Sisters Forever, No Matter

I just finished up my second grungy portrait piece, and I'm thrilled you are here to share it with me!

 As usual, nothing according to plan, but a happy result never-the-less!  I started with this slim cigar box from my huge pile (s).  When I was looking through my box of ephemera, I came across these two old (1938-39) original report cards.  I have no idea where they came from, and I hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings by using them.  Bless their hearts, these two sisters from Craven County were not the greatest academic achievers. Sadly, "Beluah" (although I think her teacher spelled her name wrong on her report card) didn't have it in the Phys. Ed or Drawing department either.  But they each had gifts all their own, as we all do!

Inside of cigar box.

Beluah is embracing imperfection by leaving a dirty thumbprint.

The background paper is a page torn out of my 1920's arithmetic primer; photocopied and distressed.

I photocopied my little treasures and found one of my own found relatives (given to me by a crafting buddy) and one from Tim's paper stash (not sure which one--they are all cut up at this point).  Beluah and Carrie must have been sisters, and they were in the 6th (and will be again, judging from her report) and 8th grades, respectively.  Beluah seems to have a devil-may-care, daring streak, but is willing to embrace her imperfection. In fact, she even leaves a thumbprint on her scrapbook journaling.  Carrie on the other hand, is sweet and tries hard at her studies...she is determined. And she cares deeply for her sister.

 I have to admit I gave the wrong cabinet card to the wrong sister.  Beluah doesn't take as much care of herself or her belongings--her report card is torn up and her best piece of jewelry looks like it's been run over a time or two. (And in real life it has!  I picked it up along side the road!) She was supposed to get the torn and scruffed up photo frame. Oops!  It's time to embrace my own imperfection!

"Sisters" is stamped on a fabric scrap and edges frayed.

Lots of Tim Holtz techniques were used on my collage from his CC Vols. 1,2 and 3.  The kids had exams these past few weeks and I've been spending a LOT of time waiting in the school parking lot, so I've taken along some reading material to inspire this piece.  From Vol. 1:  Altered metal with paint on the Snippets pin. Modified Dimensional Collage using pin setting and Crackle Accents for Stand Boldly embellishment. Altered Metal Alcohol Inks on the label frame and spring clip.. From Vol. 2:  Crumpled Kraft Suede for my Beluah background. Spritz and Flick Distress--duh!  When DON'T I use that! Blended Stains on the mini cabinet cards (modified). Faux patina (modified) on cabinet cards. Re-purposed Packaging  (modified) on frame windows. From Vol. 3:  Cabinet Card Pocket for frames.  Distress Photo Tinting on both girl's photos. Layering Stencils: Monoprint on fabric swatch and under Carrie's frame. Frayed Fabric under Beluah's and Carrie's frame and on Sisters embellishment. Tim Holtz inspiration?  Hmmm...I think so!  This is the best way to list the details of this project without writing my own book, so if you have any questions, please feel free to leave me a comment, and I will try to answer right away.

Crumbled Kraft Suede technique.

Frayed Fabric with Monoprinting. Can you see the stenciled letters in the background?

Beluah--isn't she tough?

Carrie takes time to put some new red paint on the old barn door!

This project was just great fun to make, and once I got my girls lined up the rest just fell into place. This is not meant in any way to poke fun at the real girls behind the report cards, but rather to give them a personality and a face.  This also reinforces my favorite Tim quote:  "Embrace imperfection".

That's one of my old real cabinet cards in the shadow.

And my old Arithmetic book

I hope you've enjoyed my creative journey with this one.  Thank you, as always for stopping by and leaving your treasured comments! Hugs and blessings!

Sara Emily


The Artistic Stamper January's Challenge "New Beginnings"

A Vintage Journey Challenge 23 "Use a Portrait"

Country View Challenge "Use Something New to You" My new products used are Mini Cabinet Cards and New Brilliance Black Lightning ink.  Although several of Tim's techniques are old, they are new to me--Crumpled Kraft Suede (as outlined by Tim, anyway), Frayed Fabric, and Monoprint--first time I've tried them.

