One of the things I love most about making holiday cards all year long at Jingle Belles is the opportunity for play & creative exploration ... because if it doesn't work, it's no big deal ... I just try again. A co-worker reminded me this week that often we can't achieve (or recognize) success until we've experienced failure ... so true.
For this card, I decided to try some inky play. At first it seemed like failure, but I kept playing and eventually turned it into success. I started by stamping this Hero Arts Florintine Pattern background in Versamark ink on some red holly designer paper and clear embossing. Next I sprayed with copper glimmer mist, thinking that the un-inked flourishes would have a metallic contrast against the red background ... wrong. The red paper just soaked up the mist, but no contrast.
After leaving it for a few days, I decided to play around with some inks. I tried several with no success (wiping off with a baby wipe between inking) and finally found a winner with Chipped Sapphire Distress ink. Here's the finished background (before I covered it up with my other design elements) ... the cool inky contrast I was hoping to achieve.
Next I wondered ... can you pressure emboss glitter paper? Turns out the answer is a resounding *Yes*. I used a new Stampin' uP embossing folder on a scrap of Gold Glitter paper ... such great texture.
I finished with some gold glitter jingle bells, a Crafty Secrets cardstock sentiment ... and an EAD Designs Rub-on sentiment (I also discovered that with patience and strong pressure, they will adhere to an ink embossed background ... another creative win).
The layout is from a new-to-me sketch blog ... 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.
We hope you're having fun embossing with us. Remember, you have until Wednesday, May 16th at 5:00 pm EST to link-up your creations ... use keyword JB10-12 if you upload to galleries (including our Flickr Gallery).











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