I made another card using images and a sentiment from the latest Essentials by Ellen stamp set Mermaid Tail’s. The details of the mermaid tail are so beautiful, that gold embossing is perfect for it!

I wanted the gold embossed details of the mermaid tail to really show, so I used vellum instead of regular cardstock to give the image a transparent, light feel as if the image was floating on top of the water.

Hope you liked this project and the effect I was trying to achieve. Remember, be like a mermaid and make waves!

How I made this project:

1. For the waves background:
   • Prep an A2-sized piece of white cardstock with anti-static powder.
   • Stamp the wave background onto the cardstock with Versamark ink
   • Apply white embossing powder to stamped background and heat with a heat tool until melted.
   • Let the embossed background cool.
   • Using the embossed-resist technique, use 3 shades of blue ink to create an ombre effect from top to bottom. Blend the background as much as you need for the desired effect.
2. For the mermaid tail:
   • Prep a piece of vellum cardstock (40# is best) with anti-static powder.
   • Stamp the mermaid tail image onto the vellum using Versamark ink.
   • Apply gold embossing powder to the stamped image and heat with a heat tool until melted.
   • Let the embossed image cool before die-cutting (with coordinating die) or fussy-cutting it.
   • You may want to put the vellum under a heavy book or block to flatten it after it has been heat embossed.
3. For the sentiment:
   • Prep another piece of vellum cardstock with anti-static powder.
   • Stamp the sentiment onto the vellum with Versamark ink.
   • Apply gold embossing powder to the stamped sentiment and heat with a heat tool until melted.
   • Using a small cloud image die, cut out the sentiment.
4. For the assembly of the card:
   • Cut down the A2 wave background by an eighth of an inch on all sides. The final size of the wave background will be 4” x 5.25”.
   • Cut out an A2-sized piece of turquoise or blue cardstock that complements the blue colors used in the wave background. This is the mat for the wave background.
   • Adhere the wave background to the mat. (Note: For added dimension, you can adhere a piece of craft foam sheet cut slightly smaller than the wave background to the wave background and then adhere the card front to the mat).
   • Apply a runner adhesive (not a wet adhesive) to the mermaid tail and adhere it to the card front. Do the same for the sentiment. (Note: the background is busy enough that runner adhesive will not be noticeable underneath the vellum).
   • Adhere the entire card front to a top-folding A2 card base.
   • Apply sequins to the card front as desired.

Supplies used in making this project:

1. Stamps:
   • Essentials by Ellen: Mermaid’s Tail stamp set (mermaid tail, sentiment)
   • Hero Arts: Wave Background stamp (background)
2. Dies:
   • Essentials by Ellen: Mermaid Tail’s coordinated dies (tail)
   • Hero Arts Dies: Infinity Nesting Clouds (for die cutting the sentiment)
3. Cardstock:
   • Neenah Solar White 80# for card front for wave background
   • Turquoise-colored cardstock (from my stash) for the mat
   • Bazzill Vellum 40# for mermaid tail and sentiment
   • Neenah Solar White 110# for the card base.
4. Ink:
   • Tsukineko’s Versamark Ink
   • Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Inks in: Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Broken China)
5. Other:
   • Heat tool
   • Wow Embossing Powder in Gold Rich Pale
   • Hero Arts White Embossing Powder
   • Hero Arts Ombre Sequins in Blue