Blank Page Muse Art Rubber Stamps: Fantasy Mermaid with Bokeh Background

It's been awhile since I've done the Bokeh technique for a card background. I thought it would be perfect for the sea background for this cute and whimsical mermaid called Fantasy Mermaid from Blank Page Muse. When I saw this stamp, I knew I had to color her with vibrant colors since she looks like a young and sassy mermaid! Since this is a fairly large stamp, I made a slimline card to make it look like she's swimming in the sea.

Supplies:

• Blank Page Muse Stamp: Fantasy Mermaid designed by Rick St Dennis
• Black stamp pad
• Stamping block or stamp positioner
• White cardstock 3-1/2"W x 5"H to stamp image
• Coloring medium of choice. I used Castle Arts Colored Pencils. Colors are listed below
• White cardstock for card base: 6-1/2"W x 7-3/4"H, score at 3-1/4" and fold in half
• Watercolor paper: 3-1/4"W x 7-3/4"H
• Watercolor pens or paints in bright pink, purple, aquamarine, and blue. I used Spectrum Noir AquaTints but you can use any bright watercolors.
• Paint brush and water bowl
• White pigment ink. I used Stampin' Up Whisper White refill ink.
• Make up or craft sponge
• Paint pallet or craft mat
• Circle punches in various sizes
• White cardstock to punch circles to use as a stencil. Size of paper will depend on how many circles you want to punch.
• Heat gun
• White Glitter paper: 3-1/2"W x 8"H
• Slimline frame die. I used the Scallop Frame die from Stamp Anniething
• Distress ink in Peacock Feathers and ink blending tool
• Mermaid sentiment of choice. I created and printed one using my computer.
• Sequins for embellishments. Also can use enamel dots, jelly dots, or rhinestones.

Instructions:

• Stamp image on white cardstock and color with your favorite medium. I used Castle Arts colored pencils.

• Fussy cut the stamp and set aside

• Bokeh background technique time! Protect your work surface by working on a craft mat
• For this technique, use four bright watercolors in pink, purple, aquamarine and blue. 

• First wet the watercolor paper with clean water
• Apply a generous amount of aquamarine watercolor onto the paper and use a very wet brush to spread it. Dry this first layer with a heat gun.

• Next apply a generous amount of pink and again, use a very wet brush to spread it. Dry with heat gun. Repeat with the purple watercolor then the blue until color/design covers the entire paper. Dry completely before moving to the next step.

• Create a circle stencil by punching cardstock with various size punches. 

• Put a drop or two of pigment ink onto a paint palette. 

• Use a make-up or craft sponge and lightly sponge circles onto the watercolored paper. Make sure some circles overlap. Dry completely.

• Die cut the slimline frame using the white glitter paper

• Adhere the Bokeh/watercolor paper to the card base then adhere the frame.
• Stamp or print a mermaid sentiment of choice, trim to size, and distress the edges using Distress ink in Peacock Feathers. Adhere it to a white glitter cardstock mat. 

• Adhere the mermaid and sentiment to the card front.
• Adhere the sequins or other embellishments.

Other embellishments, such as ribbon, buttons, and washi tape can also be added to this card. Use whatever you have in your stash.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you give the Bokeh technique and this card a try. I'm going to make more of these backgrounds for future cards.