Friday, April 15, 2011

happy graduation



I have been having so much fun with my Lawn Fawn stamps.  I love the style and they are so fun to create with.  I created this card a couple weeks ago using a few different sets.  I started by creating some masks using Eclipse Masking Tape.  (You can see my tutorial on masking here.)  I stamped the little graduation cap from the Hats Off to You stamp set with Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Copic X-Press It cardstock.  Then, I masked the cap and stamped the owl from Critters in the Forest.  I masked the owl and stamped the log (also from Critters in the Forest).  I masked the log and added a few cloud masks (cut with the MFT cloud dies).  Then, I used my air compressor and a blue copic marker to spray the sky.  (I removed the masks and lightly sprayed the clouds so they aren't too bright.)  Once I removed all my masks, I colored my image with these copic markers: R29, R89, E53, E55, E57, E59, C1, C2, C3, YG67, B34, B37, B39, E31, E33, E35, E37.



I stamped the polaroid image from the Say Cheese stamp set on white cardstock and cut it out.  I used a square punch to punch the middle where I wanted to cut the image.  This made it easy to cut the rest of the frame.



I stamped a banner from the Bannerific stamp set on a piece of patterned paper (from October Afternoon's Campfire line) with tuxedo black ink.  Then, I colored it with some copic markers (YR20, YR21, YR23, YR24).  I didn't worry about being too careful and staying in the lines because I knew I would be cutting the banner out.  One of the things I love about photopolymer stamps is that you can shape them to meet your needs.  I shaped the sentiment (from Hats Off to You) that I wanted to use so that the letters fit perfectly in the banner.  Then, I cut out the banner.  I also stamped the two little birds from Bannerific on copic x-press it cardstock, colored them with red copic markers, and cut them out.

I used some patterned papers from October Afternoon's Campfire line and some text print paper from Making Memories.  I distressed all the edges with antique linen and walnut stain distress inks and a foam applicator.  Then, I stitched my layers and added a few buttons.  I adhered my stamped images with foam adhesive and my papers to my card base with memory glue dots and my atg adhesive.

We're having my daughter's 5th birthday party this weekend.  Where does the time go?!  I can't believe she is already 5!  I am off to bake her cake and make her a birthday card.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Niki

















22 comments:

Nicola said...

Simply stunning Niki,love all your masking to create this gem of a graduation card... the wise owl is perfect for this occasion and your papers and stitched detail are gorgeous.
Hugs,

Diane Jaquay said...

Aren't Lawn Fawn stamps just the cutest?! Love this adorable card, Niki, and congratulations on your winning card in the create a stamped background challenge!

Mendi Yoshikawa said...

This turned out adorable. Love how the colors pop and how you effortlessly combined the elements from so many stamp sets to create one fantastic card! :)

amy johnson said...

How adorable! I love the banner sentiment and the big blue buttons.

Lynnette said...

Awesome grad card! Love what you're doing with Lawn Fawn stamps. Congrats on the Lawnscaping win, your card rocked! Hope you'll play again

~amy~ said...

cuter than CUTE!

Kim OConnell said...

Good LORD! All that masking was a whole lot o' work, but the final project is seamless and FANTASTIC!

Rachel (Gingerbread Gal) said...

WOW! I LOOOOOOVE this card! It's so cute and your coloring is just amazing! Perfection!

karen q said...

You did a fabulous job with all the masking and the sky looks so, so good. It is such a fun card. Happy Birthday to your little one. Have a wonderful weekend.

pops x said...

Hey sweetie, this is just gorgeous, love the colours that you have used, FAB big hugs pops x x x

Laurel Beard said...

LOVE your masking. LOVE this card. WOULD LOVE TO SEE A VIDEO TUTORIAL ON THIS BABY! LOL! Seriously, this is absolutely FABULOUS!

Ruth S said...

Adorable card Niki! I love all your masking to combine so many different stamps into this scene ;)
So cute! TFS, hugs, Ruth S

velta said...

First and most important...Happy B'day to your daughter...what a wonderful event to celebrate...now...your card is just precious! Your coloring is perfect and I love the design! TFS :)

Libby said...

This is soooo adorable - love every single detail!

Julie S said...

This is absolutely adorable!!

Gabrielle said...

Love this card and I lurve me some Lawn Fawn! Happy birthday to your daughter!

Christiana said...

Oh gosh, what a cute card! I just love the vibrancy of the colors you used. They look so great together. Happy 5th birthday to your daughter! Have fun celebrating!

Donna B said...

Love it. Thanks for all the explanation and tips. It's just great!!

gscrapbooks said...

Gorgeous card, all the detail is amazing!

Beate said...

AWESOME card. LOVE how you combined the stamp sets. Now I need them all. LOVE your coloring, your layout and paper choices.
I love everything you create.
Hugs and smiles

Jen W. said...

Wow, that's a lot of masking! Worth the effort though because it's a gorgeous card! :)

Alice W. said...

aww... this is super duper cute! love the scene you created. i so NEED these stamps!! =)