Autumn Heron Card

Did you ever have this idea for a card project in your head, and when you look at the finished card, you realize it was nothing like what you started out creating?!  That is this card.  It was supposed to be a single layer card with the beach scene (completely different from this design!) sponged in the leaf mask. Several “start overs” ending with a smudge on the background, a masking mishap when the background was being sponged to cover the smudge, and discovering that a spot that previously had glue on it can’t be inked all led to this design!  Perhaps I will attempt the first design again at some point.  We’ll see…..

Anyway, for this card, I used the heron from the Gina K Designs “Follow Your Dreams” set and the greeting from the Gina K Designs “By the Sea” set.

The leaf shape was a mask I traced and hand cut out from an old stencil/tracer I had in my collection. There is no label on the stencil, and I no longer have the original package so I’m not sure who designed it.

I created masks and sponged ink to create the tranquil beach scene.  In trying to create a peaceful autumn feel to the card, I chose warm colors and made it a sunset scene.  The inks I used were Memento desert sand and tuxedo black, and Tim Holtz gathered twigs, scattered straw, rusty hinge, brushed corduroy, frayed burlap and chipped sapphire distress inks.

To add details, I used Copic markers Y00, B91, 0 and Y28 and a Faber-Castell white pitt pen.

The card stock I used was gina k sandy beach, warm cocoa, and white.

To add texture, I used a Sizzix (Stampin’ Up) Textured Impressions “Stripes” embossing folder.  I also used “Mudd Puddles – Tahiti Beach” for the sand.  I found this at a scrapbook expo I went to last month.  The Mudd Puddles come in a variety of textures, and I bought one of the sand ones to try.  It’s basically glue with the texture stuff mixed in.  I tried to apply it with a paint brush, but it probably would have been easier to “rub” it on or spread with a small knife, a popsicle stick or something similar.  A toothpick would probably  have been helpful to get it in the small spots.  Originally I tried to cover the entire area, and then I ended up removing some of it.  I’ll have to continue to play with it to really get the hang of how best to apply it.

This card is being entered in the StampTV MIUM “Critter Card” Challenge where we are to use a critter of any kind … if it flies, flutters, hops, walks or swims, it’s usable. My critter is a heron that flies.  (Sadly, this site is no longer active.)

It is also being entered in Lee’s StampTV “Stamp Out Cancer – Challenge #1 – Comforts” where we are to use an image that brings comfort. (I delayed originally adding this tag until I checked with Lee to make sure entering two challenges with the same card was ok!) My card has a tranquil beach scene at sunset which I find very soothing and comforting. The sentiment reminds the recipient that he/she is being thought of by a loved one which is also comforting when one is sick.  (Sadly, this site is no longer active.)

Thanks for checking out my card project!

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