Baby card

Initially, I bought this flamingo stamp set because I live in South Florida and like that I get to see flamingos. But as I was working with all the pink gradations (four different pinks in one bird!) in my flamingo, I was reminded of how people used to say they brought babies. So this became a new baby card. I want to clarify that I chose pink because it relates to the heart chakra and love, not for little girls. 

Coming from a background as a painter, I really enjoyed making this card because I worked with a lot of different shades of pink and I got to apply the ink hands-on for the background. My playful side also enjoyed creating the munched up border; it looks like those flamingos were munching their own card, lol.

You may notice something else in my photos. I was talking with a photographer friend and recommending she watermark her photographs that she publishes online when she reminded me that I don't do that for my own work! Good point. I used to, but then stopped because it was a hassle. Respecting myself as an artist, I know I need to do this on all my creative works I publish online.

Supplies

• Altenew Poised Flamingo stamp set
• Altenew Sentiment Strips 2
• Altenew Pigment ink in Permanent Black
• Altenew Fresh Dye Ink minis in Red Cosmos
• Frame dies
• Die cutting machine
• Watercolor paper
• Altenew mini ink blending tool
• Altenew glue tape
• Altenew White cardstock

1. Cut a frame around your main image as well as your sentiment using your die cutting machine. Use your cardstock for this. I picked a border frame that allowed for some space while still sitting within it's 4.25"X5.5" cardface. Try to pick a frame that reflects the tone or imagery of your card. As I mentioned above, I like the idea that the frame was eaten away by the flamingos!
2. Stamp imagery onto the cardstock and your sentiment onto the sentiment strip. For visual interest, pick imagery that you can stamp using several different colors. Your color choices can be subtle or more boldly different. You decide the mood you are going for. Set aside
3. Cut a piece of watercolor paper into an A2 size (4.25"X5.5"). I choose watercolor paper under my main image because it will absorb the inks better when hand inking. Using your mini ink blending brush, saturate your bristles in the ink(s) of your choice for backdrop. Next, gently swirl your blending brush around the edges of the watercolor paper. Go slowly and gently. You will want to gradually build up the color intensity to the desired effect and bring that color towards the middle. Bring the color in enough so that it frames your main image completely.
4. Glue your cardstock onto the watercolor paper and also glue your sentiment.

I like the subtle variations that are visible with hand inking. I also liked moving from a frosty pink all the way to a deep grape on my flamingos. Her tail feather really stand out with the rich ruby red feathers.

Coming up, I will be showing you how to use other inking methods. Playing with paints, isn't that why we got into paper crafts?