The beautiful warm and lazy days of summer are here. For some that means more crafting time but for others like me, that can mean less. The kids are home and the lake is calling. I still want to find time to create. I still want the cards to be "me".
A great way to create cards and projects in the busy summer is to start with premade embellishments. Ellen carries a phenomenal selection and today I was drawn to create with some gorgeous Melissa Frances chipboard pieces. I could have created this card without the distressing and altering additions and it would have been perfectly beautiful and easy, just the way it was.
If you're like me though, you like to personalize things and truly make them your own. You like to get a little inky and play around with products that can quickly add dimension and alter a piece.
Here's a few things I did to step this card up just a little and still be able to put it together quickly.
1. Stamping: The large background chipboard piece is quickly stamped with a ledger stamp to anchor my cluster area and just add a little extra something.
In the above photo you can see the stamping and also take a peek at how the other embellishments looked before they were altered.
2. Ink: The quickest and easiest way to alter something is to brush or sponge it with ink. I've used white craft ink on this sweet little chipboard butterfly.
3. Crackling: I love a cracked glass finish. The garden lady chipboard piece was covered with Ranger Glossy Accents. Ranger's Rock Candy Distress Crackle Paint would also work perfectly for this.
I admit to being a little impatient on this step for it to dry and used a heat gun to speed things up. If you allow it to dry naturally you will get MUCH better crackling on your item.
4.Stickles: Adding Stickles from Ranger is a great way to add a quick dab of shimmer and shine. I've used Rock Candy Distress Stickles to alter this white flower and add some very subtle texture. I love the Distress Stickles line when designing in a vintage style as the look is much more in keeping with the style.
Supplies: Cream Cardstock by Neenah, twine, 5th Avenue Chipboard Accents by Melissa Frances, Trendsetter/Ladies & Gents Petite Papers by Webster's Pages, Glossy Accents by Ranger, Rock Candy Distress Stickles by Ranger, White Pigment Ink, Mini Kraft Tickets by Maya Road, Leaf Trinket Pins by Maya Road, Doilies Designer Threads by Webster's Pages, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink by Ranger, Sepia Archival Ink by Ranger, Cream Ribbon Lace by Hero Arts, Wedding Shoes Flower by Prima, Receipt Stamp by Jenni Bowlin, Chipboard Butterflies by Magenta, Tiny Attacher by Tim Holtz
Thanks for stopping by the CLASSroom and have a wonderful summer weekend!
