#TGIFC238 - So Grateful | Swimming In Stamps

Hello Stampers and TGIF!!! Today, a bunch of the designers from the TGIF Challenges Blog Design Team are in Las Vegas hosting our big VIP Pre-Party Event! (Tomorrow is Stampin’ Up!’s OnStage Event.) I’m so excited to see these wonderful ladies in person, as well as to meet many of my demonstrator friends from all over the country attending the event. We will be spending the afternoon creating make ‘n takes, giving out prizes, and eating sweet treats. Oh my gosh, I can’t wait.

In the meantime, TGIF Challenges has a new inspiration challenge today:

When I first saw this image, I was immediately drawn to the soft colors. I’m not sure if that was part of the challenge, but I decided to use it anyway. I also really liked the layout and idea of making a card to show gratitude.

I made this card for a very dear friend, who’s going through a real rough time right now. She already knows how grateful I am for her friendship, but it doesn’t hurt to say it one more time. I want her to know that I’m always here for her and her family.

My favorite part of this card is the watercolored background. I used a sheet of Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. (That is REALLY nice watercolor paper by the way.) First, I used an Aqua Painter to wet the paper with clear water both front and back, to prevent curling. Then, while the paper was still damp, I used the dot stamp from the Snow Front stamp set to stamp “Autumn Leaves” using So Saffron, Crushed Curry, and Golden Glitz Delicata Metallic Inks. Depending on how much the paper had dried, I got a nice variation of blended and stamped images.

Next, I used the In The Woods Dies to cut trees from the wood print of the Pressed Petals Specialty Designer Series Paper. I decided to try something different and stamped the dies with Golden Glitz Delicata Metallic Ink using the dot stamp from the Snow Front stamp set. That way, it sort of looks like some of the leaves are in front of the branches.

The Aspen branch under the sentiment is also cut from Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper. I used similar colors to watercolor the branch, including a little Golden Glitz Delicata Metallic ink.

When I finished the card, I sat back and thought it needed something else … That’s when I decided to add some Holiday Rhinestones to one of the trees.

I think this card will bring a smile to my friend’s face, and is exactly my goal.

Be sure to click over to the TGIF Challenges Blog to see the other designers’ projects this week.

Have a wonderful and creative week!

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Be sure to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by December 10th to receive the Something For Everything Kit! (Includes supplies to make 12 full-size gorgeous AND multi-use cards, as well as a super-versatile stamp set with 13 sentiments that can be used for occasions ranging from wedding, to get well, birthdays, and more! Coordinating colors include Crushed Curry, Grapefruit Grove, Old Olive, Shaded Spruce, and Terracotta Tile.)