Mermaid Dreams

 There's something about a rainy day that gives me permission to create cards! Not that I need permission (retirement is awesome) but this sunny, warm summer has just beckoned me outdoors and away from my craft studio. So, yesterday's rain just sat me down and got me back into the groove.

For inspiration I decided to participate in a couple of CAS challenges, beginning with AAA Cards' Game #122, Use a Stencil. One of the cards on my to-do list is a birthday card for our six-year-old granddaughter, who's into princesses and mermaids. 

Her card ended up being just a little too gaudy for CAS, I thought, so I created a couple versions that were more fitting.



I began with a mermaid scale stencil I had made earlier this year using my Cricut and a Google image. Here's the link to the Ken's Creations video that taught me how to do it. With Distress Oxides in Mermaid Lagoon (naturally) and Seedless preserves, I created a swirl to suggest a mermaid tail. Then I showered it lightly with shimmer spray. 

Next, I stamped the sentiment with Gina K's new archival black ink along with the tail. The sentiment if from Sunny Studios and the tail from Flora & Fauna. I added a little heat embossing to the tail using a powder from my stash called "Psychedelic." You can catch a little of the shimmer in the photo below.

To add texture, I used an embossing folder from Darice across the bottom corner, simulating waves. After adding a few bubbly embellishments, I diecut the frame using Crazy-Double-Running-Stitch-Rectangle-Nesting-Dies from Cutplorations, then adhered the whole thing to a card.

I created the version below the same way, only using Versamark with the sparkly embossing powder. The mermaid tail came out in a pale, shimmery gold. This one I mounted with foam tape to make it pop out a little.

All in all, even though I began the whole process wondering if I'd get inspiration I like the way these turned out. I guess the secret is to just begin and the inspiration will come!

Thanks for looking.

Supplies used: