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Secret Place Mojo 400

Hi friends!  It's a very special Monday today... my 400th Mojo Monday challenge.  Wow! 400 sketches!  What can I say? (Apparently a lot, since this post goes on forever.  {grin})


Way back before Mojo Monday, I remember playing along with the weekly sketch challenges at Splitcoaststampers and suddenly really wanting to have my own sketch challenge, but not really knowing how to go about it.  It was a tiny little dream, which my inner voice immediately shot down with a resounding, "but nobody would play along".  But I kept coming back to it, over and over and started posting a few sketches here and there.  Then a few more.  And then I started Verve and I was so busy that I wasn't finding time to post as often as I would like, so I decided to start a weekly sketch challenge.  And who cares whether people wanted to play or not?  I wanted to play and wanted the accountability to post at least once a week and I loved the idea of maybe a handful or so of people being inspired by something I designed.  So on September 3, 2007 I posted the first Mojo Monday sketch.  To my delight 25 fabulous cards were entered.  This was way back before linkies.  People left their links in comments or emails and I spent quite a bit of time saving and uploading each card each week to flickR and creating a slideshow for everyone to view.  It was such a fun time and made me smile each time I saw a card using my sketches. Here's the Mojo Monday #1 album.

So, for this week's sketch I decided it would be fun for us to play with my first EVER sketch.  This one was posted back in March of 2007, before I even had an inkling to start Verve.  It's still a favorite of mine and was based on this card I made for a local scrapbooking store DT call, but was too chicken to actually submit.  From small beginnings, big dreams grow into brighter realities.  So, my message for today is if you have a little dream, foster it.  Filter out the inner doubts and the not-so -quiet inklings about what others may or may not do or think about your dream, and take the first step.  You'll be so glad you did!  And who knows, 8 years from now you might be writing up a post about way back when. {grin}

In keeping with that theme, I made a card with a favorite quote.  "Within your heart keep one still, secret place where dreams may go." - Louise Driscoll.  I got some new Dylusions ink sprays over Memorial Day weekend and couldn't wait to give them a try.

The background was made by using matte medium to adhere a piece of Tim Holtz tissue paper to a piece of cream cardstock.  Once it was dry, I sprayed it with dirty martini and calypso teal inks and water, dabbing off when needed, then respraying and dripping until I got the colors I wanted.  As the background was so bright and I wanted to stamp my sentiment there, I then spritzed the whole thing with white linen spray (which is semi-opaque) to mute the colors just a bit.  I cut the circle out of the bottom corner with a spellbinders die, then embossed the quote sentiment from Blue Skies  (sorry this set sold out over the weekend!) in white. It didn't stand out as much as I hoped, so I used a micron black pen to outline the letters and give it a bit more weight.


Next I used fresh sunshine ink on a piece of barely banana cardstock to layer behind the tissue paper panel.  I stamped the butterfly from Blue Skies in archival ink, then again on a piece of cardstock.  I colored this one with the same colors of ink using a waterbrush, then added some black and white gel pen accents, fussy cut and popped up on the barely banana portion.  I finished off with some doodling around the circle cut out, a thin black mat and a white card base.


In keeping with the good old days, in addition to our usual first week of the month Verve sponsored prizes, I'm making this sketch a contest!  And I'm offering a spot on the Mojo Monday design team for two participants in this week's sketch challenge!  So if you've been watching the lovely and talented Mojo Makers working their magic week after week and been dreaming you could join the team, this is your chance! 

How to apply:
1. Play along with the Mojo 400 sketch and link up before 8pm Mountain on 6/7/15
2. Comment on the Mojo Monday 400 challenge post saying you're interested in being considered for the DT
3. Add the little "I want to be a Mojo Monday designer" graphic above to your blog post

I'll select my two top entries and announce them with our regular winners on June 10!


Thanks so much for stopping by today, and for all your support over the years joining in with my mojo sketches.  It's such an honor to have you play along!

Mojo Monday 400 Sketch
Enabler's List
Stamps: Blue Skies (Verve Stamps)
Paper: cream, white, basic black, Melange tissue paper (Tim Holtz)
Ink: dirty martini, calypso teal, fresh sunshine and white linen Dylusions ink spray (Ranger), walnut stain, black soot Distress ink (Ranger), white gel pen, micron pen
Accessories: classic circles nestabilities (Spellbinders), matte medium (Liquitex), paper distresser

26 comments

Papercrafting Princess said...

Beautiful creations!

Stampingcountry said...

Your little dream really blossomed. I love to start my week with Mojo Monday. And as always you card is fabulous!

JoAnn said...

I always check Mojo Monday every week, but don't always get a chance to play along. Congratulations on your great accomplishment Julie. Love the sketch and your beautiful card.

Wanda Cullen said...

I'm so in love with the colors and all the tiny details in this stunning card! It's a fabulous layout to work with different background techniques and am wishing I had taken that route with my card. :-/ Congrats again on this milestone! It speaks volumes on your talent and is an affirmation to others to "go for it"!

