Monday, February 10, 2014

FFC #4 and CASE Study #177

My first card today is for Festive Friday, a wonderful Christmas challenge that is going to let me get cards made ahead.  Here is their inspiration photo.


I love the rustic look and that's what inspired me.


I tried to make a pine cone several ways but this one looked best. It's cut from Lyrical Letters, embossed with the Chain Link folder and rubbed with Antique Linen Distress Ink.  I tied on some jute twine and popped up the pine cone in the middle, gluing the edges to round it out.  You can't see it well in the photo but the sentiment from Hero Arts  is embossed in gold.

My next card is for CASE Study.  They are featuring a couple of lovely cards by the talented Danielle Flanders.

 I love the black, white and gold together.


I used my NBUS diagonal stripe stencil from SSS and inked it with Black Soot Distress Ink.  I used PTI's Polka Dot Basics to stamp black and gold circles.  The "birthday" is a die cut from PTI embossed with gold and the happy is from SSS Happy.  I don't know why it's so blurry. I retook it three times and couldn't get it to come in any better.

Update:  I asked a while ago if anyone had trouble with ink changing colors.  Before I contacted the manufacturers (since the two colors in question were from different ones) I decided to do an experiment.  I rubbed both inks on two different papers.  One was the Georgia-Pacific that I often use for card bases and the other was Neenah Solar White.  In less than four hours, both of the inks on the GP paper had turned. Someone suggested that the paper may be the problem and they were right.  I guess it proves the point that you get what you pay for.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your crafting troubles are few.

9 comments:

Ardyth said...

Both great cards - you definitely captured that vintage pinecone ornament and woodgrain is the perfect background. And I love your take on the CASE Study, too! Thanks for joining us at Festive Friday!

Kristie Goulet said...

Great cards, Bobby! Love the vintage pinecone ornament on the first one and your take on the CASE Study! :)

Jacquie Southas said...

Love the chain link folder to give the pinecone dimension (it is my favorite EF right now) - I really want to get ahead of the Christmas cards this year, but it just isn't happening yet. Love your take on the CASE Study - I had a weird smudgie photo this week and discovered my lens was dirty?! Interesting to know the paper was the culprit for the ink problem.

Lynn said...

Two stunning cards. Your Festive Friday card is amazing...I love all the fabulous texture! Awesome!

Bonnie said...

Love your embosses pine cone! Great take on the inspiration!

Happy Dance said...

Your pinecone card is delightful. Great idea to emboss the die cut. Just brilliant! As for your second card...I LOVE this Bobby!!! This is just gorgeous. Brilliant design and perfect color choices. Just divine. Bev

Joyce said...

Love them both, Bobby. Especially that birthday card--even though the pic is a bit blurry, I can correct for that in my head and know that it is stellar.

Darnell said...

Wonderful cards for these challenges, Bobby!! And great work on getting to the bottom of the ink changing colors. I didn't answer because that had never happened to me. I appreciate knowing the outcome, however, as now I'll stay with the paper I'm using! Hugs, Darnell

Kelly Griglione said...

Wonderful use of textures with your stark white pinecone on the weathered wood base. Such great contrast! Also love your whimsical feel on your last card. It's a great look : )

Thanks for the info on the paper, It's only recently that I switched from GP paper to the good stuff. I had a lightbulb moment one day that I'll spend hours and hours on a card that I saved a few pennies on.