and now for something completely CHARISMATIC!

do you know what today is?

it's challenge day at Charisma, and ooohhhh, we have a FUN one for you this week! lots of players with last week's "Inspired by a Song" challenge - so much wonderful eye candy!

today, something different! no, really. SOMETHING DIFFERENT! that's the theme - we want you to try something different - something you're not used to doing or have never tried, or add something that might make you step outside your comfort zone... remember, DIFFERENT IS GOOD! (i pride myself on it!)

i played with a technique i just learned, and i see myself using this a LOT because i absolutely LOVE the effect!

first of all, my card:
(click to enlarge any of the photos!)


close-up:


a little closer:


my technique?
altering magazine pages (in this case, from National Geographic) - i can't tell you what i used yet (it's a secret!), but here's what the papers looked like before i made my background and flower:


i also tried a masking technique with the stars by sprinkling the tiny punched stars (from my border) on my card and sponging over them with white Staz-On, then removing the stars (and tracing the black lines, then adhering some lighter coloured stars afterwards) - i was playing around, no clue what i was really doing, but i liked that it added a smoky, bubbly haze where the bubbles might be rising into the air. i know, i know, totally random. :)

finally, i stamped on acrylic, punched a hole, and attached my sentiment to my flower by twisting wire. another first for me!

i had a TON of fun making this one, and hopefully it will inspire you to try something (anything) new for your project! play along by CLICKING HERE, and you could win a 3 month subscription to SCRAPBOOK NEWS AND REVIEW MAGAZINE! (i happen to love them!)

join me and the rest of the Charisma Gals with your "DIFFERENT" creation, and good luck!

OH! and submitting this one for the following:
Paper Sundaes - their challenge is Mixed Mediums (ink, mist, marker, gel pen)
The ABC Challenge - C is for Charms (i fashioned my own with the acrylic tag, but the little turquoise star is a metal charm as well)