Tuesday 1 January 2019

Guest Designer at CAS Mix Up!

Super excited to have been invited to be the Guest Designer over at CAS Mix Up this month after winning the November challenge, although I did have to think a bit as the technique is one I haven't done for a long time!
But as I started to do my Bokeh background I wondered why I had hadn't done these backgrounds on more things!
Bokeh is a simple technique really - so there is no excuse for me not doing it more often! And you can use a variety of mediums to create the effect.

I used Distress Inks in shades of Cracked Pistachio, Mermaid Lagoon and Stormy Sky for my background and a White pigment ink for the circles.

Originally I was going to make my own circle stencil but then I remembered I had this one by Inkylicious called 'Bubbles'.

I had no idea what I was going to do until I finished the background and then the card just came together.

The colours which are amongst my fave DI's just reminded me of the sea so Miss Mermaid seemed to be appropriate!
She is from a freebie stamp set which I have had for ages and never used.

I stamped her sat on her rocks twice onto white card and fussy cut. I had to extend the rocks as they weren't big enough to cover the whole of the card base!
I coloured her with the same Distress Inks mixed with a bit of Golden Malachite and Tropic Blue Cosmic Shimmer Powders - her tail is lovely and shimmery! 

Popped her rock seat on small foam pads, slid the background in behind then sat her back on top.
Finished off with a couple of Dew Drops and a sentiment from the same set which I rather liked.

There it is - my GD card - Bokeh, Stamping and my choice was watercolouring!
There are plenty of Bokeh tutorials on You Tube if you've never tried it - and it would be lovely if you could join in - you can see some wonderful examples from the talented lot on the Mix Up DT over on the blog.
Happy Crafting and Happy New Year!x

26 comments:

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

A fab card to kick off the new year Viv and I love the Bokeh effect. It's something that I've never tried, so I need to add that one to my list of new techniques. Wishing you a Happy and Crafty New Year x

Mac Mable said...

Thrilled to have you as our guest designer this month Viv and what a stunning card you've made.
Miss Mermaid looks fabulous sitting on the rocks and admiring the beautiful background. The Bokeh technique and the colours you've used sure do lend it beautifully towards the water scene you've created. Stunning example and inspiration for this technique Viv x
I Love Miss Mermaids shimmery tail and loving your beautiful card x.

Carole said...

Happy New Year Viv...hope you have got rid of your bugs! lovely card to start the year...think of summer, I love those colours. I have never done the bokeh technique...maybe 2019 will be the year! xx

Aquarius said...

This is a great technique and you've certainly used it to good effect here. Happy New Year!

Stamps and Paper said...

Beautiful card VIV

Anne

Pia S said...

Oh, this is gorgeous and the bokeh background looks perfect with this mermaid scene. Beautifully detailed and still CAS

Loll said...

LOVE this beautiful ocean scene you've created Viv! The colours are fantastic together ... no wonder this is your favourite colour combo. And the bubbles stenciling is just awesome. Love the look! Perfect with the fun mermaid sitting on the rocks. Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer this month at CAS Mix Up! xx

Christine Alexander said...

Viv, this is the perfect background for your mermaid. congrats to being GD at CAS Mix up :)

nancy littrell said...

Absolutely Stunning Bokeh underwater background for your beautifully watercolored and fussy cut mermaid. So clever the way you have her sitting on the stamped rocks. A real beauty, my friend. So pleased you are our Guest Designer this month. Happy Creative New Year. Hugs..Nancy

crafty-stamper said...

Best wishes for the New Year and congrats on your GDT -fabulous background and love the Mermaid on the rocks -great technique and one I haven't done but you have given me inspiration for a DT card coming up and one strike for my New Years resolutions too--so thank you
Carol x

Papercraft Boutique said...

Congratulations on guesting at CAS Mix Up this month, Viv! We're so happy to have you!
Your ink blending of the background is so beautiful and the Bokeh effects are amazing. You created a pretty ocean scene by adding Miss Mermaid to the Bokeh background. The shimmer of her tail must be more beautiful in real life. Extending the rocks is a clever idea and it worked so well.
Thank you so much for being a wonderful Guest Designer!
Hideko xx

Aileen said...

Ohhh Viv love your card, this mermaid is so coooool. As is your background. I have never done this technique, dont know why as I do love the look. So off to experiment and make a card or 10. Congrats on your Guest Design on CAS Mix Up.

Julia Aston said...

Your Bokeh background is perfect for your lovely mermaid sitting on the rocks - love that sentiment and the dew drops too! Congrats on being Guest DT this month! xx

TK said...

Beautiful bokeh, and such a delight when your card comes together! Great job!

Jo said...

Wow, that Bokeh background really brings your mermaid to the front scene. The sentiment is so appropriate, what a great design. Thanks so much for being our guest at CAS Mix Up! xx

Pat said...

The colours and the pretty mermaid are making us all long for summer I'm sure Viv, and the bokeh looks great with this beautiful scene, and what a great sentiment. Congratulations on your GD spot too and a Happy New Year to you. x

Meggymay said...

Happy New Year Viv.
Its a super card and fantastic background. the mermaid reminds me of one I have safely stored somewhere.
Congratulations on your Guest Designer spot.
Yvonne xx

Trina P. said...

Beautiful background and card, Viv. Love the colours and they are perfect for a sea theme. Congrats on GD too. x

My Paper Epiphany said...

Hi Viv. What a fabulous idea to add Miss M to the gorgeous background! Love the whole effect:)

Bonnie said...

I love this beautiful mermaid sitting on the rocks, Viv! The Bokeh background looks like the sea and I love the added dimension of the raised rocks! Makes me want to go to the beach! Thanks so much for being our Guest Designer this month at CAS Mix Up!

Joan said...

Beautiful card Viv, I have never done the bokeh technique but it looks lovelLynne as does the shimmery mermaid

Joan x

Jules said...

Hi Viv - many congratulations on being Guest DT!

Love your card. Such gorgeous colours and a fabby mermaid!

Great showcasing of the technique.

Love Jules xx

Susan Joyce said...

Congrat's on being our Guest Designer this month Viv. Love the Mermaid scene you designed and the colours are fabulous.

Brenda in IN said...

The scene is just beautiful and the bokeh background is perfect with this mermaid.

Linby said...

Congrats on the well deserved GDT - and what a fab card you've made. One of my fave stamps and effects too. You've done it brilliantly.

Cathy said...

Beautiful card Viv, was going to ask about the stamp, what a great freebie it was! Love your design and the background is perfect for the mermeid, love the touch of dew drops too, Cathy x