Mixed Media Challenge #8 "something New For the New Year" New products and new techniques to me as listed above.

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start" I'm getting a fresh start with a couple of techniques new to me, a couple of new products--both listed above.  And the girls are hoping to get a fresh start in their academic careers.

Fashionable Stamping Challenges #89 "Something New" I've given some new stash a try:  Mini Cabinet Cards and Brilliance ink Black Lightning.  I've tried a few new Tim Holtz techniques --new to me, anyway!

Rhedd's Creative Spirit Altered Art/ Mixed Media Only

Paper Artsy Topic #2 "Shiny Stuff" My first time linking up!  My shiny stuff are my photos, their frames, the kraft"suede" background paper, and my metal and star embellishments. I was inspired by the Treasured Gold colors and the projects that were made using them.

The Mirror Cracked #5 Stencils  I used Tim Holtz' Cargo stencil for monoprinting on fabric and paper.

Gentlemen's Club

Good Morning!  I'm here today to share with you a vintage photo collage inspired by the one and only Tim Holtz.  I think he may have been snooping around my Closet when he came up with that vintage looking flip photo frame! I think Tim and I were separated at birth, except he is MUCH older than me (TEE HEE)! And honest to Goodness, my plan was to finally use my  vintage flip stand for the latest challenge at A Vintage Journey  before his new Idealogy debuted. I am lucky enough to have a vintage one in the shape of a frame, too, but it is in need of some repair work. Hoarding Saving that for another day.

Any-hoo, here is my take on take on the challenge to use a portrait.  I looked high and low for a beloved photo of my Dad on a pony taken when he was a boy, and guess when I found it? Yup, after most of my work was done.  Maybe that will go in the wooden frame mentioned above.  Instead I am using one of Tim's Found Relatives.  This one spoke to me...a Gentlemen's Club where one can only be admitted by special invitation and if you are of the male persuasion.  These fellas don't look too happy...maybe if they invited some WOMEN they would have far more FUN in their club!

The cards that came on this flip thingy were way too small for me to fit much of what I wanted to put on, so I cut one the right size out of card stock.  Twenty-twenty hindsight teaches me to choose a heavier weight card next time.  I used black texture paste and Tim's Gothic stencil for the background.  When dry I swiped on some Brilliance Lightning Black ink.  So hard to capture on the camera, and photos were taken at night, but there is this exquisite depth and shimmer to the background, making it look like old embossed leather.

Next, I carefully removed the backing from the Found Relatives card and added card stock to both resulting pieces.  I made a puddle of Brushed Pewter and Vintage Photo stains mixed with a spritz of water, and swiped the backing piece through that.  Blasted with the heat gun.  I chose which gentlemen I wanted in my frame, and splotched on alcohol inks (Caramel and Silver Mixative) to the remaining portions to give a look of the old tin-type photos.  (Very effective in real life; not so in the photos) I used Tim's Distress Photo Tinting technique from CC3 for the one particularly fine gentleman.

Please "scuse the glare!

I used of one of my new small cabinet cards for the frame, and after removing the back, I scuffed it with sandpaper, stamped with a few of Tim's images in Archival ink and textured it with my new silver Arto Texture Paste and Tim's Burlap stencil. I used a variety of Distress inks, stains and alcohol inks to achieve the look I was going for.

I backed some of Tim's filmstrip with his rub-ons and distressed the paper with DI's.  I inked up a brass clip thingy from my stash with alcohol inks and clipped a piece of cord in it.

I was so inspired by Brenda's Faux Rust tutorial that I had to give it a go on this project.  Only I had to try it with some different Ranger and Tim's products, as I didn't have the ones she used.  It's an awesome, easy to follow tutorial, so be sure to hop over and check it out if you love rust like I do! Pure inspiration!  I personally have never seen it done the way I made faux rust, and the outcome was purely found by experimentation, not from another source.  I would like to share it with you, but that will have to be in a future post.

