It is finished!!

Done! It's been a blast working on this piece, the person who commissioned me (name withheld in case the person who is getting the card checks my blog!) has been very sweet to work with. I love working with people that say things like... "I like X, I'm not sure about Y, so whatever you think can be done, go for it". It gives me some direction without stifling the creative process and it results in some great ideas!

This project has seen three new templates for shield shaped cards (two with banners, one without) that will eventually be available for download. It's seen the creation of an axe from the round tab punch and a sword from scratch. I've created faux leather from paper, and best of all... I finally used the last of my hemp twine. Oops, excuse to go CRAFT SHOPPING!!

I know this is the second post about this card, but I made a few changes since the last time. Due to the size of the round tab punch I needed to make the shield larger... I did that by getting rid of the banner at the bottom. I like the change! I started with a base of Basic Grey and used Close to Cocoa and Chocholate Chip ink to darken the edges (inside and out... didn't post the inside pictures cause I have a ton of pictures already).

The patterned paper is from DCWV Once Upon a Time which I've had lying around since, well... happily ever after.

The haft of the axe and the hilt of the sword are both textured cardstock in a pale tan color with chocolate chip and close to cocoa sponged on overtop. That gave it the wood texture (just had to make sure I got the "grain" running the right way!)

The only stamp I used was still Nature Silhoettes from Stampin' Up (the last post about this card had the head of the stag). I used the wolf on the envelope too, in close to cocoa and "stamped off" so it would be pale.

I ended up cutting the haft and hilt by hand since none of my punches really made sense. Would I do it again? absolutely! in fact I've already had three friends tell me they want this card made for them! I'll have to use different design paper, but this time around I was going for the "Tauren Warrior" feel.

Here we are, one last picture before I sign off for the night. Tomorrow is a glorious day with my husband home to chase toddlers, I love that it worked out that he's home on my birthday! Wish come true for sure!! Guess what I'm spending my time doing? Yeah, that's right... CRAFTING!

I leave you now with an explantion of my blog name. For those unfamiliar with crafting... the technique "stamping off" is simply when you ink a stamp, stamp it once and then stamp again without reinking. It gives you a paler image of your stamp.

"Take off, eh" is a common phrase used by the McKenzie Brothers. There's really no way to explain Bob and Doug McKenzie to anyone not Canadian... it's best to see it for yourself. Some of you may remember them as the voices of Rutt and Toque, the Moose in Brother Bear.