Make a wish: Among the stars

I’m always on the lookout for interesting new digi stamps. I think I’d come across The East Wind some time ago, but that was before I started colouring people as well as critters and flowers, and I passed by thinking “pretty, but not my style”. Since then I have not only expanded the type of images I use, but also started taking part in more challenges, so when I saw a Facebook post saying that their new freebie was out with the August newsletter I signed up straight away. Then I discovered that they also run regular challenges and I just had to join in.

How:

I started by printing the image on some Neenah solar white, then, using my baby lightbox, I traced it onto masking film and fussy cut it out. With the mask in place, I set about creating a Distress ink galaxy background by putting down a layer of blue, yellow and red and covering it with black, leaving some of the colour peeping through.

I had originally thought to try lifting some of the colour through a stencil to create white stars, but while that would work on watercolour paper, it just destroys Neenah… So I quickly changed tack and grabbed some shiny platinum Inka Gold instead.

That finished off the background, so I could now concentrate on the Copic colouring. I tried some new combinations for the hair and skin and I’m really pleased with how they turned out. I stuck to the tried and tested warm greys for the dress and added some Wink of Stella over the top, though, rather than laying down a solid layer, I flicked it in from the edges, adding a bit of extra texture.

Because the mask hadn’t been perfectly cut/aligned in a couple of places, I went over the outline with a Tombow marker.

The final touch was to add a heat-embossed sentiment, which I outlined with an ultra-fine Sharpie to make it stand out from the stars. I mounted the finished panel on some sand pearl card, which matches her hair colouring.

I hadn’t planned on adding any embellishments, but when I came to photograph the card I found I just couldn’t ignore the damaged spot where I’d attempted the colour lifting, even though it was well covered with Inka Gold. Sequins to the rescue!

Challenges:

The East Wind – Challenge #60 Outta This World

Supplies:

• stamps:
  Mama Elephant – make a wish
• digital stamps:
  The East Wind – Aurora ‘Marilyn’
• stencils:
  Dutch Doobadoo – A5 stars
• embossing powder:
  Ranger – liquid platinum
• pens:
  Sharpie ultra fine point
  Tombow – dual marker – tuxedo black
• Distress ink pads:
  abandoned coral, mermaid lagoon, wild honey, black soot
• Copic markers:
  skin – E0000, E000, E00, E11, BV00
  lips – E95
  eyes – B02, B04, B06
  hair – W3, E42, E81, YR30, E40
  jewellery – B02, B04
  dress – W00, W1, W3, W5
• shininess:
  Inka Gold – platinum
  Wink of Stella – clear
  Pretty Pink Posh sequins – sparkling clear mix
• paper and card:
  Neenah solar white 216gsm
  Craftwork Cards – pearl – sand
• miscellaneous:
  Thermoweb – masking magic