Sweet 'n Sassy Sneak Peek, Faux Cloisonne Tutorial & Blog Candy

Hi everyone and welcome to 2009 - may it be a good one for us all! Today marks my first day as a member of the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Design Team. I am so excited to be a part of this group of amazing women. To celebrate the new DT members and new stamp releases, we are having a Blog Hop, which just means that each DT member will be showing you a sneak peek of the seven new stamp sets that will be released on their blog. The set I have chosen to show you is called Love Blooms. I will be giving this set away today - more details on my giveaway and the Blog Hop are at the end of this post after today's card details and tutorial.

Card Details

I used a base of Bazzill Bling cardstock, which is pearlized so perfect for the shimmery look I was going for. I used the Stampin' Up! Top Note die to cut some Papertrey Vellum, which I first embossed with a Cuttlebug Script Embossing Folder.

My Faux Cloisonne Technique:

Atop the vellum is white cardstock that I used to create a Faux Cloisonne look. Cloisonne is a multi-step metal and enamel process that was popular in China and Tsarist Russia (think Faberge Eggs). Metal is used to separate the enamel. I have shown you this technique using embossing powder, which acts as a partition, and Glaze pens, which stands in for the enamel, but it also works with embossing powder and Shimmerz paints - perhaps even more so because of the silver glittery bits and pearlized paint.

To create a Cloisonne look I cut the white cardstock (use your thickest - I used thick Papertrey 140 pound paper) with Nestabilities Label One Die Cuts (available in the Sweet 'n Sassy Store)  and then embossed the roses from the Love Blooms set with Stampendous Detail Silver EP.

Next I watercolored the image using Stampin' Up! re-inkers in Kiwi Kiss, Garden Green, Riding Hood Red, and Pink Pirouette. It does not matter what medium you color with as long as it is sheer and vibrant, because you will be covering it up with paint.  Allow to dry.

After drying I applied Shimmerz Paints (on sale at The Rubber Cafe) in Pink Poinsettia, Rustic Red and Evergreen. I applied the paint in a rather thick layer between the roses with Candle Light and Sky Blue to fill in the spaces in between and to create a partitioned look thanks to the embossing.

The result is a thick, lacquered look similar to Cloisonne but also pearlized because of the Shimmerz.  The glitter in the paint adds a hint of grainy, thick metal and the shimmering pearl in the paint adds glow and dimension.

Note: While I applied the paint thickly, I was still careful to not warp the paper or to go over the embossing. Be sure to allow the embossing to act as a border, do not color the embossing itself or allow spillage over it. If you are unsure, apply paint in thin layers. If there is any warping of the paper, once your paint is dry put the paper under a heavy book for a day or so to straighten out.

For a high shine look you can add Crystal Effects as a final step, but only if you are doing so to a small area. I chose to skip this step as I was creating a background.

The sentiment (The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart) on the top layer is Detail Silver EP once again, with a cut out rose attached. I actually used Copics on the rose - I wanted to see the difference between water coloring and using Copics with a very light pink to blend the darker colors. They look the same to me right down to the tones, so as I mentioned earlier, any sheer color will do. I am sure Stampin' Up! or any brand markers would be just fine as well.

Finishing Details: A bit of Stampin' Up! silver cord for a bow and a green K&Co. self-adhesive crystal finish off the feminine rose.

I ran a silver Krylon Leafing Pen over the edge of each die cut for an elegant look. I have been asked where I get these - you can buy them at Michael's, they should cost around $5-7 US. Be sure to pick up some extra nibs too as the cardstock really splits the nibs after only a few uses.

The self-adhesive pearls on the top right are by K&Co. (they came in the same pack as the green crystals) and are available in the Sweet 'n Sassy Store - they sell so much more than just stamps and are having a sale too! The lace trim is from Webster's Pages.

Love Blooms Giveaway

Would you like to win this set? I will be giving away this gorgeous Love Blooms set which is so perfect for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, and weddings during tomorrow evening's Release Party at the Sweet 'n Sassy Forum. The fun begins January 2nd at 9pm EST.

At the Release Party you can chat, play challenges to win even more SnS Stamps, and find out who are the lucky 14 winners of the Blog Hop Giveaway. I will be hosting a challenge and yet another giveaway there at 9:30 pm EST - I do hope you can join :)

To Enter:

Please leave a comment on THIS post to be entered into my giveaway. Winner will be drawn tomorrow night at the Release Party in the SnS Forum. Leave a comment on the 13 other blogs for 13 more chances to win one of the seven new Sweet 'n Sassy stamp sets!

Blog Hop:

If you would like to hop aboard the Blog Hop, your next stop will be Courtney Fowler's blog. For a list of all SnS DT members blog's please see my sidebar to the upper right. You can leave a comment on each blog for a chance to win a stamp set (a total of 14 chances, woo hoo!).

Thank you for stopping by, be sure to read my post below for the reveal of this month's Magnolia-Licious Sketch Challenge and New Year's card! I also have a personal post below that. Today is a busy posting day :)

Hugs across the miles and across the new year!

Update: The winner of the blog candy is Lisa Hjulberg! Congrats Lisa!

