Milestone Day

It's time for a little milestone celebration!  This is the 1600th post I've made on my blog and I also noticed that the hit counter has passed 1,750,000.

It's been quite a journey since I started the blog in 2008.  I've learned a lot and I have enjoyed sharing my projects, files, tutorials, photos and bits and pieces from my life with a great group of followers, readers and subscribers. Lately I've been thinking about some new ideas for the blog that I hope will be in place by the beginning of next year. Thank you for all of your comments and support - I truly enjoy connecting with fellow crafters from around the world through my blog. 

I was trying to sort things out in my craftroom and I came across a card that I started back in July (it certainly has been a hectic year!).  I designed the file for the card base from a Dover Publications free sample image (I'll add the name of the book when I figure out which one it came from).

I cut the card base from textured dark green Bazzill cardstock and used papers from this mat stack for the decorative layers.

Here is the base card cut - I think I posted this a few months ago as a "sneak peek" so it may look familiar.  I measured the center rectangle and cut papers to fit for the card front and for a message inside.

The area for the message inside is perfectly aligned with the openwork cut in the front of the card.  I added a layer of the green cardstock to create a thin line around the mat for contrast.

After the layers were added the card was pretty but a little plain.

I decided to add gems to give the card some sparkle.  The card sat around on my worktable for a long time, just waiting for me to be inspired to finish it.

I recently found the Magic of Oz stamp set from Graphic 45 on sale at one of the larger craft stores.  The green gems I had added to the card made me think of the Emerald City and the "There's no place like home" sentiment was a perfect fit for the front of the card.

I stamped  a piece of white cardstock with Versamark ink and then applied some clear embossing powder.  After I heated the powder (one of my favorite things to do is watching the magic of heat embossing...) the sentiment was preserved in white.

I inked the cardstock with several shades of Distress Ink (crushed olive, ripe persimmon, pine needles and vintage photo) using a blending tool to create a mottled background.  The ink wipes of the embossed words very easily.

The lacy frame around the edges of the card front cut very cleanly with the Cameo.  I also did another version of this design with the card in a square shape.

If you have any questions about how I adapted the Dover file to cut with the Cameo, be sure to leave a question in the comments below.

Here is a peek at something that I used on my "secret" project while I was at my sister's house last month.  I'll share a few photos of the finished product soon.

Today is also a special day for my great nephew.  He is turning 6 on the 6th so it is his "Golden Birthday."  Have a wonderful day Ben!

The final milestone for today is the Presidential Election.  The race is close and I think we will all be glad to have the ads and phone calls come to an end.  Be sure to get out and vote!

Stay tuned to hear about the giveaway I have planned to celebrate 1600 posts and so many visits...


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