I'm on a roll now.  There is the biggest mess in my stamp room.  I am working on a new technique.  The background is sponged in two colors (Baja Breeze then Pacific Point) on regular card stock – not shinny.  I used a smooth flat sponge.  Then I turned the piece over and stamped the grass from Inspired By Nature (on the dormant list already people). Then, still working from the back, I put the sponge mat from the MAT PAC (pg 188), under the paper, and I dry embossed the grass with my stylus (page 186).  Once finished, I turned the piece back over, and using my green sponge, I sponged Certainly Celery then Kiwi Kiss over just the grass – which is now raised.  You have to be careful not to tilt your sponge, but I actually like some of the green blending in with the blue.

This card is 4-1/4 x 5-1/2.(Pacific Point).  The white art piece is 5 x 3-3/4, next was black 5-1/8 x 3-7/8 then Kiwi Kiss 5-1/4×4.

Before I glued all this together, I punched a hole in the art piece with my 1 3/8 circle punch,laid this piece onthe black and embossed the butterfly from the stamp set Dreams Du Jour.  I embossed a second one on a scrap of black and cut it out.  Layer the first 3 layers together.

Sentiment, stamped on a piece of Kiwi 1 x 2-1/2, layered onto Pacific 1-1/8 x 2-5/8.  I used markers to color the sentiment, Always Artichoke and Taken With Teal.  Layer this, then punch  with the Horizontal slot punch (page 184).  I used our 1/4 black grosgrain ribbon, around the back of the 3 pieces, under the sentiment which is popped up with dimensionals (foam tape for you newbies).  Tie  a knot, then I took a scrap of that oh so cool Satin Kiwi Ribbon (I love that stuff – page 179) and tied it right beside the black knot.  This adds a little splash of color without using another whole 18 inches of ribbon (did I tell you I was cheap?)

Here is a close up of the butterfly.  Ok, here is my beef.  I wanted a dragonfly.  I am trying very hard to keep this site a Stampin Up Only site – but where the heck are the dragonflies Shelli?  There was one cute little guy in the last catalog in the hostess sets, but now he is gone.  Dragonflies are so cool, and good luck in many cultures, and my science project of Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds on the wings – well what can I tell you – BLING BABY.  So, all that said, you won't be seeing the thank you card I make tomorrow using a dragonfly from (someone else). Note to self.  Design a set of dragonflies and send to Shelli>

Ok, so, this is not my original sponge idea.  I went to a class in Victoria British Columbia Canada, at a great store called "STAMPERS" Hi Anne and Steve.  Their store is on Quadra, easy to find, e-mail me if you need contact info.  ANYWAY, they had a class in Feb. last year from the Australian company Stamp It.  They have these very cool little square sponges.  I think I bought 8.  Now, Tim Holtz also puts one out with one of his little handles, andsponges that attach with Velcro.  I have both, both work excellent.  If S.U. had them, I would use theirs, they don't, so VBG (very bad girl – you newbies really need to get with the program here) - we are using someone else's.  Yes I tried makeup sponges, very hard to keep those puppies flat.  I am working on 2 more cards with this technique, and DH will be home this weekend, so we will try our hand at a little video for you (hopefully), so you can see how this is done. 

Ok, that's it for today, hope this new technique is intriguing you enough to come on back for a visit.