Inky Backgrounds / Inky Fingers

One of the things that most artists have in common is inky fingers.  Today's post is dedicated to all those with inky fingers, as I share some fun inky backgrounds.

After sponging on several beautiful shades of ink, I let all the colors dry and then, using a stencil and White Craft Ink, I lightly sponged on some 'bokeh' circles.  This is a fun technique, used primarily by photographers for creative backgrounds.  You can go as light or as heavy as you'd like with the white circles.

I've actually played around with several color stories.  I think I like these the best.

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It's a Butterfly Kind of Day

I have more butterflies for you today.  I love this card.  It is even prettier in real life.

I played around with several ways to add color to the butterflies and ended up liking the one best where I sponged the color onto the embossed piece of CS and then spritzed it with my shimmer mist.

The card is coordinated inside and out, including a matching envelope.

The color story is Island Indigo, a tiny touch of Old Olive, and Crushed Curry, even though I used a Mint Macaron ribbon.  Be sure to check all the possibilities for using your ribbons.  They can match more colors than you realize.  The tiny. layered butterflies add the perfect finishing touch.

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Affectionately Yours DSP, Card 1

If you haven't seen it yet, you're going to love our new Affectionately Yours DSP.  It is the essence of elegance for some of the patterns and yet other patterns are playful and more casual.  I'll be sharing 3 of the more elegant patterns of DSP for my next 3 posts.  

Isn't this paper just gorgeous?  I added the perfect touch of bling with some rhinestones.

I love the simple elegance of the Crumb Cake/Night of Navy color story.

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A Couple of 4" Cards to Share

I've finished sharing all of my 3" cuties, so today, I have a couple of 4" cards.  Then, it's on to full-size cards again.

I used Baker's Twine to make some fringe hanging down from the heart.  Of course, I had to add a tiny piece of bling.

I stamped a compass on each of the envelopes.  I used a full-sized envelope, so you can actually mail these little cards or you could use them on their own as gift enclosures.

I love the compass.  I decided to place a large pearl in the center of it.

In my next post, I'll share a card that's what I call a Botanicals neutrals card.  Be sure to check it out.

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Positive/Negative Cards

Sometimes, in the midst of creating a card design, I take a look at the pieces laying alongside my work area and realize that they aren't scraps at all.  They are the beginnings of another card.  That's what happened with today's cards.

Like I've said, I love these new framelits!  As always, all the supplies are listed at the bottom of each post.

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A Pocket Card with A Special Gold Secret

I haven't made a pocket card for a while and this one was really fun.  I had just gotten a new paper stack of Neutrals and so that started me on my color story.  I'll show you the card and then explain the gold on it.   

Did you figure out how I got the gold on it?  It's heated gold embossing powder!  How did I do it?  You won't believe how easy it is to do this!  I laid down a strip of Sticky Strip, sprinkled on the gold EP and then heat embossed it.  Yes, it was that easy! 

Actually, the Sticky Strip just retired (I had some left over.) but I think it would work just as well with our new Tear and Tape Adhesive.  You're just basically holding the EP in place while you heat it.  The tape strip gives it an automatic straight and even line, with perfect edges.

Our new Metallic Gold Thread just pulls it all together and the pearls add a subtle, elegant touch.  After you read my post, go get out some tape and try this.  You'll love it.  

By the way, the pocket is just attached with Liquid Tombow on the sides and bottom.  It's super simple.  I hope you like it.  
This card was inspired by Pootles (Sam Donald) --- http://pootles.co.uk and, if you check out her blog, you'll fall in love with her beautiful work and soft, melodious voice.  Her forte seems to be in making all shapes and sizes of wonderful boxes, but she makes some pretty nice cards, too... a very talented lady.

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Hello again Pacific Point... and Sneak Peek 5

Today's card features Pacific Point, a color I love but haven't used for a while.  I'm so sorry I neglected you, Pacific Point.  My yummy color story is Pool Party, Wild Wasabi and Pacific Point.  If you haven't tried these colors together, please do.  They're a wonderful blend of blue and green.  We'll be making this one at my Friday Night Cards class too, on August 9.

I'll share with you at the class how I created the little bow.  I believe this card is a good example of simple yet elegant.  The trend now of using lots of white makes for a wonderful crisp and clean look to cards.

Last night, I had so much fun at my Stamp Club.  We made Boxes, Banners, Bags and Tags.  I love how I get to send participants home with a bag of goodies to keep and make more projects at home.

Joining Stamp Club is an excellent way to stretch your dollars and really get to make a lot more than if you bought all the required supplies for a specific project to make on your own.
August 19 is the deadline to sign up for our next Stamp Club.  It's the September club where we'll be making a beautiful Fall Wreath.  I am working on mine this week, so I can share it with you.  I hope you'll join us!  It's going to be a ton of fun.

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The Last New In Color (in our series): Strawberry Slush

Today, we meet the last new In Color in our series on our new colors --- Strawberry Slush.  This is a yummy color and makes me want a strawberry snow cone.

Here are the cards based on the Color Coach suggestions:

I must say, the one one the right got lots more shots, but I do like them both.  Changing the color story really made a difference in these 2 cards.  Which color combo do you like the best?

On both embossed images, I've used the back (debossed) side of the image for a little bit different look.  It gives a nice, but subtle, texture to the background.

 Color story for the card on the left:

• Strawberry Slush
• Rich Razzleberry
• Sahara Sand

Color story for the card on the right:

• Strawberry Slush
• Coastal Cabana
• Crisp Cantaloupe

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