Ombre

 

Playing along with Addicted to CAS, code word "Ombre." This will be a birthday card for my son-in-law, so I didn't want to make it too feminine. Everyone loves balloons, right?

I made the balloons with a very simple stencil I designed and cut myself using my Cricut Explore Air, then colored them with sponge daubers using distress oxide inks. I used Lucky Clover, Peeled Paint, and Twisted Citron to get the ombre effect, then added little twisty strings using my Zig brush pen. I love that pen, by the way, and have been laboriously practicing my calligraphy (with mixed results; it takes time!). 

The sentiment is from Sunny Studios Magical Mermaids stamp set. I stamped it in Versamark Onyx ink and embossed with clear embossing powder. I embossed the frame, then added a few Nuvo drops in Crystal Clear. I never know how many to add - don't want to overdo - but my usual Rule of Three just didn't seem enough. Result: balloons in the rain?

Thanks for looking!