FAUX TEARING BOAT

 Today's card has a distinctly masculine feel. Duh, Linda. It's a FATHER'S DAY CARD!

The set, Moon Lake, found on page 21 of the Occasions Catalog (which expires June 2!) has three truly lovely images, a Canada Goose going for a swim, a handsome bird (not sure what kind) atop its perch, and a rowboat pulled up alongside an ancient tree. All of these images are perfect for masculine cards. Or sympathy cards. Or just a Thinking of You card for anyone. Or for a nature lover on your card giving list. Gorgeous, serene scenes that just feel comforting.

I love the look of the Faux Tearing Technique, and thought I would try it on this card. My first faux tearing attempt was done just once, along the long edge. It looked cool, but I couldn't get my image to work well. It just looked awkward, no matter what I did.

Then, I hit upon doing it twice, once on each short side. That turned out to be the perfect solution, especially with this image.

The sponging was done with Lost Lagoon. And then I stamped the triangles from the Dotty Angles set on page 98 of the big catalog also in Lost Lagoon, at full strength. 

Since our newer foam ink pads are so moist, they take a little longer to dry. So, if you're quick, you can sprinkle some Clear Embossing Powder and heat emboss it for a little extra texture and interest.

In the photo below, I hope you can see some of the "shimmer" and bubbles of the embossing. It is subtle, but a cool effect in person.

For the sentiment strip, I used a portion of the triangle stamp, but stamped it off a few times first so it wouldn't overwhelm the words.

For the Lost Lagoon effect behind the image, I want to thank my upline, Patrice, for this idea. Thanks, Patrice! 

To do this, take the long watercolor swoosh from the Work of Art stamp set (page 165 in the big catalog), stamp it off once, stamp on the lower portion, then, without re-inking or stamping off again, repeating the stamping two more times. A sophisticated ombre look makes the image soft and trendy.

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Starting this week, I am going to add a new feature to my blog. Each Friday I will post one of my recent Instagram photos. Thus, with this additional posting day, I will have posts published three times a week, on Sunday morning, Wednesday morning and Friday morning.

I decided to do this for a few reasons. 

I have always LOVED photography, at least, since I was nine years old, when I received my first Brownie Camera.

My first job out of high school was at a Color Lab, working with professional photography.

The emphasis of my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is photography.

I have become somewhat too nonchalant and lax about my photography in recent years.

Finally having gotten a Smartphone last June, one of the first apps I added was Instagram.

This will force me to continue to be more creative photographically.

I love to share!

Just to give you a sneak peek of what I post to my Instagram account, 

here is an image I added just yesterday: 

My Instagram Account

So, watch for the premier of my new feature on Friday! I'm so excited!

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My Faux Tearing card has been added to this week's Paper Players challenge:

Paper Players Theme Challenge #243 Transportation

Torn

Smiles.