Merci Beaucoup!

Hello! Well, I've been scarce around here, haven't I? I just haven't felt like stamping lately...until yesterday. I actually had the urge! How about that!

Before I get started, I'd like to ask you stampers what your favorite adhesive is. I have been really unhappy with my adhesives lately. They either don't stick for long (Tombow Mono Adhesive and Scrapbook Adhesives E-Z Runner) or stick fine, but are a mess to use (Tombow Mono Multi and Tombow Mono Glue Stick). Is there the "perfect" adhesive that permanently sticks without being messy? What's the latest popular adhesive out there? I sure would appreciate your help!

Okay, back to the card...

I needed a thank-you card for a friend so that motivated me to get stamping. But if you saw my stamping room aka The Dumping Ground For All Things Without Places To Go, you'd understand why I'm not very motivated these days. I can't even get to most of my stamps right now. I had to raid my single stamp drawers just to make a card. And do you think I'm even slightly motivated to plow into the piles?

Still, I was very happy with my stamp choices. I love Dawn Houser's My Mother's Dress stamp. It is gorgeous all by itself and can be for just about any type of feminine card you need, except maybe a sympathy card, although I wouldn't be surprised if someone pulled even that off.

One thing I enjoy doing with that stamp is stamping it on designer paper and cutting it out. Had I thought of it in time I could've cuttlebugged it, as well, for even more drama.

Nifty tip alert: For a stamp with large areas of solid rubber to ink, lay the stamp rubber side up on the table and ink it over and over so you can see just how much ink is getting on the solid areas. I didn't do that on this imprint, but I did it with others I was experimenting with and may use them in future projects. It really helps to see the ink being applied rather than taking a chance on the ink not being heavy enough in the right areas to look good once it's on the paper. I did repair this image by using my black Copic marker. Worked very well with the Versafine Onyx Black ink.
I used the pinking nesty to give the card some zing. I also added pizazz with the blue designer paper for the saying and the clear gems. I saw other stampers sponging color on their white nestied cutouts and did that here, as well. Adds a fake "layer", which I love! I just put the circle back in the nesty template and held it firmly and carefully while adding color with a sponge dauber. I worked my way from the edges toward the center.

For the holes I used a circular plastic canvas frame for a template. So much easier than trying to eyeball it. Not perfect, but as close as I have been able to get. Anyone find a better tool for the job?

For the dress waist I punched a 1/16" hole in the ribbon and then in the dress - separately. Then I put the brad through the ribbon and then through the dress and secured it in the back. I glued the ribbon ends behind.

I kept the continuity inside the card by using the blue dp, holes and brads from the outside. I used the sewing machine without thread to do the holes.

It felt good to stamp again, but I am reminded each time just how time-consuming this hobby is, at least for me. I'm not a quick card maker! I really have to carve out a good chunk of time to get a card made.

Have a lovely week, and thanks for taking the time to look!

Stamps: Dawn Houser "My Mother's Dress", Merci Beaucoup by Rubber Stamps of America

CS: Black, Basic Grey Archaic and Granola collections (outside), Basic Grey Sugared collection (inside) (not sure what the blue dp is from), white

Inks: Versafine Onyx Black, Copic black marker for touching up dress, Distress Ink Antique Linen

Other: Cuttlebug Script embossing folder, Nestabilities Large Pinking Circles, Standard Circle Small, black polka dot ribbon, black grosgrain ribbon, antique brass mini-brads, clear gems, 3D-Dots, paper piercing tool, sponge mat, plastic canvas circle for hole template, 1/16" hole punch, sewing machine for holes inside card, sponge dauber for circle sponging