Written In Ink

Author: Chris

  • DIY a Pup-themed card for a Dog Loving Friend

    DIY a Pup-themed card for a Dog Loving Friend

    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 the 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

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    This set includes a stencil with six openings to create dogs, as well as the six cut-out shapes that act as masks.  I used three of the masks to create this card.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on the grip mat and positioned the three masks, securing each with a loop of low-tack tape.
    • I applied light brown ink with a soft hand around each mask.
    • I added touches of the same brown ink to some edges on the card face.
    • I removed the masks,  put the card face in an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I decided I wanted some spatter on the card face,  so I put the masks back in place and added gold spatter here and there with metallic watercolour.  I used the same puddle of gold metallic watercolour to run the edges of the card face through,  allowing an irregular edge.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of cardstock,  and used a deckled-edge die to cut it out.
    • I used a scrap of gold cardstock to die cut the bones.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
    • I added dimensional foam to the back of the sentiment and put it in place on the upper left of the card face.  
    • I glued the bones in random spots,  as shown.
    • I added three clear embellishments to the sentiment as a finishing touch.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the way this card came together: the negative images created by the masks,  the texture and dimension created by the embossing folder, the die-cut bones …. All of these work so well together.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Dogs Playing,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Dies: KSCrafts,  Amazon

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Card Base & Card Face:  Recollections 110 lb., Michaels

    Do you have any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Dogs Playing

  • Stencil + Cats + Butterflies = A One of a Kind Card

    Stencil + Cats + Butterflies = A One of a Kind 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 the 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

    Black Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5 ⅜ x 4 1/8

    Card Face:

    • I positioned the die on the card face – centering carefully –  and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I placed the center cut-out section on the grip mat and added the cats into the squares individually, using brown ink and varying pressure to create depth. This involved both moving the stencil and masking as necessary to prevent stray ink from ruining the design.  
    • Two of the cats were too large to fit into the squares – they were allowed to “spill over”   as shown in the picture.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base,  and centered the outer section of the card face on top.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the card face and placed it back in the center opening.
    • I gave each cat a small butterfly embellishment to play with.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is such a fun design –  I think the cats and the postage stamp die are a great combination.  The tiny butterflies are hard to see in the picture,  but they are a great finishing touch.

    I will add a sentiment to this when I send it –  it could be used for almost any occasion and I’m leaving the options open till then.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Cats Playing, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies: Postage Collage,  Waffle Flower,  Glitter & Ink

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Alcohol Markers:

         Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

         Copics:  Wallacks

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Do you have any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Cats Playing

  • DIY a Simple Curlicue Cat Card with Paw Prints

    DIY a Simple Curlicue Cat Card with Paw Prints

    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 the 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: 5.25 x 10.5, scored and folded at 5.25

    Pink Border Layer:  5.25 x 5.25

     White Border Layer:5 ⅛ x 5 1/8

    Pink Card Face:  4 ⅞ x47/8

    Card Face:

    • I dusted the card face liberally with anti-static powder, then positioned the stencil and secured both with low-tack tape.
    • I pressed my Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings in the stencil, repeating a couple of times to ensure good coverage.
    • After setting the stencil aside, I sprinkled white embossing powder over the wet ink,  and set it with my heat gun.
    • I used a corner punch to add additional detail to each corner.

    Other:

    • I used a scrap of white cardstock and a die that cuts tiny, adorable pawprints.
    • I looked through my Sentiments binder and selected the  “congratulations”.

    Assembly

    • I glued the pink border layer to the card base, and centered the white border on top of these.
    • I added the pink card face (centered carefully), then added the paw prints as shown.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and positioned it in the upper right quadrant of the card face.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the white-on-pink-on white- on pink effect achieved here.  Fun,  without distracting from the design.

    Although I pulled out the “congratulations”,  this card would work for many other occasions.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil:  Cat Curlicue ,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    White Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies:  KSCraft,  Amazon

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Do you have any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

  • Experiment with Gold Embossing on Patterned Paper

    Experiment with Gold Embossing on Patterned Paper

    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 the 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

    Card Face: 5.25 x 4

    This card began as a gel pull that I wanted to use.  (I have quite a pile!  If you’ve played with a gel press,  I’m sure you understand.)

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face on my grip mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I pressed my Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings on the stencil.
    • Putting the stencil aside,  I sprinkled gold embossing powder over the sticky ink,  and then set it with a heat gun.
    • I positioned three of the dies along the right-hand side of the card face (varying the angles) and secured them with low-tack tape.
    • I ran the card face through my Big Shot.

    Other:

    • I die cut a scrap of cardstock with the banner die.
    • I positioned the stamp on the die cut and stamped it with Versamark embossing ink.
    • I sprinkled the wet ink with gold embossing powder and set it with the heat gun.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base –  the negative die cuts allowed the white card base to show through the die cut openings.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the banner die cut and placed it as shown.
    • I put a small gold pearl on both ends of the die cut.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love negative die cuts –  for me, they add something unexpected to a card design.

