May 26
Hello! A special post from me today, I’m sharing the card I made for Round #2 of Gallery Idol 2014! I had minimal time to prepare the card; I’ve been handling a teething toddler, battling tiredness (I just started working part time) and the resulting back pain, so I can’t say my mind was clear enough to produce something I would be proud of but I do at least hope it will be good for some of you to cast a vote 
The theme given in this round was die cutting, and here’s my card:
I created a pseudo-diorama effect, using WPlus9 full card dies: Birds & Branches Frame and Foliage Frame. I gradated the neutral colours using PTI Kraft, Fine Linen and Rustic Cream cardstock. The base is PTI Spring Rain which I turned into a twilight sky by sponging on several shades of Versa Color ink.
The pair of birds from Birds & Branches Frame was die cut in navy cardstock, and the flowers cut from white CS and glittered lightly in the centers. I finished the card by adding a Cosmo Cricket sentiment sticker to the bottom of the card.
Here’s how I created the scene:
1. I cut my pieces.
2. I sponged the sky on the card base and adhered the darkest layer of foliage.
3. I removed the leaves from about one third down of the inside of the die.
4. I adhered the frame flat on top of the first layer, and then the cream frame over the rest, this time using dimensional tape.
5. Added the birds, flowers and sentiment.
I hope you like it! It’s not necessarily a unique or innovative approach to die cutting, but it’s still quite a lovely card and I stayed true to my style which I think is a plus
If you do find it worth a vote, I’d be thankful if you made your way to the Gallery Idol 2014 contest page, you’ll find there a link to voting which you can do after a quick registration. Moreover, I’m sure there’s plenty of eye candy to be seen from the other contestants, I can’t wait to see them myself!
Your card blew me away Iwona! It’s beautiful! Good luck.
Beautiful card, Chupa! I’m glad to see the process. The selective cutting and the blending in the background are fabulous! Congrats!
I love it! LOVE it!! seeing how you made it really made it even more fabulous
WOW!! Magnificent die cutting, just love this scene! Best of luck ;oP
Beautiful layers, love seeing the construction of it and how it came together! Hope the teething sorts itself out quickly!
Iwona, they would have to work very hard to beat this beautiful card, you have so perfected the look. The die cuts, colours layout are to die for. Absolutely beautiful
Iwona, this is simply gorgeous. I definitely see you making it all the way.
Totally gorgeous!
Beautiful! Definitely couldn’t tell that you didn’t have much time!! I love all the layers and dimensions- Good Luck!
it is so gorgeous! i love the layers and sponged colour. Very lovely! Hope you get some more rest ; )
Iwona, you always amazes me with your work. You have a magic hand and this card is definitely beautiful!
Iwona, this card is so beautiful!!! Beautiful colour combination and lovely birds! I just love it. Good luck!
So well done! What patience you have
lovely! Good luck to you! 
Such a beautiful shadowbox effect! I love seeing the construction process! Good luck to you, Chupa!
Good Luck Chupa!!! Its Beautiful
Absolutely fabulous card!!! Lovely layers…simply fantastic!!
absolutely stunning!
What a stunning card! Beautiful work!
Woah! Just absolutely stunning! Love it!
So beautiful and elegant! I just love the touch of glitter in the flower centers!
This is fabulous, Chupa!! Love the scene you created - something like you see out your back window I’m sure
Hi Chupa, I just found your comment on my blog, about my problems linking my card to CASE Study #192. Thanks so much for getting back to me, I really appreciate it! And I really hope no one else had any problems. I hadn’t heard of this happening before so I’m very lucky this was my first time. I just have to get myself organised so I don’t leave it till last minute again!!!
And congratulations too for being in the Top 20 for Gallery Idol. You must be so excited and this card you’ve created for the next round is incredible.!
Thank you so much, Shona! My apologies again for the troubles!
Beautiful beautiful scene!!! All the layering really stands out on this card…amazing!!!
Totally gorgeous - love the layered frames against the inked blue background! Your card is so serene and elegant….good luck!
Oh, wow, this is gorgeous! I will be very surprised if you don’t make it to the next round!
Absolutely gorgeous!
Your card is fabulous as always!!! Beautiful layers and gorgeous colors. Thanks for sharing the step photos. (I’ve been a big fan of your work, and I’m so happy that you made the Top 20. Good luck to you!)
I have never seen die cuts layered quite like this-it’s fantastic!! Great job!