Rainy Day - Hello Bluebird

Hello!

I've probably said it before and I'll probably say it again but I'm just so deeply in love with the illustrations by Hello Bluebird Stamps.  I am sharing a card with you today made with Rainy Day one of my favourite stamp sets from their May release.




The card also uses many dies from Grassy Knoll.  This die set is so useful for all your scene building what with the choices of clouds and grassy edges.



First job was to die cut my cloud form and grassy edges using Bristol Smooth cardstock and I ink blended them using Distress Inks starting out with some intensity and then blending it out to a faded or ombré finish.  I took another A2 panel of Bristol Smooth and again ink blended it then stamped on the rain with white pigment ink and adhered it to my 110lb white cardstock base.



I stamped my sentiment from Rainbow Script and then layered the cloud and grassy edges into the scene using dimensional foam tape.  Next, I turned my attention to the adorable characters.  Taking more Bristol Smooth I stamped my images with Archival Ink in black then watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs.  I highlighted a few points with a Uniball Signo white gel pen then die cut and adhered them with more foam tape.



I didn't feel the card required any further embellishment other than to put a little jewel for the tag on the puppy's collar.  Project complete!

Thank you for stopping by and reading here for a couple of minutes, I appreciate it!

Until the next time then .....

Nicky x

Farmyard Little Bits - Hello Bluebird

Hi all!  I do love to make background cards especially when there are smaller images and they are as ADORABLE as these Farmyard Little Bits from Hello Bluebird Stamps and you just want to paint or colour them over and over again.



I created a panel from Strathmore Bristol Smooth watercolour cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre and then stamped a selection of images around the sentiment, trying to go for a happy balance of pigs, cows and barns etc so that there was an even dispersement of colours.  I used Ranger Archival Ink in black for all my images and then watercolour painted everything using Kuretake Zigs.



I highlighted some points with my Uniball Signo White gel pen and once dry I die cut the panel to provide the subtle wonky stitched decorative edge.  The panel was applied to the Kraft cardstock base with a layer of white craft foam sandwiched in between which makes the card feel very substantial and they do better in the mail this way too!



The final touch was to apply these little wooden stars which somehow just seemed so fitting with the country scene.

Since the card base is kraft cardstock, I like to make a writing insert for the inside and I use 80lb Neenah cardstock because strength and quality is so important to me in the construction of my cards.

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you next time!

Nicky x

Puddle Play - Hello Bluebird Stamps

Hello!

I am totally in love with the sweet elephant characters from the new stamp set called Puddle Play by Hello Bluebird Stamps.  This stamp set forms part of the May 17th release and a word of warning .... you're probably going to want it all!



My card started with an A2 panel of Strathmore Bristol Smooth cardstock which I ink blended with Distress Inks in Tumbled Glass and Spun Sugar.  Once blended I pressed a little of the Tumbled Glass onto an acrylic block, spritzed a little water into it to pick up some colour and then used a fine paint brush to make the blue splatters.  Once dry, I die cut the panel and with a layer of craft foam sandwiched in between, it was applied to the 110lb Neenah cardstock base.



I die cut the square frame and then using more of the watercolour cardstock I stamped up my images with Ranger Archival Ink in black, watercolour painted them using Kuretake Zigs and then fussy cut them out.  (There will be coordinating dies for you to purchase).  The frame and characters were applied to the card layered up on dimensional foam tape in varying amounts to build depth.



To finish up, I stamped the sentiment and applied it under the scene, I highlighted a few areas with a Uniball Signo White gel pen and then I added cascading crystal 'raindrops' for a little twinkle.

This card makes me happy!

Thanks so much for stopping by and feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Nicky x

Animal Parade - Background Card

Hi to you all, thank you for stopping by to read.  Today I'm sharing my final card for this May release by Mama Elephant.  This card once again features 'Animal Parade'.



I die cut a panel of Strathmore Bristol Smooth using the Cloud Nine Creative Cuts which gives the cute wonky stitched edge.  I stamped the sentiment in the centre and then stamped the imagines of the animals I wanted using black archival ink.  I delicately watercolour painted them.



I applied this panel to the card base with a layer of craft foam sandwiched in between which makes the card feel really substantial and in fact cards using craft foam survive the rigours of the mail system so much better!



I then lay the card flat and using different coloured Nuvo Drops I applied dimensional dots for juggling balls over the sweet penguin and set it aside to dry for a couple of hours.



I'm a big fan of these background cards, I love the wallpaper affect and I hope you enjoyed it too.  Thanks for stopping by to read.  Until the next time .....

Nicky x