Oversized Congrats Card with Vintage-Shabby Patina Flowers

In celebration of a friend's college graduation, I made my first 6"x6" card with some elements that I had not added, nor created, prior to this one.  Cricut cartridges, Sizzix dies/embosslits, and punches created the die-cuts, and time became my best friend in this card's development process, as I dyed and scrunched flowers, twisted gold cardstock to make corkscrews, embellished and sponged elements, and added a monogram "D" to customize the overall piece to the recipient's first name.  My goal was to add a variety of components, dimension, and layers to convert the appearance of the card to one that would deliver an interactive experience.

CHALLENGES/LINKS

Craft and Smash:  Sentiments
Let's Craft and Create:  #103 Butterflies or Birds (I added both.)
Petal Lu:  Anything Goes, Featuring "That Craft Place"
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper:  July Challenge

INGREDIENTS
Papers:  Mud Pie CS (Bazzil Basics Christmas Stack made for My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas Collection) Union Square DSP Stack (Recollection), Soft Suede CS (Stampin' Up!), Ivory CS (Staples, #110), Elegant Soiree DSP (Stampin' Up!), Dark Brown CS Scrap (Source Unknown), Gold CS (Recollections), Caramel Brown CS Scrap (Source Unknown).
Inks:  Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!), Gold Pigment (ColorBox), Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!), Baja Blue (Stampin' Up!), Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up!), Detail Gold Emboss Powder (Personal Stamp Exchange), Early Espresso (Stampin' Up!), Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!), Gold Dazzle Pen (Stampin' Up!).
Stamps:  French Foliage (Stampin' Up!), Silhouette Sentiments (Stampin' Up!), Carte Postale (Stampin' Up!).
Punches:  2-Step Bird (Stampin' Up!), Corrugator (Stampin' Up!).
Cuttlebug/Big Shot:  Beautiful Wings Embosslits (Sizzix for Stampin' Up!), Square Lattice Emboss Folder (Sizzix for Stampin' Up!),
Cricut:  Sophisticated by Teresa Collins, Picturesque, Cindy Loo.
Embellishments: Antique Copper Brads (Making Memories).

Eiffel Tower and Floral Baroque Congrats Gold Card

This card's core was fundamentally quite basic compared to the end result.  I had made a large quantity of the original piece, in an array of colors, to send to Operation Write Home and kept some on-hand for surprise occasions.  The "core card" was originally based upon one that I had received.  You may see the other card by visiting my post:  "Sandi MacIver-Inspired: Eiffel Tower Medallion Card "

Starting with the core card, I pulled off the medallion, re-worked the entire project, and explored new ways to use Ranger Ink's "Glossy Accents," versus how I used the product in my last project.  I documented my new uses of this product in my last post:  Flying Insect Collection in the Spring Garden Card. 

Specific to this "Congrats" card, I used glossy accents even more; this are the applications and techniques for which the product was enjoyed:  adhering, sealing, coating, blending colors, creating shine, dimension, and texture, embellishing, attaching, and as an insurance policy--because, sometimes, adhesive gems lose their stickiness, and "Glossy Accents" ensures that tiny things remain attached. 

Currently, "Glossy Accents" exists as my favorite product.  It has expanded my crafting world and incrementally increased my mixed-media confidence.  This products has made me feel much more proud of the cards I have made, and the one pictured above was finished late yesterday without any particular challenge in-mind.  Late last night, as I was working on this blog post and searching for challenges, I became excited when I learned that Simon Says Stamp Blog's "Wednesday Challenge" was featuring Ranger's "Glossy Accents"--my timing could not have been more perfect--and it perfectly worked with the anniversary of the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #13, too!  Below, please find a complete list of challenges, into which I submitted my card

CHALLENGES
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #13 A Year of Choices and Some Changes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Use Your Favorite Technique and/or Products
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Don't Cut, Just Paste
Crafting Muskateers #26 Shades of Summer
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #106 Summer Colours

INGREDIENTS
Papers:  White CS (Staples, 110#), More Mustard CS (Stampin' Up!), Very Vanilla (Stampin' Up!), More Mustard Patterned DSP/Regals Stack (Stampin' Up!).

