I wanted to try my new Artify Alcohol Markers (Set of 108 markers currently (as of 4/26/2021) for $42.49) so I decided to make a quick thank you card for a dear YouTube friend. I was short on time so I decided to use a card background that I had made a while back (see related Inloveartshop video HERE using the Floral Diamond Shape Background Dies). My readers can use the DISCOUNT CODE: G-36967 to get a 20% off discount at https://inloveartshop.com/.  

Then I got to coloring up the mermaid and the little fishes from the Avery Elle “Sea Babies” mini stamp set (retired).  To coordinate with the cardstock colors I used in the background, I used these Artify marker colors:
Mermaid Body suit/tail: B502, B514, B204, B227
Mermaid Hair: CG01, BG05, BG09
Mermaid Skin: Y900, Y701, Y811, R501
Fishes: Y414, Y505, Y715, Y204, Y207, WG09

The colors blended well, but I was not used to the quantity of the ink that came out (I guess my Copic markers are dry — LOL). These markers are really juicy so I had to try to keep a lighter touch. I was really impressed with the coverage and brightness of these markers and I would recommend them as a budget-friendly alternative to Copic markers. I also added highlights with my trusty Uniball Signo White Gel Pen.

I fussy cut out the mermaid and the fishes with my Fiskars Spring Loaded Reverse Scissors, leaving a bit of a white margin all around so that she would pop a bit from the busy background. For the fishes, I decided that even with the white margin, they were too small and might be fighting with the busy background so I decided to put them on “bubbles” that I die cut using the four smallest circles from the Diemond Dies Die-Normous Stack-Ems Circle Nesting Die Set. I stacked two circle die cuts, added some depth with double sided foam adhesive between them, and blended some Salty Ocean Distress Ink on the lower circle. For the larger circle and fish, I also stamped in the combined sentiment from the stamp set: “Sending Oceans of Thanks”. So that the mermaid would not be overshadowed by the bubbles, I popped her up on double sided foam adhesive too.

For the inside card liner, I simply used a scrap of aquamarine cardstock to match one of the background cardstock colors. And for a finishing touch, I added a third Artify-colored fish from the stamp set that I fussy cut and glued to the lower left.

CLICK on the following picture to watch the card making process video:

This card is being entered into the following challenges:
Crafts Galore Encore Anything Goes Challenge
Creatalicious Anything Goes with Optional Slim Line Card Challenge
Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes Challenge
Through the Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge
Stamping Sensations Fantasy and Magical Challenge