Saturday, September 5, 2009

I'm So Excited!!

From Our Creative Corner
Several weeks ago the Our Creative Corner Challenge Blog had a call for a few new design team members. I recently decided that one of my artistic goals this year was to become a member of a prestigious stamp art design team. I have been a fan of the OCC blog since its inception and try to participate when time allows. Even when I don't participate, I always check out what is happening on a weekly basis. In early August, I was excited to see a DT call. I decided it was now or never and entered a card into the challenge. I held my breath and hoped against hope. I even scoped out the competition by looking at all the cards entered into this challenge - LOL!! The day came when the call closed. I checked my email; I checked my blog comments - I think almost hourly!! And then, almost a miracle - an invitation to join the fabulous OCC design team.
Today's the day of the big announcement and the publication of my first card on the OCC blog. But before I show you my card, I want to introduce you to the fabulously talented OCC Design Team. I hope you will take the time to stop by their blogs and congratulate them on their achievement and their beautiful creations!

Jenny Gropp - One Krafty Cat
Loretta Lock
-Love to Create
Silke Ledlow -
My Life
Joycelyn Turner -
Stamps 'n' Coffee
Jennifer Meyer -
Jennifer's Sweet Designs
Dana Grothaus -
Dana's Dabbling Studio
Lori Rider -
Diva Stamper
Cindy Burgess -
Mrs. B's Craft Room
Wendy Janson -
It's All About Stamping
Melissa Young - Stampin Fabulous

So on to this week's challenge. Since this is Labor Day weekend, the last of the summer's patriotic weekends, Dana Grothaus thought it would be fitting to do a stars and strips challenge. The entry didn't have to be patriotic, just that it needs to have some stars and stripes. I actually set out to do a western style card in non-patriotic colors, but somewhere along the line, my creativity took an unexpected turn. I found myself looking through my paper stash for reds, whites and blues. I've had the wonderful western Bronc Buster set from SU for over a year and it has never seen ink. I thought I could use it to do an American Hero themed card. I started out trying to use the DSP from SU's retired Western Sky pack. But I had the idea that I would cut out the stars in denim covered chipboard and the Western Sky blues didn't really work with the denim color I was using. Plus with the denim, I wanted to use Night of Navy embossed with the CB Paisley embossing folder that is then sponged with Craft White. It gives it a great washed, weathered denim look. So that's where I was - stuck with denim stars and weathered paisley. What to do? Nothing in my paper stash really worked with those colors. And this was my first OCC DT card. I had to get it right! So I did what I have been doing with increasing frequency lately, I went surfing for digital paper. I came across The DesignerDigitals site and this wonderful Stars and Strips paper pack by Katie Pertiet. Perfect! I purchased it, downloaded it and printed it on my home printer. I teamed it up with a Night of Nayv base. A tag was created out of some old, old, old Creative Memories paper in a red bandana print. The red in it was too bright so I sanded the surface off to dull it and then sponged it with Creamy Caramel ink. The tag was cut with the Nesties Long Rectangle die and I rounded the corners to give it more of a tag look. I glued an old piece of denim to some chip board and when dry, I cut it with a Sizzix star die. The smaller stars were made with some old blue bandana fabric that I also glued to chipboard. I used Tim Holtz Crackle Paint along the edges of the stars to cover the gray of the chipboard and to give it a vintage look. When the crackle paint was dry I also sponged it with Creamy Caramel ink. I cut another piece of the bandana, frayed the edges and tied it to the tag along with some red gingham ribbon. The sentiment stamped on the distressed red bandana paper is from a retired SU set (sorry I bought it second hand and it doesn't have the name on it) and says "It is love of country that lights and keeps glowing the fire of patriotism - J. Horace McFarland".

The inside is finished off with the same digital paper. In keeping with the genuine American hero theme, I stamped the Genuine stamp from the set onto the distressed bandana paper and heat embossed it in white. It was cut with the die from the Cuttlebug Halloween Sign set and then mounted on a piece of paisley embossed Night of Navy cut with the Nesties Mega Rectangles. I toppped this off with a frayed piece of the bandana and red gingham ribbon.