Inks:  More Mustard (Stampin' Up!), Early Espresso (Stampin' Up!), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Gold Glow Spritzer (Stampin' Up!), Gold Pigment (Colorbox).
Enamels/Powders/Glitters:  Detail Gold Emboss Enamel (Personal Stamp Exchange), Gold Ultra-fine Jewel Glitter (Mark Enterprises).
Stamps:  Elements of Style (Stampin' Up!), Urban Grunge by Tim Holtz (Stamper's Anonymous), Baroque Motifs (Stampin' Up!), Artistic Etchings (Stampin' Up!), French Script (Stampin' Up!), Vintage Vogue (Stampin' Up!), Tiny Tags (Stampin' Up!), French Foliage (Stampin' Up!), Silhouette Sentiments (Stampin' Up!),

Big Shot/Cuttlebug:  Vintage Wallpaper Emboss Folder (Sizzix/Stampin' Up!).

Cricut:  Sweet Treats.

Punches:  1/16" Circle (Stampin' Up!), 1/8" Circle (Stampin' Up!), 2-step Bird (Stampin' Up!), Small Oval (Stampin' Up!).

Embellishments:  More Mustard Satin Ribbon (Stampin' Up!), Gold Cord (Recollections), Adhesive Pearls (Jewelry Essentials), Brights Candy Dots (Stampin' Up!).

Flying Insect Collection in the Spring Garden Card

I created all of the garden's and bugs' various details for the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge, a blog that is celebrating its first anniversary of challenges.  I tried to incorporate as many of the previous year's challenges as possible.  The following is the set of options I utilized:  spray inks and mists, around the house, photo inspiration (use of yellow, orange and green...pink in the form of an intense magenta created by using cherry colored cardstock that was transformed by Ranger brand's "Glossy Accents"), fiber/raffia, stamps, Tic Tac Toe (grid challenge:  punch, stamps, ribbon/raffia), New to You, April Showers (Splatter stamp on card base), and May Flowers.
 

DCWV produced the insect background cardstock, and I fussy-cut each of the bugs that have the three-dimensional appearance, inked the backs and sides in a coordinating caramel color, then added Glossy Accents to the bodies to create some dimension.  Glossy Accents was also used as the adhesive to help hold the positions of the wings, to glue the bugs to the garden area, and to adhere each insect to its original image on the cardstock.  This was layered on a corner-rounded, darker cardstock and placed onto a base that I stamped, sponged, and used a spritzer tool to add ink to it. 

Cricut's "Plantin Schoolbook" cut the grass and flowers.  Grass blades were snipped more, vertically.  Some edges were inked.  The pieces were then corrugated.  I snipped the flowers, embellished them with candy dots, punched CS circles and inks.  Glossy Accents were added for texture, to create a seal, and as an adhesive.  New to me:  using Ranger's "Glossy Accents" as an adhesive and maintain an object's structure.  The branches were punched, spritzed in a homemade alcohol ink (new to me), sponged, and coated in Glossy Accents. 

After I finished submitting my card for the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge, I found that my project needed more attention.  I added more insects and made a few tweaks to improve the piece's overall appearance.  Once everything dried, I packaged the card in a clear cellophane bag, and tied it closed with natural raffia.  Finally, I was pleased with the finished product..in fact, I was delighted by it--and also delighted to find a small set of additional challenges for which to submit this "Flying Insect Collection in the Spring Garden Card."  Please find their respective information below:   

Challenges/Links

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #13 A Year of Choices and Some Changes

Craftyhazelnut's Patterned Paper June Challenge

Petal Lu Challenge for June 15, 2015 Lacy Sunshine:  Anything Goes

Inkspirational Challenge #84:  Photo Inspiration

Just Us Girls Challenge Trend Week #297:  Stacked Die Cuts

Card Ingredients

Papers:  Dark Romance Stack (DCWV), Cream CS (Staples, #110), Cherry Cobbler CS (Stampin' Up!), Mud Pie Textured CS (Bazzil Basics Christmas Stack for My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas), Old Olive CS (Stampin' Up!), Creamy Caramel Textured CS (Stampin' Up!), More Mustard (Stampin' Up!).

