ScrapFIT & Sketchy Thursday Blog Hop ~ My Sister My Friend ~ ScrapFIT Workout #52 Reveal

Welcome to the ScrapFIT & Sketchy Thursday Blog Hop!  

We have joined up with Sketchy Thursday this week to offer you a Workout with a sketchy twist!  

Here is my example combining the fabulous Sketchy Thursdays Sketch with the fun ScrapFIT Workout #52.

My Sister My Friend:

I hope you've been inspired to create a project, so here are the details:

You'll need to use this sketch from Sketchy Thursday:

combined with our ScrapFIT Workout #52 - F is for Friendship -Friends are the family members we pick out by hand. Let's dedicate this weeks layout to a special friend(s).  

Since this is a special joint Workout there are a few prizes up for grabs!  

You can win this Halloween kit full of goodies from our ScrapFIT sponsor, Paper Issues, by linking your layout to the Mr Linky on the ScrapFIT blog.

Be sure to visit each of the FITgirls blogs and comment on their Workouts because one lucky random winner that leaves a comment on every FITgirls blog will be get this prize kit! 

You can get to each girl's blog by clicking on their photo at ScrapFIT.  

Once you do that be sure to head on over to Sketchy Thursday for a chance at winning a prize from their sponsor and another chance at a prize by commenting on their Design Team blogs! 

This Workout (#52) will end on Wednesday 9/21 (this is earlier than our normal end of the month project completion date), and the winners will be announced on Thursday 9/22. We hope you will play along and remember you still have until the end of the month to play along with Workout #51.  

Now for some project details.

Techniques:
1) Flowers:

I took a sheet of coordinating paper with glitter embossed flowers in various sizes and fussy cut out the flowers. For the dimensional flowers, I inked the edges of each flower. (Because the flowers were embossed the ink only showed on the cut edges. Using a darker ink gave extra dimension.) I curled the petals around a toothpick and skewer to shape before adhering the layers together with adhesive dots, then placed a pearl in the center of each flower. The flat flowers were inked and cut, but not curled or layered.

2) Stitching: 
I used the Tim Holtz ruler to pierce holes spaced 1/4 inch apart down the center of each of the lighter color rays for stitching. I wanted a heavier stitching line than I usually use, so I used 6 strands of embroidery floss in place of the 2 strands I generally use. 

3) Ribbon: 

I received this ribbon wrapped around a gift. After removing the edge wires, I tied a length of jute around the ribbon every couple inches, wrapping the ends of the ribbon around to the back of the page. To curl the jute, I wrapped each end around a small metal bar pressing on it with my fingers for about 30 seconds or so until it was set into the curl shape. 

4) Leaves: 
The Martha Stewart rose leaf punch makes sweet little leaves. After punching the leaves from pale green card stock, I rubbed them with distress ink to get the color I wanted. I then folded the leaf in half lengthwise, where the natural vein would be in a leaf. Then I scrunched up each side where the smaller veins would be. Once I had the creases where I wanted them, I inked again in a darker green so the "veins" would be more visible.

5) Wire Mesh: 

The wavy mesh on the tag is some wire mesh tubing I purchased in the jewelry department. It is a very fine woven wire that holds the shape I molded with my fingers. I attached it with double sided tape (the red backed type).

6) Journaling: 
If you are hesitant to use your own handwriting, I learned this tip from my scrappy friend, Tiffany ~ use pencil with a light hand to write your journaling, then when you're happy with the way it looks, go over it with a fine tip marker. This has made such a big difference for me. For my title, I found a font I liked and used it as a guide to write it out, the rest of the journaling is in my own hand.

7) Punched Border:
When punching a 12 inch border, it does not automatically come out equally spaced on the ends, so I punch the border on a scrap to figure out where I need to start so the spacing will come out the same on both ends before punching the border on my project paper.

8) Misting:
I have always liked the look of misting, but not how it warps the paper. To reduce or even eliminate warping, spray a 12 x 12 or slightly larger piece of chipboard with temporary spray adhesive. (The back cardboard from a paper stack works perfectly for this.) Once the adhesive is dry, place your project paper on the chipboard (right side up). Mist in light coats, allowing to dry between each misting. If you want more intense color, used several light mistings, being sure to dry between each spritz. (If you are impatient like me, you can use a light hand with the heat tool to dry it faster. Don't get too close with the heat tool, as this can also warp your paper.) One you are done misting, and your project is completely dry, you can carefully remove it from the chipboard backing. 

9) Stamping:
You have probably discovered that Distress Ink does not create a crisp stamped image when using clear stamps. However, when I'm using a grungy stamp like the Forever Friends image in this layout, I didn't want a perfect, crisp image and the distress ink provided the type of image I was looking for. When in doubt, try it out on a scrap with a similar texture to your project paper.

Paper

DCWV ~ The Rustic Stack

Bazzill Smoothies ~ Chocolate Cream

Green CS ~ Scrap From Stash

Embellishments

US Art Quest ~ Mica Tiles, Medium

Vaessen Creative (Darice) ~ Mesh Ribbon, 6 mm Chestnut

Want 2 Scrap ~ Say it with Pearls - Red

Ribbon ~ From Stash

Jute ~ From Stash

Technique Products

7gypsies Clear Stamps ~ Ink - Friends

Tombo ABT #757, #993, #N15

Zig Millenium Marker ~ Pure Brown

Color Box Chalk Ink ~ Chestnut Roan

Distress Ink ~ Walnut Stain, Bundled Sage, Pine Needles

Smooch Spritz ~ Log Cabin

Glimmer Mist ~ Simply Khaki

DMC Embroidery Floss ~ #3776

Wire Leaf Stems ~ From Stash

Tools

EK Sucess ~ Honey Bee Scissors

EK Success Punch ~ Morocco Lace Edger

Martha Stewart Punch ~ Rose Leaf

Don't forget, over at Scrap-Freindzy, It's Design Star Month. Come join us for a month of fun design related challenges. I completed this LO for Kathy's Inquiring Minds journal challenge.

I've entered this at Paper Compulsions Link Up Party. Hop on over there to Show and Tell one of you projects.

Thanks for joining our Blog Hop and stopping by my blog. I treasure your comments.

~ Blessings ~