Mixed Media

Hi everyone.  I'm really enjoying the mixed media on my cards.  Today's card has stenciling, sponging, embossing gel with glass beads, and a heated copper die-cut butterfly as the focal point.  LOVE the sparkle and shine from the clear embossing gel that gives a raised effect with tiny glass beads to catch the light.  Since it's clear, sponging colors underneath works well as the colors show through.  I've also added some of the clear paste on the left side of my card, just over the white card stock and you can still see how it sparkles.  One of my most favorite new toys! :)  This gel is not a new product ... it's been around for a while, sold at art supply stores and mostly used by artists.  It is fairly new to card making, I believe.  Seems like more and more art supplies are making their way onto cards ... especially with the mixed media - so fun! :)  And I've learned I save money shopping at the art supply store ... embossing gels and pastes are cheaper and come in large sized containers - bonus!

Here's a close-up ...

There's a new challenge starting up on July 1st called The Mixed Media Card Challenge.  Really looking forward to playing along.  Right now they are having a DT call and there are already six entries that are all so amazing - it's worth checking it out.  I'm going to throw my hat into the ring and see what happens.  :)

I also used my new distress inks from Simon Says Stamp ... and the butterfly die that I bought from there to make this card, so I'm entering it into the current Simon Says Stamp challenge - Anything Goes.

It's Sunday, so that means our family are coming for dinner.  Today I'm making it very easy on my self by cooking up a lasagne and garlic bread from Costco, and then making a Caesar salad, veggie tray and fruit tray to go with it.  This means I have more time to spend on making dessert, which is the favorite part of the meal for most of us :)  I baked up some gingersnap cookies along with a Rhubarb pie.  Yum, yum!  I'll send leftover goodies home with the kids.  That's it for me ... off to add the meringue topping to my cooked pie.

Stamps:  Handwritten Notes (Avery Elle)
Paper:  110 lb. white (Neenah)
Ink:  Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Spiced Marmalade (TH Distress Inks)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Moonlight Butterfly die (Memory Box), Silhouette Cameo for cutting stencil, grid cut file (Silhouette America), sponges, Clear Glass Bead Gel (Golden), palette knife, copper metal sheet .005 thickness (K&S Precision Metals), mini butane torch

Challenges:
The Mixed Media Card Challenge
Simon Says - Anything Goes