Written In Ink

Category: Celebrations

  • Unique Card Making:Try Using Spackle for Embossing

    Unique Card Making:Try Using Spackle for Embossing

    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

    Card Face:  5.5 x 4.25

    I love experimenting with new (to me)  techniques and products:  this card was created using spackle as an embossing paste.  I remembered something from Youtube that I saw a few years ago,  demonstrating that “something from a hardware store”  made great embossing paste.  The demonstrator was perfectly clear in what that product was – but I cannot remember!  This was my attempt to substitute, and it was really successful!

    Card Face:

    • I put my card face onto a piece of scrap paper, positioned the stencil and secured both with Mint Tape. 
    • I spread spackle across all exposed areas, removed the stencil and put the card face aside to dry.
    • I put the stencil into water immediately, to prevent the spackle from drying on the stencil.

    When I work with embossing paste  (or spackle, LOL)  I prefer not to use my Grip Mat:  I’m forever going beyond the paper with the paste, and I don’t want to get it on the Mat.

    Other:

    I had previously di- cut the gift from patterned paper: it wasn’t used at that time so I saved it in my Ready to Go Binder until it was needed.

    • I pressed the die cut into my Versamark embossing ink pad, sprinkled it with gold powder and set it with my heat gun.  
    • There were a couple of spots that weren’t completely covered,  so I repeated the process, and the second time around I had great coverage.
    • Once the spackle had dried,  I sprayed the card face with Lindy’s Magicals sprays (gold and blue).  I was pretty enthusiastic with the spraying,  so I left this to dry overnight.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.
    • I glued the die-cut gift in the center of the card face.
    • I glued a small gold embellishment in the center of the bow.

    Final Thoughts:

    I am  impressed with how well the spackle worked.   It is heavier bodied than embossing paste,  so it takes a little extra work to cover the areas well,  but it’s not difficult.  Because it is so heavy bodied there is no danger of it seeping under the stencil – bonus!

    I love the way the spackle took the spray,  it’s really pretty.   

    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:  Joined Roses,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Gold Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies: Gift, KSCraft, 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.

    Joined Roses

  • Create Your Own Love Letters Card Design

    Create Your Own Love Letters Card Design

    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

    Card Face: 5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    • After laying the card face down on my Grip Mat,  I positioned the stencil and applied pink ink over the exposed areas.
    • I switched to a smaller blending brush and added more ink to the hearts on the envelopes.
    • I placed the card face in the stamp positioner and added the “swoosh”  with darker pink ink,  and then added the “sending love”  with black Versafine Onyx.
    • I centered the die on the card face and ran it through the Big Shot.

    This set of dies makes impressions on the card face without cutting through the paper.

    Other:

    • I stamped the “thinking of you”  sentiment on a piece of scrap cardstock and cut it out with a die.
    • I used the matching, larger die to cut a frame for the sentiment.

    Assembly

    • I centered the card face on the card base.
    • I glued the sentiment to the frame,  put dimensional foam on the back and then added it to the card face in the upper left.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is such a pretty stencil: with the hearts on the envelopes, the immediate temptation is to create a Valentine’s Day card, but really, it can be used for any season.

    Although the stamps/dies in this sample are retired, you can easily substitute from your stash and make something wonderful.

    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: Love Letters,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps/Dies:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Smaller Blending Brush:  Waffle Flower #1 Shader,  Glitter & Ink

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Recollections 110 lb., Michaels

    Do you havany e comments or thoughte 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.

    Love Letters by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Create a Unique, Masculine Valentine’s Card Using Stencils

    Create a Unique, Masculine Valentine’s Card 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 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

    Kraft Border Layer: 5.25 x 4

    Card Face:  5 ⅛ x 3 ⅞

    Scraps of Kraft cardstock for die cuts

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face down onto a piece of scrap paper and positioned the stencil.  
    • After securing these with Mint Tape, I applied DIY embossing paste across the open areas of the stencil.
    • I carefully removed the stencil and placed it in water immediately.
    • I put the card face aside to dry.

    When working with embossing paste, I prefer use a piece of scrap paper under my work,  and not risk getting the paste on my Gel Plate.

