Thursday, May 29, 2008

Sneak Peak Number Two: Clear Dollar Stamps for June!
Mark your calendars: June 1 is the birthday for another BIG bunch of new stamps from Clear Dollar! "Shore Treasures" (16 images, $12.99) is one of the new sets, and it's what I used to make this card.

Check out the close-up of the crackle finish I applied to the oyster shell/pearl panel. This stuff is sooooo nifty and really adds a special touch if you're aiming for a vintage, aged look. This product is from Ranger (who else?!) and its actual name is "Crackle Accents" and the most awesome thing about it is how simple it is to use: just squeeze it out and let it dry and VOILA...you've got your cracked glass finish!

But I'll back up now and start at the beginning! I stamped the conch shell randomly in Timber Brown Staz-On ink across a panel of creme watercolor paper. I watercolored each shell (SU water-color crayons) then used a speckled background stamp to add a fill in the panel a bit and give it a sandy, beachy feel. I glue-dotted down three brown mini buttons along the left edge of the panel, then matted it on sand-colored cardstock whose edges I roughed up with my over-worked (!) Making Memories paper distresser tool. BTW, before applying the crackle finish to the torn oyster/pearl scrap, I watercolored those images as well and then applied Ranger Antique Linen distress ink to the edges. While the crackle finish dried (refer to the instructions for dry times), I punched the corners of a coral cs (Bazzill) rectangle with a slot punch and weaved a length of metallic gold thread through the notches. This piece was then matted on a brown (SU Chocolate Chip) panel and the whole thing was aldhered along the right edge of the conch shell panel.

Now for the card base: I stamped the phrase (part of "Shore Treasures") using the brown Staz-On in the corner of a shimmery ivory card (Bazzill). I punched a strip of Chocolate Chip cs with the Martha Stewart Cornice Edge border punch, then adhered it along the edge of a salmon-colored panel which was first run thru my Cuttlebug using the Script Texture embossing folder then wrapped with a length of gold/pearl ribbon layered over a piece of wider pink satin ribbon. Alldone...finally! And for your reference when shopping, here's a picture of the Crackle Accents as it comes in its package.

3 comments:

bettysonly said...

Your work is beautiful. Have you ever hear of www.etsy.com this is a site for all things crafty. You can sell you items there for a small fee. You have to be a member to sell and purchase, but I think your items would do great!

Betty's Only
www.bettysonly.etsy.com
www.bettysonly.blogspot.com

Marie Cramp said...

Pretty card, love the ribbon. I love the colour combo too.

Great work

Marie
http://scrappingworld.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

This card is so pretty! This is by far my favorite of yours! Love how beachy that crackle effect looks. Did you know that the pearl also fits perfectly inside the opening of the ribbon clam shell? You just have to turn it so the void on the pearl is facing downward where the shell is.