January card challenge cards

Well, would you believe it? I managed to get some crafting in yesterday afternoon.

Things definitely didn't go quite as I envisaged, but I managed to get 2 cards out of my endeavours - despite being rather distracted by my annual binge rewatch of the BBC adaptation of Emma - love it!

First up this one which looks so much better in real life and not the dodgy winter daylight conditions.

I must confess I'd been wanting to use the Simon Says Stamp Bohemian Lace background stamp I bought last year with embossing powders on a navy background:

Stamps: Simon Says Stamp - Bohemian Lace, Simon Says Stamp - Look for the Miracles, MFT - Big Birthday Wishes
Other: Misti, sequins, embossing powder

I definitely think the background stamp is really effective with heat embossing, but it would be easier to photograph if it was white embossing on navy rather than metallic, but the navy and metallic element from the challenge is what inspired me!

I embossed it in Ranger Liquid Platinum then, so as not to cover up too much of the background, stamped the main sentiment on vellum with Hero Arts gold embossing powder.

The vintage cream card blank has been stamped with leaves from the Look for the Miracles stamp set around the edge just to echo the lace pattern and to tie in the navy colour scheme.

And of course some gold sequins finish it off.

This next card uses the off-cut of the blue/platinum background I'd stamped as I didn't want to throw it away. It didn't go too badly with an old MME collection I have from a few years ago – On Trend 2.

But heavens, that "Be Your Beautiful Self" foiled accent was a real pain to photograph!

Paper and ephemera: MME - On Trend 2 (r)
Stamp: Simon Says Stamp - Bohemian Lace
Other: sequins

I was determined to use as much as I could out of the ephemera pack while I had it spilled out on my desk, so I used two of the oversized flowers behind the greeting, plus a tag as some contrasting pattern peeking through.

I've completely emptied my card box and given all my existing cards to my mum, so this one will go live in there for a bit until an occasion presents itself. :)

Until next time!

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MFT - Big Birthday Wishes stamps Shop at: EH | SHC	Simon Says Stamp - Look for the Miracles stamps Shop at: SSS	Simon Says Stamp - Bohemian Lace background stamp Shop at: SSS	Lawn Fawn - Deep Sea ink pad Shop at: EH | SBC | SHC
Versamark ink pad Shop at: AZ | EH | SHC	Hero Arts - Gold embossing powder Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	Ranger - Liquid Platinum embossing powder Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	3M Scotch double-sided foam tape Shop at: AZ | EH
EK Success powder tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Lawn Fawn - Stamp shammy cleaner Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC | SHC	MISTI precision stamping tool Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Sizzix - Big Shot machine Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC
Thermoweb iCraft - Purple tape for die-cutting - 1 1/2" Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (maxi) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC	Tim Holtz - Tonic guillotine trimmer (small) Shop at: AZ | EH | SBC

Comments

[Sue Aspinall]

What stunning cards Nat. I love the stamp selection you've used and the gold against the blue is so striking.