Category: Fun

  • Create Beautiful Christmas Cards with Stencils

    Create Beautiful Christmas 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 ⅛ x 3 7/8

    Card Face:

    • I stamped the girl and the tree using black Memento ink, and then coloured them in using alcohol markers.
    • I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the Diagonal Weave stencil.  I used light gray ink and a soft hand to add this pattern to the background, carefully avoiding the two coloured images.
    • I wasn’t entirely satisfied at this point:  after mulling over my options I pulled out the Glittering Hearts stencil and added that to the background as well, using the same gray ink, and once again a very light hand.  This provided enough detail in the background to support the two images, while the soft colour didn’t compete with them for attention.
    • I placed the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment in red ink, stamping a few times to get the saturation I wanted.

    Assembly

    • I glued the red border layer to the card base, and then added the card face on top, centering both of these layers carefully.
    • I added a small, textured red heart above the sentiment.

    Final Thoughts:

    I am happy with this card –  the two stencils worked together perfectly to fill in that background, providing just enough visual interest.

    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

    Diagonal Weave,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Glittering Hearts, A Colorful Life Designs:

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

    Stamps:  Impression Obsession  (no longer in business)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    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

    Diagonal Weave by a Colorful Life Designs

    Glittering Hearts by a Colorful Life Designs

  • Autumn Card Design Tips with A Colorful Life Stencils

    Autumn Card Design Tips with A Colorful Life Stencils

    Snuggling up and getting cozy when autumn bring chilly winds … bliss!

    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 4.25

    Card Face:

    • I laid this piece on the Grip Mat and then positioned the stencil. 
    •  Using a soft hand, I applied a mixture of brown, yellow and green inks across the open areas.  
    •    Tip: Adding just a touch of extra colour to the edges created the look of a shadow and provided additional dimension.
    • I decided to add the Windy Day stencil to represent the chilly winds of autumn: I positioned this stencil so that it would extend from the left-hand side of the focal image, and applied light blue ink to create the pattern.
    • I selected a different portion of the stencil and added the pattern after positioning it to be added to the bottom right-hand corner of the card.
    • I added spatter to the card face using both plain water and metallic copper watercolour paint.

    Other:

    • I stamped the image using Memento ink, and coloured it with alcohol markers.
    • Once the colouring was complete, I fussy cut the image with my snips.
    • I stamped the sentiment using brown ink, and cut it out with a small oblong die.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.
    • I glued the focal image into the center of the card face.
    • I added the sentiment as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love House Mouse stamps –  they are so deliciously whimsical.   I loved spending time colouring this one and then using it on a card. I decided to colour the leaf in the bright colours of autumn, despite the fact that this  kind of leaf would not actually have those colours in real life.  Artistic licence!

    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:

        Windy Day,  A Colorful Life Designs

        Fall Leaves, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps:   Snuggle Up- House Mouse, Spellbinders, Frantic Stamper

    Dies: Ornate Labels, Sizzix, Amazon

    Metallic Watercolour:  Amazon

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    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

    Fall Leaves by A Colorful Life Designs

    Windy Day by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Easy Steps to Craft a Santa Card

    Easy Steps to Craft a Santa Card

    Even the Big Guy needs a break and some fresh air every now and then!

    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

    Stamped Layer: 5.25 x 4

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4 

    Card Face:

    • I brushed blue ink onto the top two-thirds of the the card face, allowing variations in depth to create the look of clouds.
    • I placed the card face onto the grip mat,  and positioned the stencil about ¾ of the way down the card face.  I used green ink to create the tree line.
    • I shifted the stencil up and over (to allow the trees to fall in between those in the first row) and created a second row, overlapping where necessary.
    • I put the card face into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment in the upper left, using Versafine Onyx.

    Other:

    • I stamped  Santa on the second piece of cardstock, placing him towards the bottom right.
    • I coloured this with alcohol markers, adding a shadow under him and the ski track behind him in the snow as well.
    • I drew a curved hillside behind Santa,  and then cut along that line and also carefully cut around the upper half of Santa.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base,  and the layer with the cut out Santa on top of these.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is such a cute combination –  the style of the tree stencil works with Santa so very well.  I really like this one.

    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: Christmas Tree Edger #1,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps: Jolly Santas, Colorado Craft Co., (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

  • DIY Card Making: Using a Stencil for Unique Designs

    DIY Card Making: Using a 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 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 (before tearing)

    Card Face:

    • I laid my card face down onto the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I used lime green ink on one end and purple on the other. I allowed the green ink to cover about ⅔  of the surface, and took care when it met the purple not to blend them too much –  there was a big possibility of creating  “mud”.
    • I put the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the bee with Versafine Clair. 
    • I used an embossing folder to create texture on the card face.
    • I tore off the right-hand side to create texture and visual interest.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap of cardstock,  and used a die to cut it out.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, aligning snugly to the left hand edge.
    • I added dimensional tape on the back of the sentiment, and put it in place as shown.
    • I added a metallic embellishment to the right-hand end of the sentiment.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’m so happy with this compilation:  I love the stencil, the image, the colours –  and they all played together wonderfully well.

