Happy Friday! It's Julissa of Paper Gems by Jules on the blog wrapping up July with a "Christmas in July" themed card featuring the July 2023 Kit of the Month and the Shake Your Flakes {Front & Center Stamp Kit}. If you've been following my blog, you'll recognize this background from the July 14th blog where I created four unique backgrounds using Lindy's Magical Shakers to ink smoosh. I made this card using one of those panels, so let's see how.
Step 1. Prep the bottom of the card using anti-static powder. Then stamp the waves from the KOM using white pigment ink and use white embossing powder to heat emboss the waves.
Step 2. Using the largest deckled edged die {without stitching} from the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die set, die cut the piece.
Step 3. To create a difference between the ocean and the sky, I used some distress ink to darken the sea. I also darkened the edges to create a central glow.
Step 4: Because the paper I used to make the background originally was watercolor paper and not completely smooth, I used VersaFine Black Onyx ink to stamp the seagulls slightly off center. I did not heat emboss it, but simple dried it with a heat gun.
Step 5: To create Christmas/winter vibe using this oceanic scene, you just need to add snow! Using Distress Spray Stain, I gently splattered it across the entire image. {Pro-Tip: Use the backing of the stamp as a mask when splattering to avoid getting ink on the stamped image.} Once done, heat set to avoid smearing the paint.
Step 6: To add a little more drama and tie in the bold black from the birds, I used Black Soot Distress ink on the edges.
Step 7. Mat the image on the largest stitched deckle die cut out of black card stock. I adhered it to a white card base.
Step 8: Using a sentiment from the Shake Your Flakes {Front & Center Stamp Kit}, I stamped the sentiment using white pigment ink and white embossing powder to heat emboss the sentiment and then die cut it using the small stitched sentiment die from the Scallops & Stitched Sentiment Die set. I used a thin foam tape too adhere the sentiment slightly to the right to offset the birds.
This is definitely a nontraditional winter holiday card, but it's a great way to celebrate the holiday with friends on the coast who have nautical winters.
Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you've found some inspiration and stay tuned to see how the other two backgrounds end up getting used!
Until next time... happy crafting!