I die cut grunge board using my new Hardware Findings die and used my rust technique on the key and lock.  I attached the lock with brads that I also gave a rust treatment. The pieces are to symbolize the exclusivity of the Club. The clip from Recollections and the Idea-ology drawer pull and brads also got "rusted".  I used a Tim rub-on for the tab in the drawer pull, and used Distress markers to color it.  The Idea-ology bingo marker was distressed using DI and adhered to the clip to mark the year of this photo-op.

I have to say it feels good to be back on grungy ground again after several shabby projects!  I know not everyone is into this sort of thing, but I'm quite happy with my reminder that I will never be invited into the Gentlemen's Club!

Thank you for stopping by and for all your lovely, heart-warming comments!  I read and deeply appreciate all your feedback! Blessings and hugs!

Sara Emily



I would like to enter this into the following inspiring challenges:

A Vintage Journey Challenge 23 "Use a Portrait" I think my Tim influence is written all over this!  Thank you for another great challenge!

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start" My new products are in bold text.  Thank you for another great challenge!

Craft Hoarders Anonymous January Challenge "Choose Your Challenge"  Color medium: Ink, markers.  Fiber: cord.  Techniques: Stamping, die cutting, mixed media.  Texture: Embossing, metal.   Embellishment: Ephemera, brads, found objects (I found my stand at a yard sale!). Thank you for another great challenge!

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #8 "Something New For the New Year"  My new products are in bold text.  I tried a new rust technique! Thank you for another great challenge!

Country View Challenges "Use Something New to You" My new products used are in bold text.  I tried a new rust technique!  Thank you for another great challenge!

Artist Trading Post Exchange "Fresh Beginnings" New products used in bold text.  I tried a fresh new technique and several other techniques that are new to me, but borrowed.  Thank you for this fun challenge!

The Artistic Stamper January's Challenge "New Beginnings" My new products are in bold text.  I tried a new rust technique! Thank you for another great challenge!

Paper Artsy Topic #2 "Shiny Stuff" My first time joining in!  Lots of shiny and not so shiny stuff on this! I was inspired by Linda Cains' box and the rusted elements on it.

The Mirror Cracked #5 Stencils I used Tim Holtz Burlap and Gothic Stencils on the Cabinet card and background respectively. Thank you for another great challenge!

Frosty!

Hello, again!  I'm back to use some more of my Christmas leftovers for the challenge at   Our Creative Corner.  And now it's back to that Tim Holtz snowflake again, as I made a wintry card for my sister, who is coming for a visit.  I wanted to make her a special card, and since it does not have to go through the mail, it can be really dimensional.  I used some fragile embellishments here, too, that would probably not survive a postal trip.

Nancy, at Frilly and Funkie chose "Winter Wishes" for this fortnight's theme, and I was instantly reminded of the cold frosty (not snowy) days we've been having here lately.  I've attempted to achieve that frosted look through use of glitters, sprays, embossing powders, metallic paints and color choices. This is one of those projects that just does not photograph well--perhaps with a better camera and a better photographer!

As for the Christmas leftovers, mine are from my Christmas tree and from some Christmas crafts I've posted throughout the year. (yes, even one from September-- my Christmas Assemblage Clock).  To list them:  Balsa wood leftover from a snowflake die cut--negative piece (shown below), snowflakes die cut from acetate waste packaging and hung on my tree, the silver cord I hung them with, some  pieces of a glittery, gold Christmas stem, some pieces cut from a glittery, gold vintage snowflake I used in my Assemblage Clock (still on my desk from September!!), acetate negatives from Movers and Shapers snowflakes I die cut, and a die cut poinsettia I was practicing Pamellia's UTEE techniques on (which can be found here in her amazing tutorial). I can guarantee you, these things did not look so good strewn all over my worktop, so this was a good opportunity for me to clean up!  I also needed my card QUICK, because my sister will be here tonight! It's great to have these pieces to build on.

