"I'd Be LOST Without You" Mixed Media Card

"I'd Be LOST Without You"

The idea for this card began because of an old rubber stamp I found when I was preparing for the Craft Hoarders project and blog hop.  It was an old Amuse stamp that said "I'd be LOST without you".  That got me thinking about summer trips, maps, compasses, riding the subway in NYC, as well as just being in love with someone and being lost without them.  

So, Summer has started.  Trips are being planned. Maps are being looked over. Compasses are being cleaned and packed.  Which way do we want to go? North, South, East, or West?  

Well, no matter the direction, 

"I'd be LOST without you."  

How cute would this card be hidden in a piece of luggage or on a map for the other person to see when it is just opened?

Step by Step:

Step 1 - Lay the Squared Off stencil on a piece of 4" x 5.25" watercolor paper and apply molding paste with a palette knife. I am using a Brasilian brand but use whatever brand is your favorite.  Allow to dry or heat set.

I chose to use this stencil because it looks like a street or subway map and goes perfect with the whole theme of this card.

Step 2 - Place the paper on a craft mat and lightly spray the paper with water.  Then, using a mix of the Ranger Distress Re-inkers and Stains, apply a drop, or a dab, here and there, to the wet paper.  If the colors are not blending as much as you would like, add another spray or two.  Pick up the paper and allow the colors to blend by tilting back and forth or use a makeup sponge to dab the colors out.  Heat set and remove any excess while it is drying with a paper towel. I am using blues, yellows, and greens for a summer feel to the piece.

Step 3: Adhere the Compass Stencil with removable tape (optional), or hold it well with your fingers, and apply the Permanent Red Pan Pastel (or another color if you wish) with a stencil brush (I used a rounded one).  

Step 4: Working with the Font stencil (by Carolyn Dube from the May 2014 StencilGirl Club Kit), CAREFULLY apply more Permanent Red Pan Pastel for the N, S, E, and W points on the compass. I say "carefully" because the Pan Pastels have yet to be sealed and you do not want the compass image to smudge.

This is what you will end up with!

Step 5:  Now to seal.  I followed Carolyn Dube's video and sealed the piece with gel medium and a Gelli plate.  (I only used the corner of my Gelli plate because I only own the very large one).  Use a dab of gel medium on the plate and use a brayer to spread it out.  Then lay your on the gel medium, burnish with your fingers, and carefully remove.  You will have a slight sheen on the piece and once the gel medium dries, it will be sealed.  

Now, if you do not have a Gelli Plate, you will need to use a spray fixative or the pan pastels will smear.

Step 6 - Layer the card.  I trimmed about 1/16th of an inch off each side and adhered to the light green cardstock, which I then adhered to the card front.  

For the inside, I printed the phrase on cardstock and then trimmed and adhered to the inside of the card.

Hope you guys enjoyed this card idea. Whatever your plans are for the summer, I hope you all have a great time!

And please stop by my personal blog HERE to see a cool 4th of July card I made with, of course, StencilGirl Stencils.

Hugs!! ~Michael

Supplies Used:

• Squared Off 6" Stencil (S035), by Mary Beth Shaw for StencilGirl Products
• Compass Stencil (M041) by Mary C. Nasser for StencilGirl Products
• Font by Carolyn Dube from the April 2014 Club Kit for StencilGirl Products

Card Paper Sizes:

• Card base in Blue - 4 1/4" x 11", folded in half.
• Second layer in light green - 4" x 5 1/4"

Other supplies:

• Ranger Distress Re-inkers in Salty Ocean, Shabby Shutters, Squeezed Lemonade
• Ranger Distress Stains in Broken China, Peeled Paint, Picket Fence
• Permanent Red Pan Pastel
• Rounded stencil brush
• Gelli Plate
• Brayer
• Gel Medium
• 4" x 5" piece of watercolor paper
• Molding Paste
• Palette Knife
• Craft Mat
• Spray bottle with water
• Heat Gun (Optional)
• Removable Tape (optional)