Written In Ink

Category: Christmas

  • Make Some Mid-Century Magic this Christmas

    Make Some Mid-Century Magic this Christmas

    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

    Red Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face down on my grip mat and used a coordinating red ink to slightly darken the edges, leaving the center lighter.
    • After the ink had dried,  I positioned the stencil and masked off the openings for the stars.
    • I  pressed my Versamark embossing ink pad firmly through the openings for the tree.
    • I sprinkled light green (sparkly) embossing powder over the wet embossing ink and set it with my heat gun.
    • I repositioned the stencil and repeated the process to add the stars where I wanted them, masking off openings that were too close for comfort each time.
    • Using white acrylic,  I added spatter generously.
    • I used a punch to round the top-right and bottom-left corners.

    Other:

    • I looked through my Sentiment binder and pulled out this cutie,  cut previously and saved for just this purpose.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base,  centering on all sides.
    • I added the sentiment as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the way this card turned out:  the colour combination,  the mid-century style,  the style of sentiment, and even the spatter –   everything played together so well!

    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: (see images below)

    Mid Century Christmas Tree, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Green Embossing Powder,  Reflections, Michaels (retired)

    White Acrylic Spatter: Dr Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White,  Taylored Expressions

    Dies:  Festive Collection,   Creative Expressions,  Ecstasy Crafts

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    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.

    Mid Century Christmas Tree

  • Celebrate a Nostalgic Christmas with Creative Designs

    Celebrate a Nostalgic Christmas with Creative Designs

    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 ⅜ x 4 1/8

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on my grip mat and positioned the Whimsical Trees stencil.  I used blue ink and applied it lightly across the exposed areas.
    • I set that stencil aside and put the card face in my stamp positioner.  I stamped the barn, fence and footprints with black ink.
    • I put the card face back onto the grip mat and positioned one of the arch masks directly over the stamped images, shielding them completely. 
    • I inked around the mask with dark grey ink,  covering that section of the previous stencilling.
    • Leaving the mask in place to protect the stamped area, I added spatter in both silver metallic watercolour and white acrylic paint.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.

    Final Thoughts:

    I like this calm, country scene!   Adding the spatter at the end made that arched section pop beautifully.

    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: (see images below)

    Whimsical Trees,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Marvellous Masks Arch,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Stamps:  Christmas Barn, 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.

    Whimsical Trees

    Marvellous Masks Arch

  • You Can Create Stunning Christmas Cards with Metallic Gold Ink

    You Can Create Stunning Christmas Cards with Metallic Gold Ink

    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

    Black Card Face:  5.25 x 3.75

    Card Face:

    • I laid the (black) card face on the grip mat,  and positioned the stencil.
    • I used metallic gold ink and a heavy hand across the exposed areas,  ensuring good coverage with the ink.
    • I put the card face aside overnight to dry (the gold ink is pigment,  and takes a while to dry when applied this heavily).
    • The next day I began by dusting the card face liberally with anti-static powder.
    • I put the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the sentiment with VersaFine embossing ink,  then I sprinkled silver embossing powder over the wet ink and set it with my heat gun.
    • I cut 1” off of the top and bottom inch of the card,  setting the strips aside carefully to keep them in the right order.

    Assembly

    • I glued the strips onto the card base,  leaving ⅛” between the strips,  which created visual interest.
    • I added iridescent black pearls to the stencilled pattern,  as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    • This is a very structured, dramatic, elegant card.   I loved finding a way to incorporate this stencil into a Christmas design.
    • The concept wouldn’t have worked without the highly pigmented gold ink that covered the black perfectly:  this Lisa Horton ink is amazing.

    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: (see images below)

    Mid Century Atomic Strands,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Silver Embossing Powder,  Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps: Tim Holtz,  Amazon

    Ink: Lisa Horton,  Cloud 9 Pot of Gold  (this gold is retired,  but she has several others available)

    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.

    Mid Century Atomic Strands

  • Winning at Holiday Cards: Get more mileage from your stencils.

    Winning at Holiday Cards: Get more mileage from your stencils.

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

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Holographic Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.⅜ x 4 1/8

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on the grip match and positioned the stencil.
    • I used red ink across all exposed areas, applying more pressure on the outer edges of the card face, and allowing saturation to fade towards the center

    This stencil actually includes pumpkins and not christmas babbles,  so next I had to come up with a method to change the shape.

    • I started the transformation by coloring the pumpkin stems silver and then continuing on to trace each of the shapes with a silver gel pen but making  sure to go straight across on top, rather than dipping down  the way the stencil is created.
    • I liked the stems, but the silver outline did not show up well enough. So I retraced all the pumpkins with a black fine liner. – this defined the shape and I was satisfied.
    • I used the silver gel pen to add a bit of snow to the top of each ornament, which further disguised the original shape.
    • I used a white gel pan to add highlights to each of the ornaments.