Now, for some new stuff...Pumice Stone Distress glitter (LOVE!!!), and that cute little gumdrop (50% off at Hobby Lobby yesterday) both purchased specially for this card with my gift card I received from my generous family for Christmas. I did not know glitter until I found Distress Glitter, even though I have a drawer FULL.

Let's get started with how I did this!  First I gave the balsa wood a coat of gesso. Once dry, I painted with Distress paints to get an old barn-wood look (my sister is a barn-girl, but their barn is red--not the look I wanted). When that dried, I used texture paste through a TCW stencil, and while the paste was still wet, sprinkled on some Pumice Stone glitter.  Set that aside to dry.

This is the one I didn't use!

Next, I made 2 background papers, well actually a few more than that, but the others will be for a future project or 5.  The first BG paper is on a good quality gloss paper, using various Distress Paints spritzed with water to get my snowflake background (in the balsa wood cut out of finished card) drying between layers.  Once I achieved the look I wanted,  I  spritzed with Dylusions white spray and Ranger Perfect Pearls sprays, spritzed with water, and dried with a heat tool.  I used the included texture fade from the Layered Snowflake die set to emboss the snowflake.

The second background paper (shown below) is made with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist Tattered Leather spray (gorgeous sparkle in person) through a Recollections stencil.  While still slightly wet, I spritzed with water to get a faded look.  When dry I inked with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink, and distressed edges with my distressing tool.

Now for those embellishments!  I took off the silver cord from my acetate snowflake ornaments I made for my Christmas tree (now safely taken away in the sanitation truck).  The little snowflakes were completely covered in Diamond Dust, and all I had to do is spritz them with Perfect Pearls spray.  The larger flake was made with the Layered Snowflake die and only the tips had been Diamond Dust-ed.  I left that one just as it was fresh from the tree.

If you look real hard you can see the clear acetate snowflake peeking out. And some of that red reflecting off the underlying layers! UGH!

I gussied up the gold foliage with embossing powder and chunky glitter using my new embossing dabber for the embossing powder and multi matte medium for the glitter.  Coverage wasn't the best, but it looked close to the effect  the gold glittery vintage snowflake parts had, so I stopped there.

The poinsettia (chosen because my sister is a grower in Missouri at her/hubby's farm Hilltop Farms, and in the fall they grow and sell gazillions of poinsettias) was red/white (again, not the look I was going for--so I had to alter it) and had a few layers of UTEE on it.  I spritzed the daylights out of it with Perfect Pearls Turquoise spray, and allowed it to puddle and dry.  Still not completely out of the red zone yet, so I wiped on some Brushed Pewter Distress paint, and sprinkled on some Pumice Stone glitter randomly.  It still has hints of red, but I'm happy with the look (I think it shows more with the lighting I used to photograph the card than in real life). The gumdrop was added without any further embellishment--perfect from the package.

I choose a light blue cardstock for the card base, and using an acetate negative (like a stencil) from the Movers and Shapers snowflakes I die cut for my tree in December (yep, I keep everything!),  I used the embossing dabber and white embossing powder to add a few snowflakes for my frosty scene.  We do get to see a flake or two here in the south.

The Christmas leftovers, all frosted up, were assembled, and now I have a beautiful card to gift my sister with when she arrives in a few hours!  I'm so excited!

This shot captures some of the layering and glittery-ness, as well as the larger clear acetate snowflake.  I snapped this in the morning natural light, but it is quite cloudy today, so not the best photo.

Thank you for visiting and if you leave a comment, it will be treasured! I will be guesting for Country View Challenges at the end of the month, so be sure to stop back--I have something really unique in store for you!

Warm Crafty Hugs!

I would like to enter this in the following inspiring challenges:
Our Creative Corner "Christmas Leftovers" Please see my list above for all the leftovers I used.

Frilly and Funkie "Winter Wishes Challenge" Winter here means lots of frost, but only a flake or two of snow.

Country View Challenges "Use Something New to You" My new products are in bold text above.

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start"  I've given my old leftovers a fresh start, and I've used a few fresh new  products.  I'm also giving my work top a fresh start by cleaning up all the leftovers!

