I suppose there are people who can pass up free guacamole, but they’re either allergic to avocado or too joyless to live. — Frank Bruni
On a rainy Sunday afternoon, bingeing on Netflix what’s your favorite snack? Mine is guacamole and tortilla chips – avocados are good for you right? At least that’s what I’m sticking with! What better inspiration for today’s card than the beloved avocado. Hmm – my mouth is watering.
We always need cards for the men and boy’s in our lives and florals generally don’t work – better to keep it simple and bright and throw in a bit of humor. For this birthday card I paired the graphic veggie images from Altenew’s Farmer’s Market with a silly pun sure to amuse. Because I was using my Misti for the stamping technique “rock ‘n roll” I’m making 2 cards, one to give now and another to add to my card stash.
The simple vegetable images were stamped using the rock ‘n roll method where a 2nd (or more!) ink color is added to edges a stamped image to create depth and interest. I usually struggle with this method getting extra ink in places I don’t want but this time I used one of the small tipped blending brushes from Picket Fence Studios to clean away unwanted ink, soften transitions between ink colors. and even add hint of accent colors in specific areas to really customize the image. Here’s a quick peek at a before and after view of the onion stamp inked and cleaned up with the blending brush. I love the stamped result.
The custom sentiment was created using Altenew’s Filled Alphabet and paired with an additional sentiment from Happy Dreams. I used Altenew’s Artist Markers to create an ombre gradient to fill in the letters, added clear Wink of Stella for sparkle and then accented each letter in gray marker to create a drop shadow effect.
The background was created again using the Picket Fence blending brushes and then adding black spatters. The speckles along with the ‘cutting board’ creates the feel of chopping happening right before our eyes. Bon Appétit!
Stamps: Altenew: Farmer’s Market, Filled Alphabet, Happy Dreams |
Dies: Altenew: Farmer’s Market; Hero Arts: Infinity Rounded Rectangles; Simon Says Stamps: Woodgrain Block |
Paper: Neenah Crest 110 & 80 lb: Solar White (Base), Neenah: Desert Storm |
Ink: Altenew: Lavender Fields, Deep Iris, Midnight Violet; Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen, Maple Yellow; Heart Beat, Velvet, Jet Black; Parrot, Moss; Vanilla Cream, Hazelnut, Almond Butter, Lava Rock |
Altenew Artist Markers: Lavender Fields, Deep Iris, Midnight Violet; Frayed Leaf, Forest Glade, Evergreen, Warm Sunshine; Heart Beat, Velvet, Ocean Waves; Morning Frost |
Accessories: Misti; Wink of Stella: Clear; Picket Fence: Life Changing Brushes |
Techniques: Ink Blended background with spatter; Rock ‘n Roll ink on solid images; create depth with shadows |
AECP Class: Level 1: For the Guys |
I left a comment, I dont know if it was posted?
This looks so fun. Thanks so much for entering your beautiful work in the AECP assignment Gallery. I love your write-up and descriptions! Please keep up with your excellent work!
Comment received 😉 Thank you!
This is so fun and happy! Love the design and inking! I am so glad that you enter your beautiful work in Altenew AECP assignment Gallery. Awesome details and design! Super work!
Thank you – this one made me smile. Guacamole is practically a religion here in California!