Blogger's Challenge #124 - Technique Project

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love how this card turned out! This week, we were supposed to choose a stamping technique and do our project around it. Well, I'm not normally much of a frou-frou technique stamper. I'm more of a "Git 'er done" type stamper. BUT, one of my all time favorite techniques is Cracked Glass and I knew that it would work beautifully with the silverware image from the "Compliments to the Chef" stamp set.

That stamp set is one of my favorites from the SU! catalog, but I really didn't have a good reason to buy it other than I just liked it so much. It's not one that I'd normally use for a class so the budget restraints dictated that it not be added to the collection ahead of stuff I need all the time like cardstock and SNAIL! LOL! Can you relate?
Well, I said as much in passing to my bff Tiffany when we were at convention and wouldn't you know it, she went and bought it for me as part of a congrats gift for being named to Advisory Board! Now, don't you think that made my day - made me cry too, but that's beside the point!
(Tiffany, you ROCK! But you already knew that!)

Anyway, for this card, I first heat embossed the silverware stamp with Silver Encore ink and Silver Embossing Powder. I wanted to make sure the image didn't get diluted too much with the layers of embossing that would be on top of it.
Next, I inked up the entire piece of cardstock with Versamark ink and covered it with Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder. It's a very chunky, thick embossing powder that leaves a thicker coating over the image. After heat embossing that layer, I let it cool a minute and then added more Versamark ink and more Glassy Glaze powder. I then heat embossed it again. These steps were repeated a total of 4 times and then I put the piece in the freezer for about 15 minutes. I then took it out and immediately bent the piece several times in different directions, causing the glaze to crack like broken glass. You have to do this quickly or it gets too warm to crack.

Next, I sponged Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry ink on top of the piece working the ink into the cracks. The excess was then rubbed off with a piece of paper towel.

The background was also kind of techniquey. I inked up my Bella Toile background stamp with Creamy Caramel ink and stamped off one time. Then I used a sponge dauber to add some Rich Razzleberry ink to the stamp. Next, I laid my piece of Very Vanilla cardstock on the stamp and transferred the multi-colored image by rubbing over the cardstock with my hand. I usually lay a piece of Grid Paper over it too so my fingers don't get inky.

So, lots of sponging with Soft Suede, lots of distressing with my Bone Folder, some Orchard Ribbon Originals later and you have the almost finished project.
Here is a close up of the Cracked Glass layer and the greeting that I handcut out of another piece of Very Vanilla after stamping the background image again with the residual ink. I added the greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Soft Suede ink on top of it and sponged the edges. It's popped up on a Stampin' Dimensional to make it stand out a bit.

After all that work on the outside, I couldn't leave the inside blank now could I? So, I took another piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and placed a post it note on it. Then I again used the residual ink on the background stamp and created this insert with a blank place to write a message. It was sponged as well.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to see me today! I'd love to hear your thoughts about this card, so leave me a comment if you have a second or two!
Be sure to check out all the other Blogger's Challenge players and their cool technique cards by clicking on the link in my sidebar - I'm sure they will inspire you. And don't forget to come back tomorrow to see my Stamping 411 card - it's a doozy!
Have a happy Friday everyone!
~~Robin

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