Paperamblings

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.