Are you looking for a simple way to add stitched elements to your mixed media cards? Amazing EH designer, Tiffany Pryce Russom, is here today with a beautiful example! Even small touches of paper embroidery can have a big impact.
Hey friends and happy Friday! Tiffany here with some mixed media inspiration for you. For National Embroidery Month, we’re sharing various ways to add paper embroidery or stitching to card designs. If you recall from my Galentine’s card, you know that I’m a newbie to stitching, but have really enjoyed learning about it. I decided to try something new and incorporate a simple, stitched element with a mixed media card!
While I was looking through the EBE Paper Embroidery Stitch Guide as I was planning my card, I came across the feather stitch. Immediately, I thought it looked like a fisherman’s net or fish scales so I thought it would pair perfectly with the Essentials By Ellen S’Whale stamp set. Since I am a visual learner, I sought an easy to follow YouTube tutorial to learn more about the feather stitch. I found an amazing YouTube channel that I know I will revisit over and over again. I highly recommend it! Here is a link to the video I watched to learn the feather stitch. Now, let’s dive into the card details.
I started by creating my background, mixed media panel. I ink smooshed several blue and teal distress oxide and distress inks. I also used blue distress ink sprays. When I am mixing distress ink and distress oxide ink, I usually start with the distress inks. It helps lay a foundation of transparent color across the panel. The distress oxide ink is opaque and lays on top of the distress ink creating an interesting mix of texture and color. I ink smooshed multiple layers until I was happy with the result. I finished the panel by splattering water, gold watercolor, and diluted, white, acrylic paint. Creating inky backgrounds is one of my favorite things to do. No two panels are ever the exact same, and it is fun to experiment with various mediums. The keys are to work on your non-stick craft mat for ink smooshing because it helps the ink bead up, work in layers and dry between each layer (I highly recommend drying with the Heat It Craft Tool by Ranger. It heats more gently and evenly than your embossing gun), let loose and let the color mix as it will, and have fun! Keep going even if you think it doesn’t look great at first, and keep practicing!
Once the panel was dry, I die cut it with an EBE Essential Rectangle, added a few layers of scrap cardstock for dimension, and adhered it to an A2 card base.
Next, using the EBE Essential Circles and the Essential Circles for Stitching dies, I die cut a circle from vellum. I stamped a few waves from the S’Whale stamp set in embossing ink and embossed in white embossing powder. I stamped and die cut the school of fish stamp twice. Finally, I stamped a whale in waterproof ink. I watercolored the whale very simply with distress inks. Once the whale was dry, I die cut it with the coordinating die.
For the stitched element, I first die cut a panel with the A2 Piercing Plate and die cut it again with an EBE Essential Circle die. Using light aqua DMC thread, I created a feather stitch trellis to mostly fill the circle with embroidery. Because the background was busy and there were several card front elements, I kept the stitching simple. I love that it adds a unique detail to this fun card.
Finally, I stamped a sentiment and trimmed it into a strip. I adhered all of the elements together, popping up the whale with foam tape for added dimension. I hope I’ve inspired you to add a little stitching to your next project. Even simple touches can add so much interest. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!
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