Category: Gal Pals

Beautiful Multi-Color Stenciling for 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: 5.25 x 10.5, scored and folded at 5.25

Card Face: 5 x 5

Sentiment Strip: 5 x 1.5”

Card Face:
- I laid the card face on a piece of scrap paper and positioned the stencil (this is a 6 x 9 stencil, so there are options how how to place it – even on a 5 x 5 card face), and secured it with Mint Tape.
- Using small blending and shading brushes, I applied colours to the stencil. I used orange on the center of the flowers , then, moved to a dark red, then to pink. I finished the background with soft beige.
- I spattered the card face using metallic gold watercolour.
- I ran all edges over a Versafine Onyx ink pad, adding definition to the card face.
Other:
- I placed the strip of card stock into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx. I ran the two horizontal edges of the strip over the black ink pad.
Assembly
- I glued the card face onto the card base, centering on all sides.
- I added dimensional foam to the back of the card strip and centered it horizontally on the card face.
Final Thoughts:

This is a really pretty stencil to play with, and the options for colour are endless – everything from monochromatic to full colour, as I have chosen here.

I’m really happy with the result of this multi-colour stencilling, but it was absolutely necessary to use smaller brushes to control colour placement.

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: Lace Close Up, 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: Sampler Pack, Waffle Flower, R&R Scrapbooking

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.

Lace Close Up by A Colorful Life Designs
12/05/2025
Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Beautiful Winter Card
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

Red Border Layer: 5.25 x 4

White border Layer: 3 ⅝ x 2 3/8

Card Face: 3.5 x 2.25

Card Face:
- Using black Memento ink, I stamped the card face with the image of the woman and then coloured her with alcohol markers.
- I placed the card face on my Grip Mat and then positioned the Dot Mat stencil. I added red ink across the open areas, allowing it to fade as it approached the image.
Other:
- I removed the card face from the Grip Mat, and replaced it with the red border layer. I positioned the Eddies stencil and applied red ink with a heavy hand.
- After removing the stencil, I placed this piece in an embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot.
- I looked through my sentiments binder and selected one that worked perfectly with the image.
Assembly
- I glued the red border layer to the card base, centering on all sides.
- I glued the card face to the white border layer, centering on all sides.
- I glued these two pieces together.
- I added the sentiment as shown.
Final Thoughts:

This image from Unity is awesome, and that sentiment from Spellbindersk created the perfect collaboration.

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:

Dot Mat: A Colorful Life Designs

Eddies, 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: Christmas Glimmer Sentiments, Spellbinders, Amazon

Stamp: Freaking Cold, Unity Stamps

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.

Dot Mat by A Colorful Life Designs
11/20/2025
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
10/23/2025
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
10/12/2025
Create Stunning Autumn Themed Cards Full of Nostalgia
memories of long, lazy summer days

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

Card Face:
- I sponged blue and blue-green ink across the surface of the card face.
- I put the card face into the stamp positioner and added the image with Versafine Onyx, stamping twice to get a dark image.
- I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the ink, and set it with my heat gun.
- I intensified the blue-green ink around the stamped image to create shadows and depth.
- I used my anti-static bag liberally across the entire card face and thenI placed the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil. I pressed a Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings, repeating each area several times to ensure full coverage.
- After removing the stencil I sprinkled the card face with gold embossing powder, and set it with my heat gun.
- With all of this complete, I was able to decide on the sentiment: I put the card face back into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx, again sprinkling this with clear embossing powder and setting it with the heat gun.
- I brushed additional blue ink around the edges of the card face to add a finishing touch.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
Final Thoughts:

There is something about this combination that I find quite magical. The image is beautiful, and the gold leaves add just the right touch to this nostalgic moment.

The sentiment is tiny, which allows the scene to take center stage: that works for this card IMO.

