Cupcake Inspirations Challenge Blog
Challenge #572 - Red, White and Blue
Good day, fellow crafters. Today I am participating in the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge blog’s Red, White, and Blue color challenge. It couldn't be more perfect timing, considering that Independence Day is just around the corner here in the United States. As the Independence Day celebration approaches, I am eagerly embracing this opportunity to showcase my creative flair and honor the colors that symbolize the spirit of freedom and unity. If you want to participate too, the information is in the link under their logo above. These challenges are a lot of fun and I highly encourage everyone to give it a try. I hope you enjoy it.
When you mention the color combination of Red, White, and Blue to most Americans, their minds naturally drift towards summer, the 4th of July, and the iconic sight of the American flag proudly fluttering in the wind. However, as an artist, I sought to break away from the obvious choices and refrain from creating a predictable patriotic or holiday-themed card. Instead, I wanted to dive deeper into the inspiration prompt and push myself to develop innovative ideas that went beyond just a specific occasion. My aim was to create a card that not only embodies the theme but also possesses versatility to be used at any point throughout the year. I am delighted to share that I have found an exceptional solution to this challenge, one that I am confident will leave a lasting impression.
To create this card I first began with the Simon Says Stamp Clouds for Days stencil, white cardstock, and Ranger’s Distress Oxide in the colors Unchartered Mariner, Broken China, and Prize Ribbon. With the Distress Oxide’s and a blending brush I worked around the cardstock using the stencil to blend in the varying hues of blue I needed for my sky. I started with the lighter colors in the top right of the card which visually becomes the direction of the horizon and worked my way to the left side of the card with the darker colors which then became the foreground and pulls the eye diagonally from right to left. I then set the background aside to dry to move to the focal image of the card. Once that had occurred I trimmed the background to its final dimensions as well as a corresponding red mat then adhered them both to a pre-cut A2 white card base.
The focal image of this card was created using the Simon Says Stamp Layered Bird (S854) die set. I love these layered dies because they give you registration marks on where the pieces need to go to assemble the image correctly. I began by taking some white card stock and ink blending with Altenew Crisp Inks in the colors of Velvet and Burnt Red, then some Gina K Cherry red to create the red of the cardstock I wanted for the tail and wings of the bird. I then used the dies to cut them out and set them aside. I next took some white cardstock and cut out the body of the bird. I used the Cherry Red ink again to get the deeper shade I wanted and ink blended the head just like in the die set’s reference image. Once that was done I assembled the bird per the reference marks and adhered all the pieces together. To add a touch of realism, I delicately utilized a micro-fine point black pen to color the eye and highlight the varying depths in the wings and tail. This subtle detailing gave the bird an authentic appearance. Once that was completed I used a white gel pen to give a little dot to the eye of the bird and a small amount of Taylored Expressions Happy Medium Red Glitter on the wings and tail to give it some shine.
With the bird complete I chose to mount the bird onto the background using pop dots, elevating it slightly and lending a three-dimensional effect. But I didn't stop there—I aimed for even greater realism. Carefully, I delicately curled the wings, meticulously shaping them to mimic the graceful motion of a bird in flight. This added detail truly brought the bird to life, evoking a sense of motion and vitality.
The last step was then to use a sentiment from the Gina K Never Lose Hope Stamp set. I first stamped the sentiment onto the background with clear embossing ink and then white embossing powder which I heat set.
The process of creating this exceptional card for the Cupcake Inspirations Challenge blog's Red, White, and Blue color challenge has been a delightful and rewarding artistic endeavor. I highly encourage you to get to crafting and enter for yourself. Remember Crafting is Happiness!
