You Are Loved

 Good morning all!  I have spent all weekend and the last few days getting everything ready for our upcoming Big Stamp and Scrapbooking show at the Alexandra Palace in London.  I am so looking forward to meeting some of my blog followers there so please stop by and say hi so I may put a face with the names that I see please.  I will be on my own stand called Rubbernecker which is right inside the door just to your right as you enter.  I will be demoing all weekend with my clear micro beads as I was able to get a small shipment in time for the show.  Now for todays post, I just loved the way this card came out but it was a total experiment!  I wanted the flowers to look like porcelain and I usually will dip them in ultra thick embossing powder to achieve that sort of look, but I didn't have any with me while I was staying at my Moms.  I decided to experiment with clear crystal lacquer to see if I could get them to look similar.  I made my flowers with the bitty blossoms die and dripped crystal lacquer on them.  It got a bit thick by the time I had coated the first flower so I turned it upside down to drip the excess off onto the second flower (no waste).  I let them dry overnight and I was pleasantly surprised with the results in the morning!  My close up pic doesn' t do any real justice but I think it was a suitable alternative to the ultra thick technique.

I cut the layered elegant swirl die twice so I had a cut out decorative circle for my focal element.  I used the extra scalloped die piece to cut a matching black mat to mount behind it and help accent it.  I stamped my sentiment and then cut it out with the square swatch die and mounted it in a diamond orientation using a slightly larger one cut in black as a mat.  I did a slight inking with antique linen to highlight the phrase.  I added some guipur lace in black next to my striped grosgrain ribbon and bow on the side of the card.  I also used a few of the stunning swirl die underneath my flowers and leaves.  I finished the card with some piercing all the way around the edge and a mat of black for balance.  What do you think of this monochromatic floral card, song or no song for you?  All for now, Sue x