Hey Besties!

Welcome back for July’s edition of the Create it 3 Ways IG hop. Each month our little hop group picks a challenge—but we each get to set our own creative parameters. That’s my favorite part. It’s not about rules—it’s about exploring something you’ve been wanting to try, or using what you already love in a fresh way. (ps- make sure you hop over to Instagram to see all the amazing projects!!) The only “rule” we’ve set that that you have to create 3 projects for your personal “challenge”. The rest… is totally up to you! Let’s jump into the overall theme and then what I decided to do.

So this month the overall theme was Summer. For me this means that I’m looking at fun beachy or pool type cards. Maybe thank you cards or just thinking of you cards. This is a time of year that most people have their family vacation, right? So I was thinking what if we all made thank you cards to take with us. No matter where you are going, or what your family is going to do, I’m pretty sure there is someone along the way to leave a thank you card for. Of course I had this thought AFTER I made my cards. LOL but the idea is still there.

This month, I gave myself a double feature challenge. First, I used the Mermazing stamp set from MFT across all three cards. I’ve used this set before, but I swear it never gets old—it’s just one of those sets that always feels fun to color. I also wanted to use this stamp because MFT is closing down. I know lots of people have this set and might be looking for new inspiration. I’m that crafter that loves to mix current stash with some thing new.

The second part of the challenge came from something I noticed last month: one of the other hoppers used a sketch as their challenge. I loved that idea—so much that I kind of ran with it… in reverse. Here is what I mean:

I didn’t start with a sketch, but after I finished my first card, I thought… “wait, this layout totally looks like a sketch.” So I turned it into one—kind of unofficially—and used that layout across all three. If there’s an actual sketch out there that matches this, it’s probably having a proud twin moment right now 😂  And if there isn’t… well now you have a new card layout to play around with! I’m sure I’ll come back to this layout again. It is eye catching and super easy to recreate.

Let’s talk about each card, because while the layout stays the same, the vibe totally shifts depending on the background and colors.

The first card I made has that soft pink background. I used Distress Oxide inks to blend it out. I started with Tattered Rose and blended down to Abandoned Coral. I really made sure to focus on that over lapping area. This is where the magic happens. Oh and I found that I love to ink blend on Strathmore Marker Paper. The ink sits on the paper a tad longer and allows for the blend to happen. It’s magic! Then ran my card front through an embossing folder, and honestly? That texture took it to a whole new level. There’s something about the embossing over ink-blended color that just adds this extra dimension.

The mermaid is front and center, of course, Copics in hand as always. I stamped her first with MFT Hybrid ink (so glad that I have the reinker because this is my go to Copic coloring ink) onto the marker paper. That black and white patterned strip adds the perfect bit of contrast, and there’s a layer of vellum under it that kind of softens everything out. I love how it turned out—it’s got this gentle, dreamy feel to it. And the finish to this card is sequins from This Calls for Confetti. I swear their’s are the best out there. I was using them long before joining the creative makers. The sentiment is from the stamp set. While this doesn’t say “thank you” out right, it totally works as a thank you type card.

The second card has a blue-to-green background and features the sweet seated mermaid. For this one, I blended Distress Oxide inks again, this time using Peacock Feathers and Mowed Lawn as my colors. Adding water splatters for that classic speckled effect once I was done blending. It’s subtle but adds just enough movement to keep things interesting.

I also ink-blended over the wave pattern on the black and white strip—just to keep it in that watery, flowy theme. For that strip I used Mermaid Lagoon, but I kept my hand pressure light and built up the ink so that I achieved light and darker areas. It all just works. She looks like she’s sitting there soaking in the sun and sea foam. It’s worth mentioning that all the mermaids are created on marker paper. If you don’t have any in your stash… I suggest trying it. The results are stellar!

The Hello is from an old Stampin Up set that I kept long past the “retired” list. I use this one a lot on cards. It’s the perfect size to fit into this 2″ circle. Oh and on all the circles I used an 03 Micron pen to draw lines. It’s just a little detail that seems to finish off the circle for me. And I don’t have to add a layer or ink blend the edges for it to feel finished. I did use sequins to finish off this card too.

And then there’s the third card—which is kind of the wild child of the bunch. I used Distress Spray Stains on watercolor paper, and it gave the greenest, most organic result. It’s got more texture, more edge, and a whole different feel. If you haven’t ink smooshed off of a Glassboard mat… oh friend! We need to hold an intervention for you! I swear this is the easiest of all the techniques. Spray the glass mat… smoosh paper… use a heat tool to dry it some. Wet on wet blends… wet on dry layers! Simply the best method of creating backgrounds ever.

The turtle from the stamp set ended up on this one, and I love him here. He adds a grounded, gentle energy that balances out the movement in the background. And I love him with this mermaid… it’s got that checking on you vibe.

And again—the same layout: black and white strip, layer of vellum, and focal image. But somehow it feels like its own little story. This time I cut my pattern paper into 1/2″ strips and layered them onto the velum. I like how that broke up the black and white… like it might have been too much without seeing that peak a boo of green. You will have to tell me in the comments which card you are drawn too.

That’s one of my favorite things about this kind of challenge—you get to see how “same-but-different” can show up in a really fun way. I used ink for all the backgrounds, but the technique and texture choices made each card feel unique. There’s something kind of satisfying about that. It’s like watching your own style show up again and again—but never exactly the same.

So if you’re reading this and thinking “I could never do that,” just know—I literally made one card, loved the layout, and said, “let’s do this two more times.” No big plan. No sketch on my desk. Just some ink, a favorite stamp set, and a little idea that turned into something really fun.

Make sure you head to IG to see everyone’s creations. I can tell you they are amazing! I love being part of this hop because I get to set the challenge… and yep sometimes it’s literally just something that I want to do but haven’t found the time yet. Other months I get inspired by something I’m seeing around IG or the crafty world. I hope that I’ve inspired you to create something today!