Category: Inspirational

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

Let’s get Started:

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

Card Face: 5.5 x 4

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

Card Face:
- I sprayed the stencil with Pixie spray and, after about 30 seconds, laid it on the card face. I rolled over the stencil with a brayer to ensure good contact.
- I placed the card face-up and stencil in my spray box and sprayed it with Lindy’s Stardust Spray in several colours.
Other:
- I used Mint Tape to secure the die to the piece of scrap cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot.
- I reviewed my sentiment binder and selected one from those I had prepared in advance.
(This is such a great time saver!)

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

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

Supplies: (and links where possible)

I have listed which products I have used, and where they may be purchased. It’s a huge marketplace and in most instances, there are multiple sources and many alternatives to choose from.

Stencil: Wavy Ladders, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Clear Embossing Powder, Wow, Simon Says Stamp

Lindy’s Stardust Sprays, Glitter & Ink

Dies:

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Wavy Ladders from A Colorful Life Designs
12/12/2025
Create Stunning Cards with Stencils & Embossing Paste
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 Image Strip: 5.5 x 1.75”

Sentiment strip: .25” x 4

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto the Grip Mat and positioned the Diamond Lattice stencil.
- I applied brown ink across all exposed areas, allowing variation in tone to provide depth and visual interest.
- I applied DIY embossing paste randomly over the card face. I carefully removed the stencil and put the card face aside to dry.
When I use embossing paste the stencil goes into water immediately to prevent the paste from drying on the stencil. This makes clean-up much faster and easier.
- Once the paste had dried, I used the Grunge Dots stencil to add dots here and there in the remaining inked portions of the pattern.
Other:
- I placed the Focal Image strip into my stamp positioner and added the leaves with dark brown ink, stamping several times to get an intense image.
- I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the image, setting it with my heat gun.
- Next I placed the narrow sentiment strip in the stamp positioner and stamped the sentiment with the same dark brown ink, again stamping multiple times to get intense colour.
- I sprinkled this with clear embossing powder too, and set it with my heat gun.
Although I used a dye based ink for both of these, stamping several times created enough saturation that the ink was wet enough for me to use the embossing powder successfully. Stamping only once wouldn’t have worked, as the ink would have dried too quickly.

Assembly
- I glued the card face onto the card base, and then added the strip with the leaves, centering both vertically.
- I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and then added it to the card face, centering horizontally.
Final Thoughts:

The combination of ink and embossing paste work well with this design, and the addition of the dots provided additional depth and 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.

Stencil:

Diamond Lattice, 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, Simon Says Stamp

Stamps: Falling Hearts, Unity Stamps (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.

Diamond Lattice by A Colorful Life Designs

Grunge Dots by A Colorful Life Designs
12/05/2025
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
Touch his heart with a card he is sure to treasure
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

Kraft Border: 5.5 x 4.25

Black Border: 5.25 x 4

Kraft Card Face: 5 ⅛ x 3 7/8

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my grip mat and positioned the stencil at an angle, extending off the right-hand side.
- I went over the exposed areas with red ink and then added another layer of ink to the outer edges, using a darker cranberry red.
- I placed the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx, stamping it two or three times to achieve a dark, clear image.
Other:
- I used a separate scrap of kraft cardstock for the tree. After placing it in the stamp positioner, I stamped the green leaves on the tree, carefully masking off the trunk. I stamped twice to get the depth of colour I wanted, masking both times to protect the trunk.
- I repeated these steps to stamp the trunk, using brown ink, stamping twice for the desired saturation and protecting the leaves both times by masking.
- I used the matching die to cut this out.
Assembly
- I glued the kraft border to the card base.
- I added the black border and the card face on top of these, centering both times.
- I glued the tree in place.
Final Thoughts:

I really like this combination: kraft cardstock produces such a different “feel”, and the elements in this card work well with that.

This masculine card would work for birthdays, a graduation, a new job – almost any occasion.

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

Stamps & Die: Rooted in Nature, 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

Leafy Heart Frame by A Colorful Life Designs
09/29/2025
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
A simple & elegant – and sincere! – thank you 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

Card Face:
- I placed the card face on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
- I applied metallic silver ink across all exposed areas.
- Although I routinely use blending brushes for dye inks, I use blending foams for pigment/metallic inks. This is mostly because I have a supply of foams (from my pre-brush era) and I want to have a dedicated foam to each colour of metallic/pigment ink.)
- After removing the stencil I placed the card face into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.
- I used the edge of the ink pad to apply a narrow border of silver ink to all edges of the card face.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
Final Thoughts:

I needed a simple but elegant thank you card – this duet more than met the challenge!

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 Stencil, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamps: Simply Sentimental, Trinity Stamps

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

Ink: Metallic Ink- Lisa Horton, Glitter & Ink

Blending Tool: Studio Light, Ecstasy Crafts

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

Filigree Leaf by A Colorful Life Designs
09/15/2025
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
Be Your Beautiful Self – Celebrate the Wonderful Individuals in Your Life
Oh, the elegance that can be added with gold!

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 x5

Card Face:
- I laid the card face down on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil. I used cranberry red ink over the exposed surface, avoiding the middle of the stencil.
- I used an embossing marker to randomly go over some of the dots around the circle, sprinkling the wet ink with gold embossing powder and setting it with my heat gun.
Other:
- I stamped the poppy outline with black ink, and the fill-colour for the petals in the same red used in the background.
- I used a circle punch to cut this out.
- I taped two circular dies together on red card stock and ran them through the Big Shot to cut out the red circle.
- I looked through my sentiment binder and selected the one shown in the picture.
Assembly
- I centered and glued the card face onto the card base.
- I used the embossing pen to create a line around the edges of the card face, sprinkled gold embossing powder over this and set it with my heat gun.
- I glued the poppy into the center of the card.
- I glued the red ring around the poppy.
- I put foam tape on the back of the sentiment and put it in place across the center of the blossom.
- I put a gold pearl on both ends of the sentiment strip.
Final Thoughts:

This card is so pretty in real life: the gold embossing catches the light beautifully, and adds a touch of elegance to the finished 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: Circle Moon, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Embossing Pen, Ranger, R&R Scrapbooking

Gold Embossing Powder, Wow, R & R Scrapbooking

Stamps: Painted Poppies, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Dies: Nesting Circle Infinity Dies, Hero Arts

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

Circle Moon by A Colorful Life Designs
09/01/2025
From Busy Backgrounds to Remarkable Results in Card Design
Got a busy, chaotic print to use? Tame it, and create beauty in the process.

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

Kraft Border Layer: 5.5 x 4

Card Face: Gel Print: 5.5 x 4.25 (before trimming down)

Narrow Black Border: 5.5 x 2.5

Card Face:
- I laid the Gel Print in my stamp positioner and stamped the image with Versamark embossing ink.
- After removing it from the positioner,I added gold embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
- I used a microliner to trace around the negative image of the tree on the inside of the embossed area, and then outlined outer edges as well.
- I trimmed the gel print down to 5.5 x 2.25.
- Other