August's Design Team Gallery Cards & Guest Designer Contest Reminder

August's Embellish-It Scrapbooking Design Team Gallery  marks the debut of the 2008-2009 Design Team, and it is one of the best ever. Inspired by the rich, lush jewel tones of BasicGrey's Boxer patterned paper, I made three cards and one journal. Grab a cup of your favorite drink, sit back and relax with some pretty pictures, this post is a long one :)

Golden Field of Flowers

The first of my projects that I am going to share with you today is my favorite card of the bunch.

I have a print of Gustav Klimt's The Kiss on my wall, and as I saw the beautiful BasicGrey Boxer paper patterns the idea popped into my head to create a lush scene of multi-patterned flowers brushed with gold.

I hand shaped the Stampin' Up! punches and Cuttlebug die cut flowers, then added rub-ons to some and Krylon Gold Pen to all. It is like liquid gold - no paint can compare.

I die cut and embossed the Cuttlebug Tag Team Butterfly (I think it out of stock in the store at the moment), then slightly shaped it and brushed more Krylon onto the surface.

I took a rub-on flourish from the Rub-on Book  and created a butterfly trail with it. There is also a rub-ons on the center of the butterfly itself.

This card has been published in the BasicGrey Gallery which is kind of neat :)

Flowers in Chintz

What I love about the Boxer patterns is that while they are meant to be masculine (all of the paper pattern sheets are named after men's underwear!), they can also be feminine and elegant.

Here I colored Karen Lockhart's Flowers in Chintz stamp with Copics, then framed it with Krylon again.

I matted the paper on a sheet of white for pop, then put it on a base of forest green cardstock.

Green lace and May Arts gold satin ribbon add more femininity.

Stickles were added to the vase and the flowers for sparkle.

I think sparkle takes a card that can easily go boring or staid, and livens it up a bit.

We all need sparkle in our lives!

I used my Copic Blender Pen to create a "sketched" shadow look - not sure if I succeeded. I need a Copic seminar! LOL

Creme de la Bella

Stamping Bella's Dainty Bella is paper pieced with a Boxer dress after being colored with Copic Markers. She is wearing MAC Eyeshadow pigment in Golden Olive - just kidding! Her eyeshadow is courtesy of Eucalyptus Stickles.

I popped her dress, and then her bouquet up with foam dimensional glue dots. Lots of Stickles were applied to her hair and flowers.

I can't seem to put the Krylon pen down - it just works so well with these lush fall colors.  Something different that I did was to first run my Copic along the edge of the oval, and then add the gold.

The flowers on the left are Boxer Chipboard stickers,while the flowers on the right are Stampin' Up! Boho Blossoms punch that has been hand shaped. The paper under the flowers is actually the packaging from the rub-ons. I thought it was gorgeous and too pretty to throw away. I save most of my BasicGrey packaging for this purpose.

The sentiment and flowers on the bottom are rub-ons. This card can also be seen at the BasicGrey Gallery.

Journal a la Carte

My final project is this altered journal.  I covered a Fancy Pants Story Book (it comes in all white with blank sheets) with Boxer papers then painted the edges with a custom blend of dark green and ivory acrylic paints, adding crackle paint in places.

Embellishments include Boxer chipboard, rub-ons and buttons, as well as BasicGrey Undressed Chipboard painted with acrylic paint and edged in Krylon.

I made a neat discovery: you can stamp with Krylon too! I stamped a flourish from Stampin' Up!'s Carte Postale (retiring August 10th). The Krylon came off from the rubber easily with Ultra-Clean, but I did work fast. I didn't want to let it dry.

I added Krylon and Stampin' Up! Gold Cord  to the buttons too.

The ribbon is actually 3 ribbons - 5/8 Ivory Grosgrain topped with Moss Velvet rickrack, and then a burgundy velvet on top of that.

I got the little lace butterfly on eBay a long time ago.

Be sure to see what the other Design Team members have made for you in the August Gallery - a definite feast for the eyes! These ladies have really put their heart, soul and mojo into their work - please be sure to pop over, take a look, and leave some love :)

New! Mothermark's Teapot Tuesday Challenge

Cindy (Mothermark on SCS) is hostess for a Teapot Challenge every Tuesday in the EI Forum right here.  She uses a teapot from  her huge collection for inspiration to make a card. The only rule is that no coffee pots are allowed! Be sure to check it out!

Become a Guest Designer!

Would you like to play along with the design team next month? To celebrate our first Friday Challenge in the forum one challenger will be sent design team goodies and win a spot as a Guest Designer for September. If you are interested in playing along please hurry - the contest ends this coming Friday, and a winner will be announced the same day. For details please see this post over at the forum.

Thanks for stopping by. If you like what you see, please spread the word. I am trying to get my blog "out there" and would appreciate it.

Comments

[Melanie]

You make the most beautiful cards! And, I love your dogs. They are adorable. I have 3 hairy rat terriers. Aren't they the best dogs ever?

[Kim Leach]

Hi! I'm new to your blog...but I won't be anymore!! Your cards are incredible and your talent and creativity amazing! I am in love with your little snowglobe on the earlier post...so so sweet!

You're going into my google reader list right now!!
Wow!
Kim Marie

[Laura]

I agree...this dainty bella is one of the better ones! So basic and elegant...Love what you have done here! I am an avid reader and loyal follower!
thanks for sharing all that you do!
Laura

[Laurie Hunt]

I just found your blog. These are just beautiful! I am at a loss for words, but suffice it to say that each one of these is a gorgeous art piece as it stands alone and put them all together and you are one amazing and talented woman! your on my google reader now!

[Meli]

WOW, your stuff is positively spectacular! Daintybella is just gorgeous.

[Debby Boltman]

Oh My Gosh!!! Everything is super fabulous! An artist to the core.

[Glitter Bella aka Jessica]

Love your cards! Especially the Bella it is sooooo awesome, totally luvvvvvvv it!

[Conniecrafter]

Love the creme Bella card, such a pretty dress and love the flowers framing it!

[Suzanne Dean]

Love all your projects, but the Bella is outstanding. Love the sparkle and paper piecing--really pretty!

TFS-
Suzanne Dean
www.scrapbitz.blogspot.com

[Sarah]

Very pretty! TFS!

[Janneke]

I like the thing you make ;)

Love your Bella card

[Ingen]

Love the things you make!

[Cheri - Cheribella]

What awesome talent you have. Just love your work. Bella is absolutely beautiful just as a bella should be :)

[Denise]

Gotta love that Bella! Very glamorous! Nice card!

Denise

[Danyel - aka Nelliebella]

Gorgeous! I love the colors of all your cards. Very classy.

[Sara]

I just want to tell you I love the new photos. And the cards I pretty cool too!

[Terry]

Very nice 'new' photo Suzy.
Lookin' good Girl!!
Love the new cards!! Gorgeous.