A (quick & easy) gorgeous, inspirational handmade card.

Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs.  Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

Card Base:   5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded at 4.25

Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face:  5.5 x 4   (subtle patterned paper)

Card Face:

• This stencil is delicate,  with long “strands” – so before I started, I sprayed the back with Pixie Spray.
• Next I laid the card face on my Grip Mat, and then positioned the stencil. (I always allow approximately 30 seconds to allow the Pixie Spray to start working.)
• I applied yellow ink across all exposed areas,  building up intensity in the top left and bottom right corners.
• After removing the stencil I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the dancer with dark yellow ink,  stamping a couple of times to create enough contrast with the background.
• I removed that stamp and added the sentiment,  I stamped this three times with Versafine Onyx to achieve a crisp, intense result.

When I want to add a sentiment directly to the card face, and need to be certain that it’s straight : I add a layer of acetate on top of the card face and stamp on that.   I make minor adjustments as necessary ,  cleaning the acetate and restamping until I’m satisfied.  Then I remove the acetate and stamp directly onto the card face.  This has saved a lot of work from hitting the trash!

• I added spatter to the card face, using the reinker for the darker yellow.

Assembly

• I glued the black border layer to the card base, and then centered the card face on top of these.

Final Thoughts:

I love this elegant ballerina image,  and also the combination of the two stamps with this stencil. They all play together so very well!

Although I used a subtle patterned paper for this,  the design would also work on regular cardstock.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

   I have listed which products I have used, and where they may be purchased. It’s a huge marketplace and in most instances, there are multiple sources and many alternatives to choose from.

Stencil: Glittering Hearts,  A Colorful Life Designs

Waffle Flower Grip Mat, 8.5 x 6.5, Scrapbook.com

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Clear Embossing Powder: Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

Stamps:  Dancer and Sentiment –  Technique Junkies (no longer in business)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

Card Base & Card Face: Accent 100 lb., Amazon

Do you have comments or thoughts to share on this design?  Drop me a line in the Comments Section below –  I’d love to hear from you!

You can also use the Comments Section  to be added to the list, and notified when I release new work.

Glittering Hearts by A Colorful Life Designs