Freshly Made Sketches 43

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away I used to love learning new techniques and trying them out on my cards.  The ones that were overly complicated were usually relegated to my "nice, but...." pile never to be attempted again.  The easier ones I filed away for future use and unfortunately sometimes I forget about them.  But for my card today for Freshly Made Sketches I dusted off an easy technique that I think might be called something like "faux suede."

As I sat down to make my card, I realized that I had been completely ignoring the pretty new In Colors for this year so I used some Primrose Petals cardstock and DSP.  I added in some Lucky Limeade cardstock and Everyday Enchantment DSP, then set about making my faux suede flowers.  If you're not familiar with the technique, it basically involves breaking down the fibers of your cardstock so that you can separate the layers and what you're left with is a soft, suede-like bit of cardstock.  First, I cut out my flower shape, then I ran my cardstock through the crimper, then I smoothed it with a bone folder.  I do this a couple of times until I see the cardstock begin to separate.  Once I see this I carefully peel the layers apart. What you're left with is some very cool cardstock that looks like soft suede.

As I was deciding on what I wanted to do with the big rectangle shape of the sketch I realized that the challenge at CAS-ual Fridays to add text was the perfect excuse to ink up this cool Gina K stamp that matches the Labels Four Nestie.  I added my suede flower (with an Antique Brad in the center) and a couple of leaves from the Island Floral Bigz Die.  I actually think that the leaves are a tad too big for the flower, but as luck would have it I didn't realize this until the card was done, the picture taken and the blog post ready to go!

This was an awfully long post and if you've stuck with me this far, your only job now is to check out the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and be totally amazed and enthralled by the design team creations that are intended to inspire you to join our sketch challenge this week.

Here are links to the design team in case you get lost on the way!

Cindy Hall

Tui Nathan

Jennifer Timko

Allisa Chilton

Jen Sannes

Ann Schach

Linda Suarez

Jennifer Brum