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Because I Care

Happy Thursday! Yesterday I had the urge to buy new stamps, because I just wasn't feeling inspired with the ones I had. This is really silly because I have SO MANY stamps, even ones that have been left completely uninked. So I told myself to buckle down and just use what I had, then if I still wanted new stuff I could buy some without feeling guilty about "impulse" buying. LOL!

So I pulled out my most recent SU! purchases and decided to give them a little more loving. I love the look of Eastern Blooms, but I think it's a real pain that the flowers aren't a separate stamp. I want pink flowers and brown branches, but don't want to sit there with my markers all day long to make it so. So I've been snubbing this stamp since I first used it. I had embossing on my mind because of the Verve Project Parade Challenge, so I decided to emboss the stamp in clear embossing powder on white cardstock and then brayered over it with Baja Breeze. Next I cut a Basic Gray mat from a Long Rectangles Nestabilities die. (To make it the right size, I just cut four scallops out of the middle of the rectangle and then taped the two remaining ends together). For the background I randomly stamped one of the single flowers in Pink Pirouette on the same color of cardstock. I tied a Basic Gray taffeta knotted bow across this panel and then stamped the just because I care sentiment from Best Yet in Basic Gray ink in the bottom corner.

To finish off, I added petal pink Liquid Pearls to the centers of all the flowers. Several of you have asked about my liquid pearls technique. I don't know that there's really a trick to it, but here's what I do. I always start out with a dallop on scratch paper. The first squeeze will always be uneven, so it's best to do it on scratch paper. I let up enough that the flow stops, but never entirely release pressure on the bottle (this keeps extra air from getting in the flow of the liquid). Then I just squeeze a little drop out and release the pressure a little. Make sure the flow stops before moving on. Then go to the next and repeat, always keeping the bottle pretty close to the paper. You want light squeezes and small movements.

Well, if any of you were wondering... my plan didn't work! I still felt like buying new stamps, and since Lindsey (Jacksonbelle) had the new holiday papers from BasicGrey and Fancy Pants in stock, I just had to order up some of those pretty Inkadinkado fairies and a few other stamps to make sure I got free shipping! :)

10 comments

Stephenie said...

This card is super super cute! OMG I'm happy I came by to see your blog.

Betty J Schaub said...

Clean & Simple. But elegant...
terrific!

Jennifer Meyer said...

Beautiful card Julee, LOVE branch in white and the pretty pearl center! Hope youre feeling better,
Jennifer :)

Allison Rankin said...

Just lovely Julee!

Jessica Diedrich said...

LOL! You will NOT be upset thatyou bought the fairies...i LOVE them and it was a TOTAL impulse buy! I really like this card you made w/ the Eastern Blooms...it's so pretty and liquid pearls is one of my new BFF's! Have fun!

Cindy Haffner said...

Hope you are feeling better, love your card.

Denise said...

Very pretty, Julee! :)

June Houck said...

Phew! So glad to know that the divine Miz Julee has days of wanting new stash :) I too have plenty of virginal stamps, paper packs, etc. but sometimes want more new stuff for inspiration.

Your cards and sketches are always gorgeous. Keep 'em coming. You have hundreds af adoring fans out here in bloglandia :)

dpkennedy said...

It's very pretty! And far be it from me to talk anyone out of buying new stamps! I am just glad that I am not the only one that has uninked stamps...and keeps buying more!!

Jessica said...

I know what you mean about that stamp, but it is just too beautiful to gather dust :) Your card is gorgeous. I love the liquid pearls!

You have probably done this before, but I picked up a great trick from my SU demo: ink the stamp in brown, then use a blender pen to remove the ink from the flowers. Then use a marker to colour them in. It take a little bit of time (not as much as using all markers), but it is SO worth it!