Club Scrap: A Challenge project: Simple but Elegant

I started to make this card for Card Envy, the theme was Grateful but didn't see that it is a weekly challenge. There new challenge is layers, and this still works but I also went searching and found a wonderful site, Addicted to Stamping, how appropriate.  I think that is how most of us got here, we just love those stamps.  So I will be submitting this card to both.

I just love this card for several reasons.  First it is flat, and will be easy to mail.  Second it is striking, simple but elegant.  Perfect for just about anything.  Another fact about this card, all of it, except the red was created from a single piece of paper.  Curious, let's take a look.

This is the paper.  It was printed on one side, and Kraft on the other.  I determined which part of the border I wanted, trimmed that out.  Then cut out the card base.  What was left was used for the bats and sentiment.  Only needed to add red cardstock for accent, a red ribbon, embellishments. Finished.

First step was to create the mat.  I used a cuddle bug folder and dry embossed.  Then with a very light hand, used a sponge dauber and white pigment ink to add dimension and interest.  By using a light hand and the dauber, I was able to keep the ink on just the surface.  Once dried, it was softer.

The sentiment was stamped in the same white pigment ink.  White pigment ink can be a bother when it comes to sentiments, in fact any pigment ink, but white seems the worse.  It takes forever to dry and I don't always want the shiny appearance that heat embossing gives.  My trick (I am impatient), stamp and let sit while I clean up the stamp.  That is about as long as my patience will allow.  I hit it with my heat tool to set the ink, that will dry about 75% of the ink.  I live in the south.   Humidity and my need for speed seems to make this ink take forever, and I hate smudges.  So, once I am sure that it is mostly dry, I dip it in my clear embossing powder.  It adheres to what moisture remains, zap it with he heat tool, No smudges and it doesn't look like it is embossed.  Double click and get a close up view.

This is an A2 card, all supplies and stamps are from the November Club Scrap Kit, Moroccan Spice.
Hope you enjoy,
Happy Crafting,
Josette

Links:
Challenges:
Addicted to Stamps: Anything Goes
Cards in Envy
Club Scrap
Supplies:  All are from Moraccan Spice, November Kit from Club Scrap
Ink:  Unicorn White Pigment
Embossing folder:  Cuddlebug
Clear embossing powder: Hero Arts