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

Another Mystery Package....

I know I have posted before about the online swap group I take part in. I love it! We do monthly Mystery Swaps. The partners are random, and we send 'ingredients' to our partner so she can make a card with them and post a picture on our online forum for the rest of the group to see. It's fun, and it forces me to work with products and things I normally wouldn't. Here's the package I just received for July... Now, red is my fave color, so I thought this would be SO easy. But, I do not, ever, under any circumstance use stickers of any kind on my creations. So, that threw me for a loop. We do not have to use every single thing sent, and can add minimal items to it. I left out only the bow sticker. Here's what I came up with.

The card base was bigger than my standard fave size of A2, so I trimmed it down. Then it was too white for the other papers, so I sponged some Cherry Cobbler lightly around the edges. The red paper was too bright for the base then, so I covered it with torn and battered velleum. The papers were run through the Big Shot with the Top Note Die. I then cut strips and matched it up alternating the heart paper with the shimmery white paper. I punched the stamped image, and used stickers to adhere the vellum over it. I wrapped the whole card base in crochet thread before adhering the top layer. I like it. I wanted a vintage feel so the colors really needed muting. I didn't waste paper either, here's what I did with the die cut negative...

I framed the inside of the card where the sentiment and written message will go. Someone is definitely getting this for V-Day in 2011 :) Now, I just have to work on Christmas!

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Hope you all like it. Supplies are unknown as everything was sent to me. Dies and punches, as well as inks I added are SUO as always:)

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?