Up, Up and Away!

I spent last week preparing for a demonstration I was giving to a group of demonstrators....

I showcased "Shaker Frames" and "Mica Flakes" from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

It was SOO much fun :)

I made 11 cards and will be showing them here over the next couple of weeks and it was hard to decide which one I should share with you first!

This card features the "Mica Flakes" used two different ways and, also, one of my favorite fun stamps from the new catalog, Up, Up and Away.

(1.)  The Mica Flakes are simply inside the shaker frame....

and

(2.)  About 2 weeks ago, I found a tutorial using the Mica Flakes to create a faux Mother of Pearl effect from Sharon Field at http://www.createdbyu.blogspot.com/ and used it as my focal point across the bottom of the card.  It really is quite striking in person.  It can be quite elegant...but I wanted to keep it fun and flirty on this card...

The steps to create this piece are, as follows:

1.  Cut cardstock and Sticky sheet the same size.  Attach Sticky sheet to cardstock.

2.  Remove protective film from sticky sheet and coat heavily with Mica Flakes. Pat down firmly with fingers.

3.  Rub Sanding block over Mica Flakes in a circular motion to remove excess flakes.

4.  Sponge Soft Suede Ink over the Mica Flakes.

5.  Use paper towel to remove excess ink.

6.  Trim edges to remove Mica Flakes and create a "neat" edge.

7.  Attach to card!!

The Shaker Frames are designed with the same concept as "dimensionals".  When you pull one off the sheet, the bottom is already sticky.  Attach it directly to your paper.  After putting just a pinch of Mica Flakes inside the circle, you pull off the top layer of paper, protecting a second sticky side.  Now you can easily attach a clear window sheet.  Super SIMPLE!

A little side shot to show the thickness of the shaker frame and the layers creating my circle.

Someone over there at Stampin' UP designed these with ME in mind!! Each one of the circles matches one of our circle punches or the Circles #2 Bigz Die. So it couldn't be easier....and each one is exactly 1/4 inch wide...so all the circles coordinate perfectly with the Shaker Frames.  Of course, if you don't have the circle punches....it is quite easy to cut them free hand!  And no worrying about cutting a perfect circle...you are going to cover it up anyways!  It'll be showing different ways to cover up your edges in the next few posts :)

This particular card uses a 1 1/4 inch circle shaker frame. So my window sheet is also 1 1/4 inches in diameter. To get the Island Indigo circular layer, I punched a piece of scrap paper with the 1 inch punch. Then using the 1 1/4 inch circle punch (upside down) I centered my original circle and punched. This method leaves you the little round ring! So quick and easy. Much faster to do then to read these instructions :)

The narrow tip on the Tombow glue is the best for attaching such a little piece of paper.

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials Used:
Stamps:  Up, Up and Away
Ink:  Real Red, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede (lightly sponged on the Mica Flakes)
Paper:  Real Red, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Window Sheet
Accessories:  Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Clear Embosslit Scallop Rectangle, 1 1/4 inch Circle punch, 1 inch Circle Punch, Mica Flakes, Sanding Block, Sponge, Sticky Sheets