Wednesday, March 18, 2009

USC28 - Eco Snail Mail

Oh, I loved this challenge!! Here is the fantabulous challenge that Sherry picked for us: "My challenge is going to be to use something that is not originally for card-making on your card or altered item. Like yarn, foil, something from a gift wrapped package, something recycled."

Now, I don't know about all of you, but I see card-making possibilities EVERYWHERE. And I gather up all these little gems, but rarely actually *use* them, so this was my chance!

How about the amazing texture on this drink jacket?
And look at all the great color and texture of these jeans:
(The jeans were my DH's. They were the 'thin' kind, and he quickly wore out the knees, and then ripped a hole in the seat while doing something manly like changing the oil in my car, so they weren't donate-able, and definitely not wearable. You'll be seeing denim on a lot of my cards...I have big plans for these!)

I cut a strip from one of the seams in the legs for this card:
And here is the final product:
Isn't that little snail just the cutest?!? I started with a standard A2-sized card base of Kraft, and cut a panel of Chocolate Chip down to 4" x 5 1/4". Then I cut some Basic Grey Granola paper (it seemed fitting for my earthy, eco-friendly card) to 3" x 3 3/4", and used red liner tape to adhere the strip of denim to the side. I frayed the edge a bit more, and used red liner on the back of the denim and foam mounting tape on the back of the DP to adhere them both to the Chocolate Chip panel.

I stamped the 'Snail Mail' (from February's KOTM 'Endings & Beginnings') onto a scrap of Confettie Cream CS using Chocolate Chip ink, and then colored it in with my Prismacolor pencils (see the colors in the photo below), edging the panel with the Peacock Blue, and running the Yellow Ochre across the sentiment to highlight it (a fabulous trick I've seen Julie Ebersole do on several of her cards). Then I mounted the image panel onto the square I cut from the drink jacket, and adhered both to the card with foam tape.
I hope you have a fantastic day today! I've already had a great morning...my town *finally* got a Trader Joe's, and I went shopping this morning!! (It just opened Monday) Be sure to check out who else is playing...go to {this thread}, or type {here} the gallery at SCS. Thanks for stopping by!!
~Michelle

Supplies used:
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kraft, and Confetti Cream CS (SU!); 'Granola' DP (Basic Grey)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Stamps: February's KOTM 'Endings & Beginnings' (Unity Stamp Co.)
Other: Prismacolor Artist Pencils (Sanford); foam mounting tape (3M); jeans and a drink jacket *grins*

7 comments:

Jacqueline said...

This is amazing Michelle!! I love all the creative ideas that you came up with to make this card!! I love this!

Sue said...

wow that is brill, great card, clever lady, sue.x

lori vliegen said...

love the snail, love the denim, love the starbuck's jacket...LOVE how creative you are and how much fun you always have!! :)

Unknown said...

This is a great card Michelle! I love all the recyclables and the cute snail. Just one question how much extra postage would it take to actually send it?

Karen said...

Love your cards...I have so much 'stuff' that will be fun to add to some cards....thanks for the inspiration!!! And don't you just love Trader Joe's!!! We 'stock up' when ever we get to the cities!!!

Chris S. said...

I saw this card on Angela's Unity blog and thought "could this be 'my' Michelle?" Yes, it could! As always, your creative flair is inspiring. You WOULD believe how much recycled denim is in our cupboard.

Erin Kersh said...

There you go -- being so stinkin' creative again! What a fun card!