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: Falling Leaves, 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

Gold Embossing Powder: Wow, R&RScrapbooking

Stamps: Best Day Includes You, Unity Stamps

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 Leaves by A Colorful Life Designs
09/25/2025
Create a Stunning Stenciled Card & Send Love
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

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat, and then positioned the stencil towards the vertical center.
- I used a medium pink ink to cover all exposed areas, allowing variations in the depth of colour.
- I moved the stencil down and to the right and repeated the inking, allowing the stencilled areas to touch but not overlap.
- I repeated this once more, positioning the stencil above the first stencilled leaf and slightly to the left.
- I put the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the “sending lots of love your way” with the same ink, but stamping a couple of times to intensify the colour.
- I left the stamp and the card face where they where, but shifted the platform door down two spots, and stamped again. I repeated this twice more.
- I cut the card face down with a stitched rectangle die (approximately 5 x 3.75), and then added texture by putting it into an embossing folder and running it through the Big Shot .
Other:
- I stamped the “sending hugs” sentiment on a scrap of cardstock, and cut it out with a matching die.
- I used another die from the same set to cut a slightly larger, complimentary shape from scrap cardstock.
- I glued these two pieces together, centering the stamped sentiment.
- I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment.
Assembly
- I wrapped metallic gold thread around the left hand side of the card face 5X. I used a small piece of the same thread to tie a knot around them approx ⅓ of the way down the card face. Pulling this taut (and securing it with a dot of glue) created a sort of hourglass shape.
- I glued the card face onto the card base, centering on all sides.
- I put the sentiment in place over the knot in the metallic thread.
Final Thoughts:

I’m happy with the various textures and shapes in this design: they came together to form a pretty 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: Filigree Leaf, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

Filigree Leaf by A Colorful Life Designs
09/23/2025
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
09/21/2025
Easy Steps for Stunning Card Making
handWould 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: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face: 5.5 x 4 1/8

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil so that it was hanging off the left-hand side.
- I applied light green ink across all open areas, and then applied dark green ink around the edges, building up intensity gradually.
- I put the card face into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.
- I sprinkled the ink with clear embossing powder while it was still wet, and set it with my heat gun. This intensified the sentiment, making it stand out from the leafy background.
- I positioned a very narrow embossing folder (½” wide) on the left-hand side of the card face and ran this through the Big Shot.
- I spattered white metallic watercolour over the card face.
- I used a punch on both top and bottom corners of the right-hand edge of the card face.
Assembly
- I glued the black border layer to the card base.
- I glued the card face on top of these, aligning snugly on the right-hand edge and leaving a ⅛” border on the left.
- I added three small metallic embellishments to the left-hand edge, on top of the embossing.
Final Thoughts:

The various colours and textures work well together in this design.

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: Leafy Heart Frame, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Clear Embossing Powder, Wow, Simon Says Stamp

Stamps: The Joy of the Journey, Stampendous , Amazon

Metallic Water Colour: Amazon

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

Leafy Heart Frame by A Colorful Life Designs
09/13/2025
Simple Moments Become Treasured Memories
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 3/8 x 4 1/8

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto the Grip Mat and applied green and blue ink with a soft hand.
- I placed the stencil over the card face and used a variety of dark and medium green inks over the exposed areas.
- I moved the card face to the stamp positioner and added the image with Versafine Onyx.
- I intensified the blue around the edges, which adds to the sense of looking into a scene.
- I spattered the card face with white metallic watercolour .
Other:
- I stamped the sentiment on a piece of scrap cardstock and cut it out with a punch.
- I cut two additional “blanks” with the punch.
Assembly
- I glued the three punched shapes together, with the sentiment on top.
- I glued the card face to the card base, and added the sentiment as shown.
Final Thoughts:

I love the soft colours with the gentle feel and sentiment used on 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: Falling Leaves, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamp: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

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

Metallic Watercolour: Amazon

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 Leaves by A Colorful Life Designs

cc
09/09/2025
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
09/05/2025

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