Hi there, fellow card makers! Today, I’m thrilled to share a delightful birthday card project featuring some fabulous products from The Rabbit Hole Designs. This card combines the beautiful Mindful Magnolia Stamp Set with the adorable Fall Foxes Stamp Set, resulting in a unique and heartfelt design that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Happy Birthday Fox & Magnolia Card:
Why I Love These Stamps
When I first got my hands on the Mindful Magnolias and Fall Foxes stamp sets, I knew they were a match made in heaven. The detailed magnolia branch and the cozy fox nestled in leaves immediately sparked my creativity. These sets are perfect for watercolor techniques, which is one of my favorite ways to bring stamped images to life.
Creating the Perfect Stamped Images
I started by stamping the large magnolia branch and the sweet fox onto Bristol Smooth Cardstock using Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink. This ink is fantastic for watercoloring because it doesn’t bleed. I remember the first time I tried watercoloring with a different ink and ended up with a smudged mess—lesson learned!
Watercoloring with Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens
Watercoloring can seem daunting, but with the right tools, it’s a breeze. I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Pens and my trusty Princeton Round Sable Brushes (sizes 2, 4, and 5). These brushes hold just the right amount of water, making blending smooth and easy. A little tip: work in sections and let each part dry before moving on to avoid colors bleeding into each other.
Die-Cutting for Precision
After the watercoloring was completely dry, I used the matching dies to cut out the images. There’s something so satisfying about the crisp edges you get from die-cutting. I’ve found that investing in a good die-cutting machine and quality dies can really elevate your card-making game.
Creating a Soft, Blended Background
While my watercolor pieces were drying, I turned my attention to the background. I cut a large oval from masking paper using my Nesting Oval Dies from Waffle Flower and placed the negative die cut over my card front. Using Cotton Tail Blending Brushes and my Waterfall and Turquoise Ink Pads from Pink Fresh Studios, I created a soft gradient background. This technique adds depth and interest without overwhelming the main images.
Adding the Sentiment
Once the background was ready, I positioned my card front panel into my MISTI and arranged the die cuts to figure out the best placement for my sentiment. I stamped “Happy Birthday” from the Mindful Magnolias Stamp Set with Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink. The MISTI is a lifesaver for precise stamping, especially when you don’t want to risk smudging your beautifully blended background.
Assembling the Card
With the sentiment in place, it was time to assemble the card. I adhered the card front to an A2 size card base cut from Neenah Solar White Ultra Thick Cardstock. This sturdy cardstock is my go-to for card bases because it holds up well to layers and embellishments. I used liquid glue for the fox and foam tape for the magnolia branch to add dimension.
Finishing Touches
To give the card a polished look, I added white gel pen highlights to the colored images and a few Clear Sparkle Enamel Dots from The Rabbit Hole Designs. These little details can make a big difference, adding that extra bit of sparkle and interest.
Pro Tips for Card Makers
Use quality brushes and paper: This makes a world of difference in your watercoloring results.
Work in layers: Allow each layer to dry before adding more color to avoid unwanted blending.
Invest in a good stamping tool: The MISTI ensures perfect placement every time, reducing the risk of errors.
I hope this card project inspires you to combine different stamp sets and explore watercolor techniques. The combination of the Mindful Magnolias and Fall Foxes from The Rabbit Hole Designs offers endless possibilities for creativity. Don’t forget to share your creations—I’d love to see what you come up with!
Happy crafting, and until next time, keep creating beautiful cards!
(Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible).
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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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