My Whole Heart

This valentine card for my husband was inspired by Tammy Tutterow’s project in my Creative Retreat class, hosted by May Flaum. I created it using Distress Paints, Liquitex gel mediums, an embossing folder, and Distress Crackle paint. Tammy’s card had a much softer look to it, but I didn’t think it was appropriate for a masculine card. As it is, the Aged Mahogany color turned a bit pinker than I wanted with the grey added over it. I attemped to add just emough black to make it ok. What do you think, does it need more black? (Strange question I know, but black is his favorite ‘color’)

The stamp is from Red Lead. When I saw it, I just knew it would be the perfect stamp for Valentine’s Day. The key and heart are on grungeboard. The key is covered with Pewter Distress Paint, and the heart is colored with Distress Paint and then a coat of Glossy Accents over it. I also used some of my tissue tape. I don’t use a lot of the tissue tape, but I keep trying to incorporate it.

Hopefully he’ll like it! Have a blessed day,
Julie

More Birthday His/Hers

Very quick today since I have a ton of stuff to do…

One of the challenges for day two of the His & Hers class was using the same technique in masculine and feminine versions. I decided to use what Tim Holtz calls his Blended Distress Technique on a manilla ATC. From the first moment I ever saw Tim demo this technique in a video, I fell in love with it and have used it over and over. On the masculine version I used five ink colors for the base and two more for the edging. On the feminine version it’s six different base colors and two edging colors. I love how they blend together so well. I took my color inspiration from the background papers I chose- DCWV.

Next I challenged myself by using the same stamps and cord to see how well I could use them for both types of cards. It’s pretty cool how much colors and a bow can do to make a card gender specific! I would have added the second stamp under the watch on the girl card but I cut it with deckle scissors, instead of distressing just the edge with my Distress Tool, so it took just enough off it didn’t leave room for that sentiment. I think I like it better though, and if I were to make it again I’d probably leave it off the guy card too. That will likely not happen because I get bored and rarely want to make duplicates of cards!

BTW, when I was writing ATC above I almost put ATC card. That’s kind of like saying ‘a certified CPA’, or PIN number. When the letter means the word – that word becomes superfluous 🙂 Thankfully I figured it out in time to not post it like that.

Blessings,
Julie

OH! my stamps are from RedLead and Jillian Vance

Butterfly Wishes

I must confess I don’t know what butterly wishes are, but I knew I had a lot of butterfly stamps as well as thinking the stamp from Red Lead was too adorable not to get. This card was inspired by Donna Mikasa in our Clean &Simple 2 class. I was really drawn to her use of embossing as a resist with Distress Ink. I love using Distress Ink so this card was a natural fit.

This will be another day of a couple of posts since I have two cards already made to share. I got a bit of a cold yesteday evening, came on pretty suddenly. Hopefully it won’t sap my creativity along with my energy!

May your health be better than mine,
Julie

Stamps from the Paper Studio, Red Lead, Darcie’s, and Stampers Anonymous

Birds of a Feather

This technique I learned in my Inspiration Showcase Class might be my favorite new technique. I stamped with black Archival Ink on tissue paper. Then I adhered it to Sticky-back Canvas with Mod Podge. I love how this technique allows for a crisp stamped image on canvas. I used a glossy finish since that’s what I have on hand but I might prefer it with a matte finish. It’s quite interesting how the canvas texture shows through. I used Distress Markers to make the birds pop a little from the background. I added my new ‘Birds of a Feather’ stamp from Red Lead. I think it goes quite nicely with the birds stamp I found at a garage sale! The orange background paper from 7gypsies is in the same Avignon paper pack I used on the green text rosette. It has some great paper designs.

I have a couple more stamps I’m thinking might work beautifully with this technique. I’ll try it with a matte finish next time.

Birthday birds

I found these beautiful birds at Red Lead. My MIL loves birds so I knew it was the perfect charm for her birthday card. I decided the birds were decoration enough so I put the birthday greeting on the inside. I used Glue Dots to adhere the charm. It seems to be holding them. I don’t need to mail the card so it won’t take too much abuse in the envelope.

However, now I need to get the rest of her birthday gift with no ideas at all. I used all my great ideas for Christmas! The one thing I know is I’ll give her is cards. I’ve been giving her cards for several years and she uses them. Also she passes on the nice compliments from her friends and I love that. 🙂