CASEing a masterpiece

My friend and TAC demo, Chris had a workshop the other day in which we made "masterpiece" cards, which is to say, cards of such detail and quality that only the best card designers could execute them. For example, consider this card:

This was not a quick card to make.  Even with many of the pieces already cut out, it took some of the ladies over an hour to complete.  It probably doesn't how, but there is both heat and dry embossing, and the poinsettia, which is colored with Copic markers (how many demos let you use their Copic Sketch markers?) is actually three-tiered paper tole. with stickles in the center.  For most of use, this was the first time using a Martha Stewart Punch-around-the-Page set. 

I was tickled with how well the card came out, but I wondered - could I duplicate my results at home?  I didn't have the beautiful TAC poinsettia stamp, but when I saw Faith's free digi, I thought I would give it a try.

I first went wrong when I used glossy paper for my poinsettia.  The glossy helps with blending, but the finish just didn't look that great.  I didn't have the the same punches or stamps, either, and Stamping Up paper just isn't as nice as the paper TAC sells.  This card is still better than what I can design myself, though.  I might have to try this again.  If you didn't know how nice the original was, you might think this is really good!


Linkage (challenges):
Designed2Delight - digital image (freebie!)
Gingerloft - bows
Karber Christmas - Christmas + digi
Craft Your Days Away - texture
Alphabet - foliage
Tuesday Throwdown - embellishments