Just one more for today

OK, so I love Kristina Werner's blog and video tutorials.  I saw this one and just HAD to try it out.  That pig is so darn cute!  I was a little intimidated, though, because of the coloring.  I am a novice colorer.  I have the Spectrum Noir pens, and I love playing with them, but sometimes it's really hard for me to get the results I'd like.  As a result, I kind of shy away from really complicated coloring projects.  I think I'd like to enroll in Online Card Classes' Copic for Cardmakers class, but I'm not sure I'd get as much out of it since I have Spectrum Noir.  On the other hand, if it's about techniques rather than numbering systems, I think maybe I would really learn a lot.  Stay tuned to see if I spring for the class!

Back to the piggy birthday card.  This video seemed so simple, I went right to the Simon Says Stamp store and got the stamp set.  I already had the Fog dye ink in my basket, so I just dropped in some Inkadinkadoo masking paper and the Fiskars compact stamp press.  Why the masking paper and stamp press?  Usually I do okay making a mask with post-it notes, but I thought the masking paper would be key to getting the background done with a maximum chance of success.  Also, I'd been eyeing the stamp press for a while- it seems like a good way to line up your stamp with images already in the scene.

I was right- the Inkadinkadoo masking paper was a tremendous help.  I didn't have to worry about holding it down while I swirled in the Distress Ink background.  Post-it notes wouldn't have done this job very well, but they are okay for masking when you'll just be stamping on top.

Did the stamp press make a big difference?  Well, I probably could have done without it, as clear stamps aren't that difficult to line up BUT I admit I'll be using it a lot in the future as I am kind of a stickler on having things lined up perfectly.  So for only $14, I think it's a good enough deal, especially if you are very picky like I am or if you are new to stamping and would like a tool to help get great results right off the bat.

I didn't get the Bokeh Builder stamp set  because I thought I had lots of small, simple shapes like dots that I could use.  Once I began the card, however, it seemed I had none at all!  How could I have no dots? So that's in my cart for my next order.  I did find a small four leaf clover on another Simon Says Stamp set that I already owned, and I think it did a good job of filling in for the dots.

Here's how my card turned out:

Not too bad, huh?  Again, just shy of Nailed It!  I do wish I'd had some dots to stamp, and when I make this card again, I'll have them.  Otherwise, I am pretty happy with it.  I used Copic Marker paper because that's what I had available, so this will not be a one layer card.  I'll just pop this up on a card base and call it done, though.  

Techniques used:

Distress inking

Masking

Alcohol marker coloring

One layer card

Lessons learned:

You don't have to be a pro at coloring to make a pretty card

Substitutions are okay

You need stamps with basic design elements (like dots)

The right tools make the job easier and more fun.

Happy Sunday, and have a great week!