Emboss Resist on Patterned Paper + an Interview

(note, this is my second post of the day, please click here for the CFC #95 Challenge post)

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Before I show my homework for this class, I wanted to mention that the super-creative-and-talented Tasnim asked me if I would do an interview for a blog she contributes to, called Paperie Design's Studio. How sweet of her to ask! It was a little strange answering the questions, as I've never given an interview before on card-making : ) If you're interested, head on over to check it out!

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Now you wouldn't know it, but I've been taking the newest Online Card Class on using patterned papers. Love it! So far, it's been a mix. I've watched all of Day 2 videos, and the first of Day 4. These cards are a combination of those random lessons.

 First is a card using clear embossing on patterned paper. Now this paper is really bossy. But I thought that would be a good challenge for me. I'm shy around these patterns. Part of why I signed up for the class is to get more comfortable hanging around them. So I'm forcing myself.

All cards have this same clear-embossed damask on the same bossy paper.

Brown distress ink around the damask, a gold embossed sentiment and 3 aqua sequins for good measure (had gold sequins on there first, and then told myself to stop being so "safe" in this exercise.) One tip Jennifer shared was to add a narrow strip of paper to separate the papers if they're not looking right. I added the brown strip and think it looks better.

This card uses the white wash technique from Day 4. I don't have the Ranger white wash stain, but just used some white acrylic paint. At first I mixed it with a lot of water, but it allowed too much of the pattern to show through. I really just wanted it to look like an orange patterned paper damask on white paper. So I dry brushed the paint without any water. It was a little tricky, because you had to wait long enough for the paint to stick to the paper, but not so long that it wouldn't come off the emboss resist area. 

Now if I were the artistic Alexandra, I would show you all manner of creative photography on my process along the way. But, I realized you have to be pretty darn confident that what you're doing is going to turn out well before investing all that time in setting up and taking photos. And I certainly was not confident at all. So, no artsy photos to share of the process!

Also, I originally had tan cardstock where the green dots are now, and then scolded myself for not stretching. Then I found a patterned paper I liked ... and it was beige on beige. Sheesh, this is harder than it looks! So green dots it is. There. I did it. Two patterns.

My last attempt is a sympathy card. This time the paint sat on the damask longer than the last card. I was going to toss it, then figured it would make a nice, soft sympathy card. Hard to see, but the sentiment is Papertrey's "may you find peace and love in the memories you cherish." It was too dark, so I thought I could just paint over it and start over, but it still showed through. I left it because the wispiness went along with the "memories" sentiment, and the barely-there damask. I have the main sentiment on the inside in case this one is too difficult to read. 

I used Jennifer's Day 4 tip to add a large, grainy glitter for more interest.

Never in a million years would I have come up with these cards on my own, so I'm really glad I'm taking the class. And I'm looking forward to catching up on the other lessons. Sharing these with Papertrey's MIM on inking your own background.

Thanks for looking!

-Kelly