Hi everyone! Today’s project in my four-day blog-posting spree is another card promoting the Cape Cod Resilience Fund. Each day this week I am posting projects made from a set of exclusive stamps made to generate interest in Cape Cod and the small businesses that make it a thriving vacation area.
My crafty and artistic friend, Jenn Shurkus, sent these stamps to me and in exchange asked if I would create cards/projects to demonstrate how they could be used. Jenn’s stamp set features some of the things that come to mind when one thinks of Cape Cod, where she lives (lobsters, Adirondack chairs, sand, etc.). But they aren’t exclusive to Cape Cod, most of them would also send your mind to any beach destination or even to a backyard party with a beach theme.
Today’s card is very simple but it was fun to create. A while back I purchased the AlteNew window sphere die. I bought it for a specific purpose but didn’t ever actually use it. So, when I saw the canal cruiser on Jenn’s stamp set I knew I was finally going to get to put the sphere window to use. To me, it evokes a bright sunny view through a ship’s window.
I could have used plain blue paper but decided to start with some white cardstock and blend various colors of blue Distress Oxide Ink to create a more varied color as the card’s background. I used a combination of tumbled glass, peacock feathers, salty ocean, chipped sapphire, and blueprint sketch. Lots of people question whether one should use sponges or blender brushes. I have used both and I think it depends on how big of an area you are going to work on. I have a set of Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes and love them because they come in a rainbow of colors, they blend ink really well, and they are SO soft!
Once I was happy with the coloring I had achieved on the cardstock, I cut the window using my Big Shot and then glued it to a yellow card base from Hobby Lobby. Let me be honest, I HATE trying to glue small strips of paper because I can’t ever seem to keep the glue from smearing everywhere. A while back I bought some Elmer’s Craft Bond spray and gave it a try and it really solves that problem. The glue is acid free so if you plan to keep your project around it won’t affect the quality of your heirloom. One problem with the glue is that it’s a spray so it does hit EVERYTHING in its path and it’s pretty sticky. So, I usually walk out my front door, hold the paper out, and then spritz it with the glue. While I’m at it i turn the can upside down and spray until no product is coming from the nozzle. That way the can won’t be clogged the next time I use it. The glue is very light but really tacky so once you have it in place it isn’t going to move.
To create the ship, I stamped the image on Neenah Solar White cardstock using a tuxedo black Memento ink pad. After coloring the ship in with Copic YR02, G02, and C1, I fussy cut the image then topped it with Glossy Accents to give it some shiny dimension. (I purchase a lot of my Copic markers from Ellen Hutson because she almost always has them on sale. And, if you are a regular customer of hers she sends monthly discount codes for an additional reduction in price. But, if you are in the market for some Copic markers and don’t care if they are Ciao style, Michael’s has a lot on clearance for 97¢ right now – better hurry because at that price they won’t last long. Both the Sketch and Ciao markers work the same and are refillable. The Ciao holds about half the amount of ink as the Sketch so you might find yourself filling them up more often, but for 97¢, that was an inconvenience I was willing to accept.)
The sentiment, Welcome to Cape Cod, is part of Jenn’s set and the “Make a Splash, Splash, Splash” sentiment came from a goodie bag I received the that I received when I participated in Sandy Allnock‘s fundraiser for the World Central Kitchen (Sunny Studios Best Fishes stamp set).
I used a set of BloPens to create the yellow background on the Make a Splash sentiment. When my kids were young we bought a set of BloPens and they were still usable long after their interest in them subsided. I eventually moved the pens to my craft stash and have been using them ever since. The ink began to run low last year so I ordered another set from the U.K. I looked the link up today and noticed that the shipping is CRAZY now but if you should want to try them out I will attach a link below. Of course, if you have an airbrush system for your Copics that would probably work wonders as well.
I did add a few enamel dots to finish the look and I love how the card turned out!
A little bit more information about the Cape Cod Resilience Fund
The Cape Cod Resilience Fund was created to immediately help small businesses on Cape Cod who are experiencing difficulties due to Covid-19 and is expected to be a lasting fund that will continue to help small businesses of that area for the long haul.
Remember, YOU can help this fund by purchasing one of Jenn’s exclusive Cape Cod stamp sets. For each set sold between June 15 and July 1, $10 will be donated to the CCRF. Another way you can help is to share this blog post with your creative friends and help spread the word. More details can be found on Jenn’s site.
Tomorrow, I look forward to sharing a cute set of cards that were all made with the same general design but each one has a completely different vibe. If you would like to see other cards that have been made using Jenn’s Cape Cod stamp set you can search #shurkusstamps on Instagram or @LoveLiveLocal on Facebook.
I have attached links where you can buy some of the products used in today’s project. I am not an affiliate with any of the links and do not get any financial benefit if you click. However, I wanted to make it easy for you to purchase any times that you might have gotten inspiration for on my post. Thanks for stopping by today!
Products used:
- Cape Cod Stamp Set – $10 proceeds go to Cape Cod Resilience Fund
- Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb cardstock – 25 sheets
- Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb cardstock – 250 sheet ream
- AlteNew Window Sphere Die – AlteNew website
- AlteNew Window Sphere Die – EllenHutson website
- Ranger Distress Oxide Ink
- Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes
- Sizzix Big Shot
- Elmer’s Craft Bond Spray Adhesive
- Copic Sketch Markers
- Sunny Studios Best Fishes stamp set
- Memento tuxedo black ink pad
- Jakks Pacific Blo Pen Set
- Enamel dots
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