Written In Ink

Category: Congratulations

  • Create a Beautiful Chick Card with Stencils

    Create a Beautiful Chick Card with 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: 5.25 x 10.5, scored and folded at 5.25

    Black Border Layer: 5 x 5

    Card Face: 4 ⅞ x 4 7/8

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face on my work surface, positioned the stencil and secured it with low-tack tape.  (I find that my grip mat doesn’t work well with these larger cards, as there isn’t enough margin to stick well.)   
    • I used light green ink over all exposed areas.
    • I stamped the circular image in the middle of the background and cut it out with a die that was just slightly larger.
    • I used my scissors to roughen up the edges of both the card face and the circular die cut.

    Other:

    • I die cut the pieces of the chick from white cardstock and pressed them into yellow or orange ink pads to create the colours.  (I used a fineliner to colour the oh-so-tiny eyes.)
    • I cut two of the signs and glued them together.  I added the stamped sentiment as shown.

    Assembly

    • I assembled the chick and put her aside to dry.
    • I glued the black border layer to the card base and placed the card face on top.
    • I glued the die-cut circle back into the center and then added the chick on top.
    • I trimmed the bottom of the sign into a curve,  and then glued it into place against the chick’s wing.
    • I added orange spatter to the card face.
    • I added orange card bling to the finished card, starting at the top-left corner and ending at the bottom-right corner.

    Final Thoughts:

    I wasn’t certain how I wanted to use this stencil ,  so I pondered a bit, and then played a bit.

    I’m super happy with how it turned out.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil:  Lines and Dots,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Dies:

    Chicken:  Chicken Fiona,  Joy Crafts,  Frantic Stamper

    Sign:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    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.

    Lines and Dots

  • Elevate Your Card Designs By Foiling the Intricate Diamonds Stencil

    Elevate Your Card Designs By Foiling the Intricate Diamonds 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: 5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    This card began with a gel print that I liked: just a mixture of red, blue, and gold (which appears brown in the image), but I liked the result and decided to create a card with it.

    • I laid the card face (gel print)  down on scrap paper and positioned the stencil.
    • After securing both with Mint Tape, I applied Duo Gel to some of the open areas in the stencil.  I didn’t want to cover the print entirely,  but rather to accent what was already there, so I was selective in where I added the gel.
    • I removed the stencil and placed it into water immediately (Duo Gel dries into a very sticky permanent adhesive –  keeping it wet until I can scrub it off saved my stencil.)
    • I put the card face aside to dry. 
    • Once the gel had dried, I laid a piece of red transfer foil over the area and ran it through my Big Shot.  The pressure from the rollers caused the foil to stick to the dried gel:  when I pulled the piece off of the card face, the foiled pattern stayed behind.

    Other:

    • I used a scrap of white cardstock and a die to cut two sets of the dragonflies, and then glued them together.
    • I looked through my sentiments binder and selected the one you see in the image:  I thought that this card could be for almost any occasion, and I liked the size and shape of the sentiment for this design.

    Assembly

    • I centered and glued the card face onto the card base.
    • I glued the dragonflies and sentiment on as shown.
    • I added a tiny red rhinestone to each dragonfly.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’m really happy with this card:  the red foil compliments the background nicely, without overwhelming the design.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Intricate Diamonds,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps: Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Dies: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Duo Gel: Deco Foil,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Red Transfer Foil: Deco Foil,  R&R Scrapbooking

    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.

    Intricate Diamonds

  • Send Big Love with a Handmade Card

    Send Big Love with a 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 4.25

    Card Face:

    • I put the card face into the stamp positioner and stamped the bunny a couple of times with black Memento ink, centering the image.
    • I coloured her in with alcohol markers  (Memento ink doesn’t react to alcohol, making it perfect for this purpose).
    • I put the card face onto the grip mat and positioned the stencil:  I used pink ink to create the pattern around the bunny –  using more ink/ more pressure around the edges and allowing the ink to fade as I neared the center.
    • I added a rectangular stitched die to the card face, centering carefully.  This die creates a pattern in the paper; \it is not a cutting die.
    • I returned the card face to the stamping platform and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.  This is actually one stamp: to create the separation, I had to mask off the appropriate section, and stamp the other.
    • I used a punch on all four corners to create the peek-a-boo pattern.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base, and then added the card face on top of that.
    • I thought this card needed one final detail,  so I added a clear heart shaped gem to the card face to finish it off.

    Final Thoughts:

    • This bunny is absolutely adorable,  and that sentiment suits perfectly.
    • If I were to re-do this card,  I would position the “sending” a little further to the right –  but by the time I saw the problem on this card it was too late to fix!

    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: Droplet Grid,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps:

         Cuddly Girl, Nellie’s Choice, Ecstasy Crafts  (out of stock)

          Sentiment:  Technique Junkies  (out of business)

    Dies: Stitched with Whimsy, 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 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

    Droplet Grid by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Create a Stunning Wedding Card Using Simple Supplies

    Create a Stunning Wedding Card Using Simple Supplies

    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: 4.25 x 11, scored and folded at 5.5

    Card Face:  4 x 5.25

    An elegant wedding card that is ready in a snap.

    Card Face:

    • After laying the card face down on my Grip Mat,  I positioned the stencil and applied silver pigment ink across the exposed area.

    Pigment ink takes longer to dry than dye-based ink:  I set this aside for a while to dry.

    Other:

    • I die cut two of the bridge and groom images.  (This is a cover plate die,  with a wooded scene around the couple.  I simply cut the bride and groom away from the scene – this was easy,  because of the way it was constructed.)
    • I cut two of the circular frames by securing dies (evenly spaced) on cardstock with Mint Tape and running them through the Big Shot.

    Assembly

    • Once the ink on the card face was dry  I put dimensional foam tape on the back and centered it on the card base.
    • I glued both layers of the couple together, as well as both layers of the circular frames.
    • I glued the bride and groom to the center of the card face.
    • I glued the circular frame to the card face, centering around the couple.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the simple elegance of this card; so much so that I decided not to use embellishments.

    Initially, I had just the bride and groom on the card. After thinking about it for a bit, I decided that it needed the frame to finish it off.

    I love the white and silver together, but this card would be equally impactful with gold and white. If you want to add some drama, gold and black.

    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: Deco Fans, a Colorful Life Designs

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

    Dies:

       Wedding Couple:  Impression Obsession  (no longer in business)

        Nesting Circle Infinity Dies, Hero Arts

    Ink:  Silver Shine, Lisa Horton,  Glitter & Ink

    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.