Some of this, a little of that...Original.

Hey, friends! I have had so many fall cards to make over the past few weeks for swaps. I couldn't be happier, because that must mean Fall is on the way! I am done with heat, I am ready for rich colors dripping from trees, the hum of happiness in the air, and homemade stews simmering on the stove. I didn't do a traditional 'Fall' card with an autumn saying, or for a Fall holiday. I went with my feelings about fall, the colors, the comfort. What I ended up with is vintage in style, fall in color, and original in application. I, quite by accident, discovered a new technique that I love:)

We all know how to clear emboss an image, then sponge/brayer over it, then place the image face down on a few paper towels and use an iron on high heat to remove the embossing. Right? It's nothing new. But, it covers the embossed area, allows you to fill around it, then allows the embossing to be removed, leaving smooth paper. It's cool, I have been doing it forever. But, usually after I sponge all around the image, I will lightly mist a paper towel with Stampin Mist and buff the ink off of the embossed areas. No reason, I just always do. Well, tonight I did not. I left the ink on, and went straight to ironing the embossing off. What is left is really neat. Some of the ink pulled back onto the image after ironing. It's great! I won't always do it, but it's a different look. For those who can't tell what I am yakking about (don't worry, happens all the time), click on the first picture and look at the white areas. They should be solid white. This time, they're not. I will be making this mistake more often! I love the look.

Since I went off on a talking spell there (again, happens all the time), I will end this post here. I just want to point out the detail pic below and how much taking time to properly 'age' papers really makes the vintage feel work. K...that's all, like I promised! Supplies listed below...

Finished size: 5"x5"

Supplies: All from SU!
Stamps: Medallion, Define Your Life
Paper: Early Expresso, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink: Early Expresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, VersaMark
Punches: Wide Oval, Modern Label, Word Window
Accessories: Chantilly Crochet Trim, Square Rhinestone Brad (Fire), Clear EP, Sponges, Dimensionals, Stick Strip --- Household Iron

A Patriotic Birthday...

Here is a fun card I made for a Red, White and Blue swap in honor of the 4th of July. Due to some major water damage and our floors getting ripped up, I didn't get time to make it until after the 4th. But, I think it's something you could use most anytime. This card uses two brand new colors to the SU Color Collections...Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist! They look really good together! I stamped the Medallion BG stamp in Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White CS. I then stamped a partial image in Marina Mist. I matted each on the opposite color. Added a sentiment from Whimsical Words, and punched it out with the Wide Oval punch, and finished the card with a star brad from the Styled Silver HPH in the center of the Medallion. I almost feel like it's missing something, but I decided to leave it as is. SUO!
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Supplies:
CS = Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist
Ink= Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist
Stamps= Medallion, Whimsical Words
Accessories= HPH, Wide Oval Punch
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I hope everyone is the blogosphere is doing well! I will be caught up on my blog groups and other online things ASAP! We have had some setbacks at home, to say the least. I am glad to be back in full swing! Stop by and visit again, and I will be visiting you, too!

Vintage Medallion...

I am thoroughly enjoying being part of a swap group now! The theme of this swap is All About Vintage. Those of you who follow me regularly may immediately realize that this is not my normal style! I went WAY off the beaten path to create this vintage beauty (if I do say so myself...LOL). I haven't mailed this yet (I have a feeling I won't be one of those who can wait), so if the recipient sees it early, I hope she likes it! So, when I think vintage I always think of sepia type brown tones, and either light blue or light pink with it. Everyone has a different take on vintage, and apparantely this is mine. I started by running Very Vanilla through the Big Shot with a Damask texture plate (it shows IRL!!!), then stamping the Medallion in VersaMark and clear embossing. Followed by brayering Creamy Caramel over the entire thing. Then heavily sponged the edges in Chocolate Chip (after abusing the edges with my bone folder☺). A little spritz of stamp cleaner on a sponge and it cleaned the Medallion back off with no problem! Layered on some patterned paper by Provo Craft (I am working on my stash!), torn and wrinkled in the bottom edge. Layered on Pink Pirouette with the bottom edge sponged in Creamy Caramel. All stuck to a Kraft base! The flower is the Scallop Circle with Bella Rose DSP, sponged with Creamy Caramel. I actually punched two and glued them back to back...I didn't want the bold red pattern on the other side messing up this card. Sprayed with water and balled up constantly until the paper was very weak. An old sewing stash button and crochet thread finish the flower. The ribbon is OLD Pretty In Pink, sponged with Creamy Caramel so it doesn't look so bright.

I have never done an all out vintage (this much anyway) card. What do you think? Did I achieve actually making it look old?

My Razzy Medallion

Ok, so by now everyone and their brother knows that the Medallion background is my all-time favorite stamp. I cannot stop using it! This time I paired it up with Rich Razzleberry and touches of Old Olive. The little strip of DSP is Cottage Wall topped with some Rich Razz ribbon. I spritzed the outside edges of the white layer with an Old Olive marker in the Color Spritzer tool. I used the marker to color a few little pieces within the Medallion. I added a single Mark Richards pearl in the center, and called her done. This, along with the Red/Black card in a previous post are my August club projects. This card is sentiment-free, when I need it, I will add one, but everything I tried distracted from my Medallion! Can't have that, now can we?

Real Red Medallion...

Every time I see this stamp, I just ache to make it RED!!! Red is my very favorite color, and I love pairing it with black! This one is really simple, but I wanted to share it anyway. I inked up the very popular new Medallion background stamp with Real Red, stamped it on Whisper White cardstock. I used a Pewter Build-a-Brad with a piece of scrap paper stamped with the small circle stamp from Circle Circus, and punched it out with the 1/2" punch. Basic Black and Real Red cardstock made a clean band across the front with Basic Black Grosgrain ribbon tied in the center. I LOVE the Define Your Life set, I just earned it free from SU (LOVE SU!), and the Happy definition is from that amazing set. The Happy Birthday on the bottom finishes this card off, and is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. I love this bold color combo!!! Below is a detail shot of the Build-a-Brad and the definition in the corner!

Soft Bermuda Medallion

I finally got some time to ink up my new Medallion background stamp!!! The image itself is so beautiful, I personally don't think you need to do too much to it. This card was really easy, and I would love to make a gift set of these and package them up, when I get that done, I will post it here as well. The circle is 5" cut with the Creative Memories system, that is the only non SU thing I own that I will never part with! I stamped the Medallion in Soft Suede, then spritzed the card with the Bermuda Bay Marker with the Color Spritzer Tool, colored a few dots with BB, and used some Crystal Effects on those part. I decided it was too plain, so I added a punch of Boho Blossom in the center to frame my Filigree Designer brad, which is set with a Clear Rhinestone brad. I scored down one side, punched two holes, and ran ribbon through holding the back of the card on. The picture below is a little peek of the inside! Enjoy! I had a great time making this!