I case'd a card and a story of friendship

Confession... I case'd a card made by another stamp artist. This card idea was not in any way my original idea. Part of the reason for my confession is that I do not usually completely copy another stampers artwork... In fact, I usually avoid the popular SCS so that I can keep my own ideas fresh and 'copy free'. But I fell in love with the original card by Julee Tilman at Poetic Artistry. I think hers is still prettier than mine... but at least I am happy with my attempt to recreate her little masterpiece.

The base and rectangular layers were inked in a burnt edges manner (TJ issue Feb. 07) but I used a baby pink and rose romance on vanilla cardstock. Those layers were ran through the cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder and then highlighted with rose romance ink. The 2" center circle was edged with only baby pink ink. The basic gray under layer is a 2 1/2" scallop punch. I did not have the exact nestabilities dies nor the same fern punch that Julee used in her original. (A story about that punch to come). After searching high and low, I did find a tree punch by McGill and used that for the 'frosty' looking edges and sponged a bit of baby pink ink then added a touch of cotton candy Stickles glitter glue to the tips of the branches. Another item I didn't have was Liquid Pearls, so I used pearl embellishments on an adhesive strip. The adhesive strip made it easy to place the pearls around the center circle.

Next I decided to make another version... this time with touches of my own. I used a sheet of glitter paper to punch out the tree branches (big time saver over adding stickles glue to all the little tips!). Instead of highlighting the embossed snowflakes with pink ink, I pressed Crystal Blush Opalite ink over the entire piece. That delicate shimmer doesn't show in the full card photo, but you can see it in the close up below.

I do love the pearl embellishments, but choose to leave them off my second version so it can be mailed in a regular envelope.

And what about that fern punch? My friend and stamping buddy Skye, knew I wanted to recreate this card but I couldn't find the fern punch that Julee used. Not knowing that I bought this tree punch to use instead, she found the fern punch I had been looking for... and gave it to me for an early Christmas present! What a sweet friend:)

Stamp credits- Stampin' UP

Kimm BT