Welcome to a new TGIF Challenge. This week, our challenge is to use punches! Punches are great tools, especially for new crafters, because they’re less expensive and easy to use. For my card, I used the A Fish & A Wish Bundle, which includes both the A Fish & A Wish Cling Stamp Set and coordinating Fish Builder Punch (bundle for 10% off.)
I know it’s almost Christmas, but I didn’t have any holiday themed punches, and this wonderful bundle was sitting on my shelf calling to me:)
I was excited to use this bundle for a few reasons. One, I love the water, so anything ocean-themed is an immediate favorite, and two, I had just seen a super fun technique for backgrounds that I was dying to try! Recently, Stampin’ Up! CEO Sara Douglass posted a video with her son Sam showing how to use embossing paste and Linen Paper to “paint” a background . You can see it HERE on Facebook. In a nutshell, they mixed Ink Refills with Embossing Paste to make “paint” and then applied the paint with palette knives to a canvas created with Linen Paper.
I started by adhering the Linen Paper to an oversized sheet of Shimmery White Cardstock (Thick Basic White Cardstock would work as well.) The Linen Paper has adhesive on the back, so this step is super easy. In Sara’s video, they adhered their canvases to a Stamparatus plate, and I should have followed that step, because my paper ended up curling and it was super annoying. (I shouldn’t have been lazy and skipped that step.)
Next, place some Embossing Paste on a Silicone Craft Sheet and use a few drops of Ink Refill to mix the colors. For mine, I used Tahitian Tide, Pacific Point, Balmy Blue, and Pear Pizzazz. I have to admit that while my Embossing Paste had never been opened, it was sort of old and had dried up a bit. I tried mixing in some water and it seemed to work.
Next, use a palette knife to apply the colors. I absolutely love how you can see the texture of the Linen Paper under the embossing paste. For inspiration, I used some photos of underwater paintings by my favorite Maui artist Jordanne Perkins from @jordannegallery. She paints in oils and frequently uses palette knives.
The embossing paste dries very fast, so keep the lid on tight. I also like to keep the jar stored in a plastic bag. And, I suggest cleaning up your mat and knife quickly. When I was finished, I tried stamping the coral on top with Pacific Point ink and it worked! (I thought that was very brave after all that work!)
To stamp the fish, I inked up the stamp with Petal Pink ink and added Calypso Coral and/or Tahitian Tide ink with Sponge Daubers, then I very lightly spritzed with water before stamping on Shimmery White Cardstock. Afterwards, i punched out the fish with the Fish Builder Punch. The punch fits the two smaller fish, so I fussy cut the bigger one. Also, the punch has shapes for the fins. There is no stamp for the fins, so I simply stamped extra fish and used them to punch out the fins.
I decided to frame my finished piece of art (haha) with Fabulous Frame die-cuts raised with Foam Adhesive Strips, and then I added some frayed Simply Elegant Trim and Fine Sparkle Gems for decorations.
Be sure to click over to the TGIF Challenges Blog and check out the other designers projects using punches. Then, create your own and link it to our challenge at the bottom of that post. I can’t wait to see!
Best wishes for a fabulous holiday weekend!!!
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