    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: Ordered Lines, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps:  Bee:  Technique Junkies  (no longer in business)

    Die: Impression Obsession  (no longer in business)

    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 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

    Ordered Lines by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Create a stellar birthday card that is Out of this WORLD

    Create a stellar birthday card that is Out of this WORLD

    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

    Border:  5 ⅛ x 5 1/8

    Card Face:  5 x 5

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
    • Avoiding the center,  I used light blue-gray ink on the inner circles of dots,  and black on the outer circles.
    • I filled in the opening in the center with very pale yellow ink to create the moon.
    • I repositioned the stencil and added the landmasses on the moon with the blue ink used earlier in the process.
    • I added the stars with yellow ink,  and then used the same colour to create a fine spatter over the surface of the card.  (to represent stars in far away galaxies.)
    • I added the rocket with black ink.
    • I realized that I had failed to protect my moon, and this now had yellow spatter on it.  I didn’t care for that,  so I went over the moon with the yellow ink,  until I had equalized the colour and the spatter was no longer visible.
    • BUT –  I didn’t want my moon to be that bright, so I went over this area with white pigment ink (4 or 5 times)  to soften the colour again.
    • I put the card face into my Stamp Positioner and stamped the sentiment.

    Assembly

    I glued the border layer to the card base, and centered the card face on both.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is a super fun stencil –  making this card for a girl or boy interested in space was quick and easy.

    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: Circl Moon,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Waffle Flower Grip Mat, 8.5 x 6.5, 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

    Circle Moon by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Gotta tackle that To-Do list… but first COFFEE

    Gotta tackle that To-Do list… but first COFFEE

    “gotta have my coffee!” – the morning anthem of much of the world

    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 1/8

    Card Face:  5.5 x 4 

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and then positioned the stencil, offsetting the design to the left.
    • I used brown ink and a light hand to go over all exposed areas.
    • Working one row at a time, I masked half of each circle with a piece of paper, and once again went over exposed areas with brown ink and a light hand.  This made each circle two-toned, and provided additional visual interest.
    • I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the focal sentiment with the coffee cups.  I used navy blue ink for this –  although it looks black in the picture, it’s navy, honest!
    • I placed the card face on my desktop and added coffee rings and spatter using the brown ink used earlier.
    •  I lightly spattered the card face with water, adding additional texture.

    Assembly

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

    Final Thoughts:

    The stencil provides a great backdrop for this fun stamp:  just enough for visual interest without being a distraction.

    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: Quarter Moon,  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

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    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

    Quarter Moons by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Craft Unique Kiddie Cards with *A Colorful Life* Stencils

    Craft Unique Kiddie Cards with *A Colorful Life* 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

    Card Face:  5.5 x 4.25 before cutting down

    Card Face:

    • I laid my cardface on the Grip Mat and then centered the largest of the Squeezed Rectangle stencils on top.  
    • Over this, I laid the Grunge Dots Stencil.
    • I used blue ink on the top of this stencil and green on the bottom, creating the basics for a scene.  (having the Squeezed Rectangle stencil on the bottom meant that the ink was kept within it’s borders.
    • I removed the stencils and trimmed the card face along the border created by the ink.
    • I ran my ink pads along the newly cut edges,  matching the colours already used.

    Other:

    • I laid the Mid Century Banner stencil on the front half of the card base and applied blue ink with a light hand.
    • I brushed green ink in from the edges of this piece, again using a light hand.
    • I looked through my Ready to Go binder and found the wee elephants, the sun and the sentiment – all just waiting for a chance to shine.

    Assembly

    • I put dimensional tape on the back of the card face and centered it on the card base.
    • I glued the elephants and the sun in place as shown.
    • After experimenting a bit I decided that the sentiment would be best about halfway down on the right, and put it in place.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’ve had all of the components for this card for quite a while – except for the inked up card base.  I was delighted to put them into use, and to discover that they were willing to play nicely together.

    I initially intended this to be a flat cardface,  with the stencilled pattern inked directly onto the card base, however an inky glitch required the card face to be cut out – and after that dimensional tape seemed like a good idea to make it really stand out.

    I feel that the green ink applied to the card base is a bit too dominant:  if I were to recreate this card I would not apply it,  or I would use an even lighter 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:

         Marvellous Masks,  Squeezed Rectangle: A Colorful Life Designs

         Grunge Dots:  a Colorful Life Designs

         Mid Century Banners:  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:

         Elephants:  Studio Light (retired)

         Sun:  Here Comes the Sun, Tayored Expressions

    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

    Mid Century Banners by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Unique Card Design: Get out there and Just Breathe

