A Soft Ole' World

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Fae and I live in the grand ole' state of Michigan. I am very passionate about all things creative, and have completely fallen for the world of paper crafts. One of my best buds, K.P. got me started in scrapbooking about 8 years ago. From there, we both attended our first Stampin' Up party about five years ago, and I have been hooked on Card making ever since!! Oh the things you can do!! Does anyone else feel like it would be a terrible sin to go out an BUY a card for an occasion, when most of us have a room packed full of supplies that we just can't stop buying? lol.

Please excuse my rookiness, as this is my first blog, but I do follow a couple of bloggers out there that really inspire me, and I figure... why can't I share my stuff, and hopefully spark a little inspiration in someone else?? If I'm doing alright, please drop me a line and let me know... for that matter, feel free to give me some tips to improve. lol.

To make the card above, I used Stampin Up Soft Sky; and Chocolate Chip cardstocks, Ranger Distressed Brushed Corduroy ink, antique copper brads, and the stamps are Penny Black's You're the world; and Old World Map from Stampin up, which is a older retired background stamp which I first discovered on Ebay. (As a side note, I used to spend the big bucks, and bid on these long lost treasures on Ebay, however when speaking with my Stampin Up rep, she told me that she can usually find them for much cheaper among her network, and I should try to use that avenue first. She was right!! I stole this one for about $15.00 through one of her resources. She had me send her a check, and the lady sent the the stamp right to me!! So easy!!) The ribbon I found in Michael's dollar bargin bin, and it matches perfectly!! I trimmed the brown layer just a bit smaller than the card base, and trimmed another piece of the sky just a bit smaller yet, and stamped it with the map background. My wise Stampin Up demonstrator taught me that backgrounds stamp the best when you ink the stamp well, leave it face up and place your paper on top of the stamp, and use a piece of scrap paper over top and rub the image on to your paper. This gives a good even inking, rather than all those dead zones you get, when you try to stamp the image onto the paper. She is such a smarty!! lol. I roughed up the edges of the soft sky paper, using my making memories distress tool, and sponged them with ink, to give it the old tattered map look. I tucked the ribbon behind the brown layer, and secured it with Sticky Strip from stampin up. That stuff is REALLY sticky!! I also used foam mounting pieces to give the sentiment layer a little lift. I have found that this helps eliminate the bumps you get in a layer, when the brad tabs are folded down in the back.

Well, I hope I somewhat sound like I know what I'm talking about... lol, and that you enjoyed my first crack at this.