Stef Perry said...

Such a beautiful card, Julee! The colors are exquisite and the background stunning.

I started paper crafting in 2008 and was so fortunate to eventually find Mojo Monday. Thanks for all the years of inspiration!

Karen Day said...

Congrats on hitting 400, Julee! I've been playing along for 5 years whenever I can... and still start my Monday mornings off by visiting the blog :o)

*Vicki* said...

Congrats on getting to 400! That's amazing! Remembering when you first started out as well! :) I've always loved seeing a new sketch come out and haven't always been able to play along, but wanted to say a big congrats to you!! HUGS

Marisa said...

Gorgeous colours on this and love the BG you created. Your butterfly design is gorgeous - could be one right out of the tropics!

SO glad you pushed through and posted your sketches! Congrats on a huge milestone and cheering for another 400 sketches as I simply ADORE your sketches and covet your ability to make so many amazing ones. Hugest of congratulatory ((HUGS)) and so thankful to be a Mojo Maker as it was a big bucket list item for me and I still remember my family coming to see what all the commotion was about when I opened your e-mail asking me to join the team. Mojo Sketch + Verve = Happy Dance by Marisa :)


Mr. Verve said...

400 sketches!!! That is amazing!! So inspiring to think how many lives you have touched from a single brave choice 8 years ago to go for it and not let your doubts win.

Congrats! I'm so proud of you and I love you very much!

And a big thanks to everyone who has played along for the last 8 years and made this such a great experience!

-Mark

Cindy Beach said...

Julee,
I love your story about starting this challenge and now I add your brave choice to the list of the ways you have inspired me.
Huge congratulations on this milestone and heartfelt thanks for your years of great sketches!

Pam~ said...

Gorgeous piece of art you have created, Julee! Congrats on 400 sketches and looking forward to the next 400.

Jen Shults said...

Congratulations Julee! It's just insane that you are at 400 sketches. That is a serious accomplishment! Your card is just beautiful. I love the touches of ink and paint and the wonderful butterfly. :)

Andrea W said...

Absolutely stunning! The colors and butterflies look wonderful and your steady hand to outline the sentiment is impressive.

Nancy said...

First of all congrats Julee! I so enjoyed reading this post as I was traveling home in the car this weekend from a weekend away! Both off your cards are absolutely beautiful, isn't fun to see how our styles transform. Although, I think you have been ridiculously creative since day one! Your blog is one that I have been following for years and hope you will continue on this wonderful journey you have started! I wouldn't be able to begin my day with out it! Congrats also to hubby for believing in you as well and helping you along the way!

Brenda said...

Julee, congrats on all your accomplishments. Thank you for all the years of inspiration. I LOVE Mojo Monday and Viva La Verve. Even tho I don't play along as often as I would like to, I use your sketches and creations to jumpstart many of my own. BTW this mixed media card is gorgeous!

Sue Crease said...

Julee, your card this time around for the sketch is breath taking. Don't get me wrong the first was great but this one shows how far you have come. I love all your info on how you did it so helpfull to us all. I will try the black pen around the white work myself.
Congratulations on 400 wonderful sketches and heres to many more.
Sue

Amy Sheffer said...

400??!! Wow! Congratulations on the big milestone!

America said...

Love the card design and sketch. Congrats on 400! Wow what an accomplishment! Keep up the great work!

tiffelijah said...

Beautiful colors, I love how vibrant the butterfly is. However your cards are always beautiful and I enjoy scrolling threw them on my pinterest. I cant believe there has been 400 hundred sketches! on top of the 1,171,369 views on this page already. You must feel so blessed and accomplished!

Lyndal said...

FABULOUS card and amazing opportunity Julee! I had to laugh when I saw your card, because the first thing I thought of when I saw the sketch you posted was THAT Tim Holtz paper, and THAT quote!

Lyndal said...

FABULOUS card and amazing opportunity Julee! I had to laugh when I saw your card, because the first thing I thought of when I saw the sketch you posted was THAT Tim Holtz paper, and THAT quote!

Wendy Coffman said...

Congrats!

Amie Kiger (Kigz) said...

Julee, I don't remember when I found Mojo, so I checked back on my blog and it was Sept of 2012 when I entered and won! Oh my goodness, it seems like forever ago! That was just the beginning of my Verve stamps collection. ;) Thanks ever so much for the amazing inspiration and the "stuff" to use along my creative path! :)

Amie Kiger (Kigz) said...

PS...absolutely lovely card this week! The sentiment stands out well on that beautiful background you inked up! :)

D- said...

Congrats Julee. What a wonderful milestone.
Your card is perfect. I loVe that you used butterflies. Love the colors, too. Thanks for sharing.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsByDragonfly.blogspot

Teneale Williams said...

Congrats Julie, we have 400 inspiring sketches to thank you for. You have come so far from that first sketch.