I'm Joining The Team!

I was honored when Vicki Dutcher, Blog Team Coordinator for Mark's Finest Papers, tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I would be a part of the weekly challenges there. 

Since today is my big debut,  I got to choose the challenge for this week.  :0)

My challenge:  using Bleached Images.  Here is a tutorial link at Splitcoaststampers to see how it's done. 

Here is my card with a Bleached Butterfly:

I used the new March release set, Just Dandy.  The butterfly image from it is just perfect for the bleaching technique.  I stamped it in Versamark on a scrap of Really Rust cardstock, then heat-embossed it with Rubber Stampede's Gold Embossing Powder.

For the bleaching part of the process, I laid my embossed butterfly scrap on several layers of paper towels.  I poured a small amount of regular household liquid bleach into a clean baby food container.  Using a children's fine tipped paint brush, I painted the bleach inside the embossed image.  It changed the rust cardstock to a beautiful, golden yellow.

You may have to do some trial and error with your cardstock color choices.  For instance, black turns muddy brown when painted with bleach.  Yuck.  Not what I wanted. 

Most of my supplies are from Mark's Finest Paper store, with a few exceptions.  I took a page from my "Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior" book to use as designer paper.  There was a time I enjoyed reading the proper way to do things...but now I don't care nearly as much.  :) 

Now go visit my other teammates' blogs to see what they've done with the bleach technique:

Vicki Dutcher -- Joanne Grezlak -- Geri Utterback --

Harriet Skelly -- Susan Raihala -- Karen Knegten

Hope you've gotten plenty of inspiration to try out this technique, and we can't wait to see what you do!  Just link up your card to Speedy The Cat's Challenge HERE by Friday, March 11th at 3 pm EST.
Thanks for joining me today.  I always appreciate your visits!

Colleen

Stamps:  Just Dandy by Mark's Finest Papers
Paper:  Basic Black/Soft Suede/Really Rust by Stampin' Up; designer papers and tobacco colored cardbase from MFP; page from old book
Ink:  Versamark
Punch:  Vine Trim double edge by Martha Stewart
Other:  chocolate pearls from Recollections, brad and satin ribbon from MFP