Inks:  Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up!), Really Rust (Stampin' Up!), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Early Espresso (Stampin' Up!), Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!), Homemade Alcohol Ink Spritz (Garden Green by Stampin' Up! and More Mustard by Stampin' Up!), Pumpkin Pie (Stampin' Up!), Old Olive (Stampin' Up!).

Stamp(s)/Set(s):  French Foliage (Stampin' Up!), Delight in Life (Stampin' Up!).

Punches/Tools:  Corner Rounder (Marvy Uchida), 2-Step Bird (Stampin' Up!), 1/4" Circle (Staples ?), 1/8" Circle (Stampin' Up!), Corrugator (Stampin' Up!), Spritzer (Stampin' Up!).

Cricut Cartridge(s):  Plaintin Schoolbook.

Embellishments:  Brights Candy Dots (Stampin' Up!), Antique Brad (Stampin' Up!), Natural Raffia (Wrap It Up!).

Irridescent Purple and Blue Love Card

This love theme card was designed to reflect irridescence, glitter, dry embossing and plenty of bling.

Challenges/Links
Inkspirational Challenges #83 Purple and Love 
Sunday Stamps Weekly Challenge for May 24, 2015 - June 5, 2015
Cuttlebug Mania Bling
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Monthly Challenge May 2015
Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #12 May Flowers
Fan-Tastic Tuesdays #87 Add Some Texture
Crafting When We Can Challenges #95 Bling It Up

Card Ingredients
Papers:  Elegant Eggplant Patterned DSP (Regals Pattern Pack by Stampin' Up!), Seawater Textured CS (Bazzil Basics for BasicGrey "Deck the Halls"), Elegant Eggplant Textured CS (Stampin' Up!).  
Inks:  Watermark (VersaMark), Elegant Eggplant (Stampin' Up!), Almost Amethyst (Stampin' Up!), Lavender Lace (Stampin' Up!), Eggplant Envy (Stampin' Up!).
Enamels/Powders:  Transparent Enamelware Emboss Powder (Stamp-N Stuff), White Diamond Emboss Powder (Judi King), PearlEx Powder #680 Duo Red-Blue (PearlEx for Stampin' Up!).
Paints:  #72 Frost White All-Purpose Shimmer (Fantast/x for Stampin' Up!).
Stamp(s)/Set(s):  Tiny Tags (Stampin' Up!), Heart Punch Potpurri (Stampin' Up!).
Punches:  Corner Rounder (Marvy Uchida?), 1/16" Circle (Stampin' Up!), Dotted Scallop Ribbon (Stampin' Up!), Medium Jewelry Tag (Stampin' Up!).
Cuttlebug/Big Shot:  Fashionable Hearts Embosslits (Sizzix for Stampin' Up!), Spring Flowers Emboss Folder (Sizzix for Stampin' Up!)
Embellishments:  Silver Cord (Recollections/Michael's), Lavender Bling (Recollections/Michael's), Royal Purple Bling (Recollections/Michael's), White/Clear Bling (Recollections/Michael's), 1/8" Mauve Satin Ribbon (Offray), 1/8" Blue Satin Ribbon (Offray).

Cajun-Blues and White Bokeh Flora and Fauna Birthday Card

This card contains a new technique (to me)--the Bokeh effect, one that was core to a challenge held at House of Cards.  The technique seemed a little daunting; but once I watched a few YouTube tutorials by other card makers, this project held quite a bit of fun and more self discovery. 

I may actually try to apply the technique to other cards...especially Shabby Chic ones; but I must first consider how the colors can yield new ones...and hopefully not ugly combinations.  There is plenty of warning against such a thing, all over YouTube and craft blogs.  The colors I utilized were based upon a challenge over at "Inspired by Stamping."  Well, now that the card is completed, I can share (and may see) that burnt orange, rust, navy blue and medium-light blue played together nicely.  They provided the gift of a secondary color palette:  one containing hues of salmon and rose.  What a delightful discovery!  Below, please find a complete list of challenges into which I have entered this card, followed by its ingredients and construction process.

