Whimsy Stamps ~ Believe in the Magic

Hey crafty pals, I'm back with another creation inspired by the Online Card Classes I'm currently doing. This class was taught by Nathifa Sligh and I was really inspired by her use of Washi Tapes to create a fun and fabulous Holiday Card background. I have SO many Washi Tapes, it's getting a little ridiculous, so I'm definitely open to a technique that encourages the use of quite a number of tapes to create a background. I kept the palette quite simple, choosing washi tapes that had either black and white, red and white and a plain gold tape, so they would work together well and create interest, whilst still toning and pairing well. I love gingham and Scandinavian Christmas themed washi tapes, so had a few that worked together well. I have to say, it's busy, busier than I would normally create for a background, but I absolutely LOVE it. So I'm really pleased with the finished result.

The design Nathifa created, had the tapes running horizontally across the card, but I decided to change it up a little and go for a diagonal application. I will give the horizontal approach a try another time, but I'm pleased with how this one looks for my first try. I pulled out that wonderful 'Believe' word die again from Whimsy Stamps and diecut the shadow from a creamy watercolour paper, as the washi tape looked a creamy off white rather than white, so I went for a toning cardstock colour for the shadow. I then pulled out my Tonic Studios Scarlet Organza cardstock. Gosh this really is the prettiest red cardstock, such a beautiful satin sheen to it. 

I then found a little companion sentiment to go with the 'Believe' from a Crissy Armstrong stamp set from Whimsy. This has cute gnomes decorating for Christmas and that little sentiment finished my card just perfectly. I cut the strip with my small trimmer and then cut the inside angle to mimic the washi tape strips for a fun finish. I stamped the sentiment in both red and black, but as I was using watercolour paper, the red bled a bit and didn't look as nice a finish, so I used the black version, which was stamped with my Versafine ink which gave a much crisper finish. To complete the card, I added some gold sequins to work with the gold washi tape I'd used, in three different sizes and placed them using reflected symmetry again, which I learnt from Cathy Zielske. A simple but lovely finish I think. The washi tape panel, I popped up on a sheet of foam, to add dimension and interest to the card and created a top folding card base from heavier weight watercolour paper, so it toned with the shadow of the word die and added the washi tape panel on top, leaving a small border showing, to frame the design. Another tip I learnt from Cathy Zielske.

The classes today were wonderful, there was a class using a Gelly Plate and another that created a stamping palette using watercolour paper and reinkers. Very clever and so inspiring. As I'm not much of a messy crafter, I need to get my head around those adventures for a bit before trying. I think I'll rewatch the classes and have a go tomorrow. I was just so inspired to try this washi tape card and love the effect so much, I think I'll have to create a few more. Be sure to check out Online Card Classes, if you think you might be interested in doing some Holiday Card crafting too. Sending you all a big hug and wishing you happy crafty days xoxo

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