    Other:

    • I die -cut “jolly” three times – once from holographic card stock and twice from black card stock.
    • I glued the two black die-cuts together and then added the silver one on top,  offsetting slightly.

    Assembly

    I glued the border layer to the cardbase and centered the card face on top of these.

    I added the die-cuts on an angle as shown.

    I added a small gold bead to the center of each bowl on the card face.

    I added three silver beads under the word as a finishing touch.

    Final Thoughts:

    This design transformed the pumpkins into Christmas baubles very well, and now I can use this stencil for fall , or for the Christmas season.

    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:  Pumpkins and bows, A colorful life designs.

    Dies:  Impression obsession ( No longer in business)

    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.

  • Create an Awesome Merry & Bright Holiday Card

    Create an Awesome Merry & Bright Holiday 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 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

    Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.5 x 4

    White Cardstock: 2.5 x 2.5

    Red Cardstock: 2 5/8 x 2 5/8

    This card came to be simply because every time I looked at this stencil,  I saw the potential for a string of lights.   The idea just wouldn’t leave me alone –  until I finally sat down and created it.

    Card Face:

    I laid the card face on the grip mat and positioned the stencil.

    I used metallic gel pens to fill in the exposed areas –  red for the “bulbs” and gold for the strands in between.

    I drew small rectangles above each red bulb and filled them in with silver.

    I outlined the red bulb ith a black fineliner to provide more definition.

    Other:

    I placed the white cardstock in my stamp positioner.  After masking off the “Merry & Bright” with low-tack tape,  I stamped the bulbs with red ink.  I stamped twice for good saturation, carefully removing the masking before stamping and replacing it before reinking.

    I repeated this step, stamping the “Merry & Bright” with embossing ink and masking off the rows of lights.  Then I sprinkled on gold embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.

    Assembly

    I glued the red border layer to the card base and then centred the card face on top of these.

    I glued the smaller piece of white cardstock to the red piece,  and then glued it into the centre of the card face.

    Final Thoughts:

    I was really happy with this variation on the stencil –  I love finding new ways to use product I own. Then I remembered this stamp from an old set in my stash,  and I knew it would be a great finishing touch.

    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: (see images below)

    Festoon,   A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps:  Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Fineliner:  Amazon

    Metallic Gel Pens:   Amazon

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    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.

    Festoon

  • Create Stunning Embossed Christmas Cards for 2026

    Create Stunning Embossed Christmas Cards for 2026

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    A card for Christmas 2026!   My goal is to be ahead of the game next year:  I hope to make Christmas cards here and there between now and next November.

    Card Face:

    • I inserted the card face into the embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I removed the paper from the folder and ran a silver ink pad lightly over the raised surfaces.
    • I secured silver metallic thread to the back of the cardface,  at the top left.  
    • I wound the thread around the card face 5 times, allowing it to gather at the top and fan out at the bottom.  I snipped the thread and secured the end with scotch tape.

    Other:

    • I had remnants of a patterned metallic silver paper that I used to die-cut the trees and the sentiment.

    Assembly

    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the card face and centered it on the card base.
    • I glued the three trees in place as shown.
    • I glued the sentiment in place, allowing the left-hand side to overlap the silver threads.
    • I added a small silver pearl to the top of each tree.

    Final Thoughts:

    The silver ink used to highlight the embossing has a gorgeous gleam,  and the die-cut silver elements on the card have a shine:  the contrast between the two is fabulous.

    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.

    Embossing Folder:  Holly Leaves and Berrys,  Nellie’s Choice, Ecstasy Crafts

    Dies:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Ink: Lisa Horton, Glitter & Ink

    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.

  • Create Rustic Holiday Cards the Fast & Easy Way

    Create Rustic Holiday Cards the Fast & Easy Way

    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:  5.25 x 4

    I am trying to make a few Christmas cards as I go along this year,  to avoid the rush in November.  We’ll see if I am successful as the year goes on.

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and positioned the stamp at the bottom of the paper.
    • I stamped in soft blue ink,  moved the card face down ½” and stamped again. 
    •  I repeated this process until I reached the top of the page.

    One advantage of a stamp positioner is its ability to create a background pattern or feature with a single stamp.

    • Other:
    • I had previously created both the snowflake and the sentiment; it was fast and easy to retrieve them from my binders.  (I have two:  one for sentiments and one for shapes and precut /coloured images.They are great time savers!)

    Assembly

    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the card face, and then centered it on the card base.
    • I glued the snowflake into the center of the card face.  I added tiny, iridescent rhinestones around the snowflake,  and a larger one in the center.
    • I put a strip of dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and positioned it under the snowflake, as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    This card is very simple and has a delightfully rustic feel, created by that background. It almost takes on the look of lined paper.  Varying the background would change the style of the card entirely:  elegant, contemporary or grunge could all be easily achieved.

