Saturday, November 17, 2012

50 Years

A family friend's parents are celebrating 50 years of marriage today with an open house.

50 years.

Sadly, that is becoming more and more rare in this day and age.

I definitely lack in the 50th year anniversary stamp sets.  It would seem that the snarky (but full of love) cards that I tend to make for the Toad, don't translate well to golden anniversaries.  So, I pulled out some gold craft foil that a friend sent me, some pretty paper that I had in my stash (I'm cringing at the thought that the paper was for another 50th wedding anniversary gift that never got completed) and my metal embossing tools.


This photo doesn't have the glare off the metal, but looks bronze instead of gold



Here is the golden view!!

I had a brief thought that I should have taken photos of the embossing steps when I was almost done with the embossing steps! OOPS!! That's what happens when someone  is under a time crunch to get the card done!!

Basically:  I printed out the numbers on my computer and then traced onto some tissue paper. I die cut the metal with Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares and flipped my metal over to the back side and then used a pointed refining tool (or a stylus would work) to trace the numbers onto the metal.  I then alternated working on the back side of the metal, on a thin mat, with a paper stump and refining the image on the front side, while on an acrylic mat.  Here is a video that I did previously to show this in more detail.  After I was done embossing and refining, I filled in the puffed numerals on the backside with some light weight Spackle.  
The flowers were made from Spellbinder's Rose Creations by Donna Salazar using a combination of the gold metal and the background paper.  The card base is Gina K's Pure Luxury White, which is strong enough to hold all these layers without bowing.  

I seem to be in a little bit of a rut using the basic same layout and flower dies as my last card, LOL! Guess that is what happens when one hasn't cleaned up the tools from the last creation! HAHA!  I suppose I need to step outside my little box! Not to mention, CLEAN off my desk!! bwhahaaa!!

I enjoyed working with metal again.  I think I need to dust off those tools a bit more often!

'Till next time................










8 comments:

Leanne ... said...

WOW! This turned out lovely. I'm sure the couple with LOVE IT!
Hugs...Leanne

Glenda said...

You absolutely rock when you play with metal! This is stunning and quite a show piece!

Gail Dixon said...

Whoa, that is a beautiful card, Starla! I love the shimmer on te gold and all the embellishments you added. I don't understand a whit of the process, but I appreciate it all the same. :)

Beate said...

Starla, your card looks amazing. Your "metal work" is always so beautiful.
Have a great week!
Hugs and smiles

Micki said...

Girl, I love when you work with metal..... it's gorgeous. I bet they will love it. Yeah, my desk/room is a mess. Like really a mess but what the hay, right? You have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Hugs

Stef H said...

this is gorgeous. you improvise very well. but then, to me, you are extremely talented!

WISING YOU A SPECTACULAR THANKSGIVING!

p.s. i don't send xmas cards out anymore either but i figured, i can get rid of all the cards i make by giving them out to my "church family". yep... a method to my madness - LOL.

hugs :)

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

This is really gorgeous!

Unknown said...

you have done a great job. this is some really interesting and nice work, thanks for sharing with us.
www.stencilmarking.co.uk