Mixed Media Sketch Inspired Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card got its inspiration from the Newton's Nook Designs Inky Paws Challenge. You will see the sketch and the link at the bottom of this post. I struggled at the beginning of creating this card. I almost gave up but my method of walking away from my frustration worked. Some of my projects are staged in its creation. I either am creating it simultaneously with another project, or I work on it in between house chores, or I work on it during my waking hours as a night shift person. I think the break gives me time to think about the project, improve it and try not to ditch it.

Back on the project, I love joining the Newton's Nook Challenges. I try to join if my time allows. I used stamps from the NND Let's Be Mermaids. I think this stamp set has been retired since I cannot find it in the online shop.

I already stamped and colored the cat on the gray cardstock panel but I did not like how it looked so I changed my plan.

For the background, I cut blue and purple cardstocks to follow the sketch. 

I heat embossed the seahorse and fish on a blue cardstock panel using the Hero Arts Iridescent Blue embossing powder. I treated the panel first before stamping the images repeatedly using Versamark ink to create a background. 

I created a stencil of these images by stamping the images on a Post-It Note. I cut the images off the Post-It Note to create a window. This does not have to be perfect. I blended blue dye inks on the images over the DIY stencil. Easy and simple coloring!

For the purple panel, I stamped the shell image repeatedly using Versamark ink. This time, I brushed a Grape Perfect Pearl Powder over the ink. I wiped off any excess powder. I lightly spritz this panel with water to set in the powder.

I stamped Newton on a white cardstock using gray dye ink. I colored the image with Copic markers. I fussy cut the image leaving a narrow border around it. I stitched sequins to the mermaid's tail. This is the most tenuous part of the project but isn't it worth it? I used a transparent nylon thread in stitching the sequins to the paper.

For the gray cardstock panel, I partly embossed it with a wave embossing folder. I lightly swiped the Versamark pad over it. I poured Judikins Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder over the sticky ink. I heat embossed this area until the powder has melted.

I adhered a blue rick rack over the seams of the sketch. I used Ranger Glossy Accents to adhere the trim to the panel which explains the dots on the trim. I could have used my glue gun although I am not sure if I would have done a better job adhering the trim. I am always messy when I use the glue gun.

I adhered the cat with foam tape. 

For the sentiment, I heat embossed the sentiment stamp from NND Birthday Roundabout on the same blue cardstock. I used Simon Says Stamp Silver embossing powder. I cut this to create this into a strip using a craft knife. I fish tail cut the ends to make it into a banner. I adhered this to the panel.

I hope you like today's very shimmery project. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Newton's Nook Designs Challenge Blog #27

Inspired By Challenge Blog #7

Simon Says: Anything Goes #6