Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Outer Space

Here's a birthday card for a space lovin' Nephew. OK, I admit, I fell a little short of my goal as I mailed it on his actual birthday (so it arrived late). Anyway, this is about progress not perfection right?!?

My inspiration for this piece was this photo. Whenever I need some inspiration, I simply google the topic (in this case, outer space) and check out some of the images that come up.

To make this background, I first clear embossed the little dots. Next sponged Pacific Point randomly (turned out to be a > shape at the bottom and kind of a line across the top). Then I sponged Not Quite Navy next to the Pacific Point areas. Moving outward a little bit, I sponged Night of Navy next to the Not Quite Navy. And finally, I added some black at the very edges. I'm thinking I should have taken pics and written a tutorial as I'm not sure the description is enough here. OK, its on my list of things to do.

The images are colored with Copics, cut out, and glued into place. I used a little embroidery thread to make the cable connecting the astronaut to the ship. The planet is a embossed circle with some grey sponging.

PS: Not sure why the sentiment looks so blurry here and the rest is fine....looks ok IRL. Sorry.

Stamps: Lizzie Anne Designs Out of this World, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Hanna Stamps Things Hanna Would Say
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Papertrey White (card base)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Basic Grey, Versamark
Accessories: Embroidery Thread, Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder, Crop-a-dile Corner Chomper, Clear detail embossing powder

Enjoy!
Michelle B.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Asian Bird


Still working that birthday card list here.....I actually made two of these as I thought there were two people on my birthday list who would enjoy this scene. The idea is a direct CASE of a card I did at a Michelle Zindorf class. You can see her version way down by her signature on THIS post. Definately take a Michelle Zindorf class if you get the chance!

The large bird, branches, and flowers are stamped and embossed. Then the sky is brayered in. A torn post it note serves as a mask to sponge in a few mountains. Finally, the shadow bird, branch, and flowers are stamped in.

Stamps: Innovative Stamp Creations Tranquil
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pacific Point
Ink: Versamark, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Really Rust, Tangerine Tango, Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Creamy Caramel,
Accessories: Clear detail embossing powder, Photo corners punch


Enjoy!
Michelle B.

PS: Yes, I finished the inside as well (keeping with my goals this year)!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

FS209 Lizard Skin



For today's Featured Stamper Challenge, I choose THIS card to CASE. I kept the blue/green color scheme but darkened them, I kept the basic elements of the sketch but simplified and turned it, and I kept the embossed green card base but made mine into "lizard skin".

The "lizard skin" was made using the Faux Leather technique (except I didn't add any colored ink as I forgot!). I also added a little "lizard skin" to the colored image. First I colored with Copics as I normally would:



Then I took an old wash cloth that had some texture to it and I poured a little Copic clear blender refill on it. I pressed the washcloth into the green colored areas of the dragon and held there for 2-3 seconds. When I lifted the washcloth it leaves a little bit of texture as it lifts some of the color. The challenge here is not to get this into the presents!


A simple sponged sky and sponged ground finished the scene.

Stamps: High Hopes Gavin the Givin’ Dragon, High Hopes Got Cake?
Paper: GP110, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Bashful Blue, Pear Pizzazz, Versamark
Accessories: Cuttlebug Tiny Mosaic Embossing Folder, clear detail embossing powder, EK Success Dotted Wave Punch, Copics, Nesties Labels 8


Enjoy!
Michelle B.