Merlot Celebration
This card is going to my friend in Boston who loves a good glass (or three) of red wine like me! *giggle* Her birthday is next week. Happy Birthday, Jo!! 
I couldn’t wait to use my new Inkadinkado stamps that I got from Jacksonbelle HERE. I used three stamps from their “Sketches” collection: wine & cheese, ring, and wine list. I stamped the wine & cheese image on naturals ivory cardstock, using Ancient Page chocolate ink. I colored it with myPrismacolor pencils and blended with gamsol and paper stumps. I tore around the image, and misted the back of the cardstock with water. This helped to soften the paper so that I could easily bend and curl the edges. Then, I sponged the edges first with Ranger vintage photo distress ink, then around the far outer edges with walnut to give it an almost burned look.
I set that aside to completely dry, then worked on the card base. I dug through my stash and found my “Tuscany” scrap pad (ProvoCraft). As I paged through the patterns, I found this beautiful weathered paint pattern. I knew it would be perfect, so I trimmed a layer from it, and stamped the “wine list” repeatedly in bravo burgundy ink~creating a cool background. Then, I stamped the “ring” on the lower right corner using bravo again. I sponged around the edges with walnut ink, and layered this on to a bravo burgundy card base.
I thought a piece of thin cork would work well on this design, so I decided to use it for the sentiment. I didn’t want to stamp directly on the cork, so I did a little trick. I trimmed a piece of square cork, and a piece of transparency the same size. I used my cropadile, and punched a hole through both, then set the eyelet. Then, I stamped the “celebrate” using ColorBox fluid chalk in dark brown, and heat set. Now for the fun part! I ran this through my Wizard, using a Spellbinders Nestabilities small scalloped oval die. Wallah! A cool cork/transparency charm! I lifted the transparency, and sponged the edges of the cork to tie in with the rest of the card.
To finish it off, I tied a piece of double sided burgundy/caramel ribbon (Michael’s) across the front, frayed the edges, layered the focal image on pop-up glue dots, then tied the cork charm to the ribbon using gold cord. It’s secured with a pop-up glue dot.
I hope she enjoys her card when it arrives! 
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Comments
Absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Charlotte Boggs | August 25th, 2007 13:17
Oh wow, oh wow! This is amazingly so French and so gorgeous! Pass the bottle!!
Posted by: broni (waterchild12) | August 25th, 2007 13:22
This is SO gorgeous - just ask my husband, he was standing behind me when your page loaded, and I actually gasped - he agreed it’s a really gorgeous card.
(of course I’m a sucker for anything involving wine…) 
Posted by: Libby | August 25th, 2007 14:03
this card is absoluttely gorgeous - I am a huge fan of anything Tuscan (my whole house is decorated in a European fashion) and this matches my kitchen exactly! I adore this card and oh, so want to be able to make something like this - all I can say is WOW!!!
*STAMPIN HUGS* Alex
Posted by: Alexandra Hobson | August 25th, 2007 14:29
Wow–this is one amazing card! As a red wine fan myself, I think this is absolutely perfect!
Posted by: Lisa B | August 25th, 2007 14:36
what a lovely and elegant card.
Posted by: flossie | August 25th, 2007 14:48
wow - Trudee! This is AMAZING! I LOVE the cork charm - what a treasure of a card! Can’t wait to get MY nestabilities!
Posted by: Donna | August 25th, 2007 15:21
Oh wow, wow, WOW!!!! This is so gorgeous! Every detail is perfection! I just might have to get my hands on those stamps!
Posted by: christina fischer | August 25th, 2007 15:26
oh, how gorgeous! the charm is perfect!!!
Posted by: diane (cookiestamper) | August 25th, 2007 16:17
This is exquisite Trudee! What a lucky friend to receive such a beautiful card! Every detail is perfect…right down to the cork charm!
Linda
Posted by: Linda (LSN on SCS) | August 25th, 2007 16:20
So beautiful!
