Beachy Unicorn Card

Hey crafty friends! I'm feeling the summer vibes with the new release from Pink & Main!

This card features the Beach Unicorn stamp set, among other lovely products from P & M. But seriously, floating unicorns? Yes, please! Scroll down for a few creative details and I'll have convenient affiliate product links available at the end of this post.

(FTC Disclosure: as an affiliate for various companies in the craft industry, I will receive a small commission for purchases made through my convenient affiliate links.  This does not affect your purchase price.)

First, I used a mirror image stamp technique where you do some reverse image stamping.  It's super easy and requires a big 'ole piece of rubber for this (see product links at the end of this post).  It fits nicely inside the mini Misti stamp positioner.  You simply stamp your image onto the rubber two or three times to get a good inking which is why you should use a stamp positioner. Then, gently press and rub your cardstock (for coloring images) into the ink.  It's not a perfect science but I usually touch up any areas that I need to with a fine tip black Copic pen.

I used a variety of Copic Markers to color my palm trees and unicorn, and accented with a white gel pen.  As you can see, I decided to cut up my colored unicorn image and have her floating in the waves.  It's ok to chop up your paper! 

For my background, I used a pretty orange/pink paper from my paper pad, then inked up some clouds with my stencil.  If you use the stencil edges, you can flip them upside for waves! Don't you love a product that has duality?  I know I do.

I've nicknamed my unicorn Prissy and Prissy needs a beach towel to dry off. Here's a neat trick. Score some lines on your cardstock, then rub over them with a cardboard nail file.  I thought it gave a super cool "sand" effect. You can't hit the beach without getting sand all over your towel! To finish off my card, I added Nuvo drops in my clouds and on my beach, and hand drew some little star fish that I fussy cut and embellished.

This was such a fun card to make and I hope I've given you some good ideas to try out. Hope your summer is all it can be, despite the current health climate!  Take care and stay healthy!

Terri

Sharing for these challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Anything Goes challenge 

Affiliate product links are listed throughout this post. Click on the link to go directly to the product.  I do receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase.

Misti Original Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Ranger US HEAT IT CRAFT TOOL Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Kaisercraft 24 pk Gel/Glitter pens Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Signo White Uni-ball gel pen Shop at: Scrapbookcom
Hero Arts Clear Embossing Powder Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L EZ Grand Runner Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Neenah Solar White Cardstock 8.5x11 inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L EZ Runner Grand Refill Shop at: Scrapbookcom
Spellbinders Platinum 6 Bundle Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Pink and Main Beach Unicorn stamp set Shop at: Simon Says Stamp | Pink & Main	Pink and Main Beach Unicorn die set Shop at: Simon Says Stamp | Pink & Main	Pink and Main Let's Flamingle stamp set Shop at: Simon Says Stamp | Pink & Main
Pink and Main Cloud Stencil Shop at: Simon Says Stamp | Pink & Main	Pink and Main Summer Splash 6x6 in paper pad Shop at: Pink & Main	Pink and Main Ergonomic Blending Brush Shop at: Simon Says Stamp | Pink & Main	Catherine Pooler Ink Aquatini Shop at: Scrapbookcom
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Crafty Foam Tape Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Uniball Signo White Gel pen Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Simon Says Stamp White A2 Side Fold Cards 10 pk Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Neenah Classic Crest White Cardstock 110 lb Shop at: Simon Says Stamp
Nuvo Dream Drops Cloud Nine Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Srapbook Adhesives by3L EZ Grand Runner Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Refill Cart. Ultra Strong Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Misti Stamp Positioner/Hero Arts Black Mini Shop at: Simon Says Stamp
Whimsy Stamps Mirror Image Stamp Shop at: Simon Says Stamp

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Happiness in a Cup Plus Digital Tips

I hope you're not bored with all the thank you cards that I've been creating, because the graduation gifts continue to roll in for my Senior! Today's project pairs a couple different digital stamp sets from Polka Dot Orchard; Happiness in a Cup and the sentiment from Spring Blessings. Scroll down for a few creative details.

(FTC Disclosure: as an affiliate for various companies in the craft industry, I will receive a small commission for purchases made through my convenient affiliate links.  This does not affect your purchase price.)

Digital images have really gained momentum in recent years and show no sign of slowing down. Many stamp companies are now offering digital images in additional to traditional clear or rubber stamps. Within the last year, numerous graphic designers have branched out with their own line of digital products. Low overhead costs allow for savings passed on to hungry consumers that are always looking for something new to spark their creative outlets. Card makers love the ease of printing and coloring, making multiples faster and the ability to customize the graphic to fit their needs, yours truly, included!

If you've never tried working with digital images, you really don't know what you're missing. I've been working with digital products for years and I've discovered a few things along the way.  Let me share a couple of those with you today.

