How to make a colorful Father's Day card!

Father's Day is quickly approaching and what better way to share our appreciation for the Father figures in our lives than a card full of heartfelt sentiments. My dad is a creative guy and I wanted to make a unique card for him this year. Perhaps something full of his favorite colors and that played to his creative side. When I saw the various scribble shapes Tim Holtz's Abstract Faces die set, I was inspired by how beautiful, quirky things can come out of things that look messy. Which really is what most of us creatives love about making! Check out how I made this scribbly, colorful Father's Day card below!

What you will need:

• Sizzix® Big Shot® Switch Plus Machine inspired by Tim Holtz (665300)
• Sizzix® Thinlits® Die Set 19PK – Abstract Faces by Tim Holtz (665845)
• Sizzix® Thinlits® Die Set 7PK – Bold Text #2 by Tim Holtz (665925)
• Sizzix® Effectz™ – Multimedia Mat (665796)
• Sizzix® Making Essential – Express Glue, 120ml (664576)
• Sizzix® Making Tool – Multi-Tool Starter Kit (662875)
• Sizzix® Multi-Tool Accessory – Blending Tool Head w/Replacement Sponge (662880)
• Sizzix® Surfacez™ – Cardstock, Neutral, 60 Sheets (663780)
• Sizzix® Surfacez™ – Cardstock, Muted, 80 Sheets (665695)
• Ranger Distress Ink Pads (Black Soot, Prize Ribbon, Salvaged Patina, Rustic Wilderness)
• Water Spritzer

Step-by-step instructions:

First I wanted to create a background full of organic shapes and I loved how the scribbles looked like pen doodles from the Abstract Faces Die cutting set. I took three of the shapes and die cut them from a variety of the Sizzix Muted Cardstock. Depending on the size of the card you will want to cut anywhere from 6-10 pieces.

Next I added a bit of color to the shapes with various Distress Inks. I placed the color sporadically on each shape, so that it felt as if they had been splattered with a different hue.

I knew I was gong to use the Bold Text #2 Die cutting set to create my sentiment, and I wanted to play up the negative space behind the sentiment with a colorful background. I chose three Distress Inks colors I thought would compliment the cardstock that I had die cut the scribble elements out of earlier. I smeared the lightest color on top of the Sizzix Multimedia Mat and then lightly misted the ink with water. Then I took a 3 x 3 inches piece of smooth white cardstock and put it into the ink to achieve a tie dye/splatter effect. Let the color saturate a bit and then dry off any excess with a bit of paper towel or a heat tool.

Repeat the same technique with the next color of ink, layering it on top of the first ink and moving it around to different areas on the white cardstock. Then dry off the excess.

Do one final layering of ink smooshing with the third color and dry off the excess ink and then set aside the panel to completely dry.

Then Die cut a sentiment of your choice into black cardstock from the Bold Text #2 die set. As the phrases vary in shape and size, cut your black cardstock to allow for a border around the sentiment.

Adhere the negative sentiment panel on top of the inked background with liquid adhesive. You can also adhere here back the positive portions of the letters if desired. Next, trim the sentiment down to a desired size.

On a piece of white cardstock arrange and ahdere all of the scribble die cuts in a square shape, leaving the center open to later adhere the sentiment panel. Apply a small amount of glue to the Multimedia Mat and lightly apply adhesive to the back of die cut element, by tapping the die cut pieces in the glue with a pair of tweezers.

Trim the white panel down, until the edges of the scribbles touch the edge of the white panel. Blend a border of black ink around the panel if desired to create contrast with the card base.

Cut a card base and a cardstock mat for the card front in colors of your choosing. Adhere the mat to the folded card front with adhesive and then adhere the scribble panel and sentiment to the card front with foam tape.

Add a gift card or attach it to a gift for that special father figure in your life and you're all set!

I hope you enjoyed this card inspiration! I would love to see your Father's Day creations, share them with me using the hashtag #mymakingstory. Also, don't forget to use my Discount code ALEXIS20 if you want to get your hands on any of the products I have used for this Father's Day card make!

Until next time...Happy Crafting!