Crafting By Designs "Anything Goes"

Love to Create #149 "Add Snow Flakes"

Deep Ocean Challenge Blog #95 "Winter Dreams"

Fan-Tastic Tuesday Challenge #68 "Anything Goes. With A Twist-Use Something Re-Cycled" I've used re-cycled balsa wood off cuts from another project and other project rejects, re-cycled acetate waste packaging,  re-cycled bits from craft floral and snowflakes, re-cycled cording from ornaments, acetate die cut off cuts for stencils.

Craft Hoarders Anonymous January Challenge "Choose Your Challenge"  Coloring Medium:  Paint, spray mist, ink.  Fiber: cord.  Technique: Die cuts and Mixed Media.  Texture:  Distressing tool, embossing (heat and dry) and wood.  Embellish:  Bling and lots of found items!

Mixed Media Monthly #8 "Something New For the New Year" My newly acquired products are in bold text above. I also tried something new with old leftovers from previous projects.

Butterfly Canvas

Hello!  I'm back again today to share a "canvas" I've made almost entirely of Christmas leftovers, and with a few old favorites and new things sprinkled in. I knew I wanted to try a canvas for my first project of the year, and the first thing I laid eyes on in my Closet was a plastic-y, rubbery lid I was trying some heat embossing on for my "Christmas-y Things" gift box. This could be my "canvas". That's as far as it got--I hit a creative block. When I heard that Pamellia over at Our Creative Corner was hosting a challenge for us to use our Christmas leftovers, and I had JUST thrown out a wadded up ball of white tissue from a late arriving Christmas package, I just had to go dumpster diving!

This is what the lid looked like prior to altering. This is shown on a base which I did not use for this project.

So there's my substrate--a technique I've never used before, but I've seen many others do, so why not give it a try.  Gel medium and tissue applied with lots of wrinkles--pretty cool so far.  Now what???  I'm thinking a butterfly...but what colors will I use?  I'm still stuck on Christmas-y colors.  This is the longest creative block I've ever had in my LIFE!

I have to say with ALL sincerity my kitty picked the color palette for this canvas.  To explain,  I was putting  away some pretty sparkly tissue that my sister had wrapped her late Christmas gift to me in (most of my family members are ready for Christmas around New Years!).  My furball pulled these gold and white and sparkly bright papers from the box. Aha!  Roger got those creative juices flowing again! From there this project just grew and grew, and I've never had so many ideas pour into my head!  I tried them all!  Some got tossed, some used on my last project and some for the future.

That's my crafty cat, Roger! He has a "thing" for tissue paper and pipe cleaners!

I can't go through every step that I did, because this post would be way longer than it already is going to be (and I can't remember it all--happened too fast).  I can say that I used the white gift tissue paper on all surfaces, front and back of the gift box lid. I used Distress stains in the assigned color palette chosen by Roger followed by some stamping (Tim Holtz) with Archival ink. (I used my new Picked Raspberry stain)  I cut the text from the printed tissue, selected by my kitty, and applied with Gel Medium.

                                                

When completely dry, I used a TCW stencil with Crackle texture paste.  Some of the stain bled through, but not enough for my liking. So when the paste was fully dry, I used coordinating Distress inks rubbed into the cracks.  Still not bold enough, so I used some Perfect Medium applied randomly and dusted on  Pearl Ex in Duo red/blue.  Now that's what I was going for! Beautiful, bold color!

Next some new Glue and Seal and clear micro beads to leave a magical trail, as butterflies do!

To finish my background, I used Perfect Medium on a new Studio 112 stamp and dusted with Perfect Pearls in a bold blue. I applied a spray fixative, because the Pearl Ex was rubbing off. You should see the shimmer in person!

All staining, stamping, beading,  and texturing was wrapped around all 4 sides.

The completed background.

Now onto my butterfly-- die cut from Tim Holtz' Layered Butterfly and embossed with the included embossing folder.  If you haven't added this to your pile of dies yet, I strongly recommend you do!  You will use it over and over! For the record, this is the first time I've used the embossing folder that is included, so this is new, too!

