Life's Better with Sandy Feet (and how I made a seaside scene with 4 easy steps)

Hello and welcome! 

There is a new challenge starting today at Allsorts, our theme this time was chosen by Lorraine - Sun, Sea and/or Sand or Anything Goes. We would love for you to join in! As always we have a fabulous prize, this time there will be one winner who will receive a gorgeous summer themed stamps set and a stencil. Remember you may join in up to 3 times with a new creation for more chances to win!

And here is what I came up with:

I used some older stamps and products from my stash and created a seaside scene.

I really need to create seaside cards more often because each time I do, I struggle with how to start!! So this took me a couple of tries but I finally managed  and looking back it wasn't actually that hard. 

I'm writing down how I did this, so maybe next time I'll remember to check back here as I am sure I will once again forget!!!

1. I started out with a piece of torn printer paper which I placed on the top portion of the card as a mask, then started inking the sand from the bottom of the card upwards. I used Pumice Stone Distress Oxide ink. 
2. Next I added the other part of the torn paper over what I  had just inked and removed the top part, and I used painter's tape where I wanted the horizon to be so there would be a (hopefully) straight crips line. I used Peacock Feathers Distress ink and Hero Arts Sea Glass ink for the water. (This ink was part of a Monthly stamp kit and I am not sure if it's still available, but this ink lot would be a good alternative or use any similar inks you have.)
3. When this was done I moved the masking tape down a bit and inked up the sky. I used Peacock Feathers, Blueprint Sketch and Faded Jeans Distress inks on the sky but I'm sure any blues will do here too.
4. I always like using one of Stampin Up's Itty Bitty Background stamp on the sand, but the sandy texture can also be achieved by using a fine tipped marker or pencil in a similar color.    

I have the Hero Arts Layering Waves stamp set so I used one of the waves stamps to create some waves. The sentiment I stamped in the sand is also part of this stamp set. The birds, beach ball and starfish are part of the Hero Arts stamp set Layering Sea and Sky, stamped with Versafine Onyx ink.

I'm sure many of you recognize the cute Penny Black hedgie - Lazy Days. He's been stamped on Bristol Vellum, colored with Zig Clean Color markers and some Distress inks, then fussy cut.

The anchor die is an oldie I have from my Design Team days at Whimsy Stamps (similar options), thought it would make a nice addition and I tied some natural Jute Twine onto it. 

Oh, and the frame was done using the Faux Shiplap technique. I've shared in this post how that is done. Then I used the smaller die from this die set to cut out the frame.

You have all week to join us. The linky tool can be found on the Allsorts challenge blog.

Thanks so much for visiting!

I'm sharing my card here:

The Card Concept - Red White and Blue (part of the challenge is to define a style, from all those listed I'd probably say Mixed Media as I used ink, markers, fibers and papers and it doesn't really fit into any of the other categories) 

Penny Black Saturday - AG // Four Seasons Challenge - Summer // Krafty Chicks -Stamp Act // Crafty Gals Corner - Buttons or Bows // Fab n Funky - No Square // Simon Says Stamp - Little Critters // The Paper Funday - Male // Cardz 4 Guyz - On the Water // Double Trouble Challenges  - Anything // Path of Positivity - Something Positive // Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - It's Up in the Air (birds) // Use Your Stuff - AG

These are Always Anything Goes:

Taylor Made Cards 4 U // 613 Avenue Create opt. twist watercolor // Creative Moments // Through The Craft Room Door // The Corrosive Challenges // A Bit More Time to Craft // A Perfect Time To Craft // Classic Design  Challenge * // Crafts Galore Encore // DL.Art Linky Challenge // Love to Craft // QKR Stampede // The Creative Crafters // World Wide Open Design Team Challenge // Lil Patch of Crafty Friends //

Link Parties:

Dare to Share // Sunday Showcase - First Sunday with Ada and Mireille  //  Inspire Me Monday //  Link Up Potpourri //  Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Jenerally Informed The Happy Now // Spread the Kindness Linkup @ Shelbee on the Edge //  Thursday Favorite Things // Little Things Thursday // Encouraging Heart and Home @ Slices of Life //