End of the Week Technique # 22 Sanding Textures and Challenge 9 -Freshly Made Sketches Challenge # 24/ My Challenge #11

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Hey y'all. Happy Thursday. It's a beautiful, sunny day here in the DMV for the first day of March and it feels like Spring is in the air. Too bad the weatherman says it's not going to last. *Boo-Hiss*

I just put in a nice, large, over-night order of the All-New, Pre-Order, Spring Sneak Peak from Stampin' Up and I can't wait to play with it this weekend. Stamps and Fabric and Brads and Paper and Digital -Oh My! And that's just the beginning of what Mr. Ups is bringing to my house tomorrow. Oh how I love that man. I hope my honey's not reading my blog today... sorry sweetie, you know you're my true love.... kisses XOXOXO

Anyhoo- if you don't have a demonstrator I'd be happy to help you get your hands on some extra-special stuff before the other kids on the block too, just give me a shout.

But, for today I've got the second EWT this week and this week's challenge entry. I'm on a roll here and not in a good way. This is the third week in a row where I've looked at a challenge sketch (second week in a row where I've looked at 2) and had my idea match someone from the design team. Now if you haven't read my previous posts, when I look at a challenge sketch, if it's one that I really like, I either sketch it out on paper, or decide in my mind which paper, DSP, punches and stamp sets, etc. that I'm going to use before I look at the Design Teams samples so I don't feel like I'm influenced by their work in my card. Also, if my idea is like theirs it's really not much sense in submitting it because everyone's going to think I copied them, so why bother.

This has happened for the last 3 weeks!!!! SERIOUSLY! Yesterday it happened again on 2 challenges. This one for FMS used the same DSP. I have never even used this DSP before because it's my Absolutely LEAST Favorite DSP in the whole packet, and I finally decide to use it and scroll down to look at the DT samples and there it is. Seriously! *HeadDesk* At least I had not planned to use the Labels Framelet which I have to admit was a great design element by the DT member. Props to her. But still. The other challenge over at Stampin Queens was the same way, had my design figured out, scrolled down, BAM! There it was! Same design, same embosslets. AUGH! Ok- Great Minds and all that, plus I changed things up enough anyways so my card's different but still, I just needed to vent. :)

Freshly Made Sketches is all about Clean Cards- no torn edges, open spaces that kind of stuff. If you know me and my OCD, you know that pretty much fits me to a "T". How traumatizing is it to me to tear cardstock or crumple it up? Soooo Very! That's How Much! Well, this week they wanted DSP and or Embossing Folders on the cards so I used both.

You're probable wondering how my EWT of Sanding Textures could possible fit in with "Clean Cards" Well, it's "texturized" but still clean. No raw or torn edges. You'll see.

Here's today's card-

I started with a base of Early Espresso. On top of that I layered a piece of DSP from Everyday Enchantment. It's from our Sale-A-Bration line and it's free with a $50 purchase. It's got a vintagey feel and the paper comes distressed a little so I sponged around the edges with Crumb Cake classic ink to even it out. You know my OCD could allow it to be like that on just two edges. Oh that just wouldn't be acceptable, not at all!

I took a strip of Early Espresso and ran it through my Big Shot in my Lattice Embossing Folder for some texture. I've seen a lot of people  texturize DSP and then sand it to have the white inner core show through and I wanted to see what would happen if I sanded the regular cardstock. Unfortunately, it doesn't show up well with my cruddy BB (better camera coming up with tax refund) but a nice caramelly- rusty color showed up on the edges of the raised areas. It went well with the antiqued, distressed aspect of the DSP and made a nice addition to the card. I don't think the nice folks over at FMS will object to my addition....at least I hope they won't.

After, I made my embossed strip I attached my Early Espresso Organza Ribbon and Bow. You have some of that at home right? What, you don't remember seeing it in the catalog? I made it. You can too! I took the 5/8' White Organza Ribbon and sponged it with Early Espresso Classic Ink. I love that you can customize that ribbon to any color you want! I SNAIL'ed it to my embossed c/s and then made a bow and attached the bow with a Mini-Glue Dot. Perfect Match! Too Sinking Easy!

I stamped my Focal image from the Everyday Elegance stamp set, another Sale-A-Bration freebie, on Very Vanilla c/s in Early Espresso Classic Ink. I then stamped over it with VersaMark and set it with Heat and Stick Powder and Clear Embossing Powder. I then fussy cut it out, mounted it on Early Espresso c/s and cut it out again. To this I added Butterflies embossed and cut out from my Beautiful Wings Embosslet. They were mounted with Mini-Glue Dots. This whole focal point was mounted with Stampin Dimensionals and the front was done. I have to say it was a little more involved than most of my cards, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Here's the Sketch I was working with-

What do you think? I shifted the center piece up and added a bow, but otherwise it's the same.

Here's the inside-

I didn't add a sentiment because I'm not sure what I'll be giving it for. I did add a sweet little butterfly from the same stamp set to tie in with the theme.

Not my favorite paper to start with, but now that I've used it I kinda like it. :)

If you haven't tried this technique of embossing and sanding I recommend it. It really does work well with our DSP and I will do it with that on a card and post it here as well in a future post. Our DSP has a white inner core and when you emboss it and then sand it the white core shows through. Here's what you do-
1- Place your DSP or Cardstock in and embossing folder and run it through your Big Shot
2- Take your Sanding Block and lightly sand over the top of of your DSP or Cardstock
3- Watch the magic unfold before your eyes
4- Use your DSP or Cardstock to enhance your project
5- Wait for the Ooohs and Aaahs

I hope I've inspired you to try something new today, whether it's a new technique, or a challenge. If you do I would love to see what you come up with!

If you need supplies to help get you started, you can shop in my ONLINE STORE 24/7.

Today's Card recipe-
Cardstock- Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment
Ink-Early Espresso, Crumb Cake Classic Inks, VersaMark
Stamp Set-Every Day Elegance
Big Shot, Lattice Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslits
Embossing- Heat Gun, Heat and Stick Powder, Clear Embossing Powder
Accesories- White Organza Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, Paper Snips, Sanding Block, SNAIL, Tombow, Mini-Glue Dots, Sponges,

If you liked today's card, I would love it if you left me a comment. It's great when I get to hear from you! Also, if you liked today's card, please feel free to +1 or Pin it. I've added the buttons to my side-bar for your convenience. Friends and Followers are also welcome. :)


Till next time-

Remember- Life isn't about Waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to Dance in the rain.

Be Safe,
Shan

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