Aug 25 2007
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! 
Absolutely gorgeous!
Oh wow, oh wow! This is amazingly so French and so gorgeous! Pass the bottle!!
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…) 
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
Wow–this is one amazing card! As a red wine fan myself, I think this is absolutely perfect!
what a lovely and elegant card.
wow - Trudee! This is AMAZING! I LOVE the cork charm - what a treasure of a card! Can’t wait to get MY nestabilities!
Oh wow, wow, WOW!!!! This is so gorgeous! Every detail is perfection! I just might have to get my hands on those stamps!
oh, how gorgeous! the charm is perfect!!!
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
So beautiful!
Wow! This looks incredible! That’s an awesome idea for the cork charm! You’re so clever!
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.
WOW!
This card is awesome! So many good ideas and techniques here. Your friend is going to love it.
Oh, wow…your friend will LOVE this! Awesome, Trudee!
Oh, very pretty, T — love that stamp!
I just love this card… great colors and the rustic look of this card is fabulous. TFS!
Totally and completely fab-U-lous!!!
Sounds like you put a lot of work into this, but the results are well worth it. Just gorgeous.
Who would not enjoy this card? I Love it.
Ab- so- lute-ly stunning Trudee
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!
GORGEOUS! I love all the details. She will love it too!
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!
What a beautiful Stamp!!! Gorgeous Coloring!!!
This is an amazing card, Trudee. Just perfect in every way!
barb
Wow, very nice! I love your coloring!
LOVE!!!! THIS!!! TRUDEE!!!! It is gorgeous! Your coloring is fabulous and that distressing is beyond words!
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!
All I have to say is “WOW”!!!!!!
HOLY SMOKES T!! This is STUNNING!!! WOW!!! I LOVE the colors, coloring, distressing, holy cow…I LOVE THIS!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!
Trudee, this is gorgeous! I love the tearing, sponging, coloring and that you stamped on cork! Wonderful card!
Wowzers!!! This is fabulous!!! LOVE that ring stamp!!! Just gorgeous, T!
Wow I love the smoky feel this card has going on Trudee! It is really stunning!
I really love this card. I have the grapes theme in my kitchen and this would be perfect. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!