Thursday, February 5, 2015

January Card Chain Challenge Reveal

Many of you have heard me wax poetic about Deborah Nolan's Card Chain Challenge. For those of your who have not, a little poem for you:

Would you like a pretty card
To keep all for your own?
Do you want to bring a smile
To someone quite unknown?
Then take a gander at this site!
It will sure astound.
It's an exchange of crafty cards
Monthly from all around!

I'm sorry to have subjected you to that awful verse, but I wanted to be sure to tell you how much I LOVE participating in the Card Chain Challenge. It's not really a challenge at all - it's a monthly exchange with cardmakers around the world. You give a card, you get a card (and usually a little sumpin' sumpin' else too). Simple as that. The full reveal of all the cards is posted on Deborah's blog. If you're interested in signing up, the February exchange is still open, but only for 2 more days!

Anywho... on to the business of revealing my creation that was shipped to Helen in Ohio. If you've never had the pleasure of visiting Helen's blog, let me tell in advance that you will be bowled over by her creativity! 

I was going off the sketch the CCC gave, and I did an odd little thing. I just wanted to see if it worked, you know the drill. I folded the card in a very funny manner, leaving about an inch exposed on the left-hand side.



Then I stamped a background stamp of random words using Old Paper Distress Inks. I used a stencil and went over the words with a polka-dot stencil using Peacock Feathers Distress Inks, and then again using Dusty Concord.



At this point, everything just seemed ridiculously bright to me. So to continue in the vein of experimentation, I smeared gesso over a portion of the center panel, let it dry, then used a harlequin-shaped stencil to go over areas in Dusty Concord and Vintage Photo DIs. 



As you can see, I also created a little band with twine to keep the card closed. I even punched tiny hearts (it's in the details, people!). 




Next, I took this cool chipboard heart and used some Distress Paints (Broken China, Dusty Concord, Picket Fence) I dabbed on the paints, spritzed with water, dabbed on another layer, spritzed with more water until I got the look I was going for. 

Lastly, I embossed the word LOVE in gold and - VOILA:


I added some little pearl buttons to add a little class. Who doesn't love pearls?

I'm sending my card over to the following challenges:
Craft Hoarders Anonymous - build your challenge 

 I used Paint, Twine, Stamping, Chipboard, and Bling.

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - H is for (my H is for HEART!) 
Mod Squad - Use water (I used lots of water to make my heart chipboard)
Mixed Media Card Challenge - Love (option of buttons) 
Penny Black and More - Anything Goes


 Jo in England mailed me a card this month and it's divine! It showcases inlaid die cutting just perfectly. And it had lots of sparkle (which of course the camera doesn't pick up). Thanks again Jo! I love it!


Jo is one of those rare breed of crafters whose every card is completely gorgeous and makes you hang your head in shame. Check her out!

Thank you all for stopping by and leaving me fuzzy comments! They make my day!

32 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous card!! I love the background details!! The heart is fabulous!! And the gold embossed love is a perfect touch!! The card you received is beautiful, too!! What a fun card exchange!! Have a great evening :)

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  2. Beautiful card, Becca! I love all of the layers of inks, stencils, stamps, paints, etc!! My favorite way to play, but never seem to have enough time to do so. I am sure that Helen loves this card!!!!

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  3. Helen is going to LOVE this beautiful card Becca! Your background and gold embossing are terrific! The card you received is wonderful too, what a fun idea!

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  4. OK, OK I am going to go sign up right now!! Your card is lovely, and the one you received is gorgeous as well :)

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  5. Such a fun idea! I just might have to hop over and sign up. Love your card, the folding, the colors, the techniques. Simply fab!

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  6. I'm soooo glad I went into the CCC last month [due to you] & am back on board this month, too!! This one is super cute.....the tie around the middle & placement of the heart.....NICE!!!!

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  7. OMG! I absolutely love the wacky fold of your card - so flipping unique! And so much inky fabulousness!

