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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Paper Smooches SPARKS Challenge

Here is the current inspiration picture for the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge. Cute! Obviously a baby theme, which I ignored. I'm just like that. I took inspiration instead from the colours (although mine are muted versions), the tag, the twine clothesline, the topstitching and the overall feminine feel. Here's what resulted:












Remember I'm still a newbie Cuttlebug owner, so this faux-letterpress technique is new and cool to me! I'm not sure you're really supposed to end up with that stippled look, but I like how it looks regardless. Besides, distress inks have interesting properties, so maybe you do get a stippled look. I used one of Kim's free digital images, and carefully watercoloured the flowers. (I find my printer ink can sometimes be smeary when watercolouring, but I was able to keep it clean this time.) I added a few leaves behind the flowers to give some contrast against the embossed layer. I love it when products from different companies coordinate: here the tag from Generations, the Divine twine, and the bundled sage distress ink. 
Be sure to pop in on Friday -- Operation Julie's Smile blog hop begins, and it's a BIG one!!! 


Supplies: cream & black cardstock, Paper Smooches digital stamp, Unity Gratitude=Joy stamp, Victorian velvet & bundled sage distress inks, CuttleBug Happy Birthday embossing folder, Generations tag sticker, Mrs. Grossman's happy birthday sticker, green Divine twine
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11 comments:

  1. Jen W.October 5, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    Gorgeous!! I haven't tried that faux-letterpress technique but I really must because it looks so cool. I really like the stippled look - it gives it even more texture. :)

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  2. Emily LeiphartOctober 6, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    This is gorgeous, Linds! That background sure packs a punch. It even looks embossed the way you've inked it!

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  3. Janna WernerOctober 6, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    Love that u ignored the baby theme :D Ur card is awesome! Hugs Janna

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  4. Savannah O'GwynnOctober 6, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    LOOOVE that color story--great embossing!! And I would never have guessed you were a newbie at the Cuttlebug! LOOOVE:)

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  5. DoneldaOctober 6, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    great interpretation of the inspiration piece! and I really like the stippled look!!

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  6. KarinOctober 7, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    I have been meaning to try this technique forever, thanks for reminding me...I LOVE the way this turned out and you rocked the challenge by ignoring the onesie ;)

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  7. AngelaOctober 7, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    Wow, that is way better-looking than the one and only time I tried faux letterpress. Maybe Distress inks are the key? I think I should try again, because your card is amazing! I love the green pops of color, too.

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  8. InkyfingersOctober 8, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Wow, I love what you did here. The stippled look is great and matting on the black card really makes it pop. I must try this technique.

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  9. Jocelyn OlsonOctober 8, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    This card is soooo pretty! I'm with you on the non-literal approach :) The faux-letterpress looks so good and I like the stippled look, too. The flowers are so graphic, they look great! Oh, and I use a heat gun before I color my digis to keep the smudges to a minimum. Awesome card!

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  10. AnonymousOctober 8, 2011 at 9:34 PM

    That background is amazing, makes for one fantastic card!

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  11. MegOctober 9, 2011 at 10:13 AM

    Oh, the stippled look looks totally cool, Linds! Love the perfect placement of the flowers and the coordination of all the sage green!

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