Sketchbook Cards with Perfect Pearls

Nature's Sketchbook notecards

Yep, I'm still digging through my wood-mounted stamps -- I was never sure how to tackle this set of Nature Sketchbook stamps (by Stampin Up), but since I've been playing with the effects of water lately, I thought I'd continue the theme with Perfect Pearls. 

If you've never used Perfect Pearls before, they are a great addition to your scrapbooking/cardmaking.  Perfect Pearls (PPrls) are pigment powders of a variety of colors that have a glimmery effect.  They come with a resin binder already built into the formula so that when water is added they become permanent to the surface.  There are a variety of ways to use PPrls such as:  added to a Mini Mister with water to create a pearlized mist effect -- as in the tag I created HERE, and card HERE;  or in conjunction with stamping & misting as I did for the Bookplate Bookmarks I created HERE; or my Family Time tag I created which includes stamping & "painting", and can be seen HERE.  A lot of different uses & effects which I love. 

For these cards I first stamped the images onto cardstock with a black Archival ink (permanent ink).  Working on a non-stick craft sheet (or you could use wax paper) I spritzed a small area with water; then dipping a small paint brush in the jar of PPrls I pick up just a bit and swirl it in with a bead or two of the water droplets on my craft sheet until it's the color & sheen I'm looking for.  Then simply "paint" the parts of the image in the PPrls color of your choosing. 

I used my scoreboard to score a frame 1/4" in from the edges of the stamped cardstock (CS).  Then I used a light green CS to mat each of the images to give some continuity to the notecards.  I added a final mat in the colors represented on each card before adhering to the notecard.  Simple cards, but with the extra flair of a glittery sheen when tilted back & forth.  If you click on each of the photos you'll see the effect much better.

For the touches of white in three of the cards, I used Picket Fence Distress Stain which I swiped onto my craft sheet and watered down so the white wasn't so intense -- then I painted it onto the cards.

So glad you came by today...have a wonderful weekend!  Lisa