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  8. Absolutely love your inky creation Becca! Gorgeous colour combo and fab fold. Love the card you got from Jo too. I'm joining in this month...it's a great idea. Carol x

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  9. Beautiful card Becca! Love the texture on your heart and the colours are so dreamy! Beautiful card you received too! hugs :)

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  10. I love the detail in the fold and sleeve for your card! Jo's card is a treat to see too!

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  11. What a fun idea. I will have to go investigate :-) Your card is gorgeous. Love all the details of the background you created and the colour combo you used. The gold embossing is just the perfect finishing touch :-) The card you received is lovely.
    Hugs,
    Lena
    Lena’s Creations

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  12. Becca, I am with you. This is a fun exchange and look at the wonderful cards that are exc hanged. I love your card. The purples and blues are a nice change in color schemes!!

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  13. Great card you made with a wonderful heart-love the layering techniques and I love your poem! Jo's card is pretty and sparkle is always needed

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  14. WOW, you've made a beautiful card, Becca!!! Love the colours and that stunning heart!!! The pearls surely add some class and I love the twine bow!!!!
    Have a super weekend!!

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  15. great card, love the background texture and technique!!! YAY for playing along with Craft Hoards Anon!!!

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  16. Like how your mind works, lady. This is kinda genius. Clever girl. Man, someday I'm going to have to learn to layer.

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  17. Another wonderful post of inspiration x

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  18. Such an incredibly fun thing to participate in!! Does she offer it up each month or is it set now for the whole year?? Do you get what I am asking?? Can I still sign up next month for March?? Anyways - let's talk about this brilliantly creative beyond anything ever card!!! I love it - from the way you folded it, to your background, to that exquisite heart and the cool band that wraps around with little hearts punched in it - awesome details - EVERY single one!!! You just bowled me over we with the beauty of your card!!! Hope you have a glorious weekend!!

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  19. Your recipient is so lucky to have gotten your beautiful card!

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  20. Your cards are amazingly stunning, unique and oh my new dear friend you are oh sew talented!!! I loved my cards I have received from you and the recipient is very lucky to receive this card!!!!!
    You are PHENOMENAL!!!!
    Much love, hugs, and friendship

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  21. Okay, I reread this and am ready to give stenciling a try. I just do not know what color to use. I need to go over pink and blue. Maybe I will try old paper mixed into the gesso.

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  22. Lucky you got the card from Jo she can made cute card or a serious and beautiful card this is also so lovely
    and your card love the purple gold and blue combine together and I love the closed of your card too...pssst (a secret) I never think to join the challenge if I have sent my card sometimes I forgot to make Photo also the card send to CCC recipient and I cant join any challenge...poor me right Becca LOL...you are so clever make all step by step to make this card....I wish I can remember next time to photograph my CCC card..hugs, MJonika

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  23. Such a unique fold and look. Love all the details and layering of materials. Thanks for joining us at the Mod Squad Challenge!

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  24. Beautiful card, lucky person who receives this card Love the heart , twine and gold word . Second card also lovely, love the sentiment on it
    Mary

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  25. What a beautiful card you created!! I love all the stamping and the texture. The card you received is lovely as well. Lucky you!!

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  26. Wow, Becca...another work of art! Love seeing the 'process' to beauty unfold, and the finale...jaw-dropping gorgeous! Lucky person who receives this gem! Your card from Jo: soooo pretty!
    Hugs~c

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  27. Sorry to be so late arriving Becca, but didn't want to miss saying how I love your card and thank you for sharing with us at Penny Black and More.

    B x

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  28. Gorgeous...and it is all about the little details.

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  29. Love your card, especially the twine and how it's held closed! I love the gift card too.....simply stunning!

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  30. Fab creation, thanks for joining Penny Black & More @ Allsorts challenge, good luck.
    Happy crafting
    Tracy x

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  31. I'd say you get an A on your art experiment. I love the final layer of gesso and the harlequin design. Thanks for joining us this month at the MMCC, Becca.

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