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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Black Tie Affair


According to Forbes, women should stick to the classic cocktail dress paired with rhinestone chandelier earrings, stack of bangle bracelets or a chunky statement necklace for a black tie affair. Oh dear, I don't own anything that is remotely close to that. Yes, a classic cocktail dress paired with chandelier earrings and bangle bracelets sounds shall go on my wish list...




CAS-ual Fridays is challenging you to participate in a strictly black and white challenge this week, and Cindy Coutts is the sponsor! For more details, please check out the blog, there you will find out more about the sponsor, challenge rules and to see the great inspiration from the Girl Fridays too!


I wanted to add a bit of interest in the stark design so I grabbed a detailed and dainty stamp set from My Mind's Eye and stamped both in pigment black ink as well as watermark ink and then embossed in black. It is like a matte/high gloss look that I will have to try again!



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47 comments:

  1. LaurelJanuary 19, 2012 at 11:00 PM

    So pretty!

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  2. UnknownJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:23 AM

    Wow, STUNNING card Karen!!!! :)

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  3. Jay GeeJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:26 AM

    The black and white colour combo really highlights the awesome details of these stamps - gorgeous :)

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  4. Suzie McFloozyJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:39 AM

    Beautiful card love the sleek glossy stamped detail bet it's a card that you have to stroke "in real life" !
    Thanks for a fantastic DT inspiration card x
    ((hugs)) Suzie xoxo

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  5. JennyJanuary 20, 2012 at 3:38 AM

    Wow that detail really stands out Karen!, fabulous placement of the doilies too :)
    Jenny x

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  6. LynnJanuary 20, 2012 at 5:16 AM

    So elegant Karen. I love it!

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  7. TammyJanuary 20, 2012 at 6:01 AM

    Great card Karen! Love that script font for "happy"!

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  8. Erin (Homemade Cards by Erin)January 20, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Stunning and the embossing makes it have that extra glamour. You could do so much with this layout-- leave it B&W, add some color blink, do different colors, or another monochromatic look... I think you have a set here.

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  9. Marlena M.January 20, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    I love it-beautiful, interesting shapes and sizes! ;)

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  10. JingleJanuary 20, 2012 at 8:10 AM

    Wow. Take my breath away kind of wow. Just say'n.

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  11. Jen W.January 20, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Such perfect image choices for this challenge. They look fabulous embossed like that!

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  12. Sherry EckbladJanuary 20, 2012 at 10:05 AM

    love your simple B&W card. You have reminded me I have that same stamp set somewhere.

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  13. Mary JoJanuary 20, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Gorgeous, elegant card!

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  14. ChunyuanJanuary 20, 2012 at 12:38 PM

    beautiful detailed black image on white. very classic and elegant.

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  15. LindsayJanuary 20, 2012 at 12:54 PM

    OMGGGGGGGGG Karen! I love this card. A. Lot.

    I have to agree with you on said dinner attire...I own none of the aforementioned items either! I much prefer jeans and a t-shirt.

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  16. CherylJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    WOW! So elegant and fabulous!

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  17. Virginia L.January 20, 2012 at 2:15 PM

    Way to stamp and emboss, Karen! I love the "drama" in this card! And yes, the formal affair becomes all the more stressful as I get older...I am into "smart casual" :)

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  18. ChristinaJanuary 20, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Sooooo elegant! I'm sure that glossy embossing is even more incredible in person. You know, I'd put the cocktail dress and jewels on my wish list too if I had anywhere to wear them!

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  19. Jean CrossJanuary 20, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    Pinned this for pure inspiration. Such a wonderful design. So elegant.

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  20. UnknownJanuary 20, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Very pretty!

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  21. BabyBokChoyJanuary 20, 2012 at 6:05 PM

    Fantastic job on this card!!!

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  22. UnknownJanuary 20, 2012 at 6:30 PM

    simply stunning. this is just plain gorgeous Karen. love the look.

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  23. Sue McRaeJanuary 20, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    Love all the medallion stamps you used, they're so delicate and pretty! Could you share where the stamps are from?

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  24. jengdJanuary 20, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    This is gorgeous Karen! Love the simplicity of it! I'm sure it's even more amazing in person with the different inks and embossing.

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  25. ~Tammy~January 20, 2012 at 10:17 PM

    Very very elegant!

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  26. alexandra s.m.January 20, 2012 at 11:17 PM

    so very elegant!
    right up my alley ;-)

    Thanks for the inspiration Karen!

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  27. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    LOVE it! This is one of my fave sets of stamps and I adore your B&W version, espcially with the mix of embossing and stamping!

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  28. Colleen DietrichJanuary 21, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    Karen, this is stunning! Your card is my fave in the CASual Fridays line up. ;) What stamp set is this? THanks!

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  29. BrandiJanuary 21, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    Wow! This is so gorgeous! I love the simplicity of the black and white!

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  30. Dolly DaydreamsJanuary 21, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Sensational card, jaw droppingly gorgeous !

    Marie

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  31. Jackie RockwellJanuary 21, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    The doilies are a perfect image for the black and white theme! Very pretty Karen!

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  32. BraedenJanuary 21, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I absolutely love this card! Wonderful work!

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  33. farmhouse-storyJanuary 21, 2012 at 6:52 PM

    love the doilies in black, karen!

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  34. Andrea MJanuary 21, 2012 at 8:20 PM

    So elegant and classy Karen! I, too, love the depth of the matte and gloss! What a great way to add more amazingness to stunning black and white!

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  35. MichelleJanuary 21, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    Oh what an elegant birthday card Karen!! Love the embossing on the doilies.. Really uplifts the stamp:)

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  36. Deborah FringsJanuary 22, 2012 at 6:20 AM

    Elegant and beautiful! Love this!

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  37. TrinhJanuary 22, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    So elegant! And no wonder I'm not on the Forbes list since I don't own such accessories.

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  38. Lisa EltonJanuary 22, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    So beautifully elegant Karen!

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  39. walchowDesignJanuary 23, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    Stunning black and white card with all the different designs!

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  40. Jennifer Smith-SloaneJanuary 23, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    This card is so fabulous!

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  41. Cathy AJanuary 23, 2012 at 11:34 AM

    This is just beautiful, it really caught my eye.

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  42. MarybethJanuary 23, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    Beautiful card, love that happy birthday sentiment I use it often . Gorgeous

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  43. Anne TussingJanuary 25, 2012 at 6:30 PM

    Your card is gorgeous!!

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  44. Kristie W. January 25, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    Your card is stunning! I love the doilies and how you varied stamping them around the card. I had to come visit from the CAS-ual Fridays blog when I entered my card.

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  45. jenJanuary 25, 2012 at 11:37 PM

    I adore this. I had seen the challenge (but not your card) and had wanted to use the mendhi medallion on black, embossed with white! (and I would have, if only I'd had power!) I love the matte & gloss look that you've achieved- depth without bulk! :)

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  46. DanaJanuary 26, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    Its the little details that make the look. (Including black shiny embossing and large chunky bangle bracelets!)

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  47. Lisa PetrellaJanuary 26, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Absolutely STUNNING!!! And...I'm not prepared for the black-tie event either! Would need to do some major shopping beforehand! HA!

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