I came home from Archivers yesterday with a Christmas sentiment stamp that I needed like a hole in the head, but it was so unique and stylish - a set designed by Ali Edwards at Technique Tuesday.
I knew that I wanted to use that first sentiment with a star in the upper corner, but my CAS card has taken me hours! First I tried glitter paper and a Christmas star punch - broke the punch, and the star looked lost by itself.
Then I tried a few dozen ways to add a blue square - punching, sponging, glimmer misting, etc. - when I finally hit on this technique to ink an acrylic block - I was thrilled!
But then came the simple little star. The glitter paper was too gold - it needed to be whiter, so clearly I would just add glitter. Have you really looked at different "white" glitters? Some have a pink cast, some blue, some are too white with no glitz, some show dark flakes. Yuck! I cannot tell you how many glittered stars I have on my desk - not to mention the glitter on my PJs, carpet and even eyebrows! The final star - which is NOT my Christmas star punch as that broke at the beginning of this saga - is a combo of Crystal Effects (or Glossy Accents) covering the star with some no-brand glitter all over it.
I wanted the sentiment to be slightly sparkle - a "moonlit" sparkle - so after I stamped it, I just sprinkled it with the same glitter - no embossing powder or heat-and-stick - and enough flakes stuck to give me the effect. You know how glitter sticks to everything - I don't know how long it will stay, but so far it has resisted me trying to blow it off.
So...now that you are thoroughly tired of me whining - here's the card. I really like it - but it definitely wasn't worth the hours I put it on it - particularly given that it should have been a 5 minute card!!
- Stamps: Technique Tuesday Good Cheer
- Paper: white
- Ink: Ranger Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass, Stormy Sky and Faded Jeans
- Accessories: Emaginations Star punch, glitter, Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
Just wonderful Kim, I love all the twinkle and that star is just fab! It was worth all the fiddling around!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much
Chrissie
"Less is More"
I know what you mean Kim. My first idea was to do a star but I just couldn't get it to look right, your's however looks fab, very 3D & sparkly, and I love the inky square. xx
ReplyDeleteThis was so worth the effort! Are you still sparkling?
ReplyDeleteI know it was a frustrating experience but it sure is a beautiful card. Now you can make lots of cards in that style and it'll only take minutes. : ) You worked all the kinks out.
ReplyDeleteI think it turned out perfect, Kim! :) All that effort... The "clean" and the "simple" part of this card might not have been in the process, but they're definitely in the end result! :) Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteI love how glitter looks on a card, but I really don't like the mess I always make with it!! It really does look like a simple card that could be completed in record time...bet you could do it now that you've had all that practice! LOL!! The end result was definitely worth it!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty I love the sparkle and dimension on your star, great sentiment too, Gay xxx
ReplyDeleteWow Kim! This card was certainly worth all the effort to create. A really trendy Christmas card. That start is soooo cool!
ReplyDeleteI think it was well worth the effort - I love the blue square and all the sparkle!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous. That sentiment is wonderful, and I love how you paired it with the inked square and sparkly star.
ReplyDeleteoooh it is gorgeous - worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteLinbyx
I know how you feel but we are all the while experimenting and trying new things even though it's so frustrating at the same time!!
ReplyDeleteWell worth the effort tho, I love the inked square for the star to sparkle from:)
Jenny x
Gorgeous stamps.... I would have bought them too!
Your card looks lovely - the shimmer on the verse is fab, and the star is really bright white! It was worth the effort. But I know what you mean when trying out stuff. You're never going to get rid of all the glitter :)
ReplyDeleteYour star is so sparkly and your night square is lovely with the varying degrees of blue. Super sentiment too. x
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fantastic, as ever Kim
ReplyDeleteThank you
LIM Mandi
This was definitely worth the effort! I've done lots of cards that took 2 or 3 hours for the first one and 10 minutes for the second one! Lol. Love the star and the non-traditional color. Very refreshing!
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, I just discovered the Ali Edwards stamps at Archivers too. I just love her style. Your card is adorable! It's clean and simple, but so elegant! Love the beautiful blues.
ReplyDeleteAnother card I was trying to comment on ... over the weekend. Glad I found some time to pop back and say how much I like this one. It is amazing how long we take on a single idea sometimes, isn't it. I love that pretty sparkle on the phrase!
ReplyDelete