Hot Mess - Take 41

It's the 12th of December, time to get messy. (insert deer-in-the-headlight look) As you likely recall from previous 12ths, I am not one who likes messes. Not one bit. BUT a challenge is only a challenge if it stretches you, and I'm up for the Hot Mess Success Challenge. 

Barb, Carol, Darlene, Terry, and I create cards for the Hot Mess Success challenge each month and share them on the 12th. 

It's Anything Goes - as long as there is something messy involved.

I cannot take credit for the technique I attempted for this card - my starting point. I went searching for an idea and found this fascinating YouTube video. 

I remember using bleach on the card I designed for my very first Shoebox Swap over 15 years ago. Truthfully I don't remember if I've ever attempted that technique again. On that card of years ago, I bleached a stamped image and then we colored it (with colored pencils if I remember correctly).

On today's card, as per the YouTube video, I bleached areas of an embossed piece of CS. It didn't turn out as good as I'd hoped but I figured with gears it was okay if it wasn't real exact. 

Then I added areas of the Gansai Tambi Starry Colors Watercolors (rose gold) like I saw on the YouTube video. I really REALLY liked that. I kind of wish I'd just done that and not the bleaching. Maybe another time.

I thought there was too much contrast between the gold and the bleached areas... so this is where I ventured away from the techniques in the video. (insert that deer-in-the-headlight look again)

I used a blending dauber to add some distressing with Ranger Pumice Stone Distressed Ink. (I was afraid the items I'd already used would damage a blender brush, which is what I would normally use.)

I thought it helped, though I still wasn't super happy with the look. However, I decided enough is enough... so I added some die-cut sentiments and gold crystals to finish things up.

Be sure to check out the other Hot Mess gals blogs, too, to see their cards (you'll be WOW'd!)... 

Barb

Carol

Darlene

Terry

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Sentiments: Birch Press Hello Honey Script and Taylored Expressions Simple Strips in Reverse Everyday Occasions

Papers: Hammermill 110# White, SU Basic Black CS and other papers from my scrap file

Messy Medium: Bleach, Gansai Tambi Starry Colors Watercolors, and Ranger Pumice Stone Distressed Ink

Dies: MFT Stitched Mod Rectangles and MFT Stitched Rectangles

Embellishments: Studio Katia Gold Crystals