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Monday, July 3, 2023

The Background Determines the Aesthetic

 When designing a card sometimes the background determines the aesthetic. Both of these cards use the same Hero Arts' Cobblestone Bold Prints stamp. The lighter-colored card was stamped with black ink onto white cardstock. The cobblestones were shaded with gray colored pencils. The card pictured below was stamped with Versamark onto watercolor paper without cleaning the stamp first. The residual black ink on the stamp mixed with the sticky watermark ink to create a light gray color. By using clear embossing powder, it maintained that color while sealing it in.

To give the background an antique look, I blended brown ink with a blending tool. It gave the background a nice patina which then informed my decisions about layering brown cardstock underneath and using kraft paper for the sentiment tag. 
The background also influenced the choice of Copic marker colors for the flowers. Here is a picture of the blossoms that I thought I would use. I didn't end up using the tall, thin floral spray or stem.
I wanted to keep the background light with the pencil shading on the card pictured below. It seemed somewhat somber and old-fashioned, so it was turned into a sympathy card. It could also be used as an encouragement card for someone who prefers muted tones.

Both cards have layered cardstock using Gina K. Designs Master Layouts dies and the wonderful stamped bee image from the Hero Arts Sweet as Honey set. The 'sending hugs' die is a retired CTMH product.

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