Something New, Something Double Sponged

I'm going to tell you right off that this card is not what I intended to make.  Let me guide you to a blog where a beautiful card appears and the technique is perfected.  The technique I was trying to use to create a special panel is called  Double Sponging and is similar to the emboss/resist technique. Two wrong tries later, I came up with the technique, but not really.  Clear as mud?

I'm going to let you see how these cards are supposed to turn out by directing you to Cecilia's Cards and then to Our Daily Bread Designs.  I think my Faded Jeans Distress ink was too dark as one of the first layers.   Nevertheless, I am not unhappy about the result and will try this technique again, hopefully to better effect.  The smaller panel, on which the butterfly sits is my attempt at the new technique.

The whole card seems to have a depth that pulls the eye to the panel.and I'm entering this card in the Oozak January 2013 Challenge (Anything Goes and Pink and Bling), the Hero Arts January 2013 challenge (going with the "Try Something New" part of the challenge), the Simon Says Stamp blog challenge (Something New) and A Blog Named Hero (try a new technique).

Recipe:
Hero Arts Dots and Flowers background stamp S5213
Hero Arts Cling Butterflies (3 images) CG130
Hero Arts Glow Girl (hello!) CL650
Distress markers
Distress inks Faded Jeans, Shabby Shutters & Dusky Concord.  
Bling - green square glass gems
Ranger Stickles Glitter Glue
Sheer aqua ribbon
Cuttlebug
Spellbinders oval
Navy blue panel has gold webbing sprayed on it.  (Don't attempt spraying webbing in the wind)

Die Cut Divas - January 2013 - Thank You!

I'm playing hostess on Die Cut Divas the month of January.and wondered what the challenge should be.  I know we're all looking at the NEW year and Starting FRESH in different areas, but then I thought we should say "Thank you" to all the people we need to thank and sometimes forget.  What about the present your sister gave you for Christmas or the friend who met you for breakfast?  "Thank you" for all you mean to me.  Thank you also to everyone of you who visits, posts, shares!

The January 2013 Theme for Die Cut Divas is "Thank You", so if you're using a die-cut machine, visit the Die Cut Divas.

I'm thanking my fellow moderators for everything they do month after month, coming up with fresh ideas ways to contribute to the group.

Here are two examples to get you thinking.   The new Hero Arts Dot Flower Pattern cling stamp is featured in both cards.

The car is a Hero Arts digital stamp and the Eiffel Tower is a die-cut.  Hero Arts ribbon & pearls colored with a Copic Marker

A butterfly embellishment from Michaels & some flowers under a bit of lace with green ribbon.  The"Thanks" is from the Hero Arts Glow Girl clear set.

Christmas isn't over yet!

I didn't want to make this card.  It made me make it... really!

I received the new HeroArts Cling Stamp Dot Flower Pattern and couldn't put it down.  Once I had this pattern stamped and die cut into a circle, it begged for a red frame.  Loving this scalloped circle from Spellbinders, I searched for red paper and try as I could, I couldn't help but get my hero Arts snowman and trees out.  The rest is history.  I never would have thought of using this background for Christmas, but now I can imagine it in emerald green and other bold colors.  I am very happy with this wonderful background stamp. Thank you again, Hero Arts - part of my stash for the Pin To Win Contest.

Recipe:
Hero Arts Dot Flower Pattern (CG335)
Hero Arts Joy Snowman (657781) Snowman and die-cut trees
Black Enamel Accents on the hat
Silver Stickles on the scarf
Distress Ink Fired Brick on white glossy cardstock embossed with heat tool
Diamond Stickles used on trees and dots in the middle of the flowers - more glitter.
Cuttlebug
Spellbinders Circles and Scalloped Circles
Glue Dots for trees
Pop Dots for Snowman

Pin to Win - I WON!

I won the stash from Hero Arts Pin to Win contest on Pinterest and received the wonderful items above.  I love my new stamps and had to make a card from my stash.  This was so easy and effortless and I never make cupcakes on my cards.  First for me.  I really love the colors.  A few pop-dots for the cupcake and a glue-dot on the stars.   As I work with my stash, I'll post them here and on my Pinterest Board..

I have that "tired ol' feeling", sure hope it's not the flu.  I want a little break in card-making, some sit-back and read a book or watch a movie time.

Thanks for visiting.

Second Post of the Day - WASHI TAPE

You should visit Small t Creations and enter her contest which is ever so easy.  You can see the prize on the right side of my blog.  Click, read and enter!

Did you know you could use Washi tape in your gift wrapping for Christmas, well, anytime!   Visit now!

Anything Goes + Red

My second entry for the Oozak blog challenge.  Anything goes plus Red.  I was going to use this Art Impressions image for Christmas, but he's going to a special person I need to thank.  He's fun to color and not too bad to cut out.  Love these kind of nutty characters.

Pattitudes: Tag Giveaway!

Pattitudes: Tag Giveaway!

Thank you for offering those wonderful tags.

I have a Facebook account, but I don't see any follow button.  I wrote that I liked your Facebook page, but I don't use Facebook much.  I am following two of your Pinterest boards.  :)   I am following your blog.  If you tell me how to follow you on Facebook, I'll follow you anywhere.  LOL

Arlene   - flickr - Clarian's Hawk * Arlene