I cut two butterflies from fabric, which were embossed with the folder inked up with Distress stains and misted with water.  I applied some gel medium to the backs, and when dry, ran them through the embosser again. I cut the wings off and discarded the body.  I creased wings, and dipped the edges in Distress stain on one set and added micro beads and Pearl Ex to the other.

I cut two additional butterflies--one from a piece of the Christmas tissue Roger selected, and another from a piece of glassine-like wrapper from the Christmas pears from Harry and David (a fruit from Heaven).  Both were cut  and embossed in conjunction with waxed paper, so they have a bit more "body" to them. I removed and discarded the body. The backs were dusted with Pearl Ex, and the pink also had Pearl Ex added to the front. I used Crystal Stickles wiped on with my finger to both and a couple of dots on the wing tips on the pink.

Wrapping from pears received as a Christmas gift.

The Pearl Ex Duo Red/Blue really shows up on the pink wing in this photo.

Lots of pretty layers!

Antennae are made from ornament hook.

The Butterfly body is made from grunge board, textured with Crackle texture paste, dried and colored using a spray made from watered down Distress paint (I don't have the Distress sprays yet--so I'm being creative here). Metallic rubs were rubbed into the cracks.  When fully dry, I added clear micro beads to the edges.

Another Christmas leftover was used for the butterfly antennae --a forgotten ornament hook found by who other than my cat--this time, the ever-playful Biskit. Good idea, Biskit!  I bent them into a whimsical set and added my new Glue and Seal and the new-to-my-use Cloisonne High Gloss Granules (I've had these in storage for ages, but just found out how to use them--see previous post)and blasted them with my heat gun.  When still piping hot I dipped them into gold embossing powder and blasted them again.  The gold does not show up well on the camera--but it's there!

Now all assembled and ready to enjoy! Thanks for helping me out, Rog.

Thank you for stopping in to have a look, and as always, for your treasured comments!

I would like to enter this in the following inspiring challenges:

Frilly and Funkie "Anything Goes"

Mixed Media Place Creative Gym Exercise #3 "Wings" Lots of butterfly wings!

Our Creative Corner "Christmas Leftovers" Tissue paper, gift tissue, and printed gift tissue,  wrapping from Christmas pears, ornament hook, and an altered lid from a previous Christmas craft project "experiment piece".

Artist Trading Post Exchange "Fresh Beginnings" My Stamped images:  Tim Holtz  and Studio 112 New products, new way to choose a color palette, new ways to use leftovers, etc.

Country View Challenges "Use something New to You" New products in bold text, new way to choose color palette, and new ways to use an old "experiment" piece.

Fashionable Stamping Challenge #88 "Turn Up the Heat" I turned up the heat with my heat gun on the antennae to melt the Cloisonne granules and the embossing powder.

The Artistic Stamper January's Challenge "New Beginnings" Stamped images: Tim Holtz and Studio 112.  New products used in bold text, new techniques, new uses for old objects/products.

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge #133 "Anything Goes"

Inspiration Journal "Fresh Start"  I've got a fresh start on my creative juice from my cats--of all things!

Crafting By Designs "Month Long Anything Goes in January"

Decidedly Different

Sorry, lovely people, that I've been missing in action since the calendar turned to 2015.  Happy New Year!  I've finally gotten to get in my Closet and craft today for the first time in the new year!  I wanted to try out some of the new goodies I received as the most thoughtful gifts.  Let's see what I can do with them!

There are many challenges this time for us to use or try something new, so I have tried something I've never done before--make an all white, shabby, feminine card!  The Challenge over at Cheery Lynn is to create an all white card using at least one Cheery Lynn die.  Only the image may have color--thank goodness!  I was about to go nuts trying to make a card with no color at all And as you know, photographing an all white card is quite a challenge in itself.

