9/25/10

Papertrey September Blog Hop Challenge



It's time for the monthly Papertrey Ink Blog Hop! Here is the challenge:

One of the most fun things about this hobby is the people you meet, whether in person or online, and the things you can learn from them. Now is your chance to show off any skills you might have learned from a fellow stamper, and perhaps even give them a little shout out to thank them for the inspiration they have provided. Create a project using one of your favorite learned skills and perhaps after a little blog hopping, we will ALL learn some new tips and tricks and continue to pass on the love of this hobby!

 
First let me show you the card I created and then I will fill you in on all the details:
 
 
My inspiration came from Freedom in Creating, the awesomely creative blog of Michelle Zindorf. Now I am nowhere near as talented and I really admire her shading and varigated backgrounds so I decided to try something similar paired with PTI's Through the Trees set.
 
I used three ink colors and sponged in "strips" onto white cardstock. When the colors were the way I liked them, I stamped over the background with the image and heat embossed with black ep. I then stamped a couple of small birds in the tree branches.
 
The colors of the card were then determined by the ink colors. I used an Enchanted Evening mat under a layer of white that was impressed with the PTI Linen impression plate. The lower section was stamped with a sentiment from the set, border punched at the bottom edge and added to a Scarlet Jewel mat. The image was matted onto a Scarlet Jewel Mat Stack 4 piece and pealrs were added for the finishing touch.
 
Thanks for stopping by and, if you like what you see, I hope you will consider following my blog. Have a fun time hopping!
 
Photobucket

45 comments:

ellepaulette said...

Lovely, lovely card!

Taheerah said...

Beautiful card. That sponged background works so well!!

i'm with the band said...

WOW! So pretty!

June K said...

Such beautiful work. Very lovely.

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary!
This is really lovely!
I am so enjoying seeing things done with the Impression Plates because the detail they add takes everything to another level, and who doesn't love that!
I also really enjoyed the technique and think that turned out perfect!!!
I love it!!!

Krista said...

Mary,

that background is just beautiful!

Aimes said...

What a beautiful card - I adore inking and embossed background!
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Rhonda said...

Mary,
What a great technique. I need to try this.

Amy said...

Wonderful card! Love the shading you did!

Cathy Weber said...

This sponging technique is really interesting. I love the shading it created. Great job on this challenge.

Sue Ann said...

This card is very inspiring and I think you did an amazing job on this challenge!!! The shading is so beautiful!!!

Paula Laird said...

Just gorgeous! Your sponged sky is very well done!!

Kay D said...

That inked background is AWESOME! I love the effect you achieved here, going to have to try that!
Love the color combo, too!

Kristin said...

Wonderful card and one of my most favorite sets! Great job.

Jessie said...

Love your card! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

Through the trees is one of my most favorite sets. I love your use of color in your card...awesome job!

Deb said...

This is SO beautiful! You did a great job on the varigated color!!!

klarcher said...

What a great card, I'm going to have to try the color sponging technique. Love it with this stamp

Kelly S. said...

This is one of my faves so far, it is SO GORGEOUS! The colors, the sponging, the layout with the impression plate, ACK I'm in love with this card! Fabulous job, Michelle would LOVE IT!

Ravengirl said...

This is stunning! Love the evening sky backdrop you created for your birds and trees! Michelle Zindorf is truly inspiring!

Marge said...

This is sooo beautiful! LOVE it!!!

Melissa said...

So pretty! I love how your focal image looks with the mat stack!

Melissa said...

So pretty! I love how your focal image looks with the mat stack!

peggysue said...

Gorgeous shading in this, what a lovely evening sky you've created and that is such a great set!

Kristii said...

Absolutely beautiful!!!!! I love the shading techniques and the border punch!!!!

Janet said...

wow so pretty!

Gayatri said...

Wow! love your sponging technique and its beautiful. Looks real :)

sillyleann said...

Sponging a layout. Why didn't I think of that! I have tried Copics, pencils, you name it. I am not able to get a Copic sprayer at this point. But, this is something I can do. Thank you for the inspiration. I love the frame tree stamp combo. Very pretty!

Jen Carter said...

I LOVE how you did your main image! That is gorgeous!! Super pretty card!

Janelle said...

Very, very pretty. Masterful sponging on the background!

Cassie_lu said...

beautiful card that has a window effect

Kara said...

gorgeous background on the focal image!

Nerina said...

So tranquil and beautiful! I love your colour mix here - and the beautiful stamped edge - so many wonderful details!

Huguenot Girl said...

Love how you have used the Through the Trees stamp set.

katemade designs said...

Nice work, I'm sure Michelle would be proud.

Laura Isham said...

oh my gosh this is a lovely card. it is elegant and sophisticated and the colors are perfect. great job on this project

Amy Kolling said...

OMG......love all the white clean space! The pearls were the finishing touch to a BEAUTIFUL card!

Sue Lelli said...

STUNNING card! LOVE the embossed background behind that FAB image plus the punched edge!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Awesome! love the sponged background!

Haley D. said...

So pretty and festive!

Babies-Beth said...

lol, I wondered if anyone would mention Michelle, I bet many of us have tried her techniques! Your card has so much going on- it is beautiful to look at!

Cammie said...

Your background shading is gorgeous! Such a serene and elegant card!

DF said...

Beautiful card! Would make a great holiday card too. I love the fade background.

Victoria said...

Mary, your card is fabulous! Love the multi-toned inked background. You did a great job!

Adele Fowler said...

beautiful, love the colours!! :)