Very Versailles for the inaugural Around the World on Wednesday Blog Hop.

Well lookie here … a brand new blog hop, travelling around the world through every time zone. You may be starting here or you may have come from Rochelle Laird-Smith’s blog.
Around the World on Wednesday Blog Hop is the brainchild of Angie McKenzie, who has put an incredible amount of work into making this happen. My name is Cheryll Miller, and I am so delighted to be a part of this varied and talented group of Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators. For this, our very first hop, we are exploring All Things Crafty … giving a little insight into what craft product/s we just couldn’t do without.
The AWOW line-up

What a cute graphic showing all the designers and where they are located “Around the World”. To check out all the AWOW Designers projects and get to know a little bit more about them, check out the blog line up at the end of this post.
Inks and Colour

From the very first time I picked up a stamp about 20 years ago, I was more intrigued about the application of colour to card. Early in the piece, my style was definitely “grungy”, with everything getting a good distressing. I loved how just a light sponging of colour around the edge of a layer totally changed up the look.
Over the years, I have loved exploring the many ways of applying colour to a project … however “sponging” has remained a firm favourite. I love taking a piece of blank white card and applying colour, blending colours together to create my own custom coloured backgrounds.
I have also come to appreciate use of white space over time, and so my project today reflects blending of colour along with a good dollop of clean white space.
Emboss Resist Technique

There are so many techniques which involve sponging, one of which is Emboss Resist. My project is an example of that, combined with masking off an area to “contain” the application of colour and images.
I masked off parts of my card and clear embossed the lovely leafy image from Very Versailles Stamp Set. You have to remove the masks to apply powder and emboss, then replace the masks to apply colour with sponges. Sponging is definitely something that takes a little bit of practice. Starting off with a very light application of colour and then building it up gradually is the trick. Also the cardstock you use makes a real difference. Whisper White (the regular Whisper White) cardstock is great for sponging because it is such a smooth silky finish. The sponge glides smoothly over the card, reducing and “grab” which might leave you with a blobby bit.
Very Versailles

Very Versailles is also a great example of the style of stamp set that really appeals to me. Leafy, with a slightly ethereal feel, versatile, delicate images that can be used in many projects … that scripty background stamp … swoon!!
Next Blog
Next up is Satomi Wellard in Japan! The full blog hop list is below. So take a little trip around the world and check out all the designers favourite crafting inspiration.
Angela Meiritz-Reid – NZ
Tatiana Tobin – AU
Rochelle Laird-Smith – AU
Cheryll Miller – AU <<<<< You are here
Satomi Wellard – JA
Melissa Gifford – AU
Danielle Kassing – NL
Manuela Geiswinkler – AT
Ximena Morales – DE
Aurélie Fabre – FR
Mikaela Titheridge – UK
Tina Zinck – CA
Annette Ball – CA
Angie McKenzie – US
Mary Deatherage – US
Shel Anderson – CA
Chris Smith – US
Anne Marie Hile – US
Brenda Nelson – CA
Tricia Butts – US
Elaine de Montmorency – CA
Sharon Burkert – US
Teri West – US
Cheryl Hamilton – US
More examples of sponged colour …
Here are a few more examples of my love of sponged colour.
xxxx
Cheryll
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Oh Cheryl this is such a gorgeous card!! Stunning xo
YOU DID IT AGAIN!!! ANOTHER amazing masterpiece!!! You are indeed the Queen of Sponging, my dear friend! Totally in awe of watching you across the waters create such breathtaking masterpieces. Thank you so much for spreading sunshine Around the World on Wednesday with me!!! (((HUGS)))
Thanks so much Angie. Thank YOU for including me in this amazing line up of papercrafting artists! xxxx
Stunning card Cheryll, and a great technique x
Thanks so much Angela! xx
Oh soo pretty!! Love it!
Thank you Manuela xxx
Such a beautiful creation. It’s got everything I love in a card: elegance, sponging, clean design and pretty colours. Perfection!
Thanks so much Jan! xxx
Oh my goodness, Cheryll! Absolutely gorgeous. May have to CASE this one, if you don’t mind! Enjoyed hopping with you this month!
Hi Mary, Thank you and case away! 🙂 xxx
Speechless! Stunning
Thanks Danielle! xx
Oh my, this is so beautiful. So peacefully elegant and your colour choice … wow. I LOVE this xx
Thanks Mikaela xxx
I love the dreamy, shadowy look to this – definitely a new spin on this set!
Thanks Chris! xx
Cheryll, I absolutely LOVE YOUR CARD!!! My favorite colors combined with one of my favorite stamp sets!! I think I’ll have to copy it exactly as is!! Thanks so much!
Aw, thanks so much Cheryl! xx
Gosh there is so much to love about this card Cheryll 🙂
Thanks so much Melissa. xx
I need to try this technique! It is gorgeous!
And pretty easy too Teri! Thank you xxx
I love heat emboss resist technique ! It is really beautiful the way you sponged and the colour combination you used is really gorgeous. I never thought of using these colours toghether. Thank you for the great inspiration.
Thank you Satomi! Very excited to be hopping with you. xx
This card is superb! I have the set but it is the first time that I want to directly copy a creation made with. The idea is very good. Really beautiful!
Have fun Aurélie, and thanks so much. xx
Stunning! Love the colors you used, the mix of embossed and stamped images, and how beautiful your sponging is.
Hey Sharon, Thanks so much! xxx
Cheryll, your card is absolutely gorgeous! All of that beautiful shading along with the emboss resist really brings that stamp set to life. Thank you so much for the wonderful inspiration. It was great to hop with you today!
Thanks Anne Marie … Lovely to be hopping with you also. xx
Gorgeous card Cheryll!!! Absolutely stunning.
This stamp set was a MUST HAVE the first time I saw it..Love what you have done here..simple but Stunning!! So FUN to Hop with you!!
Holy Toledo! What an amazing card! Wowzer! I cannot wait to try this… I have this set and have yet to ink it. WELL DONE!!
Aw thanks Shel! It is an amazing set, you won’t regret inking it up. xxx
Oh my Cheryl!!!! Stunning! Spectacular!
Thank you Tania! Very excited to be hopping with you. xxx
Absolutely stunning card, Cheryl! The Very Versailles stamp set has been on my wish list FOREVER and you’ve convinced me to buy it TODAY! All your cards on your blog are gorgeous. Happy to be hopping with you! xx
Thanks so much Tina … I am really looking forward to getting inspiration from you and all the other designers on this hop. xxxx
Beautiful card Cheryll. I love your blending of colours, Great to hop with you x
Thanks so much Rochelle … and great hopping with you too. xxxx