SOMETHING OLD SOMETHING NEW

I called this post Something Old Something New because that's exactly what I am going to be discussing today. Some of the products used in this cards are oldies, but definitely goodies, some are current, but not new, products, and some are brand new products, introduced only last week when the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog went live.

First off, the star of this card is definitely the fluttery hummingbird. Retired now, as well as are the dies I used to cut out the bird, it is such a cool combo that I intend to never give up on it. Retired or not.

Cut out with its die, then popped up against an embossed background, it almost gives the viewer the impression that the hummingbird is suspended in midflap. Note the shadow cast underneath his beak and belly.

Notice the edge on the piece to which the bird is attached. I adhered strips of the new Bumblebee Gingham Ribbon (page 191 of the Annual Catalog) to the back of the piece so most of the ribbon is exposed. I love this as a mat look on the piece in lieu of colored cardstock. 

And do you like the pretty flowered Designer Series Paper that is the backdrop for the card? This is a piece of the Flowers For Every Season 6" x 6" DSP, found on page 148 of the Annual Catalog. Lovely designs in this pack, fitting for every season of the year. 

I normally am drawn to the more showy sides of any DSP pack, but this particular one, NOT the showy side of the piece, was perfect as a background for my delicate hummingbird. I didn't want him to get lost amongst too much color and design.

Take note of the lively embossing on the piece that holds the bird. That is one of a pair of new embossing folders in the Annual Catalog. Smaller in size than the usual embossing folders, each at 6 1/4" x 3 3/8", they are intended for use in the new Mini Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine, introduced on page 170 of the Annual Catalog. This set, which consists of two embossing folders, can be found on page 184, and is called Greenery.

Now, the thing about this card which I am proudest of is an accidental discovery I made with my Stampin' Blends. After I'd colored in the hummingbird with Light and Dark Pretty Peacock and Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends, while nice-looking, it seemed a bit flat to me. I just wasn't satisfied with the look. 

You know how hummingbirds almost seem to shimmer with some of their feathers almost iridescent? I could not decide how to capture that look in my bird. I thought about incorporating a little Wink of Stella here and there, but I knew that just would not be what I wanted.

Finally, sort of by accident, I hit on a solution that I think works fairly well. I don't know what made me try it, but I grabbed my Color Lifter Stampin' Blend (page 143) and started to work it around on the wings and face. I discovered that if I sort of daubed it on in places, then left it to dry, it lifted just enough of the color to give it a mottled look. After it was completely dry, I came back and repeated the process a few times. 

I think the result, even though not an authentic look, gives a slight impression of shimmering. At least, it gives the feathers some personality and variation, rather than just the flat look of straight coloring.

The final touches for my card were a tiny (old) sentiment stamped in Pretty Peacock ink, and a few Basic Rhinestones, colored with the Dark Pretty Peacock Stampin' Blend.

I should mention that the embossed piece behind the hummingbird as well as the card base are in Very Vanilla cardstock.

Faux

Shimmery

Smiles.