Because - I love you!

Welcome to blog!  I'm both excited and nervous about starting my new blog!  So please forgive any glitches you might find, but also let me know so I can figure out how to correct them!    My Instagram friend, Ashlyn D'Aoust and I have challenged and encouraged to start blogs in this new year!  Be sure to check Ashlyn's site at Ashlyn's Artsy Side.

Today I thought I'd share this card that is perfect for upcoming Valentine's Day, but is also perfect for any time you'd like to let that special person just how much you care.

I started off with a piece of Canson watercolor paper.  I pretreated the paper with my antistatic pad that I've had forever.  I would recommend  that you always use this step when you plan on embossing.  It's good to prevent your embossing powder from being where you really don't want it!  I stamped this paper with the beautiful background Ornate stamp from Simon Says Stamp, using Versamark Ink.  I used my white embossing powder from Ranger, heating until  the entire image was melted.  After the image was cooled it was ready for color!  I chose Zig Clean Color Brush Markers for their bright, vibrant colors.  Following the design, i put my chosen color in each image with just a narrow line right against the embossing line then added water from my water brush.   The embossing acts as a little wall to keep the water and color where you want it.   The watercolor paper and water did the rest of the work!  It let the color bleed into the rest of each image.  It's best to focus on one image at a time, then move to one not directly next to that one.  That will allow the paper to absorb the water so the colors don't bleed into each other.  I had a blast with this and found it to be really relaxing.  I had several backgrounds embossed, then just set down and painted while i was watching TV.

I used the heart die from the Concord and 9th se,t You Make Me Smile, to cut out the heart.  I played around until I thought I had the cutest part of my background!    Then I used the because die from My Favorite Things set, Because You, to cut out my greeting from black card stock.  I inked up the die cut "because" with Versamark Ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder from Wow.  I embossed this 3 different times, letting it cool a few seconds between each inking.  This gave the greeting a slightly raised, very smooth and shiny finish.  It's beautiful!  I glued it to the heart using Ranger Multi Medium Matte.  This glue is strong and I use it to attach embellishments so they'll stand up to the mail.  I then attached the heart to my top folding card base.  I use Neenah #110 Solar White Card Stock.  I changed to this card stock for my bases last year and i feel it makes such a huge difference.  I used foam tape to give the heart some dimension to the card, then finished it off by stamping I love you from the same MFT set.

I like to do a couple of things before I consider this project totally done!  I always add a little touch of stamping on the inside of the card (especially if the inside doesn't have a sentiment).  Here I added just a little border from a set I've had a long time.  Then I decorated the envelope with the same border.  Then that card is done!  I put it in protective, clear envelope and add it to my stash!  It's ready to send to a friend or sell on my Etsy shop!

Thanks!   Be sure to comment and let me know how this post is!