Carte Postale Bonjour Weathered Fleur De Lis Card

 

During one of my craft haul jaunts a couple of years ago, I came across Cuttlebug's/ ProvoCraft's "Fleur De Lis" embossing folder, on sale and with an extra percent off due to a coupon...SCORE!  I could not wait to use it, but life had other plans and paper crafting came to a near halt.

Fast forward to May 2015:  I have re-launched and re-named my blog (See original post here:  Blog Re-launch and a Masculine Equestrian-Kind Birthday Card for my Uncle) and am crafting each week.  My perspective is different.

Historically I maintained the perspective of a well-seasoned, former, corporate marketing executive who has been expected to produce big results with high intensity.  I felt rushed, trying to do too much at once...and there was no joy in that.  Now, paper crafting has become truer to what it should be--an artform...one in which I have been able to release an improved and more special product.  The lack of self-imposed pressure has (finally) made this hobby on of a higher level of enjoyment as well.

Below, please find a list of challenges to which I have submitted my card.  I have also included my card's recipe (ingredients and process) afterward.  

Challenges/Links
Mojo Monday #396 Contest and Giveaway
Simon Says Stamp Wednesdays Let's Get Sentimental (Feat. Tim Holtz)
Cuttlebug Mania We Love to Stamp (Feat. Manual/Cuttlebug Embossing/Die Cuts)
Penny Black and More Die and Punches
Creatalicious Challenges Embossing Wet or Dry

Card Ingredients
Papers:  Crystal Clear Shrink Film (Shrinky Dinks/K&B Innovations), Silver CS (Recollections/Michaels), Vancouver Dark Grey Textured CS (Bazzil Basics), Rich Razzleberry CS (Stampin' Up!), Black CS (Recollections/Michaels), Silver CS (Stampin' Up!).

Inks:  Tinted Emboss (Top Boss), Jet Black (Staz-On), Silver Powder (Stamp Affair), Bold Black Detail Powder (Stampin' Up!), Silver Ultimate Metallic (Encore/Tsukineko), Silver/Black Foil Smootch Spritz (Stampin' Up!), Rich Razzleberry (Stampin' Up!), Going Grey (Stampin' Up!).

Stamp(s):  French Market (Tim Holtz Visual Market/Stamper's Anonymous), Carte Postale (Stampin' Up!), Urban Grunge (Tim Holtz Visual Market/Stamper's Anonymous), Artistic Etchings (Stampin' Up!), French Foliage (Stampin' Up!).

Punches:  Fleur-de-Lis (Martha Stewart),  1/4" Hole (Source Unknown), 1-3/8 Hole (Stampin' Up!), Small Oval (Stampin' Up!).

Cuttlebug/Big Shot:  Fleur De Lis Emboss Folder (Cuttlebug/ProvoCraft),

Cricut:  Sophisticated (Teresa Collins/ProvoCraft), Accent Essentials (ProvoCraft).

Embellishments:  Fleur De Lis Cabachon w/Bling (Jolee's Boutique/EK Success), Silver Tassel (Spare Parts/The Paper Studio/Hobby Lobby).

Process

Layout:  Mojo Monday #396.

Base:  Folded to 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".

Layer 1:  4" x 5-1/4", two types of CS cut diagonal.  Embossed w/Fleur De Lis folder through Cuttlebug.  Rolled emboss ink onto CS and added powder to heat and create enamel finish in contrast colors.  Adhered to card.

Layer 2:  2-1/4" x 3", black CS.  Stamped "Carte Postal" image (Tim Holtz, not Stampin' Up!, despite the set's name) and enamel embossed.  Two overlays of argyle from Cricut; adhered and spritzed, then glued to panel.

Layer 3:  1-3/8" grey circle (punched); stamped in two colors with different images (argyle and French script), adhered to larger black CS circle base and spritzed as a single unit.

Layer 4:  Small oval stamped w/sentiment and sponged w/complimentary color along rim.  Layered onto circle w/dimensionals. 

Layer 5:  Paris postmark created by placing a small heap of silver emboss powder onto CS and heating it from underneath.  Carefully pressed postmark stamp into melted emboss enamel and allowed to cool for a few seconds and pulled up slowly.  Cut out post mark and adhered to "Vancouver" grey, stamped circle.

Layer 6:  Two-part fleur de lis using punched image, sponged with Staz-on ink; added emboss powder and melted; done three times.  Sprinkled a few grains of black detail emboss powder and re-melted; then allowed to cool to create a weathered look.  Glued fleur de lis sticker on top.  Used dimensionals to add to argyle layer and overlap circles.

Layer 7:  Cut top loop of tassel and frayed it.  Created charms using stamped images onto shrink film allowing for a loop above each picture.  Used frayed strings from tassel to tie the three charms to top of the unit.  Glued entire thing to top of card.