ABNH Challenge #17 - New Year, New You

The new challenge at A Blog Named Hero asks us to use something new, or try a new technique. Well, I just used one of my new Hero Arts stamps, so I decided to go for a new technique.

I may or may not be taking some liberties here, but my technique is actually a CASE of one of Shari Carroll's Christmas cards I saw when she was here for a class. For the life of me I can't find it on a blog or in my photo collection, but she rolled up pieces of pretty paper (probably Basic Grey Aspen Frost, since it was a Christmas card) and made a tree with them. I've wanted to try that, and decided to make a birthday card instead. Here's what came out:

The papers are from My Mind's Eye and I'm sure I bought them solely based on the colors. Now let me tell you a little about the rolling process ...

First, I cut 3" squares of paper. Then I started taming them into submission by rolling them around a pencil. This got them started by breaking some of the fibers and letting the paper relax a bit. Then I rolled the first one as tightly as I could, and it wasn't easy. I held it in shape with some skinny washi tape. By the time I got to the third one, I'd broken a sweat, and needed Plan B. I seem to vaguely remember Shari saying to use thin paper, not the card stock weight paper, so naturally I was using really, REALLY thick paper. Duh. Then I got a clue. I took the relaxed off-the-pencil paper and ever-so-lightly misted it with water. THAT SHOWED IT WHO'S BOSS! It was very easy to roll, and it held its shape pretty much when it dried. The next two were much easier. I win.

I ended up putting a piece of 1/8" Sookwang tape on the inside edge of each rolled piece to make sure it held. I also used a piece of the tape to hold each candle to the card front. I kinda smooshed the candles a bit while sticking them on, but they're still good.

I think I stamped the sentiment too high, but I stamped it first, because ... I don't know why. Then I decided that white-on-white was boring, but a solid red border would be too much, so I edged the card front with some checked washi tape. Note: Do this before you round the corners. (ask me how I know)

The last thing I did was add the Tear Drops as flames for the candles. They are actually flatter than the candles. This baby will have to be mailed in a bubble envelope. Sigh.

Alrighty, then. I think I'm done stamping for now. I shall spend the rest of this evening getting my head around the idea of going to work tomorrow, and trying to remember that it's Wednesday and trash day. SO MUCH TO DO. Sigh.

Thanks for stopping by!

Product enablement list:
Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments (SSS | EH)
My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Jack & Jill papers (SSS)
Washi tape from Love My Tapes (SSS)
Hero Arts Pale Tomato Mid-Tone ink (SSS | EH)
The Robin's Nest Tear Drops - Forrest Fun (SSS)
Glossy Accents (SSS | EH) mini (SSS | EH) 
Corner Chomper 1/4" & 1/2" (SSS | EH)
Neenah Solar White card stock 25 sheets (SSS | EH) ream (SSS | EH)
Teflon bone folder (SSS | EH)