Playing with some new papers.....Outlaw Designer Series

I don't know how in the world this happened, but I totally forgot that I had gotten this "Outlaw" Designer Series paper. I fell in love with this paper as soon as it came out in this year's catalog, so I don't know how I could forget that I had this sitting on my shelf, waiting to be opened.

The point of this is....I found it today and remembered (the remembering part came AFTER I found it) and broke into it.

Did I mention I was in love? This paper is so yummy, I want to eat it.

This card was made without any stamping. *GASP* Yes, I'm well aware that this qualifies as sacrilege to some, but every once in a while, it's nice to whip up a card without getting my fingers inky. Not that I want that to become a regular occurrence, but it is a nice change every now and then.

This paper was just begging to be put through the distressing tool from the Cutter Kit. It was also begging to be sanded around the edges.

One of the great features of the Double-Sided Designer Series paper is that it's DOUBLE SIDED! (who would have guessed?!) I love that I can get 12 different designs in a pack of paper at a very reasonable price! The more designs I have to choose from, the more creative I can be with my projects. And everything coordinates! It's amazing that I can combine different patterns together and STILL come out with project that looks awesome and I really like!

You can see here that I used a bunch of different patterns that you wouldn't normally see paired together in the fashion world but they come together really nicely on a card. I actually wouldn't mind a shirt with all of these patterns in this kind of layout.

The distressed edges of the patterned paper really looks good with the weathered patterns of the paper. So does the sanded edges. I use a really fine grade of sandpaper that takes off just enough of the finish on the paper but doesn't leave it looking like it was horribly scratched.

If you're wondering what the white edges are around the actual cardbase, it's Whisper White craft ink. My friend (and creative muse who insists she isn't a card maker), Jen, issued me a challenge last night. She told me that she wanted me to go 2 weeks without swiping a card (doing the direct-to-paper technique). As you can see from this card, I couldn't even make it one day with that challenge. The good thing about failing the challenge the first day in is that I really like the effect of the Whisper White craft ink around the edges of the Blue Bayou cardbase. See? There's always a positive spin on failing a challenge. *wink* Besides, there's always tomorrow for me to step up to the challenge again.....and fail again with a really great card as an outcome. haha!

The medallion is actually a pattern from one of the pieces of paper. I used my circle cutter to cut around the medallion and then sanded the edges of the paper. I used my circle cutter to also cut a larger circle out of one of the other patterned papers in the pack to mount the medallion on.

I wrapped a piece of narrow ivory organdy ribbon around the card and tied it with a double knot. Over the left side of the ribbon, I mounted the medallion on the card using Pop-dots. It gives a little more dimension to the card, but I also did this with the purpose of trying to keep from crushing the distressed paper edges underneath.

Now I just need a couple of the "western themed" stamp sets to go with this paper. I've been drooling over the coordinating set, "Wanted", and the equally awesome "Bronc Buster" set, since they came out in the catalog. Okay, okay......I also want the "Starstruck" set as well as the  "Bronco" Stampin' Around Wheel. Fine, I'll 'fess up and admit that I also want the "Round Up" Simply Scrappin' Kit.

Alright.....that's enough for confessions tonight. :)

Have an awesome evening!

Happy Creating!

-Stampin' Mama

Supplies:

Paper: Outlaw Designer Series Double-Sided paper; Cardstock: Blue Bayou; Ink: Whisper White craft ink; fine grade sandpaper; pop-dots; Coluzzle Cutting System (circle template); distressing tool from Cutter Kit; narrow ivory organdy ribbon

Comments

[Lourin]

Love the colors on these papers! Nice job

[Mary C. Anderson]

Absolutely gorgeous Erika. I love sanding and distressing a card when ever possible. You did a beautiful job doing both to this card. Love,love,love how you pulled it all together. I have this same set of papers and no way did I come up with what you did. :)

Mary

[Melissa (SCS: stampin_melissa)]

Gorgeous Erika! One question for you, did you actually swipe your Craft White or sponge it onto the base layer? My craft white is too juicy and would leave lines if I did that but yours looks softer. (Or maybe your just better at swiping than I am!) ;)

[Rhonda]

fabulous paper! love the distressing. gorgeous card