Mixed Media, Paper Scraps - Valentine Card, or No?
Combining a background of mixed media (of sorts) and using pattern paper scraps - What could be more fun or economical?
We are using inks to self create a background as well as scraps from our paper stash to create a beautiful background for this adorable mouse pair to proclaim their love.
This background came about using a leftover ink mess that found it’s way to my desktop. Yes, these inks were just mingling about on my glass mat leftover from another intended background. I didn’t want to waste the ink so I dabbed and dipped this layer of white cardstock into the puddle here and there until it showed great promise. I liked it, I really liked it! I added some white acrylic splatter and called it a day.
The next day I was determined to use this accidental background for a card, however it was also a day that using a card sketch had won the lottery. Yes, each week I have a day that I choose a randomly picked technique, object or color to create a card. A quick search on google gave me some card sketch ideas.
The chosen card sketch was #360 from Dawn’s Stamping Thoughts and seemed to be a super fun layout! One that would use some paper scraps, and possibly a focal point.
I had some paper scraps sitting right beside me from Lawn Fawn Summertime paper pack that contained some yellow colored ones that I thought would bring out the yellow from the whimsical background, and I’m sure it did.
The paper strips are cut at 1 inch x 3 1/2. The circles are 1 1/4 inch (2) and 1 1/2 inch. I chose to use 2 different sized circles - just to be different. :)
At this point I wasn’t sure if this card would turn out to be a winner per say, so I didn’t want to invest a lot of time into a focal point. I wanted something quick, yet cute enough in case the card was a keeper.
As I am sure you are aware, I have been using the Sweet Friend stamp set combined with a lot of mixed media type backgrounds recently - so … why not again this time?!
Cards Featuring “Sweet Friend” stamp set:
The Other Mice - Sweet Friend Card
Back to the card -
I quickly stamped this adorable mouse pair, and also decided that the “love you” sentiment was going to be the one for this card. Using a simple statement would allow the card to be used for Valentine’s Day or many other card sending occasions!
** With Valentine’s Day fast approaching I like to create designs that aren’t only suited for Valentine’s Day. I want a card that can be used for more than just that one day out of the year. You may have noticed I don’t do a lot of the traditional pink/red hearts nor “Happy Valentine’s Day” - and that is why. I don’t want beautiful cards that have to sit in storage and wait for the next year to make a debut. They are much more useful if they can be used for multiple reasons.
Balancing the mice between 2 of the circles seemed like perfect placement for a focal point on this card, and this left me the top circle to place the greeting.
I happened to have a swatch beside me - where I was testing out some stickles laid down with a pallet knife… yellow in fact. It was just sitting there looking lonely, so I grabbed it and the little heart dies from the Sweet Friend die set and turned that swatch of paper into some sparkly yellow hearts and randomly placed them on the card front.
The inside of the card has a 3/4 x 5 1/2 in scrap of the yellow pattern paper and a sentiment that says “ just saying”… this allows for the sender to write in their own personal note to go with the card.
All in all, I loved the finished card… so thank you Dawn for the boost of creativity that came from your card sketch!
Question: Do you guys use card sketches when creating your cards? Let me know in the comments below.
- Alex Syberia Designs - Dies - Sweet Friend
- Price: $19.99
- Ranger Ink - Stickles Glitter Glue - Yellow
- Price: $2.49
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