Sunday 9 January 2011

Another challenge ...

... the colours at The Play Date Cafe this week are just wonderful.  They've gone for a lovely fresh green, with silver and gold.  The inspiration picture is fantastic.



While I was tidying yesterday, I came across a piece of paper (well lots actually), but this one was just right for the challenge.  A great background paper with diamonds in shades of grees and a slightly distressed look to the edge of the paper.  I don't know who designed the paper as it came free with one of the magazines I buy.

I decided to get out an old stamp (I didn't make New Year Resolutions, but I do want to try and use old stamps) featuring an antique map of Europe.  I stamped the image with Versamark and then added two shades of embossing powder - silver and gold - naturally!  I painted the image using distress inks - giving a lovely soft image.  I did the same to this lovely maple leaf which I found in my stash.  The vellum greeting, which I think is lovely, also came from a paper set free with a magazine.  Out came my Spellbinders dies so that I could find an appropriate backing for the map image - I think it's the large scalloped rectangles.  I put the card (A5 silver card from stash) together, but it wasn't quite there and then I decided to add an ornate flourish, again embossed with both silver and gold.  The final touch was a pice of gold ribbon.  Really pleased with how this turned out.



Stamps:  Hero Arts - Vintage Map; Personal Impressions - Maple Leaf; Flourish from a QVC set
Inks:  Distress - Tattered Rose, Weathered Wood, Antique Linen, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint
Spellbinders: Large scalloped rectangles
Accessories:  Card, paper, ribbon and vellum greeting - from stash

We've woken to a wonderful day here in Wales - the sun is shining and the skies are blue - it's just really cold!!  It's always nice when it's like this - I feel full of energy and ready to go - which is fortunate as there's lots to do!  I want to finish the craft room - and make a few cards, of course!  There's the never ending pile of washing and ironing.  And I've got to make a start on my Open University assignment for my planets course - S196 - Planets: An Introduction.  It's interesting, but I've not given it the attention I should - I've been playing with cards instead :)

That's all for now - I hope to get back a bit later, but if not, I'll see you tomorrow.

17 comments:

Majo said...

This is wonderful!

I wonder how you got the two powders apart after having them all in one tray :)

scrapperjulia said...

This is an awesome card! Love that you used an older stamp and how you embossed and colored it, just beautiful!

GinaA said...

Great card, with a really appropriate sentiment.
How do you find time to do everything?

Joanne Leddy said...

Beautiful card. Love the map stamp and how you used both silver and gold. Thanks for sharing!

Fiona said...

Lovely card Deborah - clever idea to use the two embossing powder colours together :)

Sue Lelli said...

LOVE how you colored that FAB map! I, too, and trying to use some long neglected supplies! Can't wait to see what your daughter made! That's so great she has the crafty bug!!!

Michelle said...

Love this card, Debborah! The sentiment is so true!
I love the embossing and the map,beautiful!

Nigel said...

Beautiful card, and a wonderful sentiment.

Paula (PEP) said...

This is tremendous & your use of those colours works so well in this format. That map is so effective the way you have coloured it too.
Paula (PEP)
http://pepcraftchallexp.blogspot.com/

Vicky Hayes said...

I love the map stamps and the way you've coloured it. It's a great idea to blend the embossing too.

Ruby said...

Lovely card, great use of the map too! It's cold here in Berkshire too, just a good excuse to stay in and get creative!! Thanks for playing along with us at the PDCC!

Colleen Dietrich said...

What a neat card! Such unexpected elements put together....I love to see that. THanks for playing with us at The Cafe!! :)

Julie Ranae said...

Really lovely entry for this week's challenge. Stay warm! My husband is originally from Manchester and he said he can't believe the weather you've had to endure!
Thanks ever so much for playing with us at The Play Date Cafe.

Andrea Ewen said...

Beautiful! Love the embossing and that wonderful organza ribbon! Thanks for playing along with us at the Play Date Cafe!

Stella said...

Oh this is gorgeous; I am in love with that antique map :)!!

Libby Hickson said...

This is so pretty! Thanks for playing along with us at the Play Date Cafe! :-)

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

BEAUTIFUL! Love that antique map:) Thanks so much for joining in the fun and playing along with us at the PDCC:}

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...