Challenges/Links
Mojo Monday Card Sketch Challenge #398
House of Cards May Challenge Bokeh Effect
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Anything Goes, Stencil It
Inspired by Stamping Monthly Challenge #94 Stripes and Color Scheme
Seize the Birthday Anything Goes Birthday
On a Stampage Mynette Kitchen's Birthday Bash Givaway:  BLOG CANDY!!!
Penny Black and More Dies and Punches w/Hand Stamping Focus
Fantasy Stampers Challenge #37 Wings and Things
Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes
Fab and Funky Challenges #260 Flora and Fauna
The Shabby Tea Room #252 Fun Blooms
Cuttlebug Mania Ribbon
Creatalicious Challenge #75 Butterflies and DT Call
City Crafter Challenge #262, One or More:  Smooching, Stencilling, Splattering, Sponging
Just Us Girls Challenge Week #294 (Colors Scheme)

Card Ingredients
Papers:  Cajun Craze Striped DSP(Stampin' Up! Rich Regals Patterns Pack), Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Really Rust CS (Stampin' Up!), Night of Navy Polka Dot DSP (Stampin' Up! Regals Patterns Pack).

Inks:  Bliss Blue (Stampin' Up!), Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!), Frost White Pigment (ColorBox), Brocade Blue (Stampin' Up!), White Opaque Embossing Powder (Stamp-N Stuff), Cajun Craze (Stampin' Up!), Blush Blossom (Stampin' Up!), Really Rust (Stampin' Up!).

Stamp(s):  Daisy Field Stampin' Around (Stampin' Up!), Elementary Elegance (Stampin' Up!), Carte Postale (Stampin’ Up!), Punch Potpurri (Stampin’ Up!), Tiny Tags (Stampin’ Up!).

Punches:  1/4" Circle (Stampin' Up!), 1/2" Circle (Stampin' Up!), 1" Circle (MarvyUchida), 3 Flowers Punch (Stampin’ Up!), Boho Blossoms (Stampin’ Up!), 2-Step Owl (for circles; Stampin' Up!).

Cuttlebug/Big Shot:  Circles #2 Die (Sizzix), Square Lattice Emboss Folder (Sizzix for Stampin' Up!), Make-a-Bow Die (used for circles; Sizzix).

Stencil:  Homemade (using punched cardstock), containing a variety of circle sizes from dies and punches. 

Embellishments:  3/16” Orange Satin Ribbon (Offray), 3/16” White Satin Ribbon (Offray).

Process

Layout:  Mojo Monday #398.

Base:  Navy blue CS cut and folded to 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".

Layer 1:  5-1/4" x 4" white CS.  Bokeh effect created for challenge by using sponging techniques, using blues and oranges to satisfy color challenge requirement.  Laid homemade circles stencil on sponged CS and re-sponged inside circles using white pigment ink.  Allowed to dry; sponged edges.  Randomly stamped birds, butterflies and floral sprays.

Layer 2:  5-1/4" x 1" Cajun Craze striped DSP to satisfy "stripes" challenge.  Used spritzer with dark blue and burnt orange markers to create splatter effect.  Used same inks and their hues to randomly stamp small butterflies and miniature birds; lightly sponged edges.  Adhered along upper edge of Layer 1.

Layer 3:  Cut three strips of ribbon in two colors that were part of the aforementioned color challenge.  Adhered them in alternating patter to Layer 1, slightly overlapping Layer 2, and folder over the back. 

Layer 4:  Punched flower components and manual embossed using square lattice emboss folder.  Used pop-up dots to adhere one flower to the end of each piece of ribbon.

Layer 5:  4" x 1" Really Rust CS stamped with rolling stamp of daisies in navy ink.  Used a rust colored marker to color the center of each flower.  Manually embossed using square lattice emboss folder.  Sponged borders in burnt orange-hued ink.  Adhered to card.

Layer 6:  4-1/2" x 3/8" (approximate) Night of Navy polka dot paper; cut ends to create flag/banner look and glued it to Layer 5.

Layer 7:  Used Circles #2 die and navy CS to create outer circle; sponged rim with matching ink.

Layer 8:  Punched circle of white CS.  Re-created Bokeh Effect as in Layer 1.  Stamped small hollow circles in medium-light blue ink.  Enamel embossed sentiment.  Sponged rim and glued to Layer 7.  Used adhesive 3-dimensionals to adhere to Layers 5 and 6.