Trend Watch – The stars they shine for you

Space exploration is one of the many jobs that I am glad someone else has a passion for because I could never do it.  The vastness of the universe is completely intimidating to me.  I spent a lot of time watching a video that showed the earth in comparison to other planets, galaxies, universes and I don’t think my mouth shut the entire time.  I think awesome is really the only word to capture how awe inspiring the universe is.  So while I have no intention of ever getting on a space shuttle willingly, I am very interested in peeking at it from the safety of my home.

I have gathered a few examples of how paper crafters have chosen to show off our fabulous skies.  One of the other fascinating pieces of this subject is how many different ways you can create the look.

I love the look of the Heather’s card.  It puts me in the mind of looking at the universe on your back through the clouds.  The shading on the edges of her card is just wonderful and adds such dimension.  Heather used watercolors to create this cool effect.

card by Heather Telford photo courtesy of Bits and Pieces

Toni’s galaxy uses awesome colors like hot pink and mustard water color.  They work so well with the blues and greens and creates a nice overall effect with white watercolor flecked over the top.  She added a few rhinestones for those bigger stars.

card by Toni Maddox photo courtesy of Frankie Helps Craft

Kristina has managed to capture alternative universes in her card.  Look at the bottom and the top of the card; doesn’t it look like you are looking at a space movie?  Super cool.  The other advantage is that it creates some white spaces so your sentiment can pop.  The technique to make this one is a smoosh technique.  Kristina has a tutorial on this card as well.  Click the link on her blog to watch it.

card by Kristina Werner photo courtesy of Kristina Werner:  Blogger, Designer, and Paper Lover

I love how Samantha incorporated a cute little character in the middle of her universe.  She used Distress paint.

card by Samantha Mann photo courtesy of Sam’s Scrap Candy

This beauty was Jen’s second attempt at a galaxy background.  She did an excellent job.  She smooshed Distress with water spritzes on a craft mat to get her colors right.

card by Jen Mitchell photo courtesy of I create, I think, I ink, I stamp

Melanie’s card is just mesmerizing.  Maybe its the red.  She used My Favorite Things dye inks.  I just have a great anticipation of something cool coming out of the middle of this card.  The sentiment she used is just perfect for this too.

card by Melanie Deasy photo courtesy of Melanie Deasy

Kimberly used the same stamp set and look how differently her card turned out.  I think every time you try this technique you can end up with a different look.  Kimberly has a video tutorial with dye ink pads and a homemade spritzer to achieve the star look.

card by Kimberly Crawford photo courtesy of For the Love of Paper

I though Vanessa’s card was so creative.  I am not great with Zodiac signs but I think this one is Capricorn.  How adorable is this?  This Lawn Fawn set would allow you to include any sign in the stars for your favorite person’s birthday card.

card by Vanessa Menhorn photo courtesy of Wings of a Butterfly

Now if you are a Copic marker connesieur, you can try Elaine’s technique.  Not only is the galaxy beautiful but the dog’s face and the sentiment are just perfect.

card by Elaine Hughes photo courtesy of Marker Geek

Mayuri took a different take on the galaxy and put a heart in the middle of a distressed inked, lifted panel and used a cool stamp from Neat and Tangled to achieve a warp speed look.  The effect is awesome.

card by Mayuri photo courtesy of Candles in the Garden

Nicole also used Distress ink pads to create her galaxy look.  I love all the white she used in her background.  And can you see those mini sequins for extra twinkle. Very pretty.

card by Nicole Picadura photo courtesy of Scraps n Stamps

There are so many ways you can get this fun look.  You may even have a few ways that you have created based on what you had on hand.  I hope you found something new or were inspired to create a galaxy look on your own.

Below are links to products that can help you create your own look.

So go ahead … make something pretty.

Count the stars acrylic stamp set from My Favorite Things

Starry Night acrylic stamps by Waffle Flower from Simon Says Stamp

Distress Ink pad minis from Simon Says Stamp

Ranger craft mat from Scrapbook.com

Distress paint from Scrapbook.com

Time warp acrylic stamp from Neat and Tangled