our "Pin Perfect" challenge winner a $10 gift certificate to their store, so you'll definitely want to play along with this challenge!

Here's the inspiration photo for our challenge:

And here's how I interpreted it:

This was my first attempt at creating a Distress Ink background and I think I like it!  Taking my color inspiration from the Pinspired photo, I used Barn Door, Worn Lipstick and Spun Sugar Distress Inks and rubbed them on a piece of freezer paper on my work surface.  (I don't have on of those fancy craft mats, so I use temporary glue dots on a big piece of freezer paper, and it does the trick for the time being)  Then I spritzed the ink and rubbed my watercolor paper on top.  I used a blending tool to smooth out the lines, and I think I'm digging the gradient.  At least for a first attempt!

I kept with the "sweet" theme of the photo, and colored and glittered this image from Perfect Match. I printed my own sentiment, and Voila!  A "sweet" valentine, or all-purpose "what's up" card.  

I would LOVE for you to play along with this challenge.  You'll have until 2/21 to link up your projects to the Pinspired blog.  I can't wait to see how you were inspired by the photo!