Spectacular Sponging

 I love to sponge my cardstock. It's easy and effective to create graduated shades of color to a project.  I used the sponging technique here to really play up the single image.  Here's how you do it.  I punched a circle from a piece of computer paper.  I used that as a "mask" to cover the area that I wanted to hide, which would later be the spot for the flower.  I sponged around that mask, carefully beginning near the mask and working my way out. Here's a tip; this technique can easily fool you so don't over sponge.  Continue to carefully pull up the 'mask' and check underneath to be sure you don't sponge too much. It's easy to make the surrounding areas too dark.

I had to add the Gingham Garden Washi tape because it coordinated perfectly.  The rhinestones add the right amount of bling, too, which pick up the small amount of glitter that I added to the flower tips, although it's tough to see in the first picture.

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets: Papillon Potpourri #132058 wood, #123759 clear; Best of Greetings #133485 clear only; Summer Silhouettes #132082 wood, #126447 clear
• Cardstock: Strawberry Slush, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
• Ink Pads: Smoky Slate, Strawberry Slush
• Punches: 2 1/2" Circle #120906, Bitty Butterfly #129406
• Washi Tape: Gingham Garden #129314
• Accessories: Stampin' Sponges, Rhinestone Basic Jewels #119246, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2-way Glue Pen, Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive

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