Be Brave

Two challenges this week that I incorporated into one card - a challenge to make something representative of a resolution we've made for this new year, and a color challenge using Pacific Point, Marina Mist, and Crisp Cantaloupe:

I've made a resolution to "be brave" and do things outside my comfort zone and/or that I've been putting off for far too long.  This Tim Holtz quote is the perfect reminder, so I made this to hang in my studio where I can see it daily and remember...

To make the background panel, I blew the dust off of my Stampin'Up! set Elements of Style, and used the three challenge colors to stamp a panel like this:

Both the background panel and the sentiment panel have three layers of matting, just to give some separation and interest.  See that ribbon at the top?  It used to be white, and how I dyed it Marina Mist is the subject of the promised quickie tutorial:

Tutorial: Dyeing ribbon

Collect your supplies:  

• Craft sheet or other protective material for your desktop
• Ribbon of choice
• Re-inker of choice
• Rubbing alcohol
• Small container of some sort
• Cotton ball or cosmetic pad
• Plastic gloves

Spread out the protective sheet on your desktop, put a couple of tablespoons of rubbing alcohol into the container and add a few drops of ink (I used four drops in mine).  Stir/swirl ink and alcohol to mix them fairly well.  Dip the cosmetic pad into the mixture (not the whole thing, just enough to get some color on there), then lay the ribbon on the sheet and begin wiping the color on:

As you continue down the length of the ribbon, you will probably have to fold it back on itself (loosely) to keep all of it contained on the sheet, like so:

After you get the entire length colored, flip it over and do the other side, just to be safe.  Since you're using alcohol instead of water, it dries VERY quickly.  Also, since you are wiping the color on instead of wadding it up and shoving it into the dye, it doesn't get all wrinkly - it stays nice and smooth.

And that's all there is to it!  Easier than easy!  Alrighty, then!  Promise fulfilled (ta da!) and another creation "out in the world" instead of locked up in Odd Brain - go, me!  I hope you're accomplishing some of your promises and goals, too, and thanks for stopping by!

Comments

[Diane McGovern]

An excellently done card - everything just flows - the colors, the swirls and the sentiment! So very, very inspirational. thanks for another great post :)

[Sherry D]

Kudos to you for using something that hasn't seen light of day in some time.. I promised myself I would do that as well this year and have for the most part been pretty good about holding myself to it! Thanks for the tip on coloring the ribbon too, never thought to use a cosmetic sponge.. I (of course) have some of those (somewhere) yay! This is really lovely, well done my friend!