Papertreyink Third Anniversary Challenge

That's right...I'm posting two times today! I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to participate in the Papertrey anniversary celebration and challenge. Nichole has been posting some amazing contests, giveaways, and news on her blog and since I like nothing more than a challenge...(and a chance to win some free PTI goodies!), I decided to play along with today's 'Resist Emboss' challenge. The goal of the challenge was to create a project using the resist emboss technique. For those of you who have never done this technique before, it's super easy. You simply stamp a solid image in VersaMark ink onto write or cream cardstock, emboss with clear embossing powder, and then rub ink over the image so that it "pops" out. The embossed section "resists" the ink. Nichole has a nifty video on her blog demonstrating the technique. I opted for a tag tonight and wanted to grunge it up a bit...ala Tim Holtz style. I've been missing my crazy days of tag creating during the holidays...Although my family sure is happy to be eating again... To begin, I first stamped a script image, from the Background Basics: Text Style stamp set, over the entire tag. I then stamped and embossed a leaf image from the Turning a New Leaf set directly over the top of the script image. Next came lots and lots of ink, which I applied using a blending tool. I added a tiny scalloped trim on the top and bottom of the tag 'cause I like all things scalloped! The next step was the lengthy, but oh so enjoyable, one of stamping, coloring, and cutting out the leaves and flower from the Friends 'til the End set. And since I can't bear to not crinkle, age, or distress my projects I added some depth to the flower and leaves by...well...can you guess? By crinkling, aging, and distressing the edges of my floral pieces so that they were more life like and had more dimension. In case you hadn't noticed...I dig dimension...

My piece was finished by added some ribbon and a button (from PTI) along with a sentiment, which is also from the Friends 'til the End set. Oh yeah, I should also mention that I added some glossy accents to the center of the flower for...well...cough, cough...dimension (and shine). Enjoy and hop on over to Nichole's blog to check out all the fun stuff!