Faux Mother-of-Pearl Snowflakes

Today I have another one of the projects I designed for my techniques class that meets tonight.  It uses the Faux Mother-of-Pearl technique.

Non-traditional Holiday card featuring the Faux-Mother-of-Pearl technique and the Snowflake Serenade stamp set.  Sentiment is from the (retired) Many Merry Messages set.

There are several things about this card that are out of my comfort zone.  Firstly, the non-traditional colour scheme for the holidays.  I am a red and green kinda gal when it comes to Christmas, but sometimes it is fun to experiment with different colours.  Now, I will NEVER decorate my house in these colours for the holidays, but I have to say, I don't mind them on this card.  The second thing that is a wee bit out of the norm for me is the fact that this is a square card.  I don't often do them and to be honest, I find them hard to design!  You wouldn't think a square would be that much harder to work with but honestly, I find it much trickier!  The background behind the snowflakes is the Faux-Mother-of-Pearl, but it doesn't shimmer much in the photo.  The snowflakes are heat embossed in silver.  I added some bling with the brushed silver card stock and the rhinestones.  The sentiment from the retired Many Merry Message set is just the perfect size and font to complete the look.

Cracked Ice for Christmas

What  a crazy-busy weekend that was!  We worked through our To-Do List in preparation for the arrival of two of my uncles and aunts from Austria in September.  When you have family that live so far away a visit is a BIG deal, so we want our home in ship-shape.  We're not quite there yet, but things certainly are looking better! 
I spent a wee bit of time prepping for my monthly techniques class last week and came up with a look that I really like.  I'm calling it Cracked Ice...check it out and you'll see why...

Frosty Christmas card featuring the Snowflake Serenad stamp set with sentiment from Sweet Essentials.

A closer look

Isn't that a cool background??  Here is a quick explanation of how I did it:
Stamp the snowflakes on a 4"x 5-1/4" piece of clear acetate (I used Stampin' Up window sheets) using white Staz On.  Once the ink has dried, flip the stamped acetate over and apply a thin coat of Crystal Effects all over the back side.  Add several drops of Baja Breeze reinker and, using a paint brush, spread it out across the Crystal Effects, allowing it to swirl a little.  Take a piece of white tissue paper, cut slightly larger than the acetate, and crumple it up.  Uncrumple the tissue, leaving lots of wrinkles in it.  Lay it over the inked Crystal Effects and lightly tap the tissue down into it.  You want to make sure the tissue is pressed right into the glue and is even.  Layer the whole thing on a 4-1/8" x 5-3/8" piece of Baja Breeze card stock and set it aside to dry. You can make up several background pieces at a time and allow them to dry so you have some ready to go for when inspiration strikes.  I really love this technique...I hope my class participants do too!

Now for another project from this month's offerings at Craft Project Central. This adorable little ensemble comes to you from Monkia Davis.  Check it out:

Ladybug Treat Box and Card designed by Monika Davis

Isn't that too cute?!?  Almost makes me wish I had a little girl to make this for, although I'm sure my son would love it too!  To access the tutorial for this project subscribe to August over at Craft Project Central.  You'll get 10 fabulous projects for just $10!! 

This is also a quick reminder that I'm giving away a month's subscription to one of my lucky blog readers.  To be entered in the draw simply leave a comment on any post dated between August 5th and 12th.  I will post the winner on the 13th.  It's that easy!  Good luck!!