Saying Goodbye

Hello! Thank you for visiting my blog. It is the first day of the month. Usually, Incy Wincy will have a new challenge today. Sadly, this is the last post for Incy Wincy Designs Challenge. We are closing up the challenge blog. I am forever grateful to Incy. They gave me my first break in the DT world. My first post as a DT was on June 6, 2016 with the card below, Chalkboard Altered Digital Print. 

Whew! That was eight years of my designing life. The challenge blog evolved from having multi-sponsors per month to a solo sponsor to a non-sponsored challenge blog. From having two challenges a month, we cut back to a monthly challenge. On those 8 years, DT members have come and go. Until we were down to 5 and remained 5 for a long time despite the DT call. There were signs that the challenge blog is about to end but we held on because of our loyal followers who chose to stay despite the circumstances. We feel blessed because of them.

Back to my card, I used products from Erin Lee Creative. Unfortunately, these products are already retired but I am pretty sure you can find substitutes for it. Like any product that is new to me, I research the product online. There is a tutorial to the cardinal die by Jeannie which was very helpful to me. Unlike Jeannie's cardinal which was cut on white cardstock, I decided to cut my version on colored cardstock. I added details to the debossed portions of the bird and the wing with a Copic marker. On my first attempt, I used a very dark gray ink which did not turn out too good. On my second attempt, I used a lighter gray alcohol marker which worked out just fine in making these details pop. 

I blended red ink over areas I think there is a shadow. I used a medium sized blending brush to have a bit of control over the areas I am blending on. I used the scrap cardinal die cut as a layer to the final piece. I didn't want to waste that piece.

I also added details to the bird's beak and the bird's feet using markers. I blended a bit of brown dye ink on the bird's feet. There is really no rhyme or reason with the blending. I think the bird will still look pretty no matter what.

I assembled the bird and set it aside while the glue dries.

For the sentiment, I did hot foiling. It took me 3 tries before I got a good result. The lessons I learned with foiling are:  

1. Foiling on a smooth paper gives better results. My first attempt was on a matte, heavy weight cardstock. The result was a splotchy foiled sentiment.

2. Assess the thickness of your paper. If using a thin sheet of paper, add a shim e.g. another cardstock or a thin cardboard to add more pressure to the foiling sandwich. On my second try, I used a light weight mirror cardstock. Being thin, not all of the foil adhered to the mirror cardstock. It was okay but I feel it can still look better that's why I gave it another try, my 3rd try.

I die cut the foiled sentiment using the coordinating die.

For the card panel, I used an embossed cardstock from DCWV. I splattered white paint over the panel. I dried the paint by heat setting it.

I love the result of foiling. The beauty of foiling is that the look it gives. The colors change depending on how the foil gets hit by the light. I think foiling the sentiment on mirror cardstock also made the foiled sentiment even prettier, what do you think?

I adhered the cardinal and the sentiment to the cardstock panel. I added a dot of blank Ranger enamel accent for the bird's eye. 

Well, this is it. I hope you continue to follow me and my co-DT members as we embark on other things. We truly appreciate your support. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day! I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Happy Holiday Cards 4 Kids #23

Anything Goes #145

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