    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.

    Stamps:  Background lace:  Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Dies:  Sizzix Switchlets, Winter Snowflakes,  Amazon

    Ink: Catherine Pooler, Glitter & Ink

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    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.

  • Create a Festive Card with Glitter Embossing Techniques

    Create a Festive Card with Glitter Embossing Techniques

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

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face: 5.5 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I stamped the tree with Memento Black ink and used alcohol markers to colour it.
    • I outlined the elements on the tree with gray ink to make them stand out from the background.
    • I placed the stencil over the image and pressed my Versamark embossing ink pad firmly over all exposed areas,  going over each area more than once to ensure good coverage.
    • I sprinkled white glitter embossing powder over the surface and set it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I looked through my sentiments binder and chose one that fit the mood of the piece and was the correct size.

    Assembly

    • I glued the holographic border layer to the card base, and then glued the card face on top, centering vertically.
    • I added the sentiment as shown,  and then added a small silver pearl to both ends of the sentiment.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is a fun image with a contemporary feel:  after I had coloured it I had a hard time deciding how to finish it off.  In the end, a bit of sparkly snow was the perfect finishing touch.

    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 Snow,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    White Glitter Embossing Powder, Stampin’ Up!

    Stamps: Christmas Town Tree,  Colorado Craft Co.

    Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Alcohol Markers:

         Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

         Copics:  Wallacks

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Holographic Cardstock:  Reflections,  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.

    Falling Snow by a Colorful Life Designs

  • Create Stunning Holiday Cards with Foil Techniques

    Create Stunning Holiday Cards with Foil Techniques

    xx

    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

    Focal die cut:  3×3 gold foil  (after die cutting)

    Scraps of cardstock for die-cut trees

    Transfer foil cut to 5.5 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face onto a piece of scrap paper, positioned the stencil and secured it with Mint Tape.

    I have seen content producers use duo gel/embossing pastes with their Grip Mat, and everything turns out just fine. I don’t like to risk anything drying on my mat,  so I prefer to play it safe and use scrap computer paper.

    • I spread Duo Gel across all exposed areas, carefully removed the stencil, and set the card face down to dry.

    Duo gel dries into a very,very sticky adhesive – so the stencil went into water immediately,  to be scrubbed when my session was over.  This prevents the gel from drying on the stencil – it’s almost impossible to remove at that point.

    • Once the gel had dried, I carefully laid the transfer foil onto the card face and ran it through the Big Shot.   When I removed the foil the sticky Duo  Gel caused the stencilled pattern to stay behind.

    Other:

    • I placed the die onto the gold foil and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I used two tree dies and the cardstock scraps, combining these with the Big Shot to create the small trees.
    • I looked through my sentiment binder to find a great sentiment for this card.

    Assembly

    I glued the card face onto the card base,  centering vertically.

    I turned the die-cut gold square to create a diamond, and glued that into the center of the card face, and then glued the trees on top of this.

    I positioned the sentiment strip across the center of the card face.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is a very structured card, softened by the foil on the card face.  Between that and the die cut from gold foil, the end result has a lovely shine and shimmer.

    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: Simple Christmas  Trees,  A Colorful Life Design

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Dies: Fancy Dies, Square Set,   Hero Arts

    Duo Gel: Deco Foil,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Lapis Watercolor Foil: Deco Foil, Amazon

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Cream 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.

    Simple Christmas Trees from A Colorful Life Designs

  • Fast, Distinctive and Contemporary makes a great holiday card

    Fast, Distinctive and Contemporary makes a great holiday card

    Black is an unusual choice for a holiday card, but so distinctive!

    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 ⅛ x 3 7/8

    Card Face:

    • I laid the black card face onto the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.  
    • I pressed my Versamark embossing ink pad firmly into the openings, moving as needed and covering the entire surface twice to ensure good coverage.
    • After removing the stencil I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the card face, setting it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I looked through my “someday” binder, and struck gold with both the houses and the snowflakes.  
    • Then I looked through my sentiment binder and selected the one you see in the photo –  it worked well with the design.

    Assembly

    • I glued the strip with the houses to the bottom of the card face.
    • I glued the sentiment into (approximately) the center of the card face.
    • I added the snowflakes to the sky as shown, then placed a pearl in the center of each snowflake.
    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love a card that has a hidden surprise, as this one does.  Seen from the front, it’s a simple scene of houses in snowfall; however, when you tilt it just slightly, the light catches the clear heat embossing, revealing the stencilled pattern.

    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 Montage,  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

        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.

    Christmas Montage by A Colorful Life Designs