Dreaming Big with Textures and Brusho Colour Crystals

I am venturing into new territory with my card making and loving the results. I never considered myself a Mixed Media crafter, but after discovering B/B/CB and getting inspired by our Facebook group members, I am trying new things and having lots of fun. I did some searches on the internet, watched some videos and took a couple classes. I highly recommend the "Inventive Ink" class at Craftsy here, and it is on sale right now. I also discovered a new magazine called Craft Stamper and this month's issue is full of ideas on how to use Brushos! I am entering this card into their monthly challenge at the Craft Stamper Blog to use texture techniques.

I started with a piece of watercolor paper larger than what I needed for an A2 card front, and sprinkled on grey, orange and gamboge Brusho Colour Crystals. What is gamboge you ask? So did I, so I looked it up and it is a golden yellow color tone. I spritzed the page with Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist releasing the beautiful colors. I cut the dried piece into a card front and also played with the extra piece, adding my texture and dimension. I layered gold and black stencil paste through circle holes in two stencils. I  put some blue 3D Stamp Paint (from Viva) on a craft mat, and created circles with various sizes of caps from soda bottles and containers I found in my craft room and kitchen. Then I spattered black dots created with black Bister powders and glimmer mist before sponging black distress ink on all edges. Several of those ideas came right from the Inventive Ink class I took.

I stamped "Dream Big" from Repeat Impressions on another matching scrap, sponged the edges and attached on a strip which was raised with pop dots. I completed the Mixed Media card with a Sketchy Rings die from Memory Box held in place with a couple gems.

Even the mistakes on this card look good- so I am liking Mixed Media for that reason! I tried some Gesso as a resist before adding my Brushos, but it really didn't show. However, there are a few areas where the white Gesso added a little more texture and interest to the card like in the upper right corner. There are no mistakes in MM crafting, just opportunities to add another layer and play some more.

I am also entering this card in the "spots and dots" challenge at Love's Rubberstamps.