It's that time of the year when we all think about getting away. My family is having a "staycation" this year. A good friend is currently on a trip to Paris celebrating a special milestone and has inspired this card. I'm hoping it's everything she could hope for and my thoughts are with her.
Patterned paper is an addiction of mine but this fun travel set, Luggage Tags from Hero Arts inspired me to make my own background with stamps.
I've used Jet Black Archival ink and stamped the tags to create a pattern on the Solar White cardstock. The similar shapes of each tag and the clear stamps makes it very easy to line up the images for a great background.
Here's my stamped background. Aren't they great stamps?
Heat set with a heat gun to set the ink and make it permanent.
I wanted to add some color and interest to the stamps so I added in some color using Distress Inks and a Water Brush. By squeezing the lid tight to the ink pad and then removing it, it left me with some ink on the inside of the lid to pick up with at brush.
Three of my favorite Distress Ink colors are Picked Raspberry, Crushed Olive and Peacock Feathers. Each of the tags are watercolored in with one of these colors. I really wanted a watercolor look and each tag to be unique so I've used a very quick and loose watercolor look. It's Ok to go outside the lines or not quite to them and also to leave some places un-colored.
Over the top of stamping and watercoloring, I added yet another layer of stamping and inking using the Hero Arts Old Letter Stamp. The sponging and brown stamping adds a softer, more vintage look. I like it both ways. Choose one depending on your own personal style.
Maya Road makes these sweet Kraft Layerable Flowers. I've added some color to the edges by sponging on some of that Picked Raspberry Distress Ink.
These little charms "had me at hello"! I swear they made it into my shopping cart in two seconds flat. This is the perfect project for using one of them up.
The chipboard vintage photo frame is painted with Gesso and makes a great frame for the embellishments. I especially love it as it doesn't cover up my pretty stamped background.
Lastly, I've stamped some canvas tags to go with the tag background. Archival Inks are perfect for stamping on canvas and other fabrics.
Happy travels, happy creating, stay cool and thanks for joining me today in the CLASSroom!
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