    Also, when working with embossing paste, I keep a container of water by my side to put my stencils in immediately –  these pastes are difficult to impossible to remove once dry.

    • Once the paste was dry, I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versamark embossing ink.  I sprinkled this with embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I stamped and die-cut a small row of hearts using kraft cardstock.
    • I die-cut the larger heart from kraft cardstock.

    Assembly

    • I glued the border layer to the card base, and the card face on top of these, centering both layers.
    • I glued the row of hearts and the larger die-cut heart in place, as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love black and kraft cardstock together:  this awesome stencil allowed me to combine them in a masculine card that will become my husband’s valentine card this year.   No last-minute scrambling for me –  at least not this year, LOL.

    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: Love Waterfall,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Vintage Pearl Embossing Powder,  Ranger, Amazon

    Stamps/Dies: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    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 notified when I release new work.

    Love Waterfall by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Unlock Amazing Texture in Card Making

    Unlock Amazing Texture in Card Making

    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

    Card Face:  5 x 3.75

    Vellum:  7 x 2.5

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on the grip mat and applied blue, yellow and red ink randomly , covering the entire surface.
    • I spattered water generously over the surface, creating texture and depth.
    • Once this had dried, I positioned the stencil and applied black ink with a heavy hand:  the pattern was created by the areas which had been protected by the stencil, allowing the multicoloured base layer to show through.

    Other:

    • I dusted the vellum liberally with anti-static powder.
    • I stamped the image with Versamark embossing ink, sprinkled silver embossing powder, and set it with my heat gun.  

    I turned the heat gun on for approximately 1 minute before use to be certain that it was good and hot.  While embossing the vellum, I moved the heat gun constantly to prevent warping.

    Assembly

    • I wrapped the vellum around the card face and secured it with scotch tape, centering vertically.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the card face, and put it in place in the center of  the card base.
    • I added a silver pearl to each corner of the card face,  and a triangular metallic embellishment to each corner of the card base.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the bits of texture created by the water spatter,  and the interest provided by the use of different colours in the background.

    The use of vellum softened the contrast and bold colours of the background.

    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: Scribble Mask,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Silver Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps: Candles, Stars & Birthday Wishes , Unity Stamps (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  or  Recollections 110 lb., Michaels

    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 notified when I release new work.

    Scribble Mask by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Stencils and Diecuts -making masculine cards just got easy

    Stencils and Diecuts -making masculine cards just got easy

    An elegant masculine card – ready in a snap!

    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

    Kraft Border: 5.5 x 4.25

    Black Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    Scrap of Kraft Cardstock: .75 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat , positioned the stencil and applied metallic gold ink across the exposed surfaces.
    • After allowing the gold ink to dry (it is a very saturated pigment ink) I put the card face into an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot to add texture.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment in gold ink on a piece of black cardstock,  and then cut it down to ⅝ x 3
    • I looked through my Bits & Pieces binder and found the tree, previously cut out of kraft and waiting to be used.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black sentiment strip to the kraft strip.
    • I glued the kraft border layer to the card base, and then centered the black card face on both.
    • I glued the tree in place on the right hand side as shown.
    • I glued the sentiment strip in place over the tree, just below the center of the card.
    • I added a metallic embellishment on either side of the sentiment.

    Final Thoughts:

    This was a fast & easy card to put together; it has a very masculine feel due to the colours used.

    I love the way gold and kraft play off of each other.

    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: Fine Snowflakes,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Dies:  Woodlands,  Tim Holtz, Amazon

    Ink: Lisa Horton Metallic Ink,  Glitter & Ink

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    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 notified when I release new work

    Fine Snowflakes by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Create a beautiful card – celebrate with balloons

    Create a beautiful card – celebrate with balloons

    a fast, easy & impressive 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

    Card Face: 5.5 x 4.25

    White Cardstock: 5 x 3.75  (before die cutting the frame)

    Scraps of White Cardstock for the word

    I used the Marvellous Masks – Balloons for this card, which include four different sizes of both stencils and masks and offers infinite variety.

    Card Face:

    I selected two of the balloon stencils, one quite a bit larger than the other.

