Month: March 2023

WATER MARKED

Handmade Card by Linda Fields

What if you could use water to stamp your design? Prepare to have fun with this great technique stamping with H2O!

AECP Level 2 Homework – Beyond Basic Backgrounds Course

The Background

I used black cardstock for my base to create depth in this water stamping effect. Using Altenew’s Mini Branch Stamp, Tim Holtz Oxide Inks in Mowed Lawn, Speckled Egg, and Iced Spruce, with a sponge applicator, I was able to create the velvety smooth background with a watermarked effect. Blend at least two layers of complimentary inks over the entire card front. The more ink the better! You’ll absolutely need a stamping platform to restamp the image in the same spot several times. Use a sponge applicator to apply water to your stamp as if it were ink. The chemical reaction creates a very cool shadow effect!

The Rest of The Story

Have you ever come up with a cool idea only to realize you didn’t think the process all the way through? That’s exactly what I did. I was so focused on creating the backdrop I forgot about the rest of the card. So, inspired by our son serving overseas in South Korea, I decided to turn this into a Korean Birthday Card. I pulled out some scrap metallic watercolor backgrounds I made from my previous Level 1 Asian themed project and die cut some flowers using Altenew’s Rose Queen Die Set.

Finishing Touches

After I used Altenew’s Birthday’s Around the World Stamp Set for the sentiment, I finger painted Rub ‘n Buff Antique Gold around the edges and pulled gold down the front to create an aged, wooden panel. This project was incredibly fun to make. I’m so happy with the finished card. Remember, don’t be afraid to experiment and yes, you might make mistakes but you’ll soon discover it’s all part of the creative magic!

BUTTERFLY BLESSINGS

Handmade Card by Linda Fields

It’s great to be back and creating in my sacred space again. If I should come up missing from the creative action again, I want you to know it’s because me and my husband are in the process of moving the studio so thank you for your patience! Now, on with the blog!

November last year I was honored to be accepted into Altenew’s Education Certification Program (AECP). Our of the three levels, I successfully passed Level 1 and I’m now working towards my Level 2 award. This is my first blog post for this new level. Enjoy!

AECP Level 2 Homework – Color Your Day Course

Color Inspiration

Pinterest – it’s the perfect place for inspiration. The first lesson in Altenew’s Color Your Day Course talks about finding inspiration. From photographs to the cup of coffee in your hand, inspiration can be found anywhere! I found the perfect photo posted by Contrast By Moon Beam on Pinterest. It became my color palette guide.

Slide to Compare Inspiration vs Creation

The Supplies

It’s important for me to have all my supplies picked out and ready to go before I start creating anything. The mediums, papers, and tools don’t just excite me but continually inspire me to that finished product. Does my Butterfly Blessings card inspire you? Do you want to create too? I used Altenew’s Swallowtail Butterfly Dies, Altenew’s Flower Vines 3D Embossing Folder, Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Sprays in Wild Honey, Antique Linen, Abandoned Coral, Tea Dye, and Spiced Marmalade, and Rub ‘n Buff’s Antique Gold. (Click on photo for online tag)

The Creative Process

Having all the right tools makes such a difference! This 3D card looks difficult to make but it was fun and easy to do. After picking my palette and selecting my supplies to match, I used 3 of the 4 largest Swallowtail dies cut from heavy black cardstock. I brought the pieces together, glueing only the center body together. I used heavy white cardstock in the Flower Vines embossing folder to create the backdrop.

TIP: Water mist your paper on both sides before embossing to get the best results.

I sprayed layers of Oxide Inks on the embossed paper and sprayed with water after to get the colors moving. Tilting your paper is a great way to move and blend one color into the next. I used a heat tool between layers. I blotted the last layer with a paper towel to remove the excess water drops and oxidized color. To stress that vintage look, I used fine sand paper to scrap ink from the highest embossed areas. Rub ‘n Buff was the perfect finishing touch. With a little finger painting, I turned paper into metal! I lightly hit the high points, paper edges, and butterfly with gold.

TIP: Antique Gold Rub ‘n Buff on black paper creates the illusion of old copper!

Creative Finish

What mood do you want to create? What colors inspire you? How do they compliment each other and what you’re trying to convey? When all is said and done, do you need a sentiment or does your creative finish say it all? Happy creating!