Everyday Expressions

Hi Everyone! I am very excited to share this card with you today! I bought this Hero Arts Layered Koi stamp and die set a while ago, and haven’t had time to play with it until a few days ago. I decided that my sister’s birthday would be a perfect opportunity, and (after many layered koi experiments) this is what I created.

I am sorry to say that I was limited on time, and this is the only picture I quickly snapped with my phone before I sent it off to the mailbox.

Have you played with the new Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks? You must! You must! You must! Oh my! I adore these, and I just received the second set of 12 (which includes some of my favorite distress colors). The blues created the perfect look for a a sparkling afternoon koi pool.

I stamped the koi using Hero Arts butter bar, soft granite, and an orange ink from a My Monthly Hero kit. After stamping the second and third layers, I stamped the solid fish in Tsukineko galaxy gold Brilliance pigment ink for the gold fish, and Tsukineko Delicata white shimmer for the other. I wish you could see the beautiful shimmer this gave the koi. The Delicata ink also added a shimmer to the cute bubbles on the background.

I created the shaker using Little Things from Lucy coral island sequin mix layered with a stitched rectangle Lawn Fawn die frame and acetate panel. I added the lotus and leaves, and finally stamped and heat embossed the Simon Says Stamp birthday sentiment with Hero Arts silver embossing powder. The sentiment was die cut using Lawn Fawn everyday sentiment banners.

There you have it! What do you think? Do you practice and create several samples before settling on a favorite? I usually do, but I think the result is worth the extra effort.

Love and crafty hugs!

Erin

Please note: I am not compensated nor do I receive free products from any companies. I just like to share some of my favorite craft supplies in case you want to check them out.