And Finally, Introducing... So Distressed!

Here we are at our last day of November Sneak Peek Sets! Do you sometimes look at your blank sheet of card stock and think, “I wish there was a way I could warm it up or add some interest or texture without taking anything away from the main image?" Or have you been longing to get your fingers inky and dabble in the mixed media craze? Well, we’re ready for you! Introducing...

With Mixed Media all the rage, why not add a background set to your bag of creative tricks? This pattern and background set offers all kinds of images that can be used on their own, or as a way to add "texture" to your cards or creations. The options are endless! How about trying to layer these images for even more fun? This set measures 4" by 6". Our team loved getting inky with this clever set, so hop on over for some creative inspiration.

When I first saw this stamp set, I actually jumped for join!  Being a scrapbooker and a card maker, I enjoy tinkering with all kinds of mixed media projects and I knew the "So Distressed" stamp set would become one of my all-time-favs and I knew I'd be using it A LOT!  Since I love to experiment with these kinds of images, I actually have two cards to share with you today.

For my first card, I started with a card base of "Thunder" cardstock from the Cool Neutrals Cardstock collection.  Then I created a simple mat using Classic Kraft Cardstock.  Then I cut 2 pieces of patterned paper and applied some of the stamp textures to the edges of my papers...

For my embellishments, I twisted some 'Smoke Grey' Seam Binding (yum... my new favourite "black"!) and some Silver Metallic String and I accompanied it with a beautiful Emerald Coast button and fun star pin.

The minute I saw the chevron stamp, I immediately thought of that traditional strip on the "air mail" envelops and so I created a faux mini envelop as part of Christmas card design.

Below is a close up of my card.  Inside this shot, I used four of the many texture stamps from this set... the "coffee stain", the "ink drops", the "graphic mini dot", the double row "distressed dots" and the "chevron".  I used Memento "London Fog" ink and Ranger's "Vintage Photo" ink for all my stamping.

And of course, I had to finish off the inside.  I used almost all of the stamps from the "So Distressed" set for this one; including the "Snow Day" set to add my skates to the corner and the "Christmas Candles" stamp set for the Merry Christmas greeting.

Here is my second creation.  I decided to go even more "mixed media" for this one!


To start my card, I used some Classic Black cardstock for my card base and then some matting using "Desert Marigold" cardstock (from the Sunflower Cardstock Collection) and "Festive" (from the Tiger Lily Cardstock Collection).

I started off my focal piece by embossing a piece of Classic White Cardstock.  Then I inked up the "graphic mini dot" with some Memento "Tuxedo Black" Ink and very carefully applied it to the raised surface of the embossed paper.  Then I used a ink blending tool and rubbed in some Ranger Distress Inks: Mustard Seed, Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade.

Then I applied a layer of watered-down layer of white acrylic paint and added a few more areas of fresh "graphic mini dot" stamps in black ink again.  Here's a close up... you can see all the teeny, tiny little dots on the raised parts of the paper...

 I even took the time to add some "distressing" to my Tailor-Made Classic Tag with the images from one of our other November release stamp sets, "Grab a Cup".  I attached it with a loop of Black Jute.

 I hope I've inspired you to create today!  I know you are going to LOVE this new stamp set!

And, while you’re hopping remember, we have one more day of….

Hidden among the Design Team’s blogs today is our Mystery Blogger of the day. Comment on her blog and you could be chosen to win today’s set! The more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

• Allison Cope  
• Christine Okken  
• Cindy Lawrence  
• Heather Jensen 
• Julie Koerber 
• Silke Ledlow 
• Stacy Morgan 
• Tosha Leyendekker

Do you want to win Flourishes’ November Release?

• If you would like a chance at winning all newly released November sets…you can play in our Grab A Cup Challenge – we will have multiple winners there! Deadline for entries is TODAY November 15th at 5 PM EST. Check out the link for the official rules!
• All three of our November sets are available now HERE! Take advantage our New Release Bundle and get 10% off when you purchase all three sets together in a bundle. This discount will only be available through November 22nd, so you have to act fast!
• See our coordinating cut files for this release HERE.
• And, don’t forget to come back to the Flourishes Blog tomorrow, Saturday, November 16th for the Winner’s Circle where we’ll announce all of our winners of this weeks’ challenges!

Good luck!

~ Ally ~

Sponsored by:  Flourishes LLC

Supplies:
TOP CARD:  Postcard Christmas
stamps:  Flourishes (So Distressed, Snow Day, Christmas Candles, Vintage Postcard)
cardstock:  Flourishes  (Classic Kraft, Cool Neutrals Collection)
patterned papers: Authentique (Glistening)
die cut shapes:  Spellbinders
ink:  Memento, Ranger
pin:  Maya Road
button, string, ribbon: Flourishes.


BOTTOM CARD:  Coffee Time Clocks & Gears
stamps: Flourishes (So Distressed, Grab a Cup)
cardstock:  Flourishes (Classic Black & White, Sunflower & Tiger Lily Collections)
embossing folder:  ProvoCraft

ink:  Memento, Ranger
jute: Flourishes.