Crumpets Day 1 of 31

So, I said I didn't want to do a 31 day challenge, but I am doing it anyways (tee hee).  I joined the Crumpet Nail Tart 31 Day Challenge.  I have followed The Crumpet for since the beginning.  If you haven't been to her site, go there now....I mean it, NOW!  You can find her HERE.  The Crumpet Nail Tarts is a Facebook group you can find HERE.   

The first day is black and white - as you can see from the list :)  Here's what I did.

The whole thing is  messy because I didn't let the stamping dry long enough before I added top coat.  And my fingers are a mess because I forgot to put lotion on after peeling off the tape (which always does a number to my already dry skin) and....WAIT....It is the first day of 2013 and I need to start with the resolutions.  I was reading through my posts and realized that I am really hard on myself.  I am new to this nail art thing and have to know that there is a learning curve.  I cannot jump in with both feet and expect to be Sam (from Nailsaurus) or Marta (from Chit Chat Nails) or Debbie (from The Crumpet) or Anutka (from Wacky Laki) or any of the other awesome ladies I stalk on a daily basis.  Don't actually think I will ever be (there I go again) and I really don't have that as a goal, I just want to see improvement, not perfection (my type A personality is crying right now).  So I am going to be better about being positive.  Here goes.

I do not like white nails (how's that for positive :) so wasn't looking forward to this first challenge, but I was inspired by Natalie from A Diary of A Nail Polish Addict HERE to make a black and white gradient so that they wouldn't be so stark.  And truth be told, I didn't like these, I LOVED them!  As always they looked so much better IRL than they do in the pics.  So funky and retro!  I hated to take them off!  Loved them so much I am even willing to show you a couple detailed pics, even though they weren't perfect (Shut it type A, I made a resolution).

 I started with two coats of Ulta White and sponged on a gradient of Sinful Colors Black on Black.  Then I stamped with Bundle Monster BM-203 painted half white and half black.  The pic below is without flash.  I really am happy with how this turned out!

Now go see all the other Black and White manis!