As I write this blog post, it’s officially been about four weeks since Vermont’s Stay at Home order in the face of a global coronavirus pandemic. What an unprecedented, unsettling and bizarre time this is and it’s impact affects us all. Since I’ve quit working and have so much extra time to spend in my stamp room, I’ve made a concerted effort to mail out many cards to encourage my family and friends. It’s a small thing but if one of my cards brings a smile and a moment of joy then goal accomplished! A number of stamp companies have created special sets that feature nurses, doctors, essential workers and sentiments that express our gratitude and admiration for them. Other stamp sets are filled with beautiful images and encouraging words, like this one from Unity Stamps called In This Together. The beauty of this set is that it’s a digital stamp which means after my purchase, the company sent me a file in an email which I then downloaded to my computer. I printed out the images onto regular card stock and then colored and cut them out. I just bought a laser printer so that I can print the images onto heavier card stock and watercolor paper and can’t WAIT to create watercolor cards with this set! In the meantime I spent a very happy hour or so coloring this beautiful blossom with Prismacolor pencils, adding many layers of color! I had a panel of watercolor paper upon which I’d tried out my new Tim Holtz Alterations Collection-Mixed Media 2 die. Some of the pieces didn’t pop out but I didn’t mind the look. I layered it over a panel of lavender card stock, mounted my fussy-cut blossom using foam tape and then adhered it all to a base card of white card stock. The final touch was to sponge a little lavender ink around the sentiment which came with the set and attach it to the panel along with a few iridescent sequins. This is another card using In This Together; this time I printed out the panel with both the blossom and sentiment all together. I colored the flower with Copic markers, adding many layers of many colors as I always do, then added an array of dots inspired by Alex Syberia! See her gallery of “dotty” cards here! I felt my card needed just a little extra “something” so pulled out a small embossing folder and added this lovely raised detail to the bottom left and top right corners! Perfect! I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing these and will be inspired to use your stamps to create encouraging cards as well. Thank you for visiting!
CopyCatCards 