Thursday, March 4, 2010

Smeared and Smudged Network - First Ever Blog Hop!!!

SMEARED AND SMUDGED FIRST EVER BLOG HOP!!!

Welcome to the first EVER Smeared and Smudged Network blog hop!!! I was so excited when I heard Terra announce this hop!!

I had no idea what I was going to create but I knew that it would be done in the S&S "way"!!
I started with PTI's Smokey Shadow Perfect Match cardstock. I used an old claim ticket from a suit alteration of my husband's. Yes...I keep EVERYTHING!!! LOL! Labels, tags cut out of my kids clothing that itches them, even today I found torn up scratch tickets on the ground in a parking lot and the 'green' side of me picks up stuff all the time just to keep the Earth a little cleaner and the crafty side of me thinks "I can use this SOMEHOW!"

But I digress...
So I took the claim tag and stamped it with one of my favorite images the Fleur De Lis symbol in Harbor Blue Colorbox ink and heat embossed it. I then heavily distressed the edges with my Tim Holtz distressing tool.
I then stamped the white strip that you see with the tiny black rose. That tiny black rose stamp was my first rubber stamp ever purchased. Back in the EARLY 90's when I was in college. I remember thinking it would look cute on the back of an envelope or on the top of a piece of blank stationery or something. It got used. And I thought about tossing it through the years but I'm so glad I didn't!!!

This is the first time I've used it probably since college!!! I inked it up in black craft ink and heat set the roses. I then crumpled it up and ran the ink pad over the strip to rough it up a bit.
I then grabbed some scrap cardboard I had lying around from some ATC's I'd made earlier that had been stamped with a cool flower stamp that I purchased at the Paper Source. Lastly, I stamped some 5/8" Vanilla ribbon with my ALTERED stamp in black ink. I carefully figured out which order I wanted this trio of mishmash to go in and I adhered them together, effectively creating an orderly layer. I purposefully ripped the edges and frayed the ribbon to add to the distressed effect. My main panel beetle stamp was also purchased at The Paper Source. It's a cool bug...not too creepy but creepy enough! I inked it up in, once again, black craft ink and heat set it. I used a really pretty deep blue cardstock for the backing. I then took a nail file to it as well as my sanding block and really wore it down! I then backed it with more of the PTI Smokey Shadow cardstock and carefully stitched around the edges with white thread in a straight stitch pattern. Leaving the thread ends hanging where I would normally trim them to keep with the distressed theme.I added the rhinestones for a little "blingity-bling" and added it to the card using 3-D foam adhesive.

Inside I have the sentiment:

"You're writing the story of your life...one moment at a time" from the PTI Owl Set. Inked in the same Harbor Blue and heat embossed. I then took the ink pad and lightly ran it all over the interior of the card.I hope you've enjoyed my creation!!! Now off you go HOPPING along!!!


Thanks so much for joining us on this fabulous hop!!!





20 comments:

Unknown said...

I love it Meredith! Your stamp on your ribbon is great! Great sentiment too.

Kim Wilson said...

Love it! The ticket was a great idea!

Michelle said...

Love your card :-)

blackdragon said...

This is fantastic Meredith.... i really wish i could make cards.

lynx

Barb said...

Beautiful work, Meredith!

Kelli Green aka Cajunstampingqueen said...

Thats very Loverly!!!!! Totally Wicked

Alison said...

Wow! So much work was put into this, and it shows! I love the ticket! So clever! I'm so glad you decided not to throw away your rose stamp! Such sentimnetal value there! You made an incredible card!!!

Alexandra Lundgren said...

I love it Meredith! You did a fabulous, fabulous job and that beetle is awesome! Especially with the BLING! You are AMAZING girl!

ldfdesign said...

it's wonderful!! i love the color combination!

Unknown said...

Absolutely stunning card Meredith. You make the most amazing things.

Unknown said...

Wow Meridith that is so cool! Love the beetle bling -- Great job!

Unknown said...

Oh Meredith, this is gorgeous! I love the colors and the depth of your layers, so very cool! Thanks for participating in the hop, you all rock!!

creative clear stamps said...

I love it! Thanks for sharing!

angiesuez said...

excellent colors...luv the bug!

Faye said...

Your work is amazing and Cutie is defo cutie! x

Kathi said...

It's fabulous. I love all the grungy layers and also love that you keep and recycle things creatively.

The blinged up beetle is awesome too.

Cheryl Valadez said...

Fabulous card! Love the layout, the colors, everything!

Keely Livings said...

I just love this, Meredith! The colors and stamping are gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Great card! Love the beetle bling you added as embellisment! Super awaome stamping on the background too!

Queen La Rubba said...

This is amazing! Love it! I know what you mean about that green thing! I do the same thing! This has so much creativity and class!
I am follow'n youa long and I would lov eit if you would hop on over and follwo along with me too! WHile youa re there, enter in my candy give away! Nice to meet you!
HUGS
Rach ~ Queen La Rubba