National Suicide Prevention Week
Real Conversations
Good day, fellow crafters. National Suicide Prevention Week is an important occasion that brings attention to a topic that affects countless lives around the globe. At Forget-Me-Not Card Company, we believe that fostering connections and spreading positivity is at the heart of what we do, and addressing such critical issues aligns with our mission. All this week we are joining with other crafters and cardmakers to create works that will serve to remind the recipient that they are not forgotten or alone. Please feel free to hop along with us on IG using my post as a starter or by finding our works using any of the following hashtags: #stopsuicide #realconvo #realtalk #suicideprevention #itsokaynottobeokay #mentalhealthmatters #selfcare #youarenotalone
You can also find more information at https://afsp.org/. I hope you enjoy my submission.
The first step to creating this card was the background panel. For this task, I selected white Hammermill paper, VersaFine Clair ink in the shade known as Morning Mist, and the Picket Fence Studios stamp set titled A Hummingbird's Song, as displayed on the left. Placing the paper into my Misti stamping tool, I inked up both the stamp and the sentiment, which also belonged to the same set, and proceeded to stamp them onto the paper. Typically, I repeat this process twice, ensuring consistent pressure with each stamp to achieve a clean transfer.
Moving on to the next phase, it was time to infuse some color into the design. If you've been following my work, you may have already guessed that I employed the smooshed ink method for watercoloring the image. This technique allows for a watercolor-like effect without the use of traditional watercolor pigments. To execute it, I used colors from my collection of Distress Oxides, but it's compatible with other ink brands as well. To begin, I opened the ink pad, turned it over, and gently pressed a small amount of ink onto my work surface, preferably a glass mat for easy cleanup afterward. Next, I lightly misted the ink with water and, using either a water brush pen or a regular watercolor brush, picked up the pigment and applied it to the image. Once the coloring was complete, I set it aside to dry.
The subsequent stage involved assembling the card. However, I wanted this card to convey a motivational and uplifting message, so I opted for a unique shaped card that would capture the recipient's attention with a "Wow, that's different!" factor. To achieve this, I utilized my hexagon nested dies from Honey Bee. I began with the largest die in the set to create the pink card base. Carefully aligning it slightly beyond the fold to avoid cutting it. Once I confirmed the ideal size, I used two smaller sizes to cut a lovely purple mat and the background panel. These components were securely adhered together using double-sided tape, and with that, the card was complete.
