Hello everyone! I was happy to receive this month's card kit with enough time to create a couple of cards before I leave on my trip this Wednesday. The stamp set, Stronger Together, included in this month's kit is filled with beautiful images and touching sentiments. Today's clean and simple card is quick and easy with a masculine feel. I hope you like the rich, earthy tones!
I began with a panel of Bristol Smooth card stock sized 4 1/4" by 5 ½". The background was ink blended with Distress Oxide inks; Vintage Photo, Dried Marigold and Scattered Straw. Several layers of ink were applied overlapping the colours to blend them together.
Before stamping the leafy stems with Versamark ink, I tested the panel to ensure the ink was completely dry by sprinkling embossing powder on it. Should the powder stick, dust it off with a soft paint brush. If it taps off, the ink is dry and ready to be embossed. I used WOW! Metallic Gold Rich.
I love the negative space block sentiment I chose for this card. I do, however, find this style of sentiment a bit tricky to stamp. If too much pressure is applied, the wording can be lost ... too light of pressure results in splotchy ink! I practiced stamping this sentiment several times before taking it to the panel (holding my breath!). Using a Misti, I inked the stamp with Simon Says Stamp Dark Chocolate. I was careful to apply finger pressure only. I had to open and close the Misti door several times to reapply pressure to areas where the ink was uneven. I did re-ink once but not on the entire stamp ... only where it was needed. Whew! I was relieved to successfully complete this task!
The leaves were coloured simply! I used one Arteza brush pen, Walnut Brown, to paint colour along the base of each leaf. A water brush pulled the colour to create a gradient. I repeated the application to deepen the colour. The panel was attached to a Neenah Solar White 110lb card base and finished off with Nuvo Crystal Drops Mustard Gold.
FOR A VIDEO TUTORIAL, please link to YouTube.
Products:
Simon Says Stamp; Stronger Together, Dark Chocolate Ink
Strathmore Bristol Smooth
Neenah Solar White 110lb
Distress Oxide Inks: Vintage Photo, Dried Marigold, Scattered Straw
Versamark Ink
WOW! Metallic Gold Rich Embossing Powder
Arteza Real Brush Pen; Walnut Brown
Nuvo Crystal Drops; Mustard Gold