So life happens, and I had an unexpected mini-hiatus from blogging. I had several events last week, one of which was my Too Cool Demo Team Meeting. I love getting together with my fellow demos to share ideas, stamp and socialize.
Our May meeting was especially fun because we all got a sneak peak of the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog that I received early as a special incentive! (I'd love to think it was our most attended meeting yet because of my fabulous leader skills, but getting a glimpse of all the new stuff was probably more alluring.)
Regardless, we are all excited about the new color items and LOTS (understatement) of the new stuff that will be available on July 1! We also had the opportunity to deduce what stamps and accessories are retiring. I'll be able to share that information when the official Retired List is released on June 1st—just a few more days! Look for my email with the complete list, as well as a COOL new Starter Kit promotion, on Wednesday.
On a side note, if YOU are ever interested in learning more about being a demonstrator, you are welcome to attend our demo meetings as a guest any time! Let me know of your interest and I'll notify you when we are gathering again. Our next meeting will be in late June.
I made the card below for our demo swap. Does it look familiar? I got my inspiration from the front of the Summer Mini Catalog (shown at right), which features a die-cut stamped butterfly and stencils.
I chose a palette of retiring Close to Cocoa (for the card base), retiring Mellow Moss, and Rose Red. Such a pretty combination!
Layered Vintage Background
For the bottom layer, I stamped randomly in Mellow Moss ink with the vine image from the Elements of Style set. Next, I used the Mostly Vintage Stencil (the negative stencil) sponged with Mellow Moss on Very Vanilla card stock. Because it is such a delicate stencil, and I didn't want to it to shift, I temporarily adhered it with Dotto before sponging.
I tore the edges of the stenciled piece, just enough to reveal the pattern underneath, then rubbed the Distress Tool around all the edges. I really liked how this tool accentuated the torn edges; it helps them curl up so they look worn, as well as torn.
To finish the antiqued look, I sprayed on a bit of Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. I love this color for creating an aged appearance, and it's a pearlized color, so there's a nice shimmer that catches the light. As I've mentioned before, a little Smooch goes a long way. Be sure to practice on scrap paper before adding it to your project…you'll have to hold it pretty far away to get a light coverage.
Die-Cut Butterfly
I cut the butterfly shape out of Very Vanilla card stock with the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, then stamped in Chocolate Chip with the floral Elements of Style image. The flowers were colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons, then smoothed with a Blender Pen.
To add extra dimensional interest, I curved the wings with a Bone Folder (kinda like you would do when curling curly ribbon). It's attached with two Dimensionals, and accented with a half-back pearl from the Pretties Kit.
Other Card Details: Mellow Moss Taffeta Ribbon is wrapped around the background layers. Sentiment is from Elements of Style, stamped in Chocolate Chip, punched with the Large Oval punch, and layered on a Rose Red Modern Label punch.
Last Chance For FREE Designer Brads
There are just 2 days left to receive your FREE Designer Brads with the purchase of Elements of Style, or any of the other qualifying "scrapbook-friendly" sets. See complete promotion details and order online by May 31.
Angie