    I laid the card face on my Grip Mat and positioned the larger balloon stencil. I applied yellow ink across the exposed area.

    I repeated this 3X, creating four large balloons randomly on the card face using purple, pink and red inks in addition to the yellow.

    I added smaller balloons in the colours mentioned above as well as adding blue and green to the mix,  allowing the balloons to overlap to create depth.

    I outlined each balloon with a black micro liner (I put the stencils back in place to do this, making the process fast and easy).  

    I drew strings on the balloons using the same micro liner.

    I added white spatter to the card face using diluted acrylic.

    Other:

    I die cut  “celebrate” 3X from the scrap cardstock.

    I positioned two stitched rectangle dies on the larger piece of white cardstock, taping them to ensure even spacing all the way around.  I ran this through the Big Shot to create the white frame.

    Assembly

    I stacked and glued the three words on top of each other.

    I glued the card face to the card base, and centered the white frame on these.

    I added the Celebrate on an angle, slightly above the center.

    I added white Nuvo drops as a finishing touch.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’m really happy with this fun, colourful card.  I hadn’t initially planned to outline the balloons,  but I am glad I did: the extra definition made a huge difference in this card.

    I only used two of the four sizes of balloons in the set –  you could easily alter the sizes and number of balloons in the design to create a new look each time.

    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: Marvellous Masks, Balloons, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Dies: Amazing You, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Micro Liners: Amazon

    Acrylic: Dr Ph Martin, Taylored Expressions

    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 notified when I release new work

  • Make him a fun and fabulous Father’s Day card.

    Make him a fun and fabulous Father’s Day card.

    Let’s get Started:

    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.)

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

    Cranberry Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Copper Border Layer: 3.25 x 4.25 

               Alternatively, to save material-  just cut two ⅛ x 4.25 strips from the copper cardstock and glue them directly along the top and bottom of the card face.

    Card Face:  3 x 4.25   

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face on my grip mat and then positioned the first part of the stencil (the handles).
    • Using cranberry ink and a moderate hand, I applied ink across the exposed areas.  I went back with a shading brush (smaller) and applied addition in specific areas to create depth in the handles.
    • I removed the first stencil and brought in the second layer (the “business end” of each tool).
    • I used copper metallic ink across all exposed areas.

       This is a very dense pigment ink,  and I wasn’t able to create further depth with additional layers.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx,  and cut it down to the finished size with a die.
    • I used an embossing folder on the cranberry border layer to create an industrial feel.
    • I used the same copper foil cardstock and dies to cut out the nuts used as an accent.

        If a piece of foiled cardstock was used for the copper border (rather than strips)  these nuts could be cut from the center of that piece – no one would know!   

    Assembly

    • I glued the cranberry border layer to the card base, and added the copper border layer and card face on top centering appropriately.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and put it in place in the center of the card.
    • I added the small copper nuts as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    Such a fun card:  I love the colours and textures.  And I love that sentiment, combined with the wee embellishments.

    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: Layered Tools, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamp and Die:  Taylored Expressions (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Metallic Ink: Copper Pot:  Lisa Horton, Glitter & Ink

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Shading Brushes: Waffle Flower, Amazon

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Copper Foil Cardstock:  Reflections,  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 notified when I release new work

    Layered Tools from A Colorful Life Designs

  • Stencilling + Paper Piecing on a DIY Card? A fast & easy technique.

    Stencilling + Paper Piecing on a DIY Card? A fast & easy technique.

    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

    Black Border Layer:  5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.5 x 4.25, copy paper

    Patterned Paper

    Card Face:

    I decided to use this stencil with patterned paper instead of ink, creating a very different look.

    • I laid the stencil on the green plaid paper and traced the lines to create the suit jacket, and cut out the pieces
    • I traced the bow tie onto the orange patterned paper and cut out the pieces.

    This stencil is approximately 5.5 x 5.5,   and my card was going to be 5.5 x 4.25 –  I had to make the suit jacket smaller somehow.   Rather than cut the extra width off the sides,  I overlapped the two pieces on the copy paper.  This gave me a smaller V,  which worked well with that width.

