Rocket Galaxy with Chibi Lights!

Wahoo! I got myself a kit of Chibitronics lights with a huge coupon on Black Friday! I showed my kids and they were eager to try out the lights but I didn’t want to just practice in the book. It seemed easy enough so why not start out with a card?

I tried a new way of making my galaxy background this time. I started by adding lots of stars with my frisket that has a needle tip on it. When that was dry, I used three colours of Gansai Tambi paints for the bright colours. They are semi-opaque so the colour stands out more under the black than with my professional paints. I dried it then added another layer for more brilliant colour and dried that as well. At this stage of course, it is very messy and imperfect. Next I added black (sometimes I also use some very dark blue) paint using my professional, more translucent paints. I applied it over the entire panel focusing on the areas without colour. If the colour starts to disappear underneath the black paint, I use a cloth to pick some of it up off the coloured areas. I add two layers if I need to to get the coverage I want. This layer is also dried before continuing. Last I add some black dye ink around the edges using an ink blender and over the coloured areas if the black isn’t dark enough. An eraser (with a clean tip) easily removed the frisket to reveal the white of the paper creating the look of stars.

The rocket was coloured with Copics and a gel pen for the silver bits then cut out by hand. The flame was cut out in the center as well to make room for the flame. I set up the chibi lights and also cut the flame shape from the background, adding a piece of vellum coloured orange behind the opening. I layered fun foam all over the back except for the battery area and attached the battery with a glue dot. It doesn’t seem to bother the electrical system at all because it is a very small glue dot. The planet was made using eggplant coloured paper cut with punches and dies for the craters. A piece of dark grey paper helps make the craters more 3 dimensional and I rough sponged on some purple, blue and black inks for texture. I used the same sponge I use for ink blending but instead of smoothly sponging over the paper, I just dabbed on the ink which left the texture behind.

For finishing touches, I used some teal glitter washi tape, some nuvo drops in glitter silver and some clear shimmer spray. A few sequin stars and silver Sharpie coloured wood veneer stars and my card was complete! My kids ADORE the light up feature. We’ve decided I will wait and send the card for the next card shower we hear about for a child the right age. So sweet of them to agree to that don’t you think?

Enjoy, Rebecca