Monday, September 10, 2012

Sweet Stamps- For the Guys

This week at the Sweet Stamps Challenge we are making cards "For the Guys"


  I looked in the new Technique Junkies newsletter and found a technique I had not tried yet- Pulled Color. Wowza- I made a few of the backgrounds using different colors. 
  My last shopping trip at Sweet Stamps, I picked up the boat die by Marianne (199 Classic Boat Die) .  It reminded me of a boat ride my husband and I took in China. (There is also a sailboat in the set...).  I have to share some pictures-see below- then you will really see how the card means alot-and my husband will love this!
 But first, here is how I made the card- after I made the background, I die cut the boat. The boat is cut out of Coordinations cardstock, then embossed. The raised portion was sanded.
 Now, for the greenery, I needed the right leaves- so I embossed Green cardstock in the Bamboo embossing folder, highlighted the raised areas with Tank Shades Die ink and cut the embossed leaves out. Next, I embossed only the dragonfly from the Embossing folder using white cardstock, and painted it with Creative Inspirations Paint-Canary. I added green and purple dots of Spica Glitter pen ink to the dragonfly next.
 Finally- I wanted to layer color under my background panel, and could not match up the colors, so I used the Distress inks to add color- in Mustard Seed and Dusty Concord.

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my card:
Boat Die HERE
Coordinations cardstock HERE  (Sandy Tans)
Bamboo Embossing Folder HERE
Shades Die ink HERE  (Tank)
Creative Inspirations paint- HERE
Spica Glitter Pens HERE
Ranger Distress Inks HERE

********************************************************************************
These are the pictures that inspired this card...... The pictures are of an area called West Lake in Hangzhou, China. There is a boat on the lake in the distance in the first picture. It was hazy every day we were in China.....except for one day.....

   In the picture above, you can see alot of these boats- it was 5o yuan for a 1/2 hour ride (a little less than $10.00 US).  The gentleman rowing talks and tells of the history of the area..in Chinese : )  We enjoyed the scenery.......
   I tried to capture the boat thru the archway- the greenery to the Lt and under the bridge- fields of Lotus flowers.
 One more......

  These are the young newlyweds we shared a boat ride with- of course, they spoke only Chinese too, we spoke only English...... but we all still enjoyed it. There was a musical fountain in the Lake that would play about every 30 minutes or so- it was really beautiful to see.
 *****************************************************************************


I hope you will join in the challenge!  Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at  Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! Please note- there is a limit of 10 challenges for each entry.The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

 Stop by the Sweet Stamps Challenge Blog HERE to see what the rest of the DT has created for the Challenge or click on the links below.

Sweet Stamps Design Team:
*   Bonnie Calypso *
 * Dawn B  *   Jacki   *  Joni 
                                     *  Kendra  *  Linda                                             
                                          Shelly  (you are here)  Tamara 

 Challenges:

Make it Monday- Anything Goes
UnstampaBelles- Embossing
Challenges for Everybody- Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly

24 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Computer issues resolved and great to be able to see and comment on this beautiful card Shelly. You have really captured the essence of China in it.
Blessings
Maxine

Lucy Edmondson said...

This is beautiful, and I love the inspiring photos!

Lucy x

jonim52 said...

Wow this is gorgeous, great pictures of the family, looks like a fabulous trip. I have to check out that technique mag. Thanks for the inspiration.

Sharon said...

This is great Shelly - very unusual - I love the texture!!

Bon Bob’s Delights said...

Awesome card!! Love the boat and the background!

Anne Temple said...

Fabulous background and card! What a great idea to cut out portions of cardstock that you embossed with an embossing folder.

Sandi McLean said...

Beautiful card! What a trip you must of had :) Hugs,

Cathy L. Calamas said...

Oh my goodness!! That is a gorgeous background. All the elements are perfect. :))

BarbaraW said...

Beautiful card. I can see. I can see how you were inspired. It also reminds me of a Monet painting.

Merry said...

What a beautiful card you have created...such a lovely background and great idea fussy cutting the embossed shape you needed. Thanks for joining in our embossing challenge at Unstampabelles.

Donna said...

Very cool technique and wonderful card! Love your inspiration. Great job!

Michele said...

your card is really beautiful with great use of the technique but the best part is the meaning of it -- remembering a special tme with your honey. wonderful. xo

Penny said...

Shelly, this is a beautiful card--so love your background! And I love the techniques you used on your die cuts! Thanks for sharing your source of inspiration--and he should love this! :^)
Hugs, Penny

Lauren T said...

Wow, that background looks amazing! I really like the leaves too. Thanks for playing at Unstampabelles.

NanaConnie said...

Fantastic card, Shelly! Gorgeous background paper you made. Love the photos of your China trip. :-D

Terry said...

Shelly, that card is absolutely incredible! The background is so fitting for the boat (and what a great die). Love the 3-D effect with the leaves and boad! The photos are great and I can see where you found the inspiration! Beautiful!

Sandy said...

Fab card, love the background you've created and all the embossed techniques too
Thanks for linking up with MIM this week.
Remember, to be in the running to win the prize from our sponsor this week just leave a comment for another entry. Be sure to mention you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!
Hugs, Sandy

CathyC said...

such a beautiful technique ;-) Thanks for joining in our Embossing Challenge at UnstampaBelles.

Alexa said...

Your card is so appropriate for the trip you made - love that little boat die.

Marjie Kemper said...

Wow, Shelly! This is fabulous. I love the leaves the most but there are so many great details. It's dreamy!

Susan Hogan said...

Wonderful card - very effective background and fantastic embossing on it. Thanks for joining in the fun at Unstampabelles embossing challenge this month.

Sandy Fredrick said...

Beautiful card. What an awesome background. Love how you used the pieces from the embossing folder to add depth to the card.

~ Kendra ~ said...

Beautiful!! Great background! Love your pictures, thanks for sharing!!

Barbara said...

That's a technique I've never heard of before! It looks gorgeous!