What? No Layers?!

Good Monday mornin' to ya!

Can you believe it?!  I did it...I made a card withOUT layers!  Jami issued this month's Dirty Dozen and Alumni challenge to make a card with NO layers, NO pink, and WITH masking.  Man, that girl's tough! ;)

Funny thing is, when I first sat down to make my no-layer card, I immediately pulled out some gorgeous pink satin ribbon...and then it hit me...NO PINK!  Sheesh...it's like she just knew what we would go for.

I scored a rectangle in the middle of the card.  Then I used a dotted Cuttlebug folder to dry emboss the "frame".  Next, I stamped and watercolored in the image.  I chose to make my cardinal a blue jay, and added the distinctive white feather markings with my white gel pen.   Next, I masked off the  edges and sponged inside the rectangle with Soft Sky ink.  I left the very middle white to make the bird stand out a bit more.  Finally, I added ribbons and a Filigree flower embellishment with a white Glitter Dot in the center.  It was a remarkably easy card to make, and I'm so pleased with how it turned out! :)

***EDITED TO ADD:  I do not have any special powers for making the Cuttlebug folders NOT emboss in the middle...I promise!  Cuttlebug actually makes these cool border folders now! They are skinny, and come four in a set. The set I used is called Just My Type.  ...very cool stuff! :)

Here's the recipe:

Stamps:  A Cardinal Christmas

Inks:  Black Staz-On, Almost Amethyst, Ballet Blue, Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, More Mustard

Papers:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Ballet Blue Wide Grosgrain, White Taffeta, Filigree metal flower, white Glitter Dot, Blender Pen, Sponge, Just My Type Cuttlebug Embossing Border Folder, Scoring Blade, White Gel Pen

I hope you enjoyed today's sample.  I sure did enjoy the challenge!  In fact, I challenge YOU to make your own no-layer card this week!  It is really quite liberating! :)

Have a very happy Monday!

Love,
~C

Comments

[Brenda W.]

1.

What a gorgeous card!!! I love how you masked off the center and embossed the dots on the edges. The bird is beautiful too! Love it!

[Elena]

2.

Gorgeous card! Love how you made the embossed paper! Your coloring is amazing!

[Kath]

3.

I love it as a blue jay!

[Stephanie Rodgers]

4.

Hi Cin ... As always, love your work! Got a question tho ... how did you use a Cuttlebug folder to emboss, but NOT emboss the middle? Maybe I'm just brain dead this Monday morning, but I would think the folder would've embossed the whole cardfront. Thanks, Stephanie

[Stephanie P]

5.

That's a beautiful card! Nice job thinking outside the box and making the bird a blue jay instead of a cardinal! How did you attach the filigree flower to the ribbon? That is a wonderful finishing touch!

[Shelly Koskinen]

6.

Great job!! I tend to layer like crazy. The way that you did this makes it so you don't need the layers. I like that you made it a blue jay too!

[Shera]

7.

This is beautiful!!

[Jan Marie 1flourish]

8.

Great job! Beautiful details that fully grasped the challenge and embraced it.

[Tracy Altemose]

9.

OMGosh!!! Cindy my insides are Jumping up and Down!! This card is Breathtaking!!! I LOVE everything about it!!!
Is the Cuddle Bug Folder different than the Original Swiss Dots Folder. I see in your description it's (Just My Type Cuttlebug Embossing Border Folder) Oh My I do believe I need to be on the hunt for that one!!!
Stunning!!
Hugs!!
Tracy

[Tammi]

10.

Lovely colors...beautiful card! It's so hard for me to do no layers!

[laura]

11.

First time to your blog.. found you on SCS... what a FABULOUS PLACE to happen upon!! I think you need to be delivered to my inbox!
Your creations are wonderful!
Thanks for sharing yourself so splendidly!

[Julie Carlisle]

12.

Lovely job again! I too wonder how you were able to not emboss the dots in the rectangle area....inquiring minds must know!!

[Diane]

13.

OMG!!! This is stunning! Love the way you did the rectangle with the CB!!!Your bird looks amazing!!!

[virginia killmore]

14.

I know this will sound stupid but do you run the border through the cuttle bug 4 times? how do you keep the folder fron sqishing the ones already embossed.

[jami {sgtStamper}]

15.

This is breath taking!! I love your snowbird - it is colored beautifully! Glad to hear no special powers are required for this cool frame!!
Hugs, Jami

[Shirley]

16.

A really totally awesome card! Love how you did the Cuttlebug and the shading behind the bird! Lovely painting too! Everything is just so elegant.

[Julie Koerber]

17.

Love it! You aced it girl! That bird is colored in a to-die-for way-- so vibrant! I love the embossed frame too. FAB!

[Sheila]

18.

Cindy,

Love your blog! I've gotten lots of great inspiration from it. Today you inspired me to buy the cuttlebug border folders! Love um! And I love the way you colored the Cardinal Christmas.

[Dawn Easton]

19.

Absolutely gorgeous Cindy...wow!

[Susan (rainy)]

20.

This is absolutely gorgeous, Cindy. Your coloring is perfection!

[Laura (scrapnextras)]

21.

Just stunning! Your watercolouring just makes this card! Love the border and ribbon...just gorgeous!

[Terry Renollet]

22.

Cindy,
I have that CB folder, but I do not know how you did the corners of the frame with out embossing over the embossed areas around the corners. I love the card and I just ordered that stamp set today so I can make a blue cardinal too.
Terry Renollet

[joyk]

23.

Fabulous card! Love him as a bluejay!!