About Me

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Mesa, Arizona, United States
Hi: It's Merniebug here. Well actually it's Melanie but I answer to a variety of sobriquets. My mother had been reading Gone With The Wind at the time of my birth, thus, I was named Melanie. My friends call me Mel, It was my sister who coined the moniker Mernie when she was too young to pronounce Melanie correctly. It was eventually shortened to Mern. And then later when my nephew came along he called me Melwee because he couldn't pronounce Melanie either. Now my husband of thirty-four years is so confused he just calls me whatever comes to mind first. Actually I was Sweetheart until the day he realized the honeymoon was over. It was my cousin who added the bug to Mernie which is who I've always been to him and who I am on Splitcoast Stampers. So now that we've gotten past the odd name business, who else am I? I'm a child of the King, a wife and a mother to one grown son and five tailwaggin' fur babies. I am a retired interior designer, a rubber stamper, and a wanna be author who is just completing a first novel. I got into scrapping and rubber stamping to fill a creative void after retiring--it's less expensive than redecorating the house every year. LOL

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Anything Goes Oakleaf Cluster

For Digi Doodle Shops Anything Goes Challenge this week I selected one of my favorite themes -- fall leaves.  For the anything goes challenge this week participants are to choose from 3 available free Stamps.  All winners in this challenge will recieve a gift.  For further informtion please see the
Digi Doodle Challenge blog.
Since this is a digital image and I wanted the leaves to be embossed,  I had to first sponge color on them before cutting them  out and applying the Versa Mark ink.  This was followed by a coat of clear embossing powder.  I then lightly inked the leaf edges and added a bit of extra thick bronze embossing powder to the leaf edges only.   When this image was cut out it was so intricate I ended up accidentally cutting it into three pieces so it had to be reassembled on the back ground paper and I didn't get it back together quite the way it was designed to be.  Oh Me....
 For the image background layer I used a crackle technique I found over on Splitcoast Stampers the other day, using white glue.  This works great and saves a lot on those pricey colored crackle finishes.   I debossed the back of the acorns so they would puff up and have a bit more depth and dimension to them.
WHAT I USED ON MY CARD:
IMAGES: Digi Doodle Shops Fall Leaves, image, Stampin Up's En Francais for the written layer, and Gina K for the Sentiment, Missing You  
TEXTURED LAYER: A Cuttlebug embossing folder was usesd for the brown textured layer. 
This card was finished with some small brass brad sort to thingys & a rafia bow.  The inks used for the color on the leaves are Tim Holtz Distress Inks.  
CHALLENGES:

16 comments:

Powerful Search Engine said...

STunning work Mel I love the effect on the leaves and all the tips are great. Hugs Pascale

Joan Ervin said...

This is absolutely gorgeous, Mel....your leaves look sooo beautiful and what a cool looking background!!! I am sooo in the mood for all things fall...I'd like to leave the 100 degree weather for next year!!!!

Karen said...

Oooooh Mel, this is briliant, I love the rustic feel of it.
xx

KarinsArtScrap said...

what a great autumn card
colorful leaves

greetings karin

Jóna said...

Great card Mel, love every thing about it !! Don't tell any one but yours is my favorite :O) It's so fantastic to see all the different cards with the same image !!!!
Hugs, Jóna

Monika Reeck said...

ooh what a wonderful color you did to the Images...great Design too and ADORABLE card really wonderfully done...hugs Monika DDSB DT

Katja said...

This card is really art!!! So very pretty Melanie!!! Wouwwwww!

Greetings,
Katja

JoAnn V. (http://joboogie.typepad.com) said...

This is gorgeous! :) Love it! :)

Karen Howard said...

Beautiful card, love the coloring and your layout! Hugs, Karen

Judy said...

Very very well done Mel.

This card just looks so lovely with lots of detail.

Great job hun,

Hugs
Judy

Tine said...

Hi Melanie, I love the crackle glaze with your acorn image. It works really well.
Tine :)

KymKreates said...

This is magnificent. Please share with me the white glue technique!

xoxo,
Kym

dj1952 said...

Your card is awesome. Love the realistic colors. I'll have to try this technique.

Francie G. said...

Mel, this is totally gorgeous! Love this fall creation! Beautiful colors!

Crystal said...

This is BEAUTIFUL and AWESOME!!!! LOVE IT!

Francie G. said...

Beautiful fall creation, Mel! Love the beautifully colored leaves and fab background!