Sparkle & Shine

Today I am sharing my submission for the latest throw down challenge at TGIF Challenge!  I absolutely love this challenge as it really gets my creative juices going.  The concept is so clever, there are a list of "basket" items in which you must use at least 4 items as well as "pantry" items which can be used.

As I considered my options I circled around the silver glitter paper and how I could use it.  I thought that it could be really fun to dry emboss it but worried that the embossing would get lost in all the glitter.  I pondered for a while until I had an ahh-haa moment.  What if I used the letterpress technique of adding ink to the embossing folder and then running it through the Big Shot?  I've never embossed glitter paper and wasn't sure if it would take the ink.  Well, you don't know until you try.  I was blown away, it turned out better than I expected. The pictures don't do it justice, I see this technique again in my future...

So I had this element complete.  I carted the embossed piece between our place up north and home a couple of times, not sure where to go from here. Finally, I used Pool Party to create a border for the embossed piece and for the sentiment.  I cut a curved shape for the flagged end as I wanted a softer finish than the normal V flag.  The flower image was stamped with Calypso Coral and fussy cut.  I cut a circular bit from the embossed glitter paper for the flower center.  The leaf was stamped with Pear Pizzazz and fussy cut as well.  I dyed the white bakers twine with Pear Pizzazz and adhered it to the back of the flagged piece along with a bit of doily.  As for the card base, I played around with a few ideas but landed on a simple white base.  I've rambled on long enough, here is my card:

It was a challenge to get a good picture, especially on a rainy day with the Ipad.  Here is a close up of the embossing: 

Happy Stamping,

Dana