After coloring in our Rustic Birdhouse Rubber Stamp with several different markers and pencils, I decided on the Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils as the best for this stamp. They allow the stamped image to show through.
Normally, Distress Ink is used for accent areas or blending on paper, but I used it here for stamping the main image. Our rubber stamps have natural gum in them which means you can use them with any crafting ink. Also, the deep etch of our stamps truly allows a crafter to get a fantastic impression every time. Hint: I always place a paper towel underneath whatever paper I'm stamping on. With this method, the stamp image always, always comes out perfect.
Using 2 of Spellbinders Nestabilities dies from the Classic Oval Large set, the birdhouse design fits perfectly inside the oval shape. The center strip down the middle is just a 1/2" cut piece of matching aqua blue cardstock.
The white cardstock behind the oval center is embossed with a Japanese waves type pattern through an embossing folder (Lifestyle Crafts from Michaels). And on top of the embossed paper, I stamped our Damask Rubber Stamp in black ink. This large stamp covers an A2 card front completely, so it was easy to stamp. I used the reverse method of leaving the stamp on the table face up, inking it, then placing my paper over it - and it only took one try. The process was easier than expected and the result was beautiful!