Muse Challenge #36 with Cityscape

I am so sorry for all the double daily posts lately!  Thanks bunches if you subscribe to me via email--I promise there won't be so many after this daily card challenge is over.  :)

I have been looking for new challenges to try, and I happened to find two of them that worked out perfectly together.  The first is called the Muse Challenge.  Each challenge uses a different card creation as inspiration for yours.  They can explain it much better than I can over on their blog, so head on over and check them out!  The second challenge I found is a sketch challenge called CAS(E) this Sketch!  I have been really enjoying the Clean and Simple style, so wanted to give it another go.

Here is my card...I am absolutely THRILLED with how it turned out!!!

Alright, so the Muse card is by Karen M. and is gorgeous!  Take a peek...

Muse Inspiration Card by Karen M.

I knew immediately which parts of the card inspired me--the embossed resist technique she used and the fantastic colors of the background!   I also knew what my scene would look like!  I grabbed my Close to My Heart Cityscape My Acrylix stamps and got straight to work.

I used my black pigment mini ink to stamp the buildings, and then quickly sprinkled them with clear detail embossing powder before shooting it with my heating tool.  With these juicy pigment inks, you only need to have clear powder on hand to emboss in any color (and we have 40!)  LOVE that shine!

Next, I used my Versamark Inkpad to stamp the snowflakes on the background.  I again used the clear embossing powder and heated it up.  Now for the inky fun!  I used my sponge daubers to randomly pat Outdoor Denim, Gypsy, and Indian Corn Blue over the top of the snowflakes.  To keep the windows of the buildings nice and brightly lit, I learned quickly to cover them with a piece of CS when I was stamping near them.  When I was happy with the ink coverage, I added Bitty Sparkles to some of the biggest snowflakes.

My banner with the word, "PEACE," was cut from my Close to My Heart Artiste Cartridge on White Daisy CS and backed with silver Shimmer Trim.  I thought it was the perfect sentiment to complement the scene, and a super addition for rounding out the CAS(E) sketch!

I think this makes a wonderful city-themed Christmas Card!   How about you?

WAIT!!!  Don't forget about my giveaway from earlier today HERE!  :)  

Color Dare Take Two!

So, my comrades and I on team two over at the Color My Heart Color Dare are using the three colors Buttercup, Sky, and Sweet Leaf this week.

I had a hard time deciding which card to use for the post until I realized I could eventually show you BOTH, lol!  ;)

Here is the second one I made...

I used the same technique, embossed resist, that I did in the first card I made HERE.  The sentiment I used is the Close to My Heart My Acrylix size M stamp, A True Thank You.  Our awesome size M stamps are a huge value at only $2.95 each!  Then, I added a simple step for a whole new look!

I used one of these fantastic spray pens to spritz the finished panel with water.  It dried leaving some wonderful spots all over the inked colors!  I just love the effect!  Be sure to let it completely dry before you adhere this piece to the rest of the card!  ;)

Here are the two card sets I had when I was finished.  You can see the subtle difference the spray pen made in the thank you cards at the bottom.  I love amazingly simple techniques, because quite frankly, I don't have time for any others!  ;)

Notice that I also reversed the order I applied the colors over the embossed image...otherwise the "thank you" sentiment didn't stand out enough.  Trial and error, my friends is the best way to figure it out!  ;)

You still have time to link up with us over at the Color My Heart Color Dare this week!  The deadline is tomorrow, Thursday the 5th at noon CST.  Come and give it a try!