Monday, August 20, 2007

Fabric Softener Technique?


I created these 3 cards using the sketch from Beate's Fresh & Fun Weekend Challenge. I've been wanting to try this fabric softener technique on a card for a really long time since I saw it done on a Regional Conference swap. The technique is pretty simple, just cover your image with your used fabric softener sheet and attach the edges on the back side. You're left with a fuzzy focal image that both looks and feels soft!

For this first card I was determined to use the new "In Color" Groovy Guava, because I haven't used it yet. I was happy to discover this color combination using Blush Blossom, Ruby Red, and Chocolate Chip. I think they go nicely together. For some reason this Guava color is more challenging for me to find colors to coordinate. I guess I just need to play more. Anyway, other than the fabric softener technique this card is fairly straight forward.


Here's the recipe:
Stamps: Short & Sweet, Year After Year, Paisely Backround, Aida Cloth Background
Paper:Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, White, Ruby Red
Inks: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom, and Blush Blossom Craft
Accessories: Copper Cord, Copper Brads, Photo Corner Punch, Pretties flower (inked with Blush Blossom ink), dimensionals, Fabric Softener Sheet

The second card uses this same Fabric Softener technique, but with some different colors, papers, and stamps. Here's the recipe:
Stamps: Close as a Memory, Short & Sweet, Fine Lace Background
Papers: Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue Textured, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Certainly Celery Prints DS, White

Inks: Brocade Blue, Old Olive

Accessories: Stitched Olive Ribbon (May Arts), Bronze brads, Fabric Softener Sheet




And this last card I made because I haven't used my Cuttle bug in a while. Same layout, but no fabric softener. The giraffe white piece has a purple edge that I created with "Direct to Paper" using my lilac ink pad.
Stamps: Wild about You, Canvas Background
Papers: Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Flowers for You DS Paper, White
Inks: So Saffron, Lovely Lilac
Accessories: Lavendar Polka dotted ribbon (May Arts), Cuttlebug die, Saffron brad, Word Window Punch
Love this layout, I got a lot of use out of it! ThanksBeate!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gretchen, all three cards look wonderful! I love the dryer sheet technique to give images a soft look.
Hugs and smiles

Anonymous said...

wow these are great your making me want to buy dryer sheets! lol

Suzi said...

Very nice! Thanks for reminding me about the dryer sheet! LOVE the Groovy guava color combo!
Suzi

Anonymous said...

Hi Gretchen,
I love the dryer sheet technique. Do you put any adhesive on the front of your image before you attach the sheet, or do you only adhere it to the back of the image?

Thaks for the lovely samples!

Anonymous said...

Fabric softener sheet technique also adds a dimension of scent too I bet!