Sweet Stamps- Use a Die

It's another great challenge at Sweet Stamps .  Our challenge theme for this week is to Use a Die .

 I had to try something different with a die- embossing with a Foil (sticky back) Paper.......I always love to try new things.....

 I taped the die to the back of the foil with removable tape, then used a stump to trace- don't be afraid to press hard!  You can use the stylus tool to show the fine areas of the die- like the owls eye and body too- which I did at the end.
 Next, I placed the foil onto the embossing folder (ridge side up) and rubbed the stump over it.  I did not remove the backing before attaching to the card- so it would be a bit sturdier. I sanded the foil before attaching it. On colored foil, the base with show up just like sanding the Coordinations cardstock shows a core color.

 Ok- I also had some fun with dies and my Art Journal cover.

 I made something REALLY different for me. For the April/May Technique Junkies newsletter, we learned a technique for cards (inspired by Art Journals) called Textured Monochromes. I thought I would decorate the cover of my Art Journal....so here goes!
 First, I painted the cover with Gesso, then with a light brown acrylic paint color. I picked brown as that is the color I figured the owl should be......  Next I cut the owl out of plain grungeboard. I attached it to the cover with  gel medium. I ripped a piece of cardstock and made it the branch under the owl- attached it with Gel medium.

I cut out the Mini Medallion die, and added modeling paste through it top left and again- just out of the picture on the right. I added a stencil with moon shapes- thinking it looked similar to the owls eyes.

On the far bottom, I added numerous roses- I cut off and saved some of the leaves from the Roses.

On the leaves- upper Rt and lower Lt, I used modeling paste thru leaves, and the other two and leaves from the roses pieced together.

 On the leaves- upper Rt and lower Lt, I used modeling paste thru leaves, and the other two and leaves from the roses pieced together.
 I added more color in layers, added some crackle paint and some sparkle spritz (Fairy Dust Creative Inspiration paint mixed with water).  Once I did that- forget taking a picture of this- the sheen changes the colors a tad.......  I added Brownie and Latte Shades die ink sponged on around the edges for a finishing touch. I also mixed some Brownie ink with Gesso, and used bubble wrap for more interest.
 I added a few ribbons to the edge- and will add more later- I am messy, so do not want to get paint and gesso all over it while playing.

Here are the Sweet Stamps products I used on my projects:

Cute Owl SweetCuts Die	Stemmed Rose SweetCuts Die	Mini Medallion SweetCuts Die	Brownie Ink Spot	Latte Ink Spot	CIP Fairy Dust
Owl Friends SweetCuts Dies	Multi Frame STRAIGHT OVAL Dies	Swirls 1 Embossing Folder	Soft Grip Stylus Tools

InLinkz.com

 I hope you will join in the challenge! Every entry qualifies you for a chance to win $20 of items from the store at Sweet Stamps, and if you use a Sweet Stamps image- you will receive an additional chance to win! The winner is chosen by Random.org- so everyone has a chance to win!

  Here is a direct link to the Monthly Challenge as well- 3/15- 4/14 Inking Stamps with Markers . You have a chance to WIN- winners drawn by Random.org.



 Challenges:
Use your Stuff- Die Cuts
OSAAT- Anything Goes
Corrosive Challenge- Show Us Your Metal
Allsorts- Use those dies
Alphabet Challenge- D for Diecut
Challenges and Candies- Embossing
Cut it Up- AG with Die Cuts
Creative Knockouts- Texturize It

***Sweet Stamps also has a PINTREST page- HERE ***

Thanks for stopping by!
 Shelly