Technique Tuesday - The Little Details That Make The Card

It is with a heavy heart that I post this blog tonight.  My little kitty, Lissie, is gone.  She died in her sleep this morning.  She has been a faithful companion and friend for 16 years.  Two years ago, we had to give Lissie, and our other cat, Margo, to our friends in New Hampshire.  Our granddaughter, Keeley, developed asthma, and the cat's fur triggered asthma attacks in her.  It broke our hearts then to have to let them go, but we knew they were in good hands.  Ann and Leo loved them both, and cared for them and grew very attached to them, as were we.  I have missed them both terribly, but felt comfortable that they were being loved and pampered.  Ann's news this morning was devastating.  But she did say that Lissie was fine, albeit a little slow lately, but that she had finished her morning routine of rubbing up against Ann and Leo until they fed her, then bathed and curled up for her morning nap, from which she never woke.  I'm thankful she was spared pain and sickness.  She was 18!  I pray Margo will not miss her too drastically, and will continue on in good health.  She is 16 now.

Today's post is inspired by Lissie.  I chose Penny Black's halloween kitty to make one of my cards, in her honor.  I am entering this card in Our Creative Corner Challenge http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/ , which is a sketch challenge.  Click the link to visit their blog and check out the sketch, and play along if you like.

There are many little details I put into my cards, and I'm often asked how to do particular details.  I will walk you through the ones I used in these cards:

*Distressing is something I almost always do.  Notice the black along the outside of the card, along the mauve panel,  and green panel.  To get the distressed look, I use a piece of Cut n' Dry (or you can use a makeup wedge or sponge), dab it in my stamp pad, then drag it along the edge I want to distress.  If I want the distressing (ink color) to go further into the area, I simply drag it in with the Cut n' Dry.  I also lightly sponged some purple into the image from the edge with a clean piece of Cut n' Dry.
*Notice the texture of the purple paper.  Using textured paper, or putting your paper or cardstock through a template to texturize it, adds interest to the finished card.
*I used stamps instead of patterned paper - making my own backgrounds.  The swirl background on the mauve panel, and the Boo and Trick or Treat and spiders on the lime panel, were stamped.
*To keep this card playful, I chose rick rack instead of ribbon.  I simply wrapped it around and tied a knot along the edge.
*I used my Tombow markers and Dove blender to color the image.
*The touches of glitter bring some personality to the image.  I use a glue pen, applying it wherever I want glitter, then spoon the glitter on, and shake it off. 

*I get comments all the time on my buttons.  I chose buttons for this card, again, to keep it playful.  My rule of thumb is to always thread my buttons.  It looks more finished.  My secret?  I used my paper trimmer to slice off thin strips of card stock, then put them through the button holes and secure on the back!  That way, I don't have to look around for matching thread or floss.  Sometimes, I like to use floss and knot it at the top, however.

This card is actually a card I had done a couple of years ago, and when I pulled it out, I added some elements to jazz it up a bit.
*I distresed the edges with blue ink, sponging softly and fading towards the center.  This gave the card a cooler look.
* I used border stamps to create the background, repeating them to create a pattern.
* Added glitter with the glue pen, and around the window.
* Added crystals - crystals and pearls add dimension, and sparkle to your cards.
* A window opening, made with a square punch inserted from the top, adds an interesting element to this card.  I used the punched piece (layered it first) as another element. It looks as though it is falling away from the opening.
* Foam mounting tape - I love my foam mounting tape...I use it lots!  The punched snowflake panel, and the verse panel at the bottom are raised up with foam tape.  It adds depth and dimension to the card, creating interest and drawing attention.
* The snowman image is stamped, then cut out and applied ot blue background.

The next view shows the card when opened.

I thank my sweet little kitty, Lissie, for her inspiration, for her loving devotion, and for being a constant in m life.  She was always there, ready to cuddle or just be near.  To listen to my problems, to share my joys.  I feel privileged to have had her own me!  May she rest in peace.

Blessings and peace,

lynda