It’s Friday and that means time for a new TGIF Challenge! This time, we have a sketch challenge. The template is clean and simple, so there’s lots of possibilities for interpretation. You could add your favorite stamps, coloring technique, designer paper, and/or embellishments. Just have fun!!! Click on the template below to go to the TGIF Challenges website and see all the designers’ projects for this week.
For my project, I decided to play with my Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers, with a few little twists. First, I stamped directly on Wood Texture Designer Series Paper, so a little bit of the wood grain shows through my coloring. Additionally, I embossed my stamps in gold, instead of using Memento ink, which is what I would typically use with Stampin’ Blends.
To color the flowers and leaves, I used Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive Stampin’ Blends. I like to start with the darker color and then add the lighter color on top to activate the blending. Here are a couple tips I’ve learned through trial and error:
- Try not to color over the embossing. It will dull the shine.
- Color in small sections. The darker color will blend easier when it’s still wet.
- For small spaces, as in this card, I colored over the lighter areas very quickly. The more ink you add, the less contrast there will be between light and dark colors. There’s also a little less blending, but I actually liked that on this particular card.
I needed a birthday card, so I added a sentiment from the Beautiful Day stamp set. After all the time and effort I put into coloring, I didn’t want to cover up my work, so I decided to use vellum paper. Plus, I think the vellum adds a nice soft touch to the card.
Vellum is a little challenging to adhere. Therefore, I placed glue dots behind some of the letters, where they would be hidden. Then to anchor down the ends, I added some small pearls.
The Petal Palette stamp set coordinates with the Petals & More Thinlits Dies, and when you purchase them together in a bundle you can get a 10% discount. There are some REALLY beautiful die cuts in that set! This is my first project using the bundle, and I’m so excited to work with it again. I used one of pretty little dies as my accent strip behind the main layer.
Supplies used on my card:
This card is so elegant!! I love the little gold edge and the pretty way you painted those flowers!!
Thank you Nora!