Mixed Media Birthday Card by Sara Cook

Hello! I am trying something outside the box this week:) I have been doing more and more mixed media projects and the new Gear 3D embossing folder got me inspired to mixed style steampunk with under the sea theme . Hope this inspires you to rethink the different style in your collection to create something unique.

Water Background:

I used a wet on wet watercolor technique on Memory Box watercolor paper with the blues, greens and gold from Kuretake. I used a medium size brush and randomly added each color to the paper and then used a larger flat wide brush and made a wave motion to blend the colors together.

Gear layer:

Use the gold from the Polished foil paper and embossed with the 3D Gear folder. I then lightly sanded the top of the paper to remove some of the foil. I then painted using the new Lunar Paste from Simon Hurley. I used all the new colors and randomly added them. I cut out around the gears so the water background will be seen.

Fish:

I die cut the School of Fish out of watercolor paper and painted different colors with the Lunar Paint. I die cut the Graceful Jellyfish base and the top with dots out of blue and pink paper. The top with the top I embossed with Speckled Egg and Kitsch Flamino glazing. I then die cut the other top out of acetate. I painted one with Bee Sting and the other with Clear Skies out of Lunar Paste. I adhere the painted acetate to the jellyfish body with foam and the embossed top with tape.

Rope:

I die cut the the looped die from the End of My Rope die set from watercolor paper 4 times. Colored with Distressed Oxide Vintage Photo then Walnut Stain. I put the die back over the cut and then colored with Antique Linen.

Sentiment:

I embossed the Birthday from Bid and Little Reverse Word stamp set with Speckled Egg Glaze. I stamped Fishes from the Oceanside Typewriter stamp set and stamped with Versafine Clair Paradise ink on white card stock and cut to size. I used the matching sentiments and then distressed the edges with the side of scissors.

Assembly:

I created a card out of dark brown card stock that measured 4 3/4" x 6". I adhered the water layer in the center. Then adhere the Gear 3D layer making sure the water can be seen. then I added the rope around the gears on the outside. Then I added the jellyfish with foam tape as the focal point. then added the sentiments Birthday with foam tape and Fishes with just tape. Then added a few fish around the scene.