Marbled Heart

When I saw the challenge for this week over at Wednesday Stamper, I knew this was the week for me! Of all the types of images that I love the most, hearts are definitely in the top three, only to be sightly edged out by flowers and alphas. I am very fond of heart images - all kinds. So this will probably be the first of many cards I make this week that include hearts as the main focus. ;)

Besides... I needed to make a card for hubby anyway. He's been extra sweet lately and I just wanted to show my love and appreciation for him. What better image to use than a heart! :)

• Stamps: Paper Inspirations (heart)
• Inks: Colorbox fluid Chalk (Lipstick Red)
• Misc: Sakura Glaze Pen (black), Sakura Quickie Glue Pen, and Westrim rhinestones.

I knew going into this card that it was going to be very simple. So I wanted to make sure that the one and only stamped image on this card would have a special "twist" to it to make it stand out. ;)

I created the marbled effect by twisting and releasing the inkpad in different directions on the stamp prior to stamping on the card stock. It was particularly successful with the Fluid Chalk pad since 1.) the ink tends to be really thick (almost like paint) which makes it easy to get great textured looks with it, and 2.) the ink tends to stay pretty juicy, which allows plenty of time for the manipulation of the ink. I then added the rhinestones as a little highlight to the heart (with the Quickie Glue pen - AWESOME product) and signed it with the Glaze pen - both to add some texture and shine. (I absolutely LOVE those glaze pens! Even though my handwriting looks wonky, it's really not IRL. I think when I reduced the scanned image, it made some of the letters look kinda wavy.) The card looks pretty basic here, but IRL, with the different "depths" of the ink, along with the rhinestones and embossed-like writing, well... I just think it looks beter IRL. LOL ;) Hubby is a no fuss, no frills kinda guy. Since that's the kind of kick I've been on with my cards lately, it worked out perfectly. ;)

I will post the other cards I sent (and possibly more heart cards) in the next couple of days. :)