DIAMOND DUST BIRDS

 A week ago, I presented to you my first attempt at the Diamond Dust Technique. In that card, I'd stamped colorful floral components all over a piece of Whisper White cardstock, then did the technique.

While I was very happy with that card, I kept thinking about other options throughout the week following the creation of my original card. Finally, on Thursday, I couldn't stand it any longer, and dipped into the Diamond Dust Technique once again, and this is what resulted:

I had a lot more invested in this project, because, instead of simply randomly stamping all over a background, I stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink the four birds on the flowering branch. I then proceeded to take my time coloring in the image with Stampin' Blends. I also separately stamped three flowers and colored them to match the blossoms on the branch..

Because I was going to be covering my branch of birds and my three flowers with the Diamond Dust technique, I was glad I had the smarts to take a photo of all the colored images before I went on with the technique. You see, I wanted to find out if I would lose any detail and/or color after applying the technique.

This is a photo of the images just colored with the Stampin' Blends:

Although this next photo is of the completed project, I wanted to draw your attention to the two pearls on either side of the points of the label on which the birdies rest.

 Isn't it cool that they match my project?

The next photo shows just how easy it is to have matching embellishments. Simply take one of the Stampin' Blends you used on a project, and color as many Basic Pearls (or whatever) you need for your project. So easy! 

Back to the business at hand: doing the Diamond Dust Technique over my birds and flowers. 

The completed card shows that it was a success, and I actually didn't really lose much of the detail or intensity of color once it was done.

Although this next close-up shows a more powdery look, it isn't actually like that. I guess it's just how the light is catching the shimmer and sparkle. 

As in my previous project, once my images were stamped, I covered them with VersaMark. Then, at the Heat Station, I poured the leftover Clear Embossing Powder/ Dazzling Diamonds Glitter mixture from my first project over the VersaMarked images and heated them until they were set. 

I then used one of the Stitched Nested Labels (page 196, Annual Catalog) to cut out the bird image. I fussy cut the three separate flowers.

To finish off the card, I embossed Calypso Coral cardstock with the Country Floral 3D embossing folder (page 198, Annual Catalog) to echo the leaves and flowers on my focal point.

I should point out that, even though it appears in these photos as navy blue, the card base is made of the lovely new In Color cardstock, Pretty Peacock to match the bodies of the birds.

I don't have enough of this special mixture left to do any more projects. But, I love the look of it, and the ease with which you can get this awesome look, that I foresee myself mixing up another batch for future projects. 

How about you? Have you tried the Diamond Dust Technique yet? Do you like the looks of it?

Dusty

Smiles.