Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Together Forever

Every year my anniversary rolls around and although I never forget the day, I often realize at the last minute that I haven't made a card. Giving thoughtful cards is something that's very important to my husband and me, so I'm proud of myself for being two days early this year! My card is for four challenges: SCS sketch challenge, SUO Challenges (fall colors), Hand Stamped Sentiments (dry embossing) and Friday Mashup (autumn). It has been an awfully long time since I played any challenges and it was so much fun - I hope I can find time to do this again soon.


As the background for the three rectangles I decided to use a page of the Mocha Morning specialty paper. This design is really pretty and shimmery, but I think manly enough for my hubby. For the image I used the leaf from Autumn Days, stamped with Early Espresso on kraft - oops, sorry, Crumb Cake! I wanted the leaves to have a little shimmer of their own, so I rubbed over the images with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz and gold shimmer paint. Tip of the day: Spray the shimmer paint on a paper towel, rub onto scrap paper until most of the color rubs off, then gently rub over the images. It took several tries before I learned how to get a light enough coat of the Smooch. For the shimmer paint I dipped just a corner of my paper towel into the lid of the paint container, dabbed a couple tiny dots of paint onto the image, then spread it out over the image with a clean section of the paper towel.

Once I added the leaves to the rectangles with dimensionals, I was ready for finishing touches. Behind the image I layered Crumb Cake taffeta and Early Espresso grosgrain ribbons over an embossed houndstooth background. The sentiment is a retired single stamp, placed inside one of the images from Four Frames and punched with the decorative label. That lower left corner seemed bare so I added three gold brads and called it done!

Now that this card is finished I have a lot to get to on my to-do list - back to the real (nonstamping) world! Thanks so much for stopping by - have a great day!

20 comments:

Shannon said...

Happy anniversary! Love the brown hues. The shimmer and sprit add just the right touch! Very classy. Thank you for joining us at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week.

Jen Timko said...

Happy anniversary! This is a lovely card...just perfect in the colors! The addition of shimmer to the leaves is fantastic. So glad you joined us at SUO Challenges!

Kasey ~ in Oz said...

Love all the brown tones in your creation.
Thanks for the tip on the shimmer paint, it's a favourite of mine and I usually spritz it lightly with a few drops mixed with rubbing alcohol to get a fine mist....rubbing it with paper towel would give a different effect. Thanks for joining us this week at the Friday Mashup.
Cheers,
Kasey ~ in Oz

Lisa said...

This is a wonderful card. I love the colors you chose, the browns work so well! Definitely a great card for your husband.

Thanks so much for playing along with us at The Friday Mashup!

Mary Brown said...

WOW...LOVE the neutral colors of this! Thanks for joining us on SUO Challenges!

Tui Nathan said...

Happy Anniversary - I love your card, the neutral palette and clean simple styling makes one classy, card!!!

Heidi Baks said...

Love it, Lori! Ha you hit two of my teams' challenges. :) Thanks for playing with us at SUO Challenges and the Friday Mashup.

Lesley said...

Love the deep rich colours Lori! Your cards are always amazing! Happy Anniversary!

Lesley said...

Oh and thanks for joining the Friday Mashup this week!

Karen Barber said...

So lovely - I saw this pretty card in the SCS challenge! LOVELY!

hollybeary creations said...

Happy Anniversary! This is gorgeous.. I love the color combo you chose and your layout is perfect. Thanks for joining us at the Friday Mashup.

inkedx2 said...

Love the browns on your card. I love that set and it is a great one to use on this card. Thanks for playing with us this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

Robbie

Pursuit of Stampiness - Calgary, Canada said...

Dear Lori. This card is so sweet and elegant! SO well done. It also looks great with the look of your blog :)& I am with you with the Thank you cards .. Thanks for reminding me. It is such a good thing to do.
Have a great Sunday.
Inky hugs, Pauline

Krista said...

Happy Anniversary and congratulations on finishing a card in advance. I wait until the last minute, too. :) Nice, rich color combo and I love the layout. Love the embossed background. One of my go to techniques. Thank you for playing at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

Bada-Bing Creations said...

Love all the brown tones together! I love the smooch spray too! That embossed background is very nice here! It's very fall! Thanks for playing at Hand Stamped Sentiments!

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorite stamp sets!! I love the warmth of this card!! Happy anniversary!! Your husband will LOVE the card and the thought behind it too. Thank you for participating in Hand Stamped Sentiments this week!! Amy

Ange McKay, North Shore Stamper said...

This is so beautiful! I finally got a chance to play with this DSP lastnight and I loved it!!!! You've done a beautiful job! Thanks so much for playing with us at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week, and we hope to see you again next week!

Anne Marie Hile said...

Lori, this is gorgeous! I love the rich, neutral colors and the hint of shimmer on the DSP is a fabulous touch. Thanks so much for joining us at Hand Stamped Sentiments! :) Happy Anniversary!
((hugs))

Michelle Laycock said...

This is so lovely!

Cindy said...

What a lovely card for a lovely occasion! Thanks for joining the SUO challenge!