Comments

[Verda Gagnon]

What fun we are going to have. Beautiful Card

[Karen Hunsaker]

Wow, wow, wow! I want to create just such a project. What a stunner!

Karen

[CarylP]

Congrats on joining the design team...with a beautiful card like that I'm looking forward to everything else you have to share!

[Kathy Hering]

What a work of ART!!!

[Pat Myers]

Your card is beautiful. Congratulations on your first day as a Design Team member.

[Mary R.]

This card is beautiful! I haven't tried the Shimmerz for that technique but I will now.

[Linda from Georgia]

Wow! An absolutely amazing card.

[shelly koskinen]

This card is stunning.

[Shannon]

WOW!!! Amazing card.

[Amy D]

I think this is my favorite so far. I Love it!!

[Sue D]

Absolutely gorgeous! Wonderful technique.

[Lynda K]

Your card is wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

[Justine]

You have done an outstanding job with this set. WOW. Thanks for the chance to win it.

[Amy Macak]

I love the new set
your card is beautiful and I hope to try the technique
Amy
Ajmacak@gmail.com

[Lori Stokes Wright]

What a beautiful card and stamp set! Thanks for the chance.

[Crystal]

What a gorgeous card ! Stunning ! Thanks for the opp to win such a great set !

[Giovana]

Your card is so pretty!!!!
God bless and Happy New Year.

Giovana

[Heidi]

WOW is all I can say, what a beautiful card.

[Kristen Scanlon]

I just love the color combination. So pretty!

[Char- D]

Love this technique.TFS

[Gloria Kountz]

Wow I love this card nice job.

[Debbie Stelton]

Oh my every detail of this card whispers a soft elegance it is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing all your tips for this technique. Also for giving me a chance to win. Hope you have a great weekend and TFS.

Debbie/Phx AZ

[Rosy C]

Speechless!!! This card has no words to describe it!!! BEAUTIFUL!!! You used my favorite color and favorite flower. Beautiful project!!!

Have a blessed year!!!

[Janice]

Congratulations on your new dt assignment. Your blog is always a daily visit...one of my favorite! Your card is beautiful.
Can't wait to join in on the festivities tonight.

[Jennifer]

OH MY what a beautiful card! This is yet another technique that I am going to have to try out! I bet this looks even better in person if it looks this good on my computer screen! WOW

[Pat Martin]

What a beautiful and delicate card! Ooooohhhh! This blog hop is so much fun and I'm getting acquainted with some new artists .... yea!

[elisabetta]

Wonderful card!!! I love it!!

hugs elisabetta

[Toni]

Holy Buckets! That is an amazing card! I just love all the details and am grateful that you shared them with us! Happy New Year!

[Claudia F.]

That is such a beautiful card!
Claudia
scfranson@charter.net

[Melissa (SCS: stampin_melissa)]

Wow! Absolutely gorgeous!

[Connie]

What a beautiful card! Thank you for the instructions.

Connie in north Florida

[Lisa Cox]

WOW that is a neat technique. I will have to try that one.

Love the SNS set. Those Roses are very pretty.

I will have to come back and visit your blog. Love it!

[Maria Matter]

OMGosh, this is gorgeous! I have never tried the faux cloisonne technique, but wow your results are beautiful!
I love blog hopping, so much talent I might have missed otherwise!
Blessings, Maria

[Rose Crawford]

I'm new to your blog and thoroughly enjoy each of your posts! I'm happy to have found your very informative and inspiring lessons! Thanks for sharing! - Rose

[terriavidreader]

First of all, Congrats on joining this team! And I love this card. Maybe I'll win a set and try some on my own.

[Nancy L.]

Beautiful card, love that technique! Very nice stamp set!!

[Kerry H]

Beautiful card. I love your blog candy set. I'll keep my fingers crossed...

[Alicia]

Beautiful! Amazingly done.

[Brenda]

Beautiful stamps! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

[Benita]

oh what a beautiful card! love all that pink;-)
hugs
Benita

[Oxana]

Hi,
i wish you a happy and creative new year!!
This stamp is fantastic, thank's for the chance to win your candy!

[Jessica]

Wow! What a great use of these techniques. Beautiful cards, simply beautiful. Thank you for the description too!

[Sherry D]

Your card is Stunning! Thanks for such a great tutorial, it looks like alot of work but the results are Fabulous! This was the perfect set for this technique. Very pretty card! Thanks for the chance to win such a great set!

[Jodi (mommy to 4)]

This card is stunning! I don't even want to know how long it took you to do this.

[Shelia]

Suzy, this is gorgeous, The detailing is so WOW. Wouldn't be a wonderful way to start out the new Year, by sinning all these goodies

[Cathy D]

I love your card, it is very pretty. Love the tutorial too. I will have to try it. Thanks for the chance to win.
Cathy D.

[Michelle]

Your card is absolutely gorgeous!!

[Denise Wells]

I love what you have done with this set! Just awesome!
Denise Wells
mamascollections@aol.com

[SharriC]

I love this technique it really shows off the beauty of the stamps.Thanks for sharing, SharriC

[Lisa Hjulberg]

Your card is beautiful Suzy... the detail and work you put into it makes it truly stunning! And I agree... Love Blooms IS gorgeous!