Hello! Today I have a card that I worked really hard on. More specifically, I worked really hard on coloring my focal image. I knew I was making a shaker card for Doodles Paper Playground…that part was easy. But, given the events in the US lately, I felt that not only did I need to educate myself further, but I also needed to diversify my coloring more. I tend to color skin very pale. There’s a few reasons for that, but one of them is that I find it to be easier to get shadows, simply because I start off with such a light tone. Let me be clear…this is not about simply stretching myself as an artist. This is about showing diversity in the crafting world. Far too often (and I am certainly to blame) we color what we look like….and don’t often go beyond that. All skin colors are beautiful, and I want to show that. This goes much deeper than marker colors for me, but this is just one way that I feel that I can show that black lives matter.
![](https://alisonheikkila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kiss-Off-1-600.jpg)
I really wanted to work with the Stars and Stripes Sparkle Blend from Doodles Paper Playground which was perfect because I wanted to use the latest Color Me Monday from Sassy & Crafty, so I went with a red, white, and blue theme for my card.
![](https://alisonheikkila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kiss-Off-2-600.jpg)
I colored this gorgeous Sassy Girl (from the OMG set) with Zig Clean Color Markers and fussy cut her. I found an alcohol ink background I had made recently that totally worked with my color palette. So I die cut a window and found a fun spotted background paper for behind my window. I made sure that I added foam tape behind my Sassy Girl so that my Sparkle Blends wouldn’t get lost behind her. They’re too pretty to be hidden!
![](https://alisonheikkila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kiss-Off-3.jpg)
The Stars and Stripes Sparkle Blend has sweet stars, patterned sequins, and the fabulous textured spirals that I love so much. The sizes and shapes are really fun, and just perfect for a sassy card.
![](https://alisonheikkila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Kiss-Off-4-600.jpg)
I love how this card turned out. I loved using colors I don’t typically use together, and experimenting with skin tones. I’ll be doing skin tones that are out of my typical color palette more often, and I look forward to that. And although this Sparkle Blend is patriotic, I think this card goes beyond that theme. I’ll be back soon with another project. Thanks so much for stopping by. Have an inspiring day!
This is stunning!!! I love everything about this card!!!
Absolutely beautiful! Love the message.