As you can see in the product photo above, the Happiness in a Cup floral image is simple enough for anyone on any level of artistry to color.  Even your kids can color it without any difficulty. Depending on your skill level, you can go simplistic, or create a masterpiece! Knowledge is power in the digital world so here's a few tips.

I don't use anything fancy like Photoshop or fancy die cut machines that print and cut. I use Microsoft Word. That's right, plain and simple Microsoft Word.  When you purchase your graphic images, you are able to download them to your computer. You then can upload them into a blank Word document and insert as a picture. Just go find the folder you saved your image in and select and add to your document.  I decided to offset my image, off the cardstock, using a border, when printing.

As you can see in the photo above, I chose to augment my image with a more grunge look.  It's easy peasy and here's how. Once you've added your image to your Word document and sized it as you wish, tap on the picture with your mouse and a format section will pop up on your toolbar. Next, choose artistic effect. There's an entire selection of images that will change your outlined image.  Just tap whichever image you like. It won't save the changes until you save your document so you can tap on all the images if you want, and see which one you like the best. Or don't change anything at all! These are just options available to you.  Also on the format toolbar is a picture effect button. Here, you can add shadows, glows or reflections of image and so much more. Just play around with it.

I did end up placing a shadow behind my image and it's hard to see in the first photo but you can see it better in the photo above. I tried the new #100 lb cardstock from Simon Hurley to test watercoloring and painting and it worked beautifully.I tried not to oversaturate the paper and didn't have any problems with buckling or warping. Also, for my sentiment, I needed to stagger it, so I simply inserted, then copied it three times, using the crop feature by right clicking with my mouse and cropping some of the words. To move them around the page, sometimes you need to right click your mouse and select to wrap text in front. I find that it's always easier to move images around the page when I use the wrap text feature.

I used my Altenew pan watercolor paints to color and embellished with acrylic paint in white and brown for my flower centers, tapping in the paint with the tip of a paintbrush, dotting it for the effects you see.  Brown paint splatters adorn the card in some of the white space, as well. I also mixed a bit of white paint with some of my other colors for various light effects.

For my cup, I placed some washi tape along the sides of the cup and did some ink blending with Catherine Pooler Daydream Ink. It is a water reactive ink and as you can see, I added some water splashes to my cup. To finish my card, I trimmed along the border edge and used black cardstock as a backdrop and adhered to my 5x7 card.

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with too much information but like I said, knowledge is power, right? Thanks so much for hanging in there with me and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comment section. Or leave a little love as well. I love reading your comments!  See you next time...... Terri

Affiliate product links are listed throughout this post. Click on the link to go directly to the product.  I do receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase.

Prima Finnabair 7 pc brush set Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Ink Inkssentials 2 oz mister spray bottle Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L EZ Grand Ultra Refill - Clear Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Lawn Fawn Black Licorice 8.5x11 in 100 lb cardstock Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L E-Z Grand Runner Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Waffle Flower Crafts Water Media Mat Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Picket Fence Studios Life Changing Blender Brushes Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Catherine Pooler Ink Daydream Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Picket Fence Studios Life Changing Blender Brushes Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Nuvo Crystal Drops Morning Dew Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook.com Round Tip Water Brush Set 3 pk Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Tonic Studios Craft Perfect 5x7 Card/Envelope 10 pc set Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Ranger Ink Simon Hurley Stark White Cardstock 100 lb Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Altenew 6 pan Watercolor Set Shop at: Scrapbook.com	American Crafts Professional Acrylic Paint Set Shop at: Scrapbook.com

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Thank You Cards Featuring Ranger Speckled Egg Ink

Have you tried the new Speckled Egg Ink by Ranger and Tim Holtz? Oh my goodness, I am totally crushing on this color. With a name like Speckled Egg, I mean, you really can't go wrong can you?  I'm still working on handmade thank you cards for my Senior to send out for his graduation gifts and it was the perfect time to test this delicious ink.

(FTC Disclosure: as an affiliate for various companies in the craft industry, I will receive a small commission for purchases made through my convenient affiliate links.  This does not affect your purchase price.)

To begin, I used a Stampers Anonymous stamp set called Mini Flutter which was a freebie for a time over at Scrapbook.com. For my gold butterfly, I used Premium Clear Embossing Ink, stamping on watercolor paper, then heat embossing with Ranger's Gold Tinsel embossing powder.  This stuff really shines!  I highly recommend that you prepare your surface for embossing, prior to stamping, with an anti-static pouch. Just rub across your surface and blow any excess powder away. This will help keep away loose powder and provide a much cleaner emboss when you heat with your craft heat tool.

Instead of leaving the exposed image white, I pressed a little Speckled Egg ink onto my craft mat, grabbed a water brush to pick up the color and watercolored the white portion. I think it turned out beautifully.