    • I glued the two pieces of the suit in place, overlapping as necessary.
    • I glued the bow tie in place, allowing it to extend onto the green plaid.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx and cut it out with a die.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base,  and then glued the copy paper layer on top of both.
    • I added foam tape to the back of the sentiment and put it in place.
    • I glued a tiny white button to the “shirt”.
    • I traced around the button and the pieces of the bow tie with a black fineliner,  providing more definition.

    Final Thoughts:

    I used papers to create a sort of quirky/geeky feel for this suit –  I love the result. Different papers will produce very different results.

    I don’t often do paper piecing, but it’s so much fun.

    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:  The Tux,  A Colorful Life Designs

    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.

    The Tux by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Celebrating the King of the Cookout with a DIY card

    Celebrating the King of the Cookout with a DIY 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

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    After laying the card face on my Grip Mat, I positioned the stencil towards the top of the panel. I was using the section of the stencil which creates flames,  and I masked off any nearby openings.

    I brushed soft yellow ink over the exposed area,  and then (using a detail brush) I added touches of red to the base of the flames to provide visual interest.

    I rotated the stencil to allow the apron to appear in the bottom right of my card face.  After once again masking off nearby areas  I applied red ink.  I used a full sized brush for the main part of the apron,  and a detail brush for the strings.

    I repositioned the stencil again, this time to feature the dotty words.  After  (you guessed it!)  masking nearby areas  I applied black ink to create the fun font.

    Other:

    I die cut the BBQ tools from white cardstock.

    I used alcohol markers to colour the handles. 

    I used an embossing pen to colour the metallic parts of the tools, sprinkled some silver embossing powder over this and set it with my heat gun.

    Assembly

    I glued the card face to the card base.

    I used a ruler and a black marker to create a fine black border around the card face.  (There are two advantages to this:  it saves a piece of cardstock,  and I can draw a very fine line which is perfectly centered.)

    I used a ruler and a fineliner to draw a black line on the card face where shown,  and then glued the BBQ tools onto this.

    Final Thoughts:

    A fun “guy” card –  I haven’t decided if this will be for Father’s Day or a birthday.  My guy is truly a BBQ King,  he produces amazing results from the grill.

    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:  Kiss The Cook,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Embossing Pen: Ranger, Amazon

    Silver  Embossing Powder: Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies:  Apron of Love,  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Fineliner: Amazon

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Detail Brushes:  Scrap n’ Stamp

    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.

  • Easy Stencil Ideas for Beautiful DIY Mother’s Day Cards

    Easy Stencil Ideas for Beautiful DIY Mother’s Day Cards

    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 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 (patterned paper)

    Card Face:

    • I began by laying the patterned paper on the Grip Mat and positioning the Love You stencil.
    • I used medium purple ink and a light hand to apply ink across all exposed areas.
    • After removing this stencil,  I replaced it with the Heart of Hearts stencil positioned at an angle and towards the left of the card face.
    • I applied the same purple ink with a heavier hand, allowing it to stand out against the first layer of stencilling.
    • I applied additional layers of ink to the left-hand side of the stencil,  building up intensity and depth.
    • I used gold watercolour paint to add a fine spatter to the card face.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment with Versamark Embossing Ink, added gold embossing powder and set it with the heat gun.
    •  I cut this out with an oval die.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering vertically.
    • I put a thin strip of gold foil on both top and bottom of the card face.   This left me with a very narrow strip of the card base visible, which I didn’t care for.   I dealt with that by running an embossing pen along the strip, sprinkling gold embossing powder over top and setting it with my heat gun. 
    • I used double-faced tape to add metallic gold thread to the back of the sentiment.  I added a piece of foam tape as well,  and put it in place as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    This patterned paper is so pretty with the gold marbling:  the gold accents I included in the design echo this very well.

    I was very happy with this card in the end.

    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.

    Stencils:

        Love You:  A Colorful Life Designs

        Heart of Hearts,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Embossing Pen: Ranger,  Amazon

    Gold  Embossing Powder:  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Metallic Watercolour: Amazon

    Dies:  Nesting Oval Dies,  Hero Arts

    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.