Ghost Stamping and Masking

I had some free time to make some cards this week and I can't wait to share them with you.  As you know, my blog states that I am a "novice."  Mostly this just means that I am always learning about/trying new techniques.  The card I am sharing with you today uses a technique I haven't tried before:  ghost stamping with white ink and a darker background.

Here is my card:

I first learned of this technique from the uber-talented Jennifer McGuire.  You can learn about it here and here.  

I masked the center of the card with contact paper and then stamped all of the images I wanted to use with white dye ink.  Next, I stamped the flowers with colored ink and then masked them with post-it's before I stamped all of the leaves.  It's not embellishment heavy (even though I am entering it in the AEIheartU Challenge this week for embellishments), but I threw some enamel dots on it and used my Wink of Stella brush to sparkle up the flower centers.

That is all for today!  I will share another new card tomorrow!  Thanks for stopping by!

Proof that I am healing...

I am one week and one day post-op after having my gallbladder removed last week.  When I got home I really, really, *really* wanted to play with some pretty scrappy papers and embellishments that I bought as a cheer-me-up present for having to have the surgery in the first place. But, given that I could barely get into/out of bed or into/out of a sitting position without help, it wasn't happening.  I have never felt the need to pace around my scrap room before, but I did it more than once last week.  :)  The cards I made in my last post were made while I stood up and one of my daughters had to hand me everything I needed.  I'll never take for granted again all of the muscles in my abdomen because this week has definitely taught me what almost every one is used for as I started to heal.

Wednesday was the day that I finally started to have more movement, energy and scrappy mojo, so as soon as the kids were put to bed I was off and running to my scrap room.  There was a layout offered as the free shape in the Silhouette store a while back that I had always wanted to try, so that was my starting point.  Here is the layout:

And here is the layout I created:

 

I used a mixture of Amy Tangerine's Yes, Please, Crate Paper's Maggie Holmes and Echo Park's Here and Now collections.  I thought they went well with the color scheme in my Instagram picture, which had a greenish-blue tint added to it.  I also used wood veneer and (not seen here) enamel dots.  I added the enamel dots as an after thought once I took this picture.  Everything needs some enamel dots on them, in my opinion.  :)

Man, this color scheme just makes me happy.  :)  I enjoyed not only how this turned out but also that I got to come out of my healing fog and make something that I love.

I hope you all have a great, inspiring weekend!  Until next time...