    Unique Card Design: Get out there and Just Breathe

    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 4.25

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face onto my grip mat and positioned the Aztec Pattern stencil.
    • Masking between rows,  I used yellow, rust and brown inks in a repeating pattern.
    • After removing the first stencil,  I centered the second largest oval stencil on the card face and applied white pigment ink liberally.   I repeated this step 4 or 5 times, allowing time for the ink to dry between layers .  This muted the Aztec pattern in the center of the card face.
    • I put the card face info my stamp positioner and once again put the oval stencil in place and stamped the mountains, birds and trees. (Having the stencil in place allowed me to only stamp onto the muted section of ink as the rest was covered.)
    • Returning the card face to my work surface, I put the corresponding oval mask into the opening, and then removed the stencil..  I traced around the oval with a brown marker.
    • I used an embossing pen to create an oval just outside of the brown one,  sprinkled it with copper embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
    • Using a ruler and the same embossing pen,  I drew a line on both sides of the card face, sprinkled on copper embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I die cut a tree from green cardstock.
    • I looked through my sentiment binder, and found the perfect sentiment for this card.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.
    • I added the die cut tree, allowing it to extend outside of the oval.
    • I put foam tape on the back of the sentiment, and put it in place.

    Final Thoughts:

    This card was far more time consuming than I anticipated,  due to the number of layers of white ink required, and the necessary dry time between layers.  In fact at one point I put it aside for months before finally picking it up again.   Luckily,  I’m happy with the result!

    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:

    Marvellous Masks, Ovals,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Aztec Pattern, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Embossing Pen: Ranger, Amazon

    Copper Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps: Mountain Air, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Dies: Mountain Air, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    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

  • Unlock Your Creativity: Stenciled Card Ideas and Supplies

    Unlock Your Creativity: Stenciled Card Ideas and Supplies

    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 4.25 before cutting down

    Card Face:

    • I laid my cardface on the Grip Mat and then centered the largest of the Squeezed Rectangle stencils on top.  
    • Over this, I laid the Grunge Dots Stencil.
    • I used blue ink on the top of this stencil and green on the bottom, creating the basics for a scene.  (having the Squeezed Rectangle stencil on the bottom meant that the ink was kept within it’s borders.
    • I removed the stencils and trimmed the card face along the border created by the ink.
    • I ran my ink pads along the newly cut edges,  matching the colours already used.

    Other:

    • I laid the Mid Century Banner stencil on the front half of the card base and applied blue ink with a light hand.
    • I brushed green ink in from the edges of this piece, again using a light hand.
    • I looked through my Ready to Go binder and found the wee elephants, the sun and the sentiment – all just waiting for a chance to shine.

    Assembly

    • I put dimensional tape on the back of the card face and centered it on the card base.
    • I glued the elephants and the sun in place as shown.
    • After experimenting a bit I decided that the sentiment would be best about halfway down on the right, and put it in place.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’ve had all of the components for this card for quite a while – except for the inked up card base.  I was delighted to put them into use, and to discover that they were willing to play nicely together.

    I initially intended this to be a flat cardface,  with the stencilled pattern inked directly onto the card base, however an inky glitch required the card face to be cut out – and after that dimensional tape seemed like a good idea to make it really stand out.

    I feel that the green ink applied to the card base is a bit too dominant:  if I were to recreate this card I would not apply it,  or I would use an even lighter 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:

         Marvellous Masks,  Squeezed Rectangle: A Colorful Life Designs

         Grunge Dots:  a Colorful Life Designs

         Mid Century Banners:  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:

         Elephants:  Studio Light (retired)

         Sun:  Here Comes the Sun, Tayored Expressions

    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.

    Mid Century Banner by a Colorful Life Designs

  • 3 out of 4: make a fun DIY card

    3 out of 4: make a fun 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

    Stencilled Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Several pieces of white cardstock scrap for focal images

    Stencilled Border Layer

    • I used an old piece from my “someday” pile for the base of this layer.  I had created a marbled piece a long time ago, and put it aside to be used when inspiration struck; and finally (!) I used it up.    I laid this on the grip mat,  and then positioned the stencil on top.  After applying orange ink across all exposed areas I had a fun, very dimensional piece.
    • I put this into my stamp positioner and stamped the sentiment towards the lower right of the card, as shown.  I used Versafine Onyx for this,  sprinkling the wet ink with clear embossing powder and setting it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • Taking the white card stock scrap pieces,  I created four matching white squares with floral insets.   
    • I glued three of them in place as shown.
    • I used a craft knife to cut the center out of the fourth piece, carefully leaving a smooth white outline.
    • I cut two border pieces (5.5 x ⅛”) from white card stock.

    Assembly

    • I glued the border layer to the card base.
    • I assembled the focal image shown in the picture by gluing the four squares together, placing the outline on the bottom right, around the sentiment.
    • I glued tiny rhinestones into the center of the blossoms.
    • I glued the  border pieces to either side.
    • I added Nuvo Drops to the bottom left and top right, as shown in the image.

    Final Thoughts:

    The  busy background is somewhat muted by the plain white focal image created by the diecuts –  I like that effect.

    Initially I was going to use three squares and leave the sentiment to stand on it’s own,  but decided that the card needed the fourth square for balance.

    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: Bauhaus Circle Mask,  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

    Stamp/Die: All Squared Away, 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 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

    Bauhaus Circle Mask by A Colorful Life Designs