Dust Em' Off

Hello, Hello!

Are you ready for another super fun challenge? Of course you are!!

The Challenge over at A Blog Named Hero is Dust Em' Off. What is that exactly? You have to create a project using a stamp you've never used before or haven't used in awhile.

We are sponsored by the fabulous Simon Says Stamp and YOU could win a

Yippee!!

This challenge was actually really challenging (Ha!) for me. Not because I didn't have any stamps I've never used but because I do, and they aren't even new. I have purchased stamps I *LOVE* but have never used because I didn't really know how too lol. I know that sounds silly but I have a hard time incorporating certain stamps into my style. This wonderful challenge really forced me to sit down and look at them in a different way. I'm so glad too because I hate having stamps that are unloved!! Would you believe me if I said the stamp I used for today's card I've owned since Christmas! So crazy!!

Here's my card

The very first thing I did was heat emboss my sentiment in white. That way I knew how I wanted to place my flowers. I inked up my panel using a "rainbow' of distress inks then stamped the small solid flower in versamark. Side note: make sure your distress in is completely dry before moving on to this step otherwise you'll have an embossing disaster :(. I heat embossed the flowers using clear embossing powder then rubbed black soot over the entire thing. I love those bright pops of color against the black big time!! The black distress ink will really dull your embossing so be sure to buff with a damp cloth to really make those colors POP. I added a smattering of rhinestones before popping up my panel on foam and adding it to my white card base. It's hard to see in the photo but I rounded all four corners to soften it a bit.

The Shadow Inks are putting on the inspiration today so head on over to A Blog Named Hero to see what all the other girls created. 

I can't wait to see all your wonderful cards using your new (or old) stamps!