    I love the way the stencilled gold pattern winds over the random gel print –  a luxe element on top of the rich colours.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Lapping Waves,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Gold  Embossing Powder,  Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies:  Cut Out Leaves,  Sizzix, Amazon

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Do you have any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Lapping Waves

  • You CAN DIY a Stunning Layered Card

    You CAN DIY a Stunning Layered 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 the 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

     Black Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    White Anchor Layer: 5.5 x 2

    Lighthouse Layer:   5.5 x 2

    Border for Lighthouse Layer:  5.5 x 2.25

    Card Face:

    • I laid the cardstock for the lighthouse layer onto the grip mat and positioned the stencil.   I used two different blue inks to go over all exposed areas-  one dark and one medium blue.   I used the dark blue on the very bottom and the medium blue on the top 2/3 of the panel,  blending carefully where they met.  I added additional medium blue ink around the top edges and around the curved lines on the stencil, which added a lot of depth to the image.
    • I removed the stencil and added 3 birds toward the top left of the panel.
    • Putting the stencil back in place, I spattered water over the inked image, blotting it with a paper towel to soak up excess moisture.   I set this panel aside.
    • I placed the cardstock for the other half of the card face in the stamp positioner and stamped the anchor both top and bottom, stamping a couple of times to get an intense image.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white cardstock,  and then used a die to create the shape.
    • I used the same die to cut a second shape, using black cardstock this time.
    • I cut the black shape in half horizontally and then glued the halves behind the white shape in a way that allowed the black to show both top and bottom.

    This is a great way to get extra use from a die,  while creating a perfectly matching border for the sentiment.

    Assembly

    • I glued the larger black border layer to the card base.
    • I centered the lighthouse on the smaller black border piece,  and then glued this to the right hand edge of the card base layers.
    • I glued the white card face layer to the card base, positioning it snugly against the lighthouse and leaving a narrow border on the left hand side.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and positioned it as shown between the two anchors.

    Final Thoughts:

    The addition of the spatter worked well on this piece, mimicking spray coming up as water crashed into the lighthouse.

    I didn’t get the anchor stamp perfectly spaced top and bottom –  this bothers my eye!

    Other than that,  I’m happy with this design.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Two Sea Panels, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Stamps: Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Dies: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    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 any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Two Sea Panels

  • Elevate Your Card Design with Simple Techniques

    Elevate Your Card Design with Simple Techniques

    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 the 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:  5.25 x 3

    Card Face:

    • I stamped the image using Memento black ink,  and coloured the girl with alcohol markers.
    • I looked through my  (many) sentiments and found one that fit the opening so perfectly that it seemed made for it –  but it was actually an old,  long retired stamp from a different company.  I added this using Versafine Onyx.
    • I added a light blue “halo” around the girl with an alcohol marker,  softening the edges with a blender to prevent a harsh line. This added visual interest without being a distraction.
    • I put the card face onto the grip mat and positioned the stencil.  I used grey ink  and a soft hand to add the pattern around the girl, allowing the pattern to extend into the blue halo.
    • I used a corner rounder to remove the eges of the card face,  and then ran this rounded rectangle over a black ink pad.

    Other:

    • I put the border layer down on the grip mat and positioned the same stencil:  using light blue ink and a soft hand I added colour over the entire piece.

    Assembly

    • I glued the border layer to the card base.
    • I added dimensional foam tape to the back of the card face,  and centered this on the border layer.

    Final Thoughts:

    I like the use of the same stencil in two different colours in this design:  the difference is subtle, but fun.

    I still can’t believe how well the sentiment fits the opening –  pure serendipity!

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Patterned Noise, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Stamps: Remi Girl,  Unity Stamps

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Alcohol Markers:

         Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

         Copics:  Wallacks

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Do you have any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Patterned Noise

  • Create a Stunning Masculine Card with the Rope Trellis Stencil

    Create a Stunning Masculine Card with the Rope Trellis Stencil

    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 the 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

    Card Face: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:

    • I put the card face on the grip mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I went over all exposed areas with a soft hand and brown ink.
    • I used dark brown ink to stamp the “ship’s log”  detail onto the background twice as shown.
    • I used a blending brush very gently around the edges to add a subtle tonal difference around the edges.
    • I ran the edges of the cardstock over the dark brown ink pad, allowing small “blotches” of ink to appear as I did this.

    Other:

    • I stamped and die-cut the compass, sailboat and sentiment.  I put dimensional foam on the back of each piece.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.
    • I positioned each of the die-cut pieces as shown in the picture.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’m happy with the decisions made during the process and how the elements work together in this card.  It’s a masculine card that would suit several different occasions.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Rope Trellis,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Stamps/Dies: Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels 

    Recollections 110 lb., Michaels

    Do you have any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Rope Trellis

  • Create Unique & Eye-Catching Card Design Using Stencils

    Create Unique & Eye-Catching Card Design Using Stencils

    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 the 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

    Black Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Smaller Black Border Layer:  5 x 3.75

    Card Faces:  5  x 3.75 (x2)  before cutting

    This design created itself as I went along –  as so many of mine do!

