Da Vinci Birthday Card

Several years ago, stamps were the craft item of the day. They were everywhere. Almost every craft store had a large selection of stamps, inks and embossing powders. Now these same stores have a small area devoted to stamps and a limited supply of inks and most of us have a drawer full of unused stamps. Inspired by some of the mixed media projects using stamps, in Sommerset Studio magazine, I went searching on line for stamps. I came across Stamp Francisco. They had a large variety of unique stamps. I just had to order the Da Vinci woman. Her classically beautiful face seemed perfect for my projects, especially cards.

My husband's Aunt Marge had a birthday coming up and the Da Vinci woman seemed like the perfect image for a memorable birthday card. Armed with a variety of inks, a spray bottle of water and colored pencils, I went to work.

Finished Card

Close up of image.

Directions for Da Vinci Birthday Card:

White, deep purple, scrap of green and parchment card stock
DCWV Old World paper pad-purple print card stock
Prima purple rose
Stamp Francisco Da Vinci woman stamp
Prismacolor colored pencils
Tattered Angels Diamond Dust spray ink
Spray bottle filled with water
Imagine Walnut Ink-Terracotta spray ink (available at Michaels)
Tim Holtz Tea Dye and Rusty Hinge distress inks
Memories Coffee colored ink pad
Martha Stewart  Leaf paper punch
Foam dots
Purple ribbon


1.  Print the birthday sentiment on the inside of the card. Print on parchment card stock, using the half fold option.

2.   Stamp the image onto white card stock with the coffee colored ink. When the ink is dry use colored pencils to color the image.  Lightly distress around the image with the tea dye distress ink.  Lightly spray the entire image with the terra cotta  walnut ink. Let the ink dry and then lightly mist the image with water. Let the water drops dry on the image to create a mottled effect. Apply rusty hinge distress ink around the edges of the image, darken the sides and the corners of the card stock. Spray with Diamond Dust spray ink and let it dry.

3.  Cut a piece of the Old World card stock approximately 1/4 inch larger, on all sides, than the image. Attach the image to the card stock with foam dots.

4.  Cut the deep purple card stock 1/2 inch larger, on all sides, than the Old World card stock. Glue the layered image to the purple card stock. Cut another piece of Old World card stock approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch larger, on all sides, than the deep purple card stock. Glue the layered image to the larger card stock.

5.  Cut a piece of purple ribbon 1/2 inch longer than the length of the card. Center the ribbon on the card, tuck the edges of the ribbon under the top and bottom of the card and glue in place. Center the matted image on the card over the ribbon and use foam dots to attach the image to the card.

6.  Punch two small leaves out of green card stock using the leaf paper punch. Glue the rose to the top left of the matted image and glue the leaves under the edges of the rose.