Shameless Attempt to Influence Robyn!

I have applied as a design team member for Artistic Outpost. Since they only asked for three cards/projects, which is typical, I thought I could sneak another one in here, since they have my blog addy. Anyone who looks at my blog regularly knows I play with AO stamps a lot. Why would I say publicly I have applied and risk the embarrassment if they don't pick me? Because I won't be ashamed if I don't get it. One of the great things about being a Christian is the peace. I want to be on AO's DT because I love their stamps. However, I know who is in charge of my life. I know if I don't make the AO team, that it's the best thing for both of us. It's so simple. And freeing. Besides, even if I weren't a believer, I stamp for fun, I'm not about to get all bent out of shape over rubber stamps!

Now, let's talk stamping! I could use Basic Gray's Urban Couture forever and never get tired of it! However, this particular sheet, in 12x12, is a little prohibitive for a card, so it's the last sheet left of this pack. When I got my new AO set, called Happiness, (turns out money can buy happiness), and stamped this butterfly stamp, I wondered if I could work this BG paper in. I made the card 51/2" square, laid it over the bird, and traced. I cut it out, Direct-to-Papered my edges with Chestnut Roan Cat's eye (click on Creative Play Stamps in my sidebar for Colorbox), then decided on the ribbon. This FAB velvet ribbon came from Flourishes, and it's one of my favorite ribbons in the whole wide world. The main AO image was stamped in Brilliance Chocolate and embossed with SU! Iridescent Ice EP. This is one of my usual combos. I usually prop the card up under my whatever those fancy craft lamps are called and admire the sparkle for a while. Who knows how much time I have spent admiring glitter in the last eight years? For the little "fly," I used my cat's eye to dab at a bit of the big stamp, then I stamped that into the piece of filmstrip, which also comes with Happiness. Then I smooshed that into my VersaMark pad and embossed with IIEP. Both stamped images are up on dimensionals, I use 3M mounting tape. I glued the bling on with my Sakura Clear Glaze pen.

Stuff:
Stamps~Artistic Outpost, Happiness
Paper~Chocolate Chip, Bazzill, Basic Gray Urban Couture, vintage file folders
Ink~Brilliance Chocolate, Chestnut Roan Chalk, Versamark
Goodies~velvet ribbon, bling, IIEP, mounting tape