Written In Ink

Category: Get Well

  • DIY a Pup-themed card for a Dog Loving Friend

    DIY a Pup-themed card for a Dog Loving Friend

    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

    This set includes a stencil with six openings to create dogs, as well as the six cut-out shapes that act as masks.  I used three of the masks to create this card.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on the grip mat and positioned the three masks, securing each with a loop of low-tack tape.
    • I applied light brown ink with a soft hand around each mask.
    • I added touches of the same brown ink to some edges on the card face.
    • I removed the masks,  put the card face in an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I decided I wanted some spatter on the card face,  so I put the masks back in place and added gold spatter here and there with metallic watercolour.  I used the same puddle of gold metallic watercolour to run the edges of the card face through,  allowing an irregular edge.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment on a scrap of cardstock,  and used a deckled-edge die to cut it out.
    • I used a scrap of gold cardstock to die cut the bones.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
    • I added dimensional foam to the back of the sentiment and put it in place on the upper left of the card face.  
    • I glued the bones in random spots,  as shown.
    • I added three clear embellishments to the sentiment as a finishing touch.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the way this card came together: the negative images created by the masks,  the texture and dimension created by the embossing folder, the die-cut bones …. All of these work so well together.

    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: Dogs Playing,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Dies: KSCrafts,  Amazon

    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 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.

    Dogs Playing

  • Experiment with Gold Embossing on Patterned Paper

    Experiment with Gold Embossing on Patterned Paper

    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

    This card began as a gel pull that I wanted to use.  (I have quite a pile!  If you’ve played with a gel press,  I’m sure you understand.)

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face on my grip mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I pressed my Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings on the stencil.
    • Putting the stencil aside,  I sprinkled gold embossing powder over the sticky ink,  and then set it with a heat gun.
    • I positioned three of the dies along the right-hand side of the card face (varying the angles) and secured them with low-tack tape.
    • I ran the card face through my Big Shot.

    Other:

    • I die cut a scrap of cardstock with the banner die.
    • I positioned the stamp on the die cut and stamped it with Versamark embossing ink.
    • I sprinkled the wet ink with gold embossing powder and set it with the heat gun.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base –  the negative die cuts allowed the white card base to show through the die cut openings.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the banner die cut and placed it as shown.
    • I put a small gold pearl on both ends of the die cut.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love negative die cuts –  for me, they add something unexpected to a card design.

    I love the way the stencilled gold pattern winds over the random gel print –  a luxe element on top of the rich colours.

    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: Lapping Waves,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Gold  Embossing Powder,  Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies:  Cut Out Leaves,  Sizzix, Amazon

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Do you have any comments or thoughts on this design?  Drop me a line in the Comments Section below –  I’d love to hear from you!

    You can also use the Comments Section to be notified when I release new work.

    Lapping Waves

  • Create Beautiful Cards: DIY Guide and Tips

    Create Beautiful Cards: DIY Guide and Tips

    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

    Card Face: 5.25 x 4.75

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on my grip mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I used light pink ink across all exposed areas, allowing variation in the pressure to create visual interest.

    Other:

    • I positioned the leaf die on one of the gel prints from my stash,  and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I taped the bird die to a scrap of white cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot.

    Assembly

    • I glued the leaf die cut to the card face, centering on all sides.
    • I glued the bird die cut towards the bottom of the card face, on top of the first die cut.
    •   I added the bird inlay (optional with this die).
    • I added Wink of Stella to the bird,  as well as a gold bead for the eye.
    • I put foam tape on the back of the card face and centered it horizontally on the card base.

    Final Thoughts:

    This mixture of elements feels sort of random,  but works well together!

    This design would work for many different needs: I wasn’t sure how I was going to use this card when I took the photo,  but it was sent out to a friend going through a hard time with “hugs,prayers and love”  in the upper right.

    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: Flower Rays,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Dies:

    Swirly Bird Ribbon,  Poppy Stamps (retired)

    Leaf Cover Die:  Simon Says Stamp  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    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.

    Flower Rays

  • Share a Stunning Card Made with Two Leafy Stencils

    Share a Stunning Card Made with Two Leafy 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 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

    This card began as a ghost print created during a gel printing session. The fine lines visible in the background were created there.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on my grip mat and positioned the Leaf Lattice stencil.
    • I applied brown ink across the exposed areas, using more pressure in some areas to create more saturation and visual depth. With this particular stencil,  this process created the look of shadows under the leaves,  which was pretty fun.
    •  I removed that stencil and allowed the ink to dry completely.
    • I positioned the Leaf Sprigs stencil at the bottom-left of the card face and then pressed my Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings.
    • I sprinkled gold embossing powder over the embossing ink and set it with my heat gun.
    • I positioned an edger die along the right-hand side of the card face and ran this through my Big Shot.  This split the card face in two,  while creating two different leafy patterns – one positive and one negative.
    • I trimmed off the rough edge left on the left-hand piece.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment in Versafine Onyx and used a die to create the shape.

    Assembly

    • I glued both pieces of the card face to the card base, allowing a ⅛” border around the outside:  this left a white strip visible between the two pieces.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and put it in place over that strip, as shown in the picture.
    • I added three metallic gems – two above the sentiment, and one below.

    Final Thoughts:

    These stencils are really pretty together,  and I really like this brown & gold combination.

    If I were to recreate this card,  I would add a border layer underneath the card face to create more contrast and show off the die-cut leaves a little more.

    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.

    Stencils:

    Leaf Lattice,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Leaf Sprigs,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: The Scrapbook Cottage

    Gold Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies:  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 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.

    Leaf Lattice stencil

    Leaf Sprigs stencil

  • Share a smile with a DIY Cheeky Get Well Card

    Share a smile with a DIY Cheeky Get Well Card

    Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs.  Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Card Face:  5.5 x 4.25

    White Frame:  5.25 x 4  (outer dimensions)

    Card Face:

    • I began by stamping the image onto the card face with black Memento ink and colouring it in using alcohol markers.
    • Laying the card face down on my Grip Mat and positioning the Scripty stencil.  I applied black ink randomly, using a light hand.  I took care to avoid the image during this process.
    • Removing that stencil,  I replaced it with the Grunge Dots stencil and applied a medium blue ink across the exposed areas, once again avoiding the image.
    • I brushed the same blue ink on the borders, allowing it to fade as it moved away from the edge. The stencilling was visible through this ink and took on the appearance of texture, which I liked.
    • Finally,  I traced around the image of the nurse using a soft grey alcohol marker.  This helped to separate her from the background,  making her stand out.

    Other:

    • I placed two consecutively sized rectangular dies on a piece of white cardstock, securing them with Mint Tape.  I ran these through the Big Shot: this created the frame.
    • I stamped the sentiment and used a smaller rectangular die to cut it down to the correct size.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.
    • I put glue on the back of the frame, but then blotted some of it off on scrap paper before putting it in place on the card face.  (This ensured that no glue seeped out from under the frame.)
    • I glued the sentiment in place as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love a good cheeky image,  and this one (both image and sentiment)  from Art Impressions is awesome.

    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:

        Script,  A Colorful Life Designs

        Grunge 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,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps:  Get Well,  Art Impressions

    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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.