MY DAD ... BEST DAD EVER

This is the Father's Day card I made for my Dad this year using the new stamp set, Best Dad Ever, from the Summer Mini Catalog. I got frustrated with this set at first because I couldn't get a nice, clean image from the bold tie images. I called Stampin' Up! about it and got the most helpful gal on the phone. She confirmed that the tie images are meant to have a distressed look and suggested using craft ink and/or embossing to achieve bold, solid images. If you're familiar with my stamping style, you know I'll do just about anything to avoid embossing. Determined to use this new stamp set, I tried the embossing, and it worked! I'm very pleased with the results. The ties were stamped with black craft ink and embossed with black embossing powder TWICE -- one is cut out and raised up on Stampin' Dimensionals. This was one of those "difficult to photograph" cards and the photo just doesn't do the embossing justice. I used the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #206 for my layout.

RECIPE
Stamps: Best Dad Ever
Paper: Night & Day DP (retired), Basic Black and Whisper White CS
Ink: Craft Black
Embellishments: Black Button, Rhinestone Jewel
Tools: Square Lattice Embossing Folder
Supplies: Black Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Boy, am I ever struggling getting back into the swing of things in my craft room! I've been spending hours on designs with so-so results, but am going to keep going in hopes that practice will make perfect.

This so-so Father's Day card was inspired by Mojo Monday Sketch #194 and Colour Q Challenge #88 of Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Kraft, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla.

RECIPE
Stamps: Best Dad Ever
Paper: Cranberry Crisp, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla CS
Ink: Early Espresso
Tools: Owl Punch, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Circle Cutter
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals