For this month’s Stampin’ Fancy Friday, we had a sketch challenge designed by Jennifer Frost. I love sketch challenges, because all I need to do is pick a stamp set and a color combination and I’m ready to go! I thought this sketch was really unique with its three focal points and scattered nature.
To see all the designers projects using this sketch, go the Stampin’ Fancy Friday Facebook and Instagram pages. We’d also love to see your creative projects! Be sure to tag them with #stampinfancyfriday so we can find and admire them!
I was in the mood for some coloring, so I decided to break out an oldie but goody and use the Simply Succulent stamp set and coordinating Potted Succulent Dies. Also, because the middle image is fairly large, I decided to use a slimline style card base so I still had lots of white space and stayed true to nature of the sketch.
To start out, I used Deckled Rectangle Dies to create the background layer. I used a partial die-cutting technique to first cut the top and then the bottom, essentially elongating the shape of the die. Afterwards, I cut the big, intricate Potted Succulent background die out of Thick Basic White Cardstock and uses it as a mask to add some subtle Balmy Blue ink blending.
Next, I got to work on all the coloring. I stamped all the images with Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Basic White Cardstock and cut them out with the coordinating dies. I also stamped one extra central succulent so I could fussy cut the inside petals and layer it over the flower for extra dimension.
To color the succulents, I Googled images of succulents and tried to pick realistic color combinations. They included: 1) Soft Succulent, Old Olive, Pool Party and Fresh Freesia; 2) Balmy Blue and Old Olive; 3) Old Olive, Evening Evergreen, and Calypso Coral; 4) Balmy Blue, Old Olive, and Fresh Freesia; and 5) Highland Heather and Soft Succulent.
I prefer to start by coloring with the darkest markers, where there are shadows and overlapping petals, and then I add progressively lighter colors, each time going over the previous color to blend out. Then at the end, I use a Color Lifter to blend out to white.
Since Stampin’ Blends Markers are alcohol based, it’s very important to keep the caps on as they will dry out quickly. Also, store them laying flat, and always use them with Memento ink to avoid smearing. And my final tip is not to color too close to the lines, as the ink continues to blend out even after you’ve finished coloring.
I absolutely LOVE these markers and encourage you to give them a try.
Final touches were some 2021-2023 In Color Opal Rounds and a sentiment from the Waves of Inspiration stamp set. (I needed a birthday card!)
Have a wonderful and creative day!
Use Host Code 9ZEM4RAE for purchases at my online store to qualify to receive free exclusive project tutorials. This month’s PDF includes 12 fantastic tutorials designed by my demonstrator friends and I to inspire your creativity! The projects feature products from the 2024 Annual Catalog, Online Exclusives, and new January-April Mini and Sale-A-Bration Catalogs. Enjoy!
Genius! I love this! So many techniques ~ thank you for showcasing this card….it fuels the imagination.