Tuesday, November 17, 2009

How To Tuesday #2 and Double Challenges!

Hi Stamping Friends!

Well today you are in for double the fun!  All my challenges seem to stack up and then need to be posted ASAP.  So I have two cards today.  And they both are for two challenges.  Imagine that!  Plus, after the second card, I have a photo "how to" of the Faux Leather Technique.  Wow!  Was this fun to do!  I'm not sure how soon I'll be doing this technique again, but my kids were sure impressed with the results.

The first card is a combination of the sketch challenge from Stamping 411 SSC125 and the inspiration challenge from The Play Date Cafe PDCC04.  Here are the challenge photos:


And here is my card:



The card base is kraft layered with Brocade Blue and Christmas Cocoa DSP that has a beautiful shimmer to it.  The large snowflake is cut out with my Big Shot using the Snowflake #2 die.  The center snowflake is from Season of Joy and is stamped in Brocade Blue and has a Ice Circle Rhinestone brad in its center.  The sentiment is from Four The Holidays out of the Holiday Mini Catalog.

This next card combines the Tuesday Technique Challenge from my favorite Stampin' Up! only online hangout, Stampin' Addicts.  This is the Faux Leather Technique Tech33.  The sketch is from the Utah Divas Interenational blog.  They have some fabulous SU! stampers that contribute to their site.  Here is the card, followed by a photo "how to".



Isn't that faux leather cool?!  Here's a close-up:

This is how I did this technique, per Rhonda, the technique hostess at Stampin' Addicts.  Click on any of the photos to make them larger, if you want to see things more close-up.

Gather all your supplies:
Cardstock
Vanilla Craft Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Masking Tape
Heat Tool
"Leather Color"  Classic Inks
Sponges

Cover your entire piece of cardstock with pieces of masking tape.  I used a Kraft piece of cardstock as the base, but it doesn't really matter, since you'll be covering it up. 

With the Vanilla Craft Ink, cover your entire cardstock with ink.

It should look like this when you are done.  Next pour Clear Embossing powder onto your cardstock.  Be careful not to pour too much on it, because you will not be able to reuse the leftovers, since it will get mixed with the Vanilla Craft Ink.  I use a small baby spoon to spoon my powder out of the jar.

Rub the Clear Embossing Powder into all the cracks and then heat up.  I did this whole process (ink and EP) twice, because I think I rubbed off too much embossing powder the first time.  It really added some fun texture to the piece.

Now start sponging on your "leather" ink colors.  I started out with my lightest color first, Creamy Caramel.  Then I added some Soft Suede and finally, Chocolate Chip.  I kept at it until I had the look I desired.  I also heat set it, to help dry the ink.  I have quite a few inky fingers after this project!

And this is the finished piece of "leather".  This would be so cool for a western-style card, but I have no western stamps!  Here's the finished card again:


Like I said, my family was quite impressed with the results.  Even my husband thought it looked like leather!  This card may have to hang around the house for awhile.  I'm not sure who deserves a card with this much effort.  Maybe I'll surprise hubby and put it in his sock drawer someday, since I'm always grateful for him.  The medallion image comes from the set True Friend and the sentiment comes from Falling Leaves.

Four The Holidays  #116921  $13.95


Falling Leaves  #115368  $21.95


Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!

18 comments:

HeathersHobby said...

Wow! Great looking leather card! Thanks for the photo tutorial on how to produce the effect.

Unknown said...

I was wondering if you were going to play this week!
Your 411 card is fabulous, love how you layered the snowflake into the diamond layers. Beautiful!

Also, I really like your second card and thanks for the tutorial - I'll have to give that a try!

Julie Ranae said...

Beautiful creations for BOTH challenges and your tutorial was perfect!

Don't you just love it when your kids are impressed?!

Glad you played the Play Date Cafe Challenge with us again!

Cindy said...

Thanks for the tutorial, Krystal! You're right, a card with that much effort has to go to someone special. I'm bookmarking this page for future reference. TFS!

Sarah Anderson said...

Beautiful snowflake card. Who'd have thought these colours would make such a fabulous Christmas card. Love the layers

Sandi said...

Beautiful snowflake. Thanks for taking the Play Date Cafe Challenge with us. Sandi

Patti Chesky said...

I LOVE this!!! Gorgeous interpretation with the snowflake as the focal image. Stunning!!

stampingwithlulu said...

Wow! Two wonderful cards from one very talented lady. Love the leather technique. Thanks for the tutorial!

Hearts Turned said...

What beautiful cards, Krystal! Love all the layering and textures--fabulous!

Teresa Kline said...

your cards are fabulous, thanks
for showing the faux leather technique, great job....have a blessed day!

enjoy *~*

*Alison* said...

very pretty card.. I love the textures and elements you used here.. thanks for playing with us at the PDCC HUGS

~I hope you can drop by and visit my blog.. I hve free digi stamps (a new one every wednesday.. and blog candy (upper right corner)
www.stretchnbubbles.blogspot.com

Hi, I'm Lee Conrey! said...

Love how you worked the snowflake in. Thanks for playing along.

Selene Kempton said...

This is just gorgeous.! I love your color choices and that big snowflake is terrific!

Unknown said...

WOW!! I love both your cards!! That huge snowflake is just awesome and I also love your UDI card!! Thanks for the "how to"! I am going to have to try that one!!

gbarron56 said...

Wow -- Krystal -- great way to use the big sThanks for playing along with this week's Sketch Challenge. I hope you'll join in with the Stamping 411 Operators again soon! Blessings, Gretchennowflake. Very pretty card!!!

Connie Babbert said...

Great job...I love the snowflake for one of the sketch layers...wonderful idea! Thanks for playing along with the 411 sketch this week!

Kay Kalthoff said...

Really cute card . . . and hey! We were on the same wavelength using the snowflake in our cards! TFS!!
Kay

LeAnne said...

Wow, what awesome cards! Great tutorial, too! And thanks for the heads-up on the 411 showcase! I obviously am in wonderful company!!!