Welcome Little One - Patterned Paper vs. DIY Patterns

Hey everybody :) 

For today's card, I wanted to challenge myself to use zero patterned paper while still creating a dynamic card. Not an easy feat since I love my paper a lot.

I'm a huge fangirl of pretty paper. So I knew this one would be a tad tougher. 
 But I also know that the one thing that always stumbles me up when working with patterned paper is color matching. I find it difficult and time consuming at times, especially when I'm working with only a single paper out of a collection. I also try and keep my crafting stash pretty minimal, so I don't always have the perfect match when it comes to embellies or other accents...

This results in many-a-stumped-moments.... 

(crickets)

So, I've found a way to remedy this situation, and that is by making my own paper! By selecting a base paper, and a few ink colors, watercolors, or markers, I can make sure that all the itty bitty pieces match perfectly and that the colors are consistent. And I love that I don't have to compromise on style!

Before starting this card, I pulled out my favorite Canson watercolor paper, my trusty water brushes, and my favorite inks for this technique (Distress inks in colors of Mustard SeedFossilized AmberSpun Sugar, Picked Raspberry) and I got down to playing :)

TIP: When I'm not in the mood to make cards, I sometimes just doodle with my watercolors inside my paper pad, and then save the sheets for a later project. This way, I have perfectly coordinated doodles and patterns to use when I'm short on time. 


To make the above pattern, I used the widest of my water brushes to make bold strokes on my watercolor paper, in two different colors of yellow (Mustard Seed + Fossilized Amber), along with a soft pink shade (a blend of Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry). I decided I liked the messy painted look, and that this was going to be my main paper.

To make coordinating colored paper, I then squeezed my waterbrush, releasing more water and diluting the pink color, to paint a piece of watercolor paper in a soft pink shade that I would later use for die-cutting.  Lastly, I painted another piece of watercolor paper with the yellow tone, and yet another piece of paper in a bright pink tone (using Picked Raspberry). I set all the papers aside to dry before die-cutting them.

Once dry, I used the different colors of paper to die-cut three medium sized stars and two large stars, using PTI's Seeing Stars die collection


At the top of the card, I added a little bit of washi tape. Just below, I added another piece of cardstock that I had stamped with a chevron background stamp with Viridian Archival ink. If you don't have a chevron stamp, a die such as this one or this lovely one would do the trick too.

Just atop that, I added an embossed sentiment, using PTI's Wonderful Words: Baby stamps with Ranger Super Fine Detail white embossing powder.

I used some older star stamps and some yellow ink to stamp a star pattern on a carstock base, and then used the Confetti Garlands die from PTI to cut out a sweet circle border. 

I added some leaves to the stars, stamped and cut using Rosie Posie stamps and dies, as well as a few other older stamps.


Just below that, I added a pom-pom trim, and two layered stars to the side. I used PTI's Monthly Moments: Journal Card #2 to cut a scalloped design out of my paint stroke pattern, and added a bit of the darker pink paper underneath, so that it would poke out under the scalloped bits.


At the bottom, I added another layered star, with a sentiment stamped on top. I used the  Monthly Moments: Journal Card #5  die to die-cut an adorable pattern of small stars onto the larger white star.

You'll also notice a very fine and soft pink border around the white star at the bottom. It's just a tad of shading with a Copic marker for a little extra dimension.

Lastly, I sprinkled on a mix of aqua, white, clear and pink sequins, along with a few of my favorite iridescent gems.

I love the way this card turned out and as a result, I'm almost sold on not having to buy another piece of pretty patterned paper again...Almost :)

Thanks for joining me today! Hope you're having a wonderful hump-day!

Ivana

p.s. Friends - I'm trying out a NEW supplies list that will be featured at the end of each post. I hope it will make shopping a little easier and allow you to quickly see products I've used on each project. Using this feature will not add any additional costs to your purchase, but it will go a long way in helping me maintain this little blog of mine. Your purchases through any of the AMAZON, BLITSY or SCRAPBOOK.COM links below will help me convert a small portion of your sales towards running this little blog and creating new, exciting content on an on-going basis. So if you like what you see here and you enjoy visiting my creative space, please consider using these links when you shop.

Also please note, although I do make a small commission on the sale of some products I feature, all products used on this blog and opinions shared are my own and are not influenced in any way.
I simply love to share the goodies that make crafting fun for me, in hopes that they'll do the same for you! :)

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15 comments

  1. So many sweet elements layered together perfectly for the new little bundle!

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    1. Lisa, thank you SO much for always leaving sweet notes here for me :) I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your kindness. You always make me smile! Hugs dear friend!

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  2. You really know how to make it ALL work together, Ivana! How absolutely incredible!
    =]

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    1. What an incredibly kind note, Michelle! Thank you so much - means a lot to me coming from you! Sending big hugs!

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    2. thank you for your visits today. Ivana! we really must fix that 'no reply blogger' status! xx

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  3. This is dazzling! and really beautiful Ivana~ I like how you challenged yourself on this one ; ) Very pretty layers <3 Hugs, karen o

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    1. Thank you SO much, Karen! It's always fun to try a challenge :) Thinking of you and missing you my dear friend! I hope your Spring has been good so far :)

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  4. Your handmade patterned paper totally rocks!! All those lovely elements layered together look so beautiful.

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    1. Aw thanks so much, sweet Nora!! So incredibly kind of you :) Sending you big hugs!

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  5. So beutiful and sweet, love it .So proud of you,love mom!

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  6. So delicate and sweet! perfect for some little one :) xoxo Aneta

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