My blue butterfly was stamped a little differently. First, I masked my wings and stamped the body and antennas of the butterfly with black hybrid ink.  You'll want to use a stamp positioner for the best results. Next, I removed the washi tape masking and carefully inked just the wings. Because the distress oxide ink is slower to dry, I stamped directly with Speckled Egg Oxide Ink, then sprinkled on some clear embossing powder, tapping off the excess and heating with a craft heat tool. I left the exposed white portion alone and love how soft and subtle it looks.

For my backgrounds, I trimmed watercolor paper that would accommodate my layered A2 sized cards. Next, I pressed my Speckled Egg ink onto a craft mat, spritz with a little bit of water, and randomly (and carefully) dabbed my paper into the mix. Go heavy or light, whatever is your pleasure but use your craft heat tool to dry or allow time to dry completely before embellishing.

Once dried, I splattered some black paint onto my card. (I failed to link the Dylusions Black Marble paint at the end of this post. You can find it here.) The easiest way to do this is grab two paintbrushes. Squeeze a very small amount of paint onto your craft mat and spritz a tiny bit of water onto your paint. Using a small tipped paintbrush, dip it into the paint, covering your brush generously.  Now, take your second paint brush and tap the middle of your wet brush, almost like your playing drums, haha! Place random splatters wherever you like and tap, tap, tap that brush.

For the larger paint drops, I simply took the opposite end of my paintbrush and dipped it into the paint mixture, dabbing spots here and there.  I know this is a lot of information but I want you to know exactly how to achieve these effects. Of course, when you're smooshing, no two cards are exactly alike and that's ok.

For my sentiment, I used a Wendy Vecchi stamp set and stamped onto black cardstock with clear embossing ink, sprinkling on white embossing powder and heating with my heat tool.  I also popped the sentiment up with foam circles for added dimension, as well as my butterflies.

To finish everything off, I embellished with gold sequins, dotting on some Mercury Glass Stickles glitter glue. For my blue butterfly card, I used flat back pearls from a shaker mix. Both cards have additional clear gemstones from one of my Sparkletz packets from 28 Lilac Lane. I love these little packs because they have so many different gemstones, bubbles and tiny sequins that you can mix and match.  These are adhered to my card using my favorite Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L micro dots.  These are a staple in my craft space and if you don't have them, you need them!

I know this blog post was a little lengthier than usual but I think the more tips you know, the better. And since I also work a full time job, I simply do not have the time to invest in doing YouTube videos lately, although I do have a YouTube channel with many videos. Life is crazy right now and sometimes you just have to know your limits.

Thanks so much for popping in. I've got affiliate shopping links below if you find something you like. Some items are currently out of stock at Ranger Ink and some items are currently out of stock at Scrapbook.com, which is why I've listed both. Hopefully you'll find what you need! Also, both shops have special offers right now. If you purchase the Speckled Egg bundle from Ranger Ink, you'll get a free distress enamel pin. You can also buy now and pay later with AfterPay at Ranger Ink.  If you're shopping at Scrapbook.com, be sure and check out the coupon section as there is a free gift offer right now, while supplies last.

See you next time and happy crafting!  Terri

Affiliate product links are listed throughout this post. Click on the link to go directly to the product.  I do receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase.

Ranger Inkssentials Craft Mat 15x18 Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger US HEAT IT CRAFT TOOL Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Ink Inkssentials 2 oz mister spray bottle Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L EZ Grand Ultra Refill - Clear Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Lawn Fawn Black Licorice 8.5x11 in 100 lb cardstock Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Foam Circles Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L E-Z Grand Runner Shop at: Simon Says Stamp	Neenah Solar White Cardstock 25 pk A2 Card/Env. Set Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Buttons Galore Aquamarine Sparkletz Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Exclusive Scrapbook.com Premium Clear Embossing Ink Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Exlusive Scrapbook.com Premium Clear Embossing Reinker Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Exclusive Scrapbook.com Hybrid Ink - Black Shop at: Scrapbook.com
Scrapbook.com Round Tip Water Brush Set 3 pk Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Speckled Egg Distress Oxide Ink Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Speckled Egg Distress Ink Bundle Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Watercolor Paper 8.5x11 inch 10 pk Shop at: Ranger Ink
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L Micro Adhesive Dots Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Super Fine White Embossing Powder Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Super Fine Clear Embossing Powder Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Gold Tinsel Embossing Powder Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink
28 Lilac Lane Fairy Dust Shaker Mix Shop at: Scrapbook.com	28 Liilac Lane Golden Sequins Shop at: Scrapbook.com	Ranger Mercury Glass Stickles Glitter Glue Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink	Ranger Anti-Static Pouch Shop at: Scrapbook.com | Ranger Ink

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