Brrr-thday

It's cold outside. They're skating on the lakes here (for the first time in decades, actually). A blustery glittery card to celebrate a Brrr-thday.

Supplies

InLinkz.com

Challenges

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Wonderful Wednesday: Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge: Be Square
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge: Winter Birthday
Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes
Scribbles Designs: Birthday Bonanza
Tuesday Throwdown: Snowflakes
Art Impressions: Card Resolutions (piecing with glitter)
More Mixed Media challenge: Blue
Southern Ridge: Winter
The Sketchy Challenge: Anything Goes
Just For Fun Rubber Stamps: Free For All

Putting It Together

I started with the idea of having glittered areas on the image and wanted to try a couple techniques to do so.

In my initial attempt, I embossed the whole image with Emerald Creek black powder. Then, with a VersaMarker, I added sticky embossing powder to the scarf area. Sticky embossing powder becomes sticky when it's heated. I then poured on Silk Microfine glitter from ECD. It showed the coverage of the sticky from the embossing powder wasn't complete. I like the look, actually, but it wasn't what I wanted for this project, so I started again.

I stamped the image again on watercolour cardstock with light blue ink. 

I decided to do paper piecing with adhesive to add the glitter. Using Stazon, I stamped part of the image on ECD adhesive sheet. However, while trying to fussy cut the pieces, I discovered StaZon does not stick to the slick surface of the two-sided release paper. 

I decided to try again and stamped the whole image on more adhesive sheet, but on the back side where the release sheet is one-sided with a papery back. At this point I was considering doing the entire image in glitter.

I fussy cut the pieces to be pieced. I removed the release paper and pieced the adhesive into the image.

I removed the other release sheet to expose the adhesive. I dumped on the glitter and brushed off the excess using the same technique for other glitter piecing (such as with Bottled Princess).

The sweater looked marvelous so I continued. 

I help get the adhesive in place after removing one of the release sheets, I used a bit of scrap release sheet. 

I got the scarf piece perfectly, but I started to miss the defining lines in the image. 

I added in the shirt, under the sweater, and gloves and then, using the Misti and masking, I stamped on the glitter with Archival ink. Dimension returned. 

I went back to my original idea of mixing watercolour (with Distress Ink) and the glitter piecing. I also added Snow Marker for a fluffy tail and silver embossing for the skates. I also added in red where the gloves adhesive wasn't perfectly complete.

I loosely fussy cut the image.

Fussy cut cuteness.

I used an embossing folder to emboss a panel of Core'dinations blue with lighter core. I used a nail buffer to sand down the embossing to reveal the lighter core for an easy 2 colour panel.

Since I wanted to make a square card, I trimmed the embossed panel and then matted it with a metallic silver.

I added the image with foam mounting tape to give him dimension.

I used scrap from the embossed panel and the metallic paper to embellish the inside along with stamping the sentiment.