May 02
So… I suppose we’ve got guessing the May Muse covered, huh? I realize that the sneak peek was too easy for you, guys 
We’re all pretty much buzzing with excitement, at CASE Study! The Muse is, of course, none else but the Queen of CAS - Maile Belles, and we’re starting off this fabulous month with the little wonder below:
All of these extra touches, spiced up with a clever technique and the crispiness of the white space, are making me giddy. Perfect stamping. Understated design. All that we love Maile for, right??
Since I figured out the technique, I decided to go along with it on my inspired card. For this purpose, I used the pine tree from the In The Meadow stamp & die set from PTI (of which I became a happy owner recently). I love the effect and I’m planning to share a little tutorial on it (hopefully not long from now, please bear with me).
I’m afraid I didn’t manage to capture the embossing effect too well, you can see it on the photo below but because of the slightly off stamped tree, it’s not as easily recognizable as it is on Maile’s card. I promise to do better in the tut
In case you’re wondering, the splotchy effect on the stamped images is something I did on purpose. Memento inks tend to give off that effect on the new stamps, unless they’re primed with the eraser first. I forgot to do it, stamped the images once and while normally I’d attempt stamping once more to even out the look, I decided that I like the pseudo-texture on images and the rustic, more realistic look they produce. What do you think?
As for the wavy ground, I cut it free-hand with scissors. I’m aware of PTI having a set of dies for that purpose, but frankly I’m not sure if I’ll ever need it. I’ve been doing it this way since always (I’ve got a pretty steady hand so I’m not afraid of fussy cutting), and I like the fact that I’m completely in control of the final look.
I’m linking up this card to the current Festive Friday challenge (FFC07), as it happens to meet the criteria
Click on the links below, for more inspired creations! Big welcome to our May Guestie Erin, as well
Hope you’ll find a minute to join us as well. Visit CASE Study for the whole package
Maile Belles - May Muse
Amy Wanford
Andrea Ewen
Clare Buswell
Debby Hughes
Jean Martin
Jeanne Jachna
Maureen Plut
Teneale Williams
Erin Schulte - May Guest Designer
Ok - best muse EVER!! Great choice of card too and your festive interpretation is fab!
Caryn xxx
Its super! I like the splotchy effect.
Love Maile’s inspiration, Chupa, and so happy you went the ‘Christmas route’ so we could enjoy YOUR inspiration at Festive Friday!!! So lovely…and I like your accidental texture, too!! Thanks so much for joining us! Always a treat to have you!
Gorgeous, I too like that “incomplete” impression adds beautiful interest
First, I think it is SO fun that you’re CAS-ing Maile this month… I ALWAYS want to play with your challenges, Chupa, but time always slips away. I really REALLY hope I can manage it this month, because you’re always so supportive of my challenge!
I loved her technique, and I think it looks great the way you did it! And I love that the birds ended up being such subtle elements to your card, but so glad they meant you could link up with us - I love when you play with us!
This card totally surprised me! So different from the original apart from the technique!! A gorgeous creation though. And I think the stamping of the tree looks like snow, so a great design element! But, you do need the die though - not for fussy cutting (as you clearly have that down!) but for die cutting felt trees or non-stamped trees from patterned paper etc!
Love your wintry scene! Normally, I’m a full-ink, crisp stamping kind of girl (at least I attempt to be!) but I love that the texture adds to the rustic-ness of this Christmassy scene! Thanks for playing with Festive Friday - can’t wait to hear about your baby arriving!