Let's Raise the Bar and Compose a Card with Becky

Becky's Compose a Card challenge uses Softstone and Enchanted Evening cardstock as well as white embossing powder and satin ribbon. Take a gander at the inspiration room... lovely as always!

While Becky did not use the "chandelier" on her own card, it really spoke to me... but wouldn't you know that despite my large stash of stamps and Cricut carts... I didn't own a single chandelier to use for this challenge... so instead I decided to add a string of beads that were left over from all the bows we made for my daughter's wedding last summer.  I also didn't have any white embossing powder (gasp...sputter...gasp)... so I had to use clear, but the background still managed to show up well on the Softstone cardstock.

Recent trends in cardmaking reveal that we paper crafters are now leaning toward using journaling cards on our ummm... cards.  Yes, it is true and as it turns out, I just got a beautiful "Deluxe Journaling Card Set" by Webster's Pages, so I had to use one on this card.  I inked the edges of the journaling card with Distress Ink in Tea Dye.

Other supplies included PTI and Neenah cardstocks, a background stamp that I purchased on clearance at Meijer, light blue satin ribbon that I colored with my Copic B37 to match the cardstock, Hero Arts Antique Engravings for the stamped butterflies. I used Archival Ink in coffee to stamp them and then distressed the edges with the ink as well, then embossed them to make them shine a bit. I then cut them out and popped them up on foam tape. I used foam tape on the journaling card as well, to make it stand out.  I also had three gems that I had in my stash, the clear button and the white pin were stash items as well. I am not sure how I felt about adding the safety pin as it seemed a bit casual for the card...but I decided to throw caution to the wind and use it anyhow.  Using three of anything (butterflies and gems) made this card perfect for this week's Raising the Bar challenge as well.  I love when I can combine challenges! 

P.S.  At Joni's suggestion I am also entering this for challenges at Flutter by Wednesday and Cute Card Thursday!  Thanks for letting me know about these challenges Joni, I had not heard of them before!