Whimsy Stamps ~ Mixed Media Background for a Quick Card

Hey crafty friends, I'm back today with a creation I've made with the same stamp set that I shared previously for the Mixed Media Tags. This is such a cool stamp set for mixed media and I used different elements from it for this creation, just to try out some different textures. I also wanted to match the ink colours in the fabulous Whimsy Stamps Quick Card Front. It's such a fun design and I wanted to emulate it in the background I created. I love how it turned out! 

How sweet is that giraffe?! I really loved this image, it reminds me of my eldest's soft toy when they were small, it was their favourite, they took it everywhere. It was called Millie, because it's a Camelopard right?! Millie was pink and adorable and went everywhere my eldest did. So this image melts me! I diecut the cool Quick Card Front with a really funky frame from Whimsy. I discarded the outer frame, as I felt the image needed a 'breaker' that was plainer to allow the background and the Quick Card Front to harmonise with each other better. So I diecut the frame again from cardstock I ink blended with some toning inks. 

The next thing I did was ink smoosh a background with Distress Oxide Inks Iced Spruce, Weathered Wood and Pumice Stone to try and match the tones in the Quick Card Fronts. I absolutely love how this combination came together, I think it's such a great match for these Quick Card Fronts.

After the ink smooshing, I pulled out some Distress Vintage Photo and Tea Dye and using a domed foam ink tool added these colours around the edge of the panel. I came in first with the Tea Dye and then deepened the edges with the Vintage Photo. 

After inking the edges I added some stamping with the Mixed Media Bits Stamp Set from Whimsy. This set truly is awesome. To look at it, it's hard to visualise how to use this set, but pop your mixed media hat on, grab some inks and have a play, it's amazing and inspiring what comes of this! I used Weathered Wood to add the brick elements. I did this freehand without a stamp block, rolling it on and off for partial stamped effect. I double stamped accidentally in the top left, but the image panel covers this, so it was no issue. There are some really cool textures in this stamp set, I used one that has a hessian type crosshatch doing that handheld partial stamping randomly over the background. I then grabbed the one that has fun pixelated looking edges and added some detailing with that. I used Vintage Photo and Tea Dye for these.

I glued the background panel onto a Kraft card base after distressing the edges with a Tim Holtz Distress tool, if you don't have one of these, scissors work really well too! I glued down the frame layer I cut from the plain ink blended panel. I then added the Quick Card Front popped up on foam, but a low loft foam, so it will still post easily. Enough dimension for interest, but low enough for easy posting. I finished this sweet design with a sentiment taken from the same set as the gift tags I'd made and shared previously. This Panda Stamp Set has some really heartfelt sweet sentiments and they're a lovely size to fit into busier designs easily. 

Whimsy has had two fabulous releases during February, so if you've not checked them out, you can click through on the banners above straight to the store. So many fun stamps, stencils and the most delish pastel plaid paper pack! I'm hanging out to order some of these, I LOVE the ticket die sets, so fun! I'll be back again soon with another crafty adventure but I'm spending the weekend celebrating my gorgeous child who is turning 21 tomorrow! Time has gone so fast!! How do I have a 21 year old?! Hugs, Wends xoxo

(I share thumbnails to the elements I design with, in order to make your search for them easier, in case you like something I've used. I do use affiliate links where possible, and so appreciate if you use these when shopping. They cost you no extra whatsoever. I am proud to design for the companies I do and always feel happy to share where my inspiration and where my crafty stash comes from. I am occasionally gifted products to use, but I only design for companies whose products I absolutely love and buy for myself. My opinions are always my own.)

Challenge Entries: