LACY BACKGROUND

 I bring to you today another example of upcycling. I love love love to do that! As you already know about me, I loathe throwing away potential craft supplies. Most people would have tossed the two things that I used in this card that, I think, makes it quite special. Not me!

Do you wonder at all how I made the bright pink on white background? Read on for a surprise!

Don't throw away that lacy paper doily that you just finished using for a special occasion! That, my dear, is a STENCIL! Yes.

No need to be especially careful either. Another thing I love: The inconsistency of the results you will get with this "technique". 

Using a Stampin' Sponge and Melon Mambo ink, I randomly placed the holes of the doily all over a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Whisper White cardstock. If, when checking it out, you discover a place or two that seems a little empty, plop that doily stencil over the needy places and sponge away some more. I think doing some of the sponging lighter and some darker gives it a lot more frivolity and diversity.

The finished card:

I just wanted to call to mind the sheer FUN of this card. 

MORE fun!

Do you have any ideas about the "mat" I used for the sentiment? The scalloped flower-printed piece? No? 

It was a cute little paper cup that held a few treats at a special celebration. Too adorable to throw out (!), I flattened it under a few heavy books for a couple days so it was easier to work with.

The spot under the sentiment featured the name of the company that manufactures these cups. So, it was a perfect spot to display the sentiment. And this die, from the Painted Labels die set on page 177 of the Annual Catalog, fit the area perfectly. The cute little "thanks", stamped in Melon Mambo, is from the Inspiring Iris set on page 118. 

SIDE NOTE: Have you checked out the Inspiring Iris set yet? Besides some wonderful images, it also contains several very meaningful sentiments appropriate for lots of occasions. And it's a steal at only $21.00!

Once I had the "thanks" stamped on the die cut label, there was a bit of space that was filled perfectly with a couple of Basic Rhinestones that I'd colored to match with my Melon Mambo Stampin' Blend.

A bit of Melon Mambo ribbon peeking from beneath the treat cup added the absolutely perfect finishing touch. 

Just a little further note: Because this was a thank you card for a very special person, I used a stamp from a long ago Paper Pumpkin set that read "You're the reason I smiled today." on the inside of the card.

Upcycled

Smiles.