You’ve probably photographed dozens of picturesque nature scenes— ember-colored sunsets, mountains mottled with snow, a bee hovering over a bluebell—but have you ever thought about creating nature scenes in your artwork? Aristotle said, “Art takes nature as its model,” and who are we to argue with Aristotle?

Our inspired artist gathered bunches of stamp sets to create the colorful meadow on the page. A corner from the Brushed paper packet makes a perfect patch of grass here, but our favorite feature has to be the faint sky in the background. How did our artist create this look? If you guessed that a sponge was involved, you are correct!

First, our artist cut out a cloud shape from some scratch cardstock. Then, she placed the cloud on the page and lightly sponged around the edges with our Glacier Exclusive Inks™ pad. The result is a soft, subtle texture that has us floating away to crafting paradise. A similar technique was used to create this mountain scene:

The great thing about using a sponge is that it can give any artwork textural variety and layers of color, which you can really see on this card. Our artist first sponged on the sky and soil. Next, she traced the mountain range from the My Acrylix® Campfire Lifestyle stamp set onto a scratch piece of cardstock and cut out the shape. This time she placed the cardstock with the mountain shape cut out of it on the card and sponged on the mountains using both the Pacifica and Gypsy Exclusive Inks™ pads. Finally, for the trees, she first stamped the image, and then, squeezing the sponge to create a narrow surface area, carefully dabbed a little more ink on top of the tree to create a softer look.

Isn’t it amazing what that little sponge can do? These pieces of artwork are lovely odes to nature. Albert Einstein said, “Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” So, browse through your photo stash for pictures of nature, or better yet, step outdoors for some fresh air—we know you will be inspired. Then, pull out your handy dandy sponge, and let your creativity run wild!

Recipes 

12″ x 12″ Life is Beautiful Page
Reflections: Sampler—Captivating Corners™ (with alterations)
C1599 My Acrylix® Pretty Petals, C1589 My Acrylix® Lifetime of Happiness, D1616 My Acrylix® Have a Happy Day, C1612 My Acrylix® Shower Flowers, D1627 My Acrylix® Your Own Kind of Wonderful, D1646 My Acrylix® Finding the Words, D1613 My Acrylix® Best Christmas, B1432 My Acrylix® Love This, X7190B Brushed Paper Packet, Z2031 Paper Fundamentals Enchantment Assortment, Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2191 Sunset Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2153 Sweet Leaf Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2197 Pear Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2155 Topiary Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2135 New England Ivy Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2642 Flaxen Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2643 Canary Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2644 Pixie Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2118 Desert Sand Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2111 Chocolate Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2640 Thistle Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2193 Cotton Candy Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2454 ShinHan™ Touch Twin ™ Leaf Green Marker, Z2463 ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Sap Green Marker, Z2451 ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Clay Marker, Z2462 ShinHan™ Touch Twin™ Peony Purple Marker, Z2012 Sequins Gold Assortment, Z1979 Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen, Z697 Round Sponge, Thread

5 ½” x 4 ¼” Gratitude Card
C1559 My Acrylix® Always Grateful, C1611 My Acrylix® Campfire Lifestyle, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, X5928 Saddle Cardstock, Z1375 Kraft Cardstock, Z2111 Chocolate Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2641 Glacier Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2114 Cocoa Exclusive Inks™, Z2175 Cashmere Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2173 Slate Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2155 Topiary Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2190 Gypsy Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2192 Pacifica Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2171 Saddle Exclusive Inks™ Pad, Z2027 Mini Stapler

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