Grunge Goes Romantique

What do you do when you want to participate in all the cool challenges, get gifts and cards out in a timely fashion, but have a ton of other things on the must-do list?  If you're clever (as I like to think I am, or can be at times), you combine.  You become the master of the twofer or even threefer.  Like today.

For this week's Grungy Monday, Linda had us watch a video of Tim (what a chore that was, LOL!) demonstrating two techniques for using his texture fades (AKA embossing folders) and distress inks.  We could use either or both in our projects.  Over at Simon Says Stamp and Show, the UK Linda just said, show us a Tim technique.  Duh!  Instant twofer.  However, I need an anniversary card this week.  So, unlikely as it may seem, by pairing Tim with Graphic 45, I wound up with Grunge Romantique (Romantique is the name of the G45 line I used, not me trying to get all French and fancy).

For the background I applied bundled sage distress ink to the inside of the damask texture fade, and ran it through my Vagabond on pink prima paper.  All the images are from the Graphic 45 Romantique collection, and I cut some up, distressed them and put them together collage style.  The sentiment is from a Wendy Vecchi stamp.

As for the butterfly, that poor little thing went through so many changes, I'm not sure it still qualifies as using the challenge technique.  Here's what happened......first I cut it from Tim's new mini die set.  No problem there.  Then I decided to use the texture fade/distress ink method once again, and did, with bundled sage and the gridlock folder on the same pink paper.  Whoa!  Way too light.  It barely showed up on the card.  So, I edged it with forest moss.  Still didn't pop enough.  Then I covered the whole shebang with tea dye. Uh uh.
Finally, I gave it a spritz with lettuce color wash.  Bingo!  Somewhere, under all those layers is this week's technique.  I promise.

So, not the color palette of my comfort zone, but it seemed fitting for the project.

Anyway, later this week the card is going out to two of the best people and good good friends who just so happen to be married to each other.  You know who you are.  If you're reading this, just act surprised when you get it!