Any Way You Fold It

Folding...it's not just for laundry!

The latest challenge on the Frilly and Funkie blog is all about folds.  For detailed info on the challenge click on this link and you can also see samples from the DT.  Wow!  I wasn't going to participate as I am supposed to be cleaning, purging, rearranging in my art space this week but I googled 'folded cards' on Pinterest and came up with this beauty that was my source of inspiration.  You'll have to scroll down a bit on her post to find the tutorial for the folded part.

Folded insides - valley, mountain, valley

Decorated card front

The front of my card is cream card stock.  I inked up the lace directions from Studio 490's Believe In Art with Black Soot Distress Ink and rolled the stamp over the card front in different places, varying the pressure.

From black gingham decorative paper I cut a 3.25"x5" rectangle then used a Martha Stewart 'Around the Edge' corner and straight punch.  Underneath is a black layer of cardstock that barely shows through the holes.  On top of that is the scalloped oval cut from the other piece of decorative paper that was used on the inside.  The flowers, leaves, branches and bow were attached to this.  This piece has dimensional foam tape under it for elevation.

The flowers and are Spellbinders dies (Rose Creations), the mini branch is from Tim's collection by Sizzix.  The leaves were swiped with distress paint (Peeled Paint and Walnut Stain)as were the branches.  Both were formed to give them dimension, texture and interest.  The label punch is by StampinUp, not sure about the 2 circles on it.  The 'create' is by JustRite.

The sentiment inside the card is from the Studio 490 set Dressed For Art.  It was stamped in Jet Black Archival Ink.  

You might think black roses are morbid or creepy but I think they're elegant.  Or can be.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Black & White and snow all over

Off and on flurries today so this card certainly fits what I'm seeing outside my window. I'm participating in a black & white tag swap on the AllThingsTim Yahoo group. If we wanted to, we could submit an extra tag that one would be submitted (as a group whole) to a magazine. Several wanted to post their finished tags on their blogs but concerns were voiced if this was allowed. One suggestion was to submit the extra one as slightly different from the rest of the swap. I opted to take my tag and turn it into a 5.5 x 8.5 card.

Here's what I did: stamped the trees and pine branch using Ranger Archival Jet Black Ink on the tag. Edged the tag with a black marker. Stamped the snowman on black cardstock using Ranger Snow Cap White Pigment Ink. Heat embossed with white embossing powder. Cut it out. Tied a ribbon around the neck; added foam tape to the back side. I stamped the snowflakes using Snow Cap Pigment Ink; heat embossed with white embossing powder. I applied Ranger Black Soot Distress Ink to the tag from the top down to resemble a night sky. Carefully I wiped the extra nnk off the snowflakes. I tore white cardstock for the snow mounds, adhered to the bottom of the tag then applied Ranger Frosted Lace Stickles to the tops of the snow mounds. Placed the snowman so he could watch the falling flakes. I didn't like seeing the hole in the tag so I covered it with a black button (white floss bow). I stamped the sentiment (Just Rite) at the bottom of the tag. All other stamps are from Tim Holtz.

The card is black cardstock edged with Frosted Lace Stickles. The white layer I cut the top corners (like the tag) and ran it through an embossing folder of snowflakes. I strategically dabbed FL Stickles on the outer snowflakes and around the layer. Added snowflake, polar bear, penguin and igloo buttons (removed the shanks) and the word 'snow' as charms.

You might be tired of the snow but I don't mind it at all. Tomorrow's card will be quite a contrast. Enjoy your day!