This week I am featuring one of the Sale-A-Bration stamp sets that you can choose for free with a $50 merchandise order. I'll be honest, when I first saw this particular Sale-A-Bration item, it was not one of my favorites. This stamp set intimidated me as I wasn't really sure how to use it. But I decided to try it as it is definitely outside of my comfort zone, and sometimes, we need to challenge ourselves and try something different, right? Besides, it was FREE, so for me, that was the perfect time to try something new.
The background for the country lane scene was made using the Smooshing Technique that I demonstrated on my Connect to Create Video a few weeks ago. If you missed the video, I've inserted it below so you can see how Smooshing is done.
The one thing about Smooshing is that you need to be willing to accept the fact that you have almost no control over what the final result will be. The plan that I had in mind for this card was to have a Pool Party Sky, the dark Shaded Spruce color behind the trees and Old Olive in the area of the grass.
Well, as you can see, I was "semi-successful" in achieving that, but the Shaded Spruce that belonged only in the "tree area" ran into the sky. At first, I was NOT HAPPY (I do like to be in control). However, after I stamped this Country Lane stamp from the In the Country Sale-A-Bration stamp set over the Smooshed background, I was less upset. Actually, I really liked it. It kind of looks like a cloud formation or maybe a storm brewing in the distance, don't you think? If I had purposely tried to do that, it never would have happened. That's what I mean about being willing to give up control when you use this technique.
I used my Stamparatus to stamp the Country Lane because I wanted to make sure that I got a nice dark black image. The Stamparatus allowed me to stamp the image repeatedly, as needed, until it was as black as I wanted.
I wanted a sentiment on my card, but I didn't want the sentiment to detract from the Country Lane image, so I chose a simple "HELLO" from the Happy Labels stamp set and stamped it with Black Memento ink directly on the image. I don't do this very often because I am always afraid that if I stamp the sentiment crooked or something I will mess up my whole image. But since I was already totally out of my comfort zone with this card, I thought I might as well go for it! Happily, it turned out OK.
After I mounted the completed image on a Shaded Spruce mat, I didn't like how it looked when I put it on my plain Basic White card base. It was just a little too stark for my taste. To break-up the completely solid white card front, I tried several things but finally settled on embossing an additional Basic White layer with the Painted Posies 3D embossing folder. The added texture seemed to provide what was missing.
Next, I went on a search for ribbon. I didn't have anything in a color that looked right, so I ended up coloring the Rose Gold & White Striped Ribbon with a Shaded Spruce Stampin' Blend. Coloring your ribbons with ink is a good trick to remember when you don't have the "right" color.
Since the card was intended to be a "note card", I wanted a lot of space on the inside to be able to write my "letter" to the recipient. So, I simply matted the Basic White Cardstock with Shaded Spruce. It's not naked, but it is clean & simple and gives me lots of space to write a note.
I'd love to hear what you think of my card. I am definitely not in my comfort zone this week with this stamp set. I hope you will decide to come back and see how the rest of the week goes!
If you would like a FREE Tutorial for today's card, you can download a copy at this link.
A list of the products I used for today's card is shown below.
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