I used my only Cheery Lynn die which is brand spankin'new--French Lattice Small Frame.  I wanted to try a Cheery Lynn die out, since I've seen them used on so many beautiful cards around the blogs.  To get a little more out of my one die, I also used the bits that fall away after you cut.  Armed with so little, and limited to white,  I realized I need to focus on texture. By the way, I will definitely be purchasing more of these fabulous dies--they cut perfectly every time!

Here is what I did with my die and die cast offs:  I cut my lattice using the Cheery Lynn die out of plain white card stock.  I gave it two coats of  Shimmers Air Dry Perm-enamel which is also brand new to me--I've had it on my shelf for ages, and never used it.  I expected something blue and fuzzy to pop out when I opened the jar!  It gives a nice porcelain sheen to the paper, which I just could not pick up with the camera.  You're just going to have to go on faith with me, as I tell you, in person, this card shimmers and shines  from top to bottom! I embossed the bits with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.  First I tried the Shimmers on the embossed bits,  as was done with the lattice, but it just didn't give the card the look I was going for.  So into the tool chest I went and dug out another first use product for me, although I've had it for years--Cloisonne High Gloss Granules.  I had no idea how to use them, and have been hunting on the Internet for years trying to find something out about them with no luck (I bought these off someone whom I have lost contact with).  I did a little test strip using my new Ranger Glue and Seal, some micro beads, and the Cloisonne granules, because I wanted to see what would appear white on my background. Once dry, the micro beads weren't going anywhere, but the granules sloughed off.  So I blasted it with my heat gun, and there was the most beautiful porcelain surface before my eyes!  Happy accident for sure! By the way, I've tried using the granules with embossing ink with no luck. If you like UTEE, you would love this!  It only takes one layer to achieve what 5 or more does in UTEE! I only did one layer on my little bits, because I wanted the embossing to show.  I have this in 6 colors--lucky me!

The layer directly under the lattice is plain white card stock embossed with the same embossing folder, and each dot except those around the perimeter were high lighted with Crystal Stickles.  Very tedious, but well worth the view in person. This panel was popped up off the bottom panel which is a very thin, fine white finely textured paper.  I used texture paste through a Recollections stencil and while the paste was still wet, added Tim's Rock Candy Distress glitter with a light hand to give a hint of sparkle (couldn't get that on camera, either--trust me--it's there!). I distressed the edges and glued this to a card stock base.

I heat embossed white vellum with a stamp from Tim Holtz Urban Grunge and white embossing powder, then tore around the image and popped it off it's background with dimensional glue dots.

The swallow from my new Tim Holtz Bird Feather set was stamped in coffee Archival ink, painted with Distress markers and a waterbrush. I edged with Bundled sage for a shadow, but it kind of lost that shadowy feeling when I fussy cut the image.  To give it a little pizzazz, I added woodland microbeads.  I added some white fibers to finish.

Now here's why I made this special card...My Mom and sister are coming for a brief visit, and I am able to actually give my Mom a nice card without worrying it will get squished in the mail.  I think she'll love it!

Thank you for stopping in to take a look!  I love your sweet comments, and read and try to respond to each and every one! I should have another project posted in another day or two, which is quite different from anything I've made. After all, it's a New Year--time to try new things!  To tease you a little, I will let you know my kitty picked the color palette!

I would like to link this up to the following inspiring challenges:
Cheery Lynn Designs Challenge #166 "Winter Whites"

Frilly and Funkie "Anything Goes"

Mixed Media Place Creative Gym Exercise #3 "Wings" First time entering!  Thanks, Georgie!

Artistic Trading Post Exchange "Fresh Beginnings" I used 2 stamps on this card; my new products (to me) are in bold text.

Country View Challenges "Use Something New to You" All the products in bold text are new to me. I've also tried something new to me--a shabby, feminine style and a completely white card (except for the focal image).

Fashionable Stamping Challenges # 88 "Turn Up the Heat" I used heat embossing on the frame stamp, and heat gun to melt the Cloisonne granules.

The Mixed Media Card Challenge #7 "New" New products used are in bold text; my new style I've tried out is shabby, feminine, all white (except the image, of course).