Faux Tile, Real Love

The theme this week at SUO Challenges is to try a new technique, or one you haven't done in a while. My friend Jennifer Timko's Faux Tile card inspired me to try this technique. It was easy-peasy with the Simply Scored scoring tool, and most of the elements are things you can get for free when Sale-A-Bration starts!!! How cool is that?!

Using the small end of the stylus, score each "grout" line several times - you want a deep impression. Then stamp your image over it, being careful not to press too hard or you'll get ink in the grout (and we all know what a pain it is to clean grout, lol).

Poppy Parade was used first, then Crumb Cake was ever-so-lightly burnished on the edges of the tiles to really make 'em pop. Not that you'd want tiles popping in real life, but you get the picture.

This also qualifies for Shelli Gardner's Simply Stunning Challenge. Simple? Yes, definitely! Stunning? I think the color combo is stunning, so yes to that, too!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), Outlined Occasions (SAB)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Everyday Enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink: Poppy Parade and Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pads, plus Poppy Parade Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Decorative Label Punch, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Sponge Dauber, Stampin' Dimensionals

SUOC36 - Try a New Technique!

The theme at SUO Challenges this week it to try a new, or fairly new, technique (or one you haven't done in a while). Emboss resist has been around for quite some time but, for some reason, I've only tried it a couple times. So I think this falls under the "fairly new" (to me) category.

The tea cups were heat embossed on the DSP with VersaMark and white EP, then lightly sponged over with Rose Red Classic ink. It really makes the cups pop! If the color sticks too much to the embossed image, lightly buff with a dry tissue, or do what I did - barely moisten a cotton swab and carefully remove the excess ink.

It's funny, when I got to preview the new Occasions Mini catalog, the Tea Shoppe set didn't really appeal to me.  I thought "Meh, take it or leave it." But the more I saw it, and saw things made with it, the more I grew to love it. Now I think it's my favorite new set! Same with the Attic Boutique DSP.

Does that ever happen to you? Maybe one or two of the new In Colors don't make you swoon, but after a sort while, all of a sudden, those are the only ones you're grabbing for nearly every project? Or you see a stamp set and think, 'Gah! What were they thinking?!' and it ends up being a "must have"?  Well, let me tell ya.....it happens to me ALL. THE. TIME.

Stamps: Tea Shoppe
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Rose Red, Attic Boutique DSP
Ink: VersaMark, Rose Red Classic
Accessories: White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Stampin' Sponges, Rose Red 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Mini Glue Dots