We Were Mermaid for Each Other

While this is an older Lawn Fawn set, it's brand new to me and what better time to break out an adorable mermaid couple than when we are all stuck together and maybe not feeling so loving towards those we are stuck with?  I dearly love my family, but things are starting to feel a bit. . . crowded.  I just keep telling myself this too shall pass :) 

What I used to Make my Card:
Navy Blue Card Base
Lawn Fawn Mermaid for You stamps, #LF1167
Lawn Fawn Mermaid for You dies, #LF1168
Pre-made Distress Oxides Ink Background {I always have a bunch of these around}
Various Hero Arts Inks
Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers

Light Blue Card
Sakura Gelly Roll Silver Pen, Stardust
Scrap White Card

I had already made the background of the card; I find it very helpful to have a bunch of these backgrounds in various colors ready to make into a card at any time.  I find it very relaxing to play with the Distress Oxides.  I love the fact that you really can do no wrong with them.  If you don't like the way the colors blended or thought it would look different, you can always add more Oxides to the watercolor paper or use any number of shimmer sprays to liven it up.  I also keep all the scraps from my backgrounds {at least the ones that are 1/4" or bigger.}  You'd be surprised at how many uses come up between stamping a sentiment or weaving bits together.

Since my background was done, I moved on to the elements of the card.  I stamped, colored, and cut all the pieces, some on watercolor paper and some on plain scrap white.  For the images I stamped on the white scrap that didn't need to be colored, I used various Hero Arts inks.  The Oxide Ink background was

Another Look

glued onto a navy blue card, another scrap of white was glued inside so the giver would be able to write inside the card, and then all of the pieces were glued onto the front of the card.  I am by no means a talented color-er but looking back at my earlier creations, say last year and the year before, I'm happy to say I've gotten better, at least with water coloring.  I look at my cards from way back and I just cringe, but I try to look at how I've grown rather than focus on how bad I was.  I'm talking cards so bad they will never see the light of this blog.  I've also lost my irrational fear of alcohol ink markers which is handy since I am watching videos and reading tutorials on how to use them {one of my on going goals.}  How are you doing with your crafty goals?  Do you go back to your older cards and marvel at your progress?  You should!  Maybe I should make a page {or start a challenge!} for "The Cards We Made Way Back Then!"  Hope you enjoyed my post and I hope you come back and visit me soon!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Make a Scene 
Little Patch of Crafty Friends, #130 - Anything Goes
Three Muses - Something Fishy
Through the Purple Haze, #166 - Anything Goes
Cardz TV, #112 - Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge Blog - A is for Anything Goes