Guest Designing at CropStop

Welcome by today, everyone!  I'm happy to be Guest Designing for CropStop this month.  If you're not yet familiar with this fun store, I suggest you stop by and check it out.  CropStop carries a little bit of everything; including stamps, dies, stencils, inks, adhesives, and.....well, the list truly never ends because they're always stocking new merchandise.  You're sure to find something you'll love.  AND....they have a fun monthly challenge where you can play along for a chance to win some CropStop goodies of your own, or even to become a future Guest Designer.

This card started with a piece of Ivory Bazzill card stock that I used to create a textured background.  I used a plastic Tool (similar to this, but you can use a plastic knife) to place Prima Gesso on the card stock by laying a circle patterned Stencil on the paper and spreading the Prima Gesso.  Using a Sponge Dauber is another great way to add color to just about anything, and CropStop carries just about every shade of the fabulous Tim Holtz inks/paints to make all your projects pop.  Using some more Stencils, I took the Sponge Dauber and applied some color to the background including Tim Holtz Spun Sugar Distress Ink, Tim Holtz Marmalade Distress Ink and Tim Holtz Dusty Concord.  I also used Tim Holtz Twisted Citron Distress Ink to stamp some swirls.

Next, I die-cut a "chicken wire" piece for the back drop using a Darice Embossing Die.  I used only a portion of this die-cut in the lower right corner of my card.  This completed the background I wanted, and now it was time to add a sentiment and some embellishments.  I started by cutting some greenery (branches) using a Creative Expressions by Sue Wilson branch die-cut, and I placed them strategically in the lower right corner.  To that, I added a length of bundled Ivory Burlap String and topped that with some gorgeous Petaloo Flowers and leaves.

All that was left was my sentiment, so I grabbed my Tim Holtz Black Soot Distress Ink to stamp my sentiment on a Spellbinders die.  I inked it with some Tim Holtz Forest Moss Distress Ink, and added some Ivory Burlap String, Olive Burlap String, a flower and some sequins.

I encourage you to try something new.  I'm trying to step out of my comfort zone as well.  Perhaps picking up some Gesso and giving the textured background a try, or getting some new die-cuts.  CropStop has so many FABULOUS products as well as a fun monthly challenge on the CropStop Blog.  Be sure to stop by and check out everything CropStop has to offer.

Have a great week!
Karen

Here's where I'm playing along:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog - Simon Says "Anything Goes"

Three Amigos Challenge Blog - Challenge #15 - Machine Die-Cutting - As listed in detail above, I used several dies on this card.

CropStop Challenge Blog - Linky Party #40 - Anything Goes - All my CropStop products are listed (with links) above.

Scrapyland Challenge #92: Anything Goes - I used a Spellbinders die as well as a Creative Expressions by Sue Wilson die.

Creative Moments: Challenge #147 - Anything Goes: Optional Summer Theme - All my products are listed in my blog post.  I tried to create a summer theme with all the flowers.