Actually, as I moved along to find my "process" the theme became really easy!! For the project I am showing you today, I tailored EVERY detail around Verve's beautiful Kindred Spirits stamp set. When I saw this set, I immediately thought of a nice wine ensemble. I have no idea why but that is what stuck in my mind (I know, it's scary) and then it evolved from there.
Since I knew the stamps I would be using, the next step was patterned paper. I initially was going to use K&Co's Blue Awning paper but then I went to my LSS and found the PERFECT paper for my project, Graphic 45's Botanicabella Collection! Between the perfect stamps and perfect paper, the rest was easy!!!
When I make a card, having a sketch makes it so much easier and the process much quicker! My card today is based on this weeks sketch at CPS. The sketch worked perfectly with the stamps!
The card is pretty self explanatory although I will tell you that I don't own the Classic Nestabilities so I had to use my oval Colluzzle and it work perfectly for the black oval mat. I have issues with leaving open spaces so usually I try to add ribbon or rhinestones to the open spaces but since the side strip was pretty busy already I didn't add anything to the strip but I did add a few Kaiser Craft rhinestones to the bottom right corner to tie in with the rhinestone in the center of the Fleur de Lis.
Besides having issues with open spaces (I am currently in therapy for that and it is working!!!), I also tend to go a little overboard as far as details. I am sure this is why it takes me so long to get anything done. Since I ONLY had a month to work on this project, I kept the details to a minimum!!! LOL!!!
The second part of my ensemble is an altered Bare Elements bottle holder. I got this at Micheal's and it was on clearance for $5!! I love when things work out that way!!!
Covering the holder was really simple. I used to use Mod Podge when covering any alterables but discovered Martha Stewart decoupage and it rocks! It comes with a brush and works wonderfully. I had painted the holder with first light brown acrylic paint and then sponged black paint on top of it to distress it. The way I did the top border was to punch the houndstooth DP using my EK Success Fleur de Lis border punch and adhered it using the MS decoupage. Here comes the "tending to go overboard" part!!! I used the same Fleur de Lis border punch and punched the black Fleur de Lis' (is that a word???) and then glued EACH ONE on top of the houndstooth border using my Quickie glue pen.
Here is a picture of the inside ~
The butterflies were cut out from another pattern of the Graphic 45 Botanicabella Collection and adhered using glue dots. Here is a closer look at the Kindred Spirits sentiment I added to the bottle ~
The sentiment and the small Fleur de Lis image was embossed using black embossing powder and then I lightly sponged the edge of the top oval to give a little more dimension. I adhered the entire piece on the bottle using sticky strip.
Here are the matching wine glass charms ~
The charms were made using silver hoop earrings and then I added different colored beads & a little charm which is the large scrolled image included in the Kindred Spirits set. I made them by stamping the image using black Stazon on clear Polyshrink which I purchased at Lucky Squirrel. I then heated and added a jump ring to add them to the charm.
The band is the butterfly patterned paper and was punched on both sides using the same Fleur de Lis border punch. I then added some black ribbon and the sentiment (which is from the Just for You set). I made the lid from a piece of transparency.
Here is a closer look at the charm ~
I must say that this project was one of the easiest, process wise, that I have done in a long time. I have included more details as far as dimensions, etc... on my blog in case you are interested.
So that's it!! I hope you have enjoyed this peek in to my "Creative Process"!!! LOL!!! We'd love to have you play along with us this month! To play along, just make a project or card that shows us your Divine Details. Verve Stamps are not required, but if you've got 'em we love to see 'em! Then just add a link to your creation to the Mr. Linky form in this post before 8PM Mountain on Saturday, August 1. Two lucky participants will win a stamp set of their choice from the Verve Store. We've also hidden another $25 gift certificate somewhere along the parade for a random commenter. So if you like what you see, be sure and give a little shout out in the comments of each post! Have fun and good luck!
