Learning from Mel and JCBC #9...

Having the day off today was much more rewarding than I would have ever thought. Knowing I don't have to be up at dawn, I stayed up all night and I am still up... but surely not for much longer :)

I am so very very pleased with myself because I crafted in one evening/night (add a bit of today too) more than I did over an entire week. And I have to say that I also really, really like the cards I've made - that's a very rare statement, I tell you.

Let's start with Mel, her fabulous creativity and blog - if you've never visited you should. :) Over the months I've been saving ideas and cards from her blog, thinking I will have to try them sometime. And I did today...

HERE you'll find one of Mel's cards that I adore and details about a technique I was planning to experiment for some time now - "Embossed Silhouette Stamping"

And here is my *Homage to Mel* ;)

I've been having this nice little stamp from my dearest friend Sue, and never had any idea how or where to use it, until I saw Mel's card. Of course, I couldn't "copy" it properly and make an elegant card like she did but I do think I've come up with something that resembles the original some 25%. :-D

** Another technique I've admired on Mel's cards was the 'knot embellishments'.

I thought to myself that if I keep focused and give it my whole being, I will be able to use a big needle and 'tangle up' a few threads. LOL

Well, I did it and it was an adorable experience. I will definitely repeat it soon.

Thank you Mel, you're a great inspiration and a fine teacher!

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Now about the JCBC # 9

I used knots for adorning the background paper on the Christmas card I made for Just Christmas and Birthday Cards, the challenge blog where, unbelievably, I am one of the DT members. :)

Have a look at my knots first....

You can't see them? :D You can click the pic and see it bigger. There's a bit of gold thread in there...
Well, they're the non-shiny ones on the big white snowflake near Joel's head. I so love this dear deer and I felt like a monster having to decapitate him for this card.

The whole card looks like this:

Stamps:
Whiff of Joy - Herb with Bird
and
Toodles & Binks - Joel, the Reindeer
(both coloured with watercolour pencils and some glittery markers)
Designer Paper: Dovecraft - one of their Christmas collections from last year

• This week's challenge - #9 - at JCBC uses a sketch made by my co-worker Amanda. It's an adorable sketch and very versatile, there are tons of things you can do with it or on it. :)

Thank you Amanda!

I've used the same sketch for producing this Birthday Card...

No stamping on this one, except for the sentiment which I've "invented" using a big letter (from a "Just Rite" set) and part of a clear stamp (Studio G) which I've cut out. Originally, it was a tag stamp which said "Oh, happy day!"

Designer papers are a gift from my generous friend Karin. I've punched a few flowers and added itsy bitsy ribbon, blings and peel offs.

Thank you for bearing with me through this long and convoluted post.

Hugs to all!