Texture is the name of the game for the April Poppystamps challenge, so I decided to try something different. I used a die to create a stencil and applied Distress Crackle paste to showcase the die's design.
I started with watercolor paper and liberally applied Speckled Egg Distress Spray Stain to create a mottled blue "wash" over the paper. I dried this with a heat gun and set it aside. Next, I used the Poppystamps Gilded Plate die to cut out a paper stencil from lightweight cardstock. I taped down the die cut on my watercolor paper and spread a thin layer of the crackle paste over it. I quickly lifted the paper stencil as soon as I was done. Making a stencil from paper or cardstock means it is one use only. There's no way to clean it and use it again.
After the paste was dry and cracked, I rubbed a Distress Ink Reinker in Frayed Burlap into the crackle to emphasize the texture (I was experimenting, for sure). I trimmed this panel down to 4" x 5.25" as I knew I wanted to mat it later. Next, I was ready for my foreground. I used the Floral Cluster die to cut out two shapes from watercolor paper (using the less-textured side face up this time). I used my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers in two colors of green to paint these dies. I used the bird from the Poppystamps Bird House Easel Pop Up set to cut two birds - one from red cardstock and the other from watercolor cardstock. I used a Zig CC Real Brush in orange to paint one beak and trimmed this bird to easily fit behind the red one. I snipped the beak off the red bird and used a black marker to color the face and throat (the etching on the die guides you where to color). Finally, I layered the red bird on top of the one with the orange beak to make one cardinal.
Next, I used the Potpourri Flower Set to cut out a lot of flowers from white cardstock. I colored the center of each with a Zig CC Real Brush in bright yellow. I assembled all these pieces on top of the watercolor panel. I used foam adhesive to pop up the cardinal and three of the largest flowers. I matted the panel on to a Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze cardbase.
Finally, I stamped the "Hello Lovely" sentiment from the Poppystamps Colorful Life Clear Stamp set in Memento black ink on white cardstock and trimmed it at a diagonal, adding a small piece of the same Baja Breeze cardstock just behind it. I finished by adhering this sentiment to my card.
I hope you're getting to play with your favorite crafty tools today.
Beautiful colors and texture! Thanks for sharing your step by step instructions too.
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