Thursday, July 17, 2008

Are you sick of sea life yet?

Ha!! I'm not!!! I *heart* the sea life images!! I loved yesterday's sketch challenge so much that I had to use it again, but this time I kept it the way it was given.


I stamped the image onto shimmery white cardstock (I use the Cryogen white found here), then used my Prismas & gamsol to color it in. I sponged Ranger Broken China Distress Ink all over (I went a little crazy with that, the water's a bit darker in some spots, lol) & used Crystal Effects on the bubbles & his mask. I took a close up of the diver so you could see a little better, although my pictures today are coming out somewhat blurry. I apologize for that ~ not sure how to fix it. I even used my timer thinking I was shaking the tripod, but they still aren't that great! I used the "Hugs & Kisses" sentiment, but I made it two lines instead of one by inking the words with a marker. I wanted to use my circle punch on it so I had to make it fit. Please don't look at it too closely, I didn't do a very good job lining it up! I wanted to finish by putting something in the corners, but nothing looked right. Dew Drops were a little too big, & rhinestones didn't look right. So I took a hole punch (sorry, not sure of the size) & punched 4 holes in the Blue Bayou cardstock. Glued them in the corners & added Crystal Effects to the top ~ VOILA ~~ brads that aren't bulky!! I've done this many times, & I sometimes add glitter to the CE to make them sparkly. I tried to take a close up but again ~~ blurry picture!


Here's a picture of the inside of my card, so you can see how I decorated it. (At this point I was ready to throw my camera out the window! If anyone has any tips I would appreciate it!! I even sharpened the images a bit in PSP & they are still blurry!! Please do not click on this last picture, the enlarged version is HORRIBLE, lol!). This card ended up being a crazy size ~~ 5.75" X 5". That's because I started with the image & worked my way out, & that just happens to be the size it ended up being!! I will have to attempt to make my first envelope if I actually want to sell this card. I've never made one before but I have a couple of emails in to some faithful friends who HAVE made envelopes. Again, tips are welcome!!!!


It's supposed to be in the 90's here today, & stormy. We could actually use the rain but I have lots of errands to run today so hopefully Mother Nature will wait until we get home!!!!! Hope you all have a splendid day!!

EDITED: I've decided that all the white space on the inside of my card is what makes it look blurry. So I took a picture just of the image I stamped inside, but you can still see the layers I added. Looks better than that nasty ole blurry pic!

14 comments:

Tracy said...

TommymikeI am never sick of sea life! This card is adorable! I love the mask! My boys both were just looking over my shoulder, and they love it too!

Michelle W. said...

This is such a great card! I love all the details you added And the goggles are a wonderful touch.

Dragana Skoro said...

Cute, cute, cute... I love sea life images... And your colouring is really wonderful. Fantastic job!

Brandi Wiggins-Côté said...

What a wonderful card! I loved this sketch too. Nice and simple with a tonne of potential! Bravo!

Ila said...

Gorgeous!! love the colors and details. Now I must try my pencils on shimmery paper...Using the macro setting on your camera should help with the blurry pics..(if you're not already using it)
If you get some good tips on making your own envies...pass them along...I'm always making odd size cards...(and my envies look even odder..lol)

Anonymous said...

I just love your work! This card is so cute!!!!! You certainly are an inspiration!!

Lori said...

WOW!!! Such a great card, love it!!! I cannot wait for my new stamps get here, I will be making lots and lots of sea cards!! :)
So glad I found your blog, I am really enjoying it and your cards are so wonderful!!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! what a beautiful card. You did such a great job with the coloring and the details.

Niki Estes said...

This is so cute, Michelle! I love the colors. I'm not sick of sea life yet. I'm still waiting for mine to get here. Doesn't the post office know how quickly they need to deliver to us impatient stampers?! *wink*

SeaStar Creations said...

first of all -- i love your banner :) and this card is adorable ... i can never tire of sealife images especially when we are suffering with 90+ degree weather and no sea in sight for miles and miles, states and states!

Nicola said...

I could never get fed up of these. This card is awesome.

Hugs
Nic

Jean said...

I hope that someday I'll learn to color and shade as well as you do. Lovely work!

Anonymous said...

Your sea life is so cute. All the details you added are great.

Kraftin' Kimmie said...

I could never get sick of Sea Life!! OR your wonderful cards! I especially like the way this one is framed with the different layers of blue! Great job Michelle!

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