Welcome, crafty friends! Today, I am thrilled to share with you a delightful underwater card featuring the adorable Gnomes Under the Sea Stamp Set from Trinity Stamps. This charming set brings a touch of whimsy and magic to any project, and I couldn’t resist diving in to create an enchanting scene that will make you want to just keep swimming!
Just Keep Swimming:
Discovering the Gnomes Under the Sea Stamp Set
When I first laid eyes on the Gnomes Under the Sea Stamp Set, I was instantly captivated by the playful gnomes and their underwater friends. The set includes a variety of images that are perfect for creating a lively ocean scene, from gnomes in snorkels to cute fish and mermaids. It's a versatile set that offers endless creative possibilities.
Bringing the Images to Life
One of the joys of card making is seeing stamped images come to life with color. For this project, I started by stamping the images onto a piece of Bristol Smooth Cardstock using Versafine Onyx Black Ink. This ink is perfect for detailed images and works wonderfully with water-based markers.
Once the ink dried, I reached for my Tombow Dual Brush Markers. These markers are fantastic for blending and adding vibrant colors to your stamped images. To achieve seamless blending, I used the Tombow Colorless Blender, which helps to soften the edges and create a smooth transition between colors. Coloring these gnomes and sea creatures was such a therapeutic process – almost like taking a mini vacation under the sea!
Creating the Background
With my images all colored and cut out using the Gnomes Under the Sea Dies, it was time to create a fitting background for my underwater scene. I started with a piece of Bristol Smooth Cardstock, cut to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". Using a Dome Foam Blending Tool, I blended Tumbled Glass and Salty Ocean Distress Inks to create a gradient effect, mimicking the look of the ocean.
To add a touch of sandy seabed, I blended Memento Toffee Crunch Ink in the center of the panel. This combination of inks perfectly captures the serene and vibrant atmosphere of an underwater world.
Adding Dimension with a Window Panel
For an extra layer of interest, I decided to incorporate a window panel. Using a piece of Canson XL Watercolor Paper cut to the same size as my background, I die-cut a circle window from the center using the largest of the Stitched Mini Scallop Circle STAX Die-namics from My Favorite Things. This window creates a fun focal point and allows the background to peek through.
I did some more ink blending on the watercolor panel, adding Toffee Crunch Ink at the bottom and blending Tumbled Glass and Salty Ocean Distress Inks at the top. This added depth and dimension to my scene.
Adding Details and Assembly
Now came the fun part – adding the finishing touches to bring the scene together. Using my MISTI, I stamped small solid fish images and bubbles in the background with Salty Ocean multiple times to achieve the desired intensity. For the underwater sand, I used Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, stamping it multiple times to create a darker shade.
Once the background stamping was complete, I replaced the watercolor panel in the MISTI and stamped the greeting at the bottom with Versafine Onyx Black Ink. Stamping the sentiment twice ensured a clean and crisp image.
Pro Tip: Layering for Depth
To create a more dynamic scene, I attached the ink-blended Bristol Smooth panel to my top-folding A2 card base first. Then, I layered the Canson XL Watercolor Paper panel on top, aligning the window perfectly.
Next, I arranged my stamped, colored, and die-cut images around the die-cut circle window. Using a mix of 1mm, 2mm, and 3mm Foam Adhesive Squares, I adhered the two fish, mermaid gnome, and the swimming gnome to add dimension and interest. The varying foam adhesive thicknesses create a layered look that makes the scene pop.
Finishing Touches
To complete the card, I added white gel pen highlights to my stamped and colored images. This simple step adds a touch of sparkle and brings your images to life. My favorite white gel pen never lets me down when it comes to adding those final, eye-catching details.
I hope you enjoyed this underwater adventure as much as I did! The Gnomes Under the Sea Stamp Set from Trinity Stamps is a delightful addition to any card maker’s collection. Whether you're creating whimsical cards or exploring new techniques, this set offers endless possibilities for fun and creativity.
Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.
Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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