A new technique and a new challenge

While I'm usually a stick-to-the-basics card maker (stamps, ink, and paper), sometimes it's fun to try something new. So last week I experimented with a new technique: using molding paste and a stencil to create a background for a card. And while I was trying one new thing, I decided to make it two and designed my card for the latest Fab Friday challenge. I've checked out the Fab Friday challenges before, but this was my first time participating. This time the challenge was a sketch (see diagram below), and I think it worked perfectly for what I had in mind:

Supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps: By the Tide
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Very Vanilla card stock; 6" x 6" Wood Designer Cardstock Paper (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Sahara Sand (pad and refill), Basic Gray, Island Indigo
Accessories: Mini Pebbles stencil (The Crafter's Workshop), light molding paste (Golden), Regals Candy Dots, Island Indigo cotton ribbon, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, paper-piercing tool, Dimensionals

This was actually my second attempt at the background. The first time I applied the paste directly out of the container. The white paste was too stark against the Sahara Sand card stock, so I tried adding color by sponging and painting ink over the top. It worked but wasn't what I wanted for this card. For my second try I put a bit of paste in a separate container and mixed in a couple drops of Sahara Sand ink refill. Success! It was softer than the straight white, but still light enough to stand out. Once the background was dry, it was time to tackle the rest of the card.

The pebble-style background made me think of river rocks, so I wanted to play with a water/beach/ocean theme. I'm still in love with one of my latest ocean-themed cards, so I reached for the By the Tide stamp set. For the focal panel I used a square of Sahara Sand card stock stamped twice: first with the text image in Sahara Sand ink (stamped multiple times to cover the whole piece) and second with the coral image in Basic Gray ink. To add some texture, I pierced a border around the square. Then I mounted it on a piece of Basic Gray card stock and tied a piece of Island Indigo ribbon around the panel.

For the panel along the left side of the card I used a piece of patterned paper that looked like weathered wood. I love the detail of the wood grain and the perceived texture it adds to the card. I used Dimensionals to adhere the square panel over the patterned paper and then added a stamped and hand-cut Island Indigo fish as the accent in the upper left corner. I adhered the whole card front on a Basic Gray card base and, as a final embellishment, placed an Island Indigo Candy Dot in the upper right corner to add one more touch of color.

I enjoyed this new technique and playing along with the Fab Friday challenge, so I hope to do both again soon. Thanks for stopping by!