    Card Face:

    • I placed the first card face-down on the grip mat and positioned the stencil.  I used a mixture of light aqua /light blue inks across the exposed areas.
    • I removed the first card face and put the second one in its place.   After positioning the stencil once again, I used a mixture of dark blue, medium blue, and medium aqua inks across the exposed areas.
    • I cut both card faces into  ¼” strips.  
    • I glued the strips to the smaller black border layer, alternating light and dark strips and leaving a space between, allowing the black to show through.

    I used  a ⅛” strip of cardstock as a spacer to ensure even spacing.  

    Other:

    • I die cut 6 hats out of scraps of white card stock, and glued them in a pairs, resulting in 3 hats in the end.
    • I stamped and die-cut the sentiment.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer onto the card base,  and then glued the striped layer onto this on an angle as shown in the picture.
    • I glued the 3 hats down the left-hand side, leaving a space for the sentiment between the bottom two.
    • I glued the sentiment in place.
    • I added a metallic embellishment on each side of the sentiment.

    Final Thoughts:

    This really wasn’t what I had in mind when I began working with the stencil,  but once I had the two card faces done,  the idea slowly nudged its way into existence.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Turbulent Waters,   A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Dies: Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    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 any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Turbulent Waters

  • DIY Card Making: Using the Volcano Stencil for Unique Designs

    DIY Card Making: Using the Volcano Stencil for Unique Designs

    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 the 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

    Card Face:5.5 x3.25

    This stencil is called Volcano,  but as soon as I saw it I was intrigued by the idea of using it to create a road disappearing in the distance. So, of course  I had to have a go ….

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face on my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil, allowing most of the volcano to extend beyond the card face.
    • After carefully masking the sky with pieces of low-tack tape, I used brown ink to create the road. I intensified the colour towards the vanishing point and allowed it to get lighter in the foreground.
    • I removed the masking from the sky and relocated it to protect the edges of the road.
    • I used blue ink around the vanishing point of the road and then switched to light aqua for the outer edges.  I blended these two colours carefully where they met.

    Other:

    • I stamped, coloured and die-cut the graduate.
    • I stamped and die-cut the sentiment.
    • I cut two 5.25 x ⅛” pieces of white cardstock and dragged the blue ink pad over each of them.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base towards the top, leaving a border, while ensuring a larger border at the bottom.
    • I glued on the narrow blue strips along each side, creating a faux border layer.
    • I added the figure of the graduate towards the end of the road,  as shown.
    • I added the sentiment in the bottom right.

    Final Thoughts:

    It took me a couple of tries to get this right:  the first time I didn’t mask fully and ended up mixing the blue and brown inks –  not my goal!

    The effect works,  and I loved matching the tiny graduate with the sentiment – which are from different companies.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Volcano,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Graduate Stamp and Die:  Mini Boy,  Hampton Arts,  Amazon

    Sentiment Stamp:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Alcohol Markers:

         Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

         Copics:  Wallacks

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Do you have any comments or thoughts 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 notified when I release new work.

    Volcano

  • You Can Use Your Stencils for Unique Card Designs

    You Can Use Your Stencils for Unique Card Designs

    Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencils I used from A Colorful Life Designs.  Follow the link and use the 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

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    This card started with a gel print created with the Retro Star Grid stencil.   I have piles of gel prints,  and from time to time, I get a few out and use them up.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the Mid Century Shadow stencil on the card face and applied Duo Gel in a thin layer over the exposed areas.  I allowed a few gaps in the gel as I applied it to create a patchy look once the foiling was complete.  (I do this from time to time,  to get a more interesting result.)
    • I removed the stencil and put the card face aside to dry.  (Duo Gel goes on white,  and dries clear –  the time taken for this depends on the thickness of the gel.)

    The stencil went immediately into water until I could clean it: the Gel dries to be a super-sticky adhesive, and it’s almost impossible to get off at that point.

    • Once the gel was dry, I laid a piece of transfer foil over it and ran it through the Big Shot.  The pressure from the rollers brought the foil into contact with the adhesive.
    • When I pulled the foil off the card face,  the stencilled pattern remained.
    • I used a corner chomper on the corners of the card face.

    Other:

    • I stamped and coloured the fish, then fussy-cut them out.
    • I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of white cardstock and die-cut the circle as well as the circular border

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
    • I glued the two fish on.
    • I added the sentiment and the circular border piece.
    • I added iridescent glass beads to represent bubbles from the fish.

    Final Thoughts:

    Once I had completed the foiling on this piece, I had no idea how I wanted to finish it –  this happens to me more often than I like to admit, LOL.

    I finally made the decision on which direction the design would go, and after that it was easy –  and I love the result.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencils:

    Retro Star Grid,  A Colorful Life Designs

    4 Mid Century Shadow,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Fish Stamps:  A Colorful Life Designs  (retired)

    Dies:

    Circle:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Circular Border:  Sizzix,  Amazon 

    Duo Gel, Therm o web,  Scrapbook.com

    Foil: iCraft, R&R Scrapbooking

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Alcohol Markers:

         Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

         Copics:  Wallacks

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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    4 Mid Century Shadow

    Retro Star Grid