Posted by: Melissa | August 25th, 2007 17:08
Wow! This looks incredible! That’s an awesome idea for the cork charm! You’re so clever!
Posted by: Julie Campbell | August 25th, 2007 17:55
I agree with all the other comments…it’s simply gorgeous!! I love all of your details. I would love to get some of those stamps, but have looked and looked and cannot find them.
Posted by: Angi Rankin | August 25th, 2007 18:42
WOW!
Posted by: Sherry Cheever | August 25th, 2007 18:59
This card is awesome! So many good ideas and techniques here. Your friend is going to love it.
Posted by: Tracy | August 25th, 2007 19:19
Oh, wow…your friend will LOVE this! Awesome, Trudee!
Posted by: Rose Ann | August 25th, 2007 20:15
Oh, very pretty, T — love that stamp!
Posted by: stampersharon | August 26th, 2007 09:58
I just love this card… great colors and the rustic look of this card is fabulous. TFS!
Posted by: Monika/buzsy | August 26th, 2007 11:51
Totally and completely fab-U-lous!!!
Posted by: CherylQuilts | August 26th, 2007 12:20
Sounds like you put a lot of work into this, but the results are well worth it. Just gorgeous.
Posted by: lacyquilter | August 26th, 2007 12:27
Who would not enjoy this card? I Love it.
Ab- so- lute-ly stunning Trudee
Posted by: Tonniece | August 26th, 2007 13:29
Awesome, Trudee! I love this card! You have taken the “aged” look to the next level and it is beautiful! Your friend is a lucky gal!
Posted by: Beth | August 26th, 2007 13:45
GORGEOUS! I love all the details. She will love it too!
Posted by: Kim B | August 26th, 2007 14:14
Oh, my gosh, this is gorgeous in real Trudee style! Wow! You did an incredible job on this. That’s what I call stamping and creating! Maybe this look just appeals to me, but I think this is fantastic!
Posted by: leslierich | August 26th, 2007 16:54
What a beautiful Stamp!!! Gorgeous Coloring!!!
Posted by: otter | August 26th, 2007 18:33
This is an amazing card, Trudee. Just perfect in every way!
barb
Posted by: Barb Hendrickson | August 26th, 2007 20:19
Wow, very nice! I love your coloring!
Posted by: Diane G | August 26th, 2007 20:27
LOVE!!!! THIS!!! TRUDEE!!!! It is gorgeous! Your coloring is fabulous and that distressing is beyond words!
Posted by: Julia Stainton | August 27th, 2007 04:18
Oh gosh……….I love, love, love that! And I’m happier because I just ordered those stamps earlier today! Fabulous card. You are sooooo talented!
Posted by: Michelle R | August 27th, 2007 12:54
All I have to say is “WOW”!!!!!!
Posted by: Diane Lapointe | August 27th, 2007 17:28
HOLY SMOKES T!! This is STUNNING!!! WOW!!! I LOVE the colors, coloring, distressing, holy cow…I LOVE THIS!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!
Posted by: jacksonbelle | August 27th, 2007 18:53
Trudee, this is gorgeous! I love the tearing, sponging, coloring and that you stamped on cork! Wonderful card!
Posted by: beate | August 27th, 2007 20:38
Wowzers!!! This is fabulous!!! LOVE that ring stamp!!! Just gorgeous, T!
Posted by: Shel9999 | August 30th, 2007 13:55
Wow I love the smoky feel this card has going on Trudee! It is really stunning!
Posted by: Keri | August 31st, 2007 02:14
I really love this card. I have the grapes theme in my kitchen and this would be perfect. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!
Posted by: Michelle | August 31st, 2007 14:51
This is a beautiful card~ I was doing research @ SCS and came across your blog. I’m so glad! I’m really liking the distressed look and have been trying to learn different techniques. TFS!
Posted by: sue m | September 17th, 2008 20:50