There is so much detail on this card. I tried to cover the main points, but if you have questions, please leave them in the comments and I will happily get back to you with the details.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Bronc Buster, Land That I Love, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Stars & Strips from DesignerDigitals
Ink: Craft White, Night of Navy, Creamy Caramel for distressing
Accessories: Cuttlebug Paisley embossing folder and Halloween Sign, white EP, Vanilla HodgePodge Hardware, scraps of denim and blue bandana, gingham ribbon from Jo-Ann's and SU, hemp string, Spellbinder Long Rectangle Nestabilities, tag die and Mega Rectangles, Sizzix star die, sewing machine, SU Photo Corner punch

Update: This card was featured on Card of the Week.



22 comments:

Melissa said...

WOW! I love all your details! Beautiful work! I look forward to working with you on the OCC!

Mrs B said...

Linda, I just LOVE your card!!! There is so much detail!!! and you do the inside of your cards!! I have always wanted to do that....I just may try it now that I see how beautiful yours are....
CindyB

Joycelyn Pelkey said...

This is just FABULOUS!!! Love every little detail!!

Unknown said...

Wow! You're card came together beautifully. I think the paisley embossing folder makes this card. Great work!

Wendy J. said...

Linka, LOVE your card! It has so much interest! I am so not good at grunge! Maybe I can learn some from you! Looking forward to working with you!

LorettaL said...

Holy shamolies, Linda!!! This is OUTRAGEOUS!!!!

Christine said...

So happy for you!

Silke Ledlow said...

Linda - this is one fabulous take on todays challenge!!! I'm so glad you joined the team!!! We'll have fun for sure!!!

Have a great weekende!!! Hugs ~S~

Lori Rider said...

Wonderful card, Linda! You have a great eye for detail. And I'm blown away by the inside! It's all just amazing. So excited to be on the OCC with you!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

The card you entered in just BEAUTIFUL, I LOVE how your style has evolved in such beautiful and unique work!

Will look forward to seeing all your future creations for this group!

Anonymous said...

Linda what great news to know you're on the OCC DT! I can't wait to see all of your creations....and you've started off with a BANG! Have wonderful holiday weekend!

Abby:)

Jennifer Meyer said...

Hi Linda :) All I can say is WOW!! I LOVE your card and the gorgeous detail that went into your design!! Not only do I LOVE how you desiged the front of your card but the inside of your design is gorgeous too!

Thanks for joining us on the OCC, I am SO excited to be designing next to you each week!

Hugs & Smiles, Jennifer :)

Yvonne Hagane said...

Congratulations, Linda, I`m so excited for you!!! So very well dererved. Your card is beyond stunning!
Hugs, Yvonne.

Brandy said...

This is a truly magnificent card! Bravo! Congratulations on your new creative adventures too!! They couldn't have picked a better artist, Linda! :-)

Jenny Gropp said...

GF-- I love every inch of this card! All those added extras and details -- I love 'em! All of 'em! Welcome, Welcome, Welcome to the OCC! Thrilled to have you with us!

Beautiful Greetings said...

This is just gorgeous Linda! I love all the details and the embossing with the craft white looks stunning. Digital papers huh! I have never tried them but yours are beautiful! Congratulations on your accomplishment. They are lucky to have you!

Edith said...

Congratulations Linda! I love your card and every detail on it! Gorgeous!

cheryl said...

wow amazing detail on this the inside is just as beautiful love cheryl xx
well done on the OCC love cherylx

Unknown said...

Congratulation's! Your card is to die for, I love the red,white,and blue and your layout is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Linda,
Congrats! I know you wanted this opportunity to work on a design team. Thanks for sharing your good news. You always do just beautiful work.
Stasia

babyoxnard said...

Wow, Linda! Congratulations! You are such a talented artist and your cards are just divine. They are lucky to have you!!

Anne

Laura Pinto-Nguyen said...

I'm in love with this card...and the color combo!!!

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