Card Swap - May

The theme for my CraftMad card swap for the month of May was

Embossed Background + Sketch

we were to make two cards, one following the theme and one following both the theme and the sketch.

 

Card# 1 embossed background
For this card, I cheated a bit and utilised some older backgrounds I had made previously and some old embellishments.

 

Backgrounds were ink smooshed/splotched, cut into sections and then run through the Cuttlebug using several different embossing folders.  Inks were then sponged over the 'raised bits' to define the pattern.

 

Card #2 - embossed background + sketch

I quite liked this sketch :)  After stamping the flower image and heat embossing it in black, I coloured the flowers and then diecut using a big square, then layered onto a black square.  

 

When it came time to do the background, I couldn't decide which embossing folder to use, as I thought they were all 'too busy', but then I thought about doing a 'heat embossed' background .......  I stamped some corner flourishes I have had for 'ages' using Versamark Embossing Ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then did a bit of ink blending around the outer edges, leaving it lighter in the middle.

I die cut a tag and stamped 'happy birthday', added gold twine then positioned on top of flowers.

A finishing touch with the addition of 3 black gems.

The As You Like it Challenge asks for our favourite embossing method ..... I love both, but I do like the different ways that 'Heat' embossing can be used.

 

Items Used

Stamps – Couture Creations Flower (I think), Ultimate Crafts Border stamps
Inks - Versamark, Altenew
Dies - Spellbinders Dies – Nesting Squares, Tags
Cardstock - 200 gsm white, 200 gsm black, 300gsm white (cardbase)
Tools - Cuttlebug, Blending Brush, Heat Tool
Extras - Glue, double sided tape, 3D foam tabs, Gems

Linking with the following Challenges:

As you like it Challenges – Fave: embossing

Thank you for visiting my blog today - I hope you have a good day.

Remember, any day doing something you love makes it a good day ;-)

Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.