How To Tuesday #1 and a New Challenge!

Hi Stamping Friends!
Well I'm going to try out something new here at the blog.  After trying a new technique this week, I decided it might be fun to do a "how to" segment.  Do you remember this card?

I did it for the Tuesday Technique Challenge over at my favorite Stampin' Up! online hangout, Stampin' Addicts.  The technique is called Faux Tile.  I took some pics while I made this card that will hopefully explain what I did. 

First, I gathered all my supplies:

Cardstock

Staz-On Ink

Markers

Crazy For Cupcakes Stamp Set

Versamark

Glassy Glaze Enamel Embossing Powder

Heat Tool

Then I stamped my image with Staz-On black ink and colored in with my Stampin' Up! markers.  You can see I practiced first on my grid sheet.  I always do this before I commit to coloring on my cardstock.  For instance here, I changed browns from Chcocolate Chip to Close to Cocoa. The Chocolate Chip was too dark and my marker is thrashed and doesn't color small images well.

Next, I cut my image into fourths and adhered it to Chocolate Chip cardstock, to look like panes in a window.  I used ny Stampin' Up! square glue stick to adhere the square, because you want to make sure that all corners are stuck down fast.  You don't want any lifting of your corners!

Then I pressed my entire image into the Versamark pad.  Make sure you have completely covered your image with Versamark and then sprinkle with the Glassy Glaze Enamel Embossing Powder.  Then use your heat tool to melt the embossing powder.  I did this step twice, because the first time I did not have enough Versamark on and there were spots where there was no enamel.  On the first trym I removed the excess EP from the Chocolate Chip cardstock.  I forgot to do this the second time and I got enamel on it.  Oh well!  I'll remember for next time!

And here's the final image after the two layers of EP.  Doesn't it look like a shiny window?  This was a very fun technique.  You should try it!  And if you do, post your card in the Technique Challenge Forum over at Stampin' Addicts.

Well, I also promised you a challenge card today.  This card is for a new challenge over at The Play Date Cafe.  I actually got a personal email asking me to play along.  How cool is that!  Here's the inspiration piece for this week:

Super cool inspiration!  My 13yo DS has a red bass guitar and a black accoustic guitar.  So this piece fits in with our family.  Besides, it our "company" colors.  My dad, brothers, and uncles all drive or have driven red, black and silver Peterbilts.  So we love this color combo in our family.  Here's my card:

I really wish that I had the Extreme Guitar stamp, but it's been on and off my list for months and just hasn't made the cut yet.  I had to make do with Just Jawing and Extreme Elements.  I think it works though.  I'm going to give this card to my sons guitar teacher at the end of the semester.  'Cause all the teachers at Fusion School of Music ROCK!  The card base is Basic Black layered with Real Red Textured Cardstock.  The Basic Gray strip is embossed using the Squares Texturz Plate.

Extreme Elements  #115181  $26.95

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping!