Written In Ink

Category: Friendship

  • Design a Fun Card sure to make them Grin

    Design a Fun Card sure to make them Grin

    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 3/8 x 4 ⅛

    Focal Image:  3 1/8 x 1 ⅞

    Border for Focal Image:  3.25 x 2

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face down onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I applied yellow ink to all exposed areas, using more pressure in the center and allowing the ink to fade towards the edges.

    Other:

    • I had just stamped and coloured this image a couple of days prior, so I grabbed that to use on this card.
    • I stamped the sentiment on a piece of scrap cardstock and die cut it to create the finished shape.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base.
    • I glued the smaller black border layer to the focal image, and then glued that newly layered piece onto the card face.
    • I put a piece of dimensional foam onto the back of the sentiment and positioned it on an angle across the focal image.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love this crusty, cantankerous old gal … you can see that she has opinions on anything and everything, and is ready to share them.   I was amused by pairing this sentiment with this image:  it’s like she is saying, “this is me,  this is my style.  Deal with it!”   LOL.

    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: Solar Rays, 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,  Simon Says Stamp

    Stamps:

    Maude, Artistic Impressions (retired)

    Sentiment: Be Yourself, The Frantic Stamper

    Dies: 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.

    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.

    Solar Rays Stencil

  • Impress Someone with your Graffiti Skills

    Impress Someone with your Graffiti Skills

    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

    Kraft Card Face:5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face down on my Grip Mat and positioned the Stonework stencil. I covered exposed areas with a mixture of light brown, yellow brown, and orange brown inks.
    • Removing that stencil, I positioned the Circle Tree stencil, masking off the edges to protect the surface that was already inked.   I used dark brown ink and a heavy hand to create the tree.
    • Leaving this stencil in place, I inked up a background stamp with black ink and pressed it firmly into the exposed areas.  The stamp creates a “crackled” look, as if the paint on the stone wall were about to flake off.  I used fineliners to intensify the black on the dark brown.
    • I used a gold gel pen to outline all the openings in the stencil and to complete the circle around the tree.
    • I wasn’t satisfied, so I removed the Circle Tree stencil and put the Stonework stencil back in place:  I used medium brown ink and a small shading brush to add darker colour to the stones, adding depth and dimension.
    • I put the cardface into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versamark embossing ink.   I added Metallic Platinum embossing powder, and set it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I pressed the Versamark embossing pad onto the borders of the cardbase, sprinkled it with the same Platinum embossing powder, and set it with my heat gun.  (This ensured that the border matched the sentiment perfectly.)

    Assembly

    I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.

    Final Thoughts:

    I did not completely achieve my goals with this card, but I still like it.

    I wanted it to resemble a stone wall with a tree painted onto it by a graffiti artist.   I’m not seeing my vision, which is frustrating: the addition of the extra brown ink did help with the wall’s visual depth, but it still needs improvement.   A challenge to future self.

    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:

    Stonework: A Colorful Life Designs

    Circle Tree:  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Metallic Platinum Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R &R Scrapbooking

    Stamps:   Paint Your World,  Spellbinders (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Shading Brush:  Waffle Flower, R&R Scrapbooking

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Stonework Stencil

    Circle Tree stencil

  • YOU Can Create Unique Cards with Stencils

    YOU Can Create Unique Cards with Stencils

    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

    Border Layer: 5.25 x 4

    Card Face:  5 x 3.75

    Card Face:

    • I put the card face into my stamp positioner,  and used Memento ink to stamp the gnome.
    • I coloured him with alcohol markers.
    • I placed the card face onto the Grip Mat and positioned the Outline Grid stencil: I used grey ink and a light hand to create the stencilled pattern.
    • I removed that stencil,  and dropped in the Falling Dots stencil – except instead of the dots going vertically,  I turned the stencil and created them horizontally.  I used blue ink and a soft hand for this step.
    • I returned the card face to the stamp positioner and added the sentiment, using Versafine Onyx.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border to the card base,  and then centered the card face on top of these.
    • I scattered green and blue Card Bling randomly on the card face.

    Final Thoughts:

    He is such an earnest little guy,  ready to stand his ground and go the course for a friend.  And the stencils provide the perfect detail in 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.

    Stencils:

         Falling Dots, a Colorful Life Designs

         Outline  Grid, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps: Technique Junkies (no longer in business)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Alcohol Markers:

         Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

         Copics:  Wallacks

    Card Bling:  A Colorful Life Designs

    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.

    Falling Dots Stencil

    Outline Grid Stencil

  • Make an elegant card: combine embossing paste and vellum

    Make an elegant card: combine embossing paste and vellum

    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

    Card Face:  5.5 x 3.75

    Vellum:  7 x 2.5

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on scrap paper and positioned the stencil.  I secured both with Mint Tape.
    • I applied DIY embossing paste across all exposed areas.
    • I carefully removed the stencil and placed it in water immediately.

    When I work with embossing paste, I have a container of water beside me:  I usually do several card faces during a session with paste,  with each one going into the water as soon as it’s removed from the card face. When I’m done, the stencils are all cleaned at the same time.  This makes clean-up much faster and easier.

    • I put the card face aside to dry.

    Other:

    • I turned on my heat gun before starting work with the vellum.
    • I placed the vellum in my stamp positioner and added the butterflies with Versafine Onyx.
    • I sprinkled the ink with clear embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.

    Vellum will warp easily with heat,  so it’s important to have a very hot, preheated tool and to move it constantly until the powder has melted.

    • I stamped a scrap of cardstock with the sentiment,  and then cut it out with a die.
    • Assembly
    • I folded the vellum around the card face and secured it with scotch tape.
    • I glued the card face to the card base,  making sure that the vellum on the back of the card face was fully adhered.
    • I glued the sentiment in place as shown,  taking care to use no more glue than was needed, as vellum warps very easily with moisture.

    Final Thoughts:

    The gleam of the embossing paste is so pretty, but the panel was very busy as a whole:  the vellum is such a great tool in this instance,  as it dampens that down, while providing another layer of interest because it is translucent.

    Sadly, the stamps here are retired: but this design is easily replicated with others that you have on hand.

    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: Chaos Squares, A Colorful Life Designs

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Stamp & Die:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Vellum: 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.

    Chaos Squares by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Make a Striking Impression with Card Crafting

    Make a Striking Impression with Card Crafting

    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

    Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    I wanted to have a play with ink smooshing – I hadn’t even remembered that technique in a long time.   I loved the result I got from the blue and brown mix, then I had to figure out how to use it.

    Card Face:

    • I pressed an acrylic block firmly into a brown ink pad and spritzed it with water.  I pressed the watery result onto the card face in several areas.
    • I repeated this process with blue ink.
    • I put the card face aside to dry.
    • Once dry, the paper was warped (caused by the watery ink smooshing).  I lightly spritzed the back of the card face with water and placed it under a weight overnight, which flattened it again.
    • I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and added the image with Versafine Onyx.
    • Moving the card face to the Grip Mat, I positioned the Chaos Squares stencil and applied brown ink randomly across the image.
    • I switched the stencils, positioned the Falling Dots over the card face, and filled in some areas with the same brown ink.
    • I returned the card face back to the stamp positioner and stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.
    • I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the sentiment and used my heat gun to set it. 

     This treatment makes the sentiment more intense, and it stands out more against a busy background.

    Assembly

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

    Final Thoughts:

    I love Andy Skinner stamps,  and I’m so happy with this card.  The combination of ink smooshing and randomized stencilling works very well with this image.

    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:

    Chaos Squares:  A Colorful Life Designs

    Falling Dots: 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,  Simon Says Stamp

    Stamps:  Best Friends,  Andy Skinner, Scrapbook.com

    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 notified when I release new work.

    Falling Dots By A Colorful Life Designs

    Chaos Squares by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Creative Techniques for Unique Designs using Gel Prints

    Creative Techniques for Unique Designs using Gel 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 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

    Kraft Border Layer: 4 1/8 x 4 1/8

    White Border Layer: 4  x 4  

    Card Face: 4 x 4 (before cutting)

    I have quite a supply of gel prints in my stash, each just waiting for a chance to shine.  I pulled one out for this card.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face (gel print) on a piece of scrap paper and positioned the stencil.  I applied embossing paste to all open areas on the stencil. 
    • I carefully removed the stencil and placed it in water immediately, as cleanup is much easier when the paste is moist.
    •  I put the card face aside to dry.
    • Once dry,  I trimmed the card face down to 3 x 3,  and then cut it into three pieces, each 3 x 1” wide. 
    • I tore the top and bottom of each piece, deliberately making the tears uneven.
    •  I applied dimensional foam to the back of each piece.

    Assembly

    • I glued the kraft border layer to the card base, and the white border layer on top of that, centering both carefully.
    • I removed the backing from the foam tape and put each piece in place taking care to leave space between each piece and on the edges as well.  
    • I also made sure that the image lined up correctly to “work” visually as I was putting the pieces in place.

    Final Thoughts:

    I had such a time with this gel print:   I loved the combination of the Sand Paste with that print, but then (as is often the case)  I couldn’t decide how to use it.  After putting it aside, looking at it again, putting it aside …. for a couple of weeks  (!)  I finally decided on the design you see here,  and I’m so happy with it.  This is one of my absolute favourite creations in a long 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: Chrysanthemum Set,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Cosmic Shimmer Antique Sand Paste,  Ecstasy Crafts

    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.

    Chrysanthemum Set by A Colorful Life Designs

  • A new YOU in a new year!

    A new YOU in a new year!

    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:  4.5 x 3.25

    Transfer Foil:  5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:

    • I laid the  green border layer onto a piece of scrap paper, positioned the stencil and secured it all with Mint Tape.
    • I applied Duo Gel across the exposed areas,  removed the stencil carefully (to avoid smudges) and put it immediately into water.
    • Duo Gel dries into a very strong adhesive; if left to dry, it can ruin your stencil.  When I’m working with this product, I have a container of water beside me to put the stencils in until I take a break and wash them.
    • I put the border layer aside to dry.  (Duo Gel is white when applied, and dries clear –  the length of time depends on the thickness of the application.)
    • Once dry I placed the transfer foil onto the surface and ran it through my Big Shot.  The pressure of the machine created a bond between the foil and the adhesive:  when I removed the larger piece of foil, the adhesive caused the foiled pattern remain.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx and cut it out with a stitched rectangle die.
    • I placed a heart shaped die on an angle on the card face and ran it through my big shot.
    • I spattered green and gold metallic watercolour onto the card face.
    • I trimmed the green border layer down to 4.75 x 3.5. 
    •  I cut a ¼”  x 4.25 strip from the discarded piece.

    Assembly

    •  I glued the narrow strip of foiled border across the card base, approximately ½” from the bottom.
    • I centered the card face to the slightly larger border layer, and then glued these to the card base on an angle, allowing the bottom left edge to overlap the narrow srip.
    • I glued the sentiment in place as shown.
    • I added three small green embellishments to finish the card off.

    Final Thoughts:

    After the card was complete,  I found myself thinking that I should have added a subtle texture to the card face with an embossing folder.  However,  it was too late at that point!   The card is fine as is,  but that would be a possible modification.

    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: Circles Galore   A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Metallic Watercolour, Amazon

    Stamps: Be Gentle With Yourself,  Unity Stamps

    Dies:  

    Stitched Rectangles , Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Heart Shaped Die, Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Duo Gel: Deco Foil, R&R Scrapbooking

    Transfer Foil: Deco Foil,  Emerald Watercolor, R&R Scrapbooking

    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.

    Circles Galore by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Using Foil and Ink Techniques for Cards for beautiful results

    Using Foil and Ink Techniques for Cards for beautiful results

    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

    Gold Foil Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    Transfer Foil:  5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:

    • I laid my card face down on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I used medium-brown ink randomly across the exposed areas, varying pressure to control depth and skipping some areas completely.
    • Leaving the stencil in place,  I spread Duo Gel over some of the inked areas, allowing partial coverage even within some of the openings.
    • I removed the stencil and placed it in water immediately.   I set the card face down to dry (the gel is dry when it becomes transparent).
    • When the gel was dry, I placed the transfer foil on top and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I removed the foil, and the dried gel (which had become an adhesive) left the foil on the card face.
    • I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and used brown ink to stamp the trees on the left of the card face.
    • I used a darker brown ink and stamped the deer in front of the trees.  I stamped a couple of times to ensure that it was intense enough to grab attention.
    • I used a corner chomper punch on each corner of the card face.

    Other:

    • I grabbed the sentiment you see from my binder.

    Assembly

    • I glued the foil border layer to the card base,  and then centered the card face on top of that.
    • I applied dimensional foam to the back of the sentiment and added it as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I couldn’t decide if I liked this for a few days:  it sat on my desk as I considered it.  It bothered me that I had lost part of the deer’s face due to the foiling,  and I needed to decide if it was “too much”.  In the end, I decided that I still liked this card –  I like the play between foil and inked surfaces,  and between coloured and uncoloured parts of the surface.

    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: Triangle Fade,  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,  Simon Says Stamp

    Stamps: Natures Beauty & Winter Wood, both Stampin’ Up  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Duo Gel:  Decofoil, R&R Scrapbooking

    Transfer Foil: Decofoil, R&R Scrapbooking

    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.

    Triangle Fade by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Contemporary DIY Card Design: Stencil Techniques You Need

    Contemporary DIY Card Design: Stencil Techniques You Need

    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

    Scrap cardstock for die cut:  4 x 3  (before die cutting)

    Card Face:

    • I sprayed the stencil with Pixie spray and, after about 30 seconds, laid it on the card face.  I rolled over the stencil with a brayer to ensure good contact.
    • I placed the card face-up and stencil in my spray box and sprayed it with Lindy’s Stardust Spray in several colours.

    Other:

    • I used Mint Tape to secure the die to the piece of scrap cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I reviewed my sentiment binder and selected one from those I had prepared in advance.

    (This is such a great time saver!)

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face onto the card base,  centering vertically.
    • I affixed the die-cut heart to the card face on the left.
    • I put dimensional foam tape on the back of the sentiment and positioned it as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the pretty colours and the organic feel of this card.

    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: Wavy Ladders, 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,  Simon Says Stamp

    Lindy’s Stardust  Sprays,  Glitter & Ink

    Dies:

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Card Base & Card Face: 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.

    Wavy Ladders from A Colorful Life Designs

  • How to Use Duo Gel for Stunning Card Effects

    How to Use Duo Gel for Stunning Card Effects

    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:  5.25 x 4

    Focal Piece:  2.5 x 1 (after being trimmed down)

    Sentiment: 1.5 x 1.5 (after die cutting)

    Strips:  .25 x 5.25 ( x 2)

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face onto the grip mat and positioned the Mod Rectangles stencil.
    • I applied red ink over all exposed areas,  deepening the colour at the edges to create a border.
    • After removing the first stencil, I placed the Airy Swirls stencil.
    • I covered all exposed areas with Duo Gel, removed the stencil carefully (to avoid smudges), and put the card face down to dry.
    • Once the gel was dry (it goes on white but becomes clear when dry), I laid a piece of transfer foil on top and ran it through the Big Shot.  When I removed the piece of foil, the sticky gel had left those areas of the foil in place, creating the stencilled pattern.

    When I use Duo Gel, the stencils go immediately into water once removed as the gel will be almost impossible to get off when dry.

    Other:

    • I placed the cardstock for the focal image into my stamp positioner and added the image of the woman with brown ink.  I used my trimmer to cut this to size along the dotted border, finishing with a corner punch to round the edges.
    • I replaced this with the smaller piece of cardstock for the sentiment, stamped it with the same brown ink, then cut it down to size with a die.

    Assembly

    • I centered the card face on the card base,  and then added the focal piece towards the left as shown.I glued the two narrow strips to the right of this image.
    • I added dimensional foam to the back of the sentiment and placed it as shown, allowing it to slightly overlap the focal image.   I added three small gold pearls at the bottom of this piece.

    Final Thoughts:

    Purple and red are a fabulous colour combination, and they work well with this pair of stencils: one so structured and the other so loose and flowing.   

    This created a fun backdrop for the tongue-in-cheek, vintage focal image.

    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

    Mod Rectangles,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Airy Swirls: A Colorful Life Designs:

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

    Stamps: Motherhood is a Verb,  Unity Stamps  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Duo Gel: Decofoil,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Transfer Foil: Decofoil,  R&R Scrapbooking

    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.

    Mod Rectangles by A Colorful Life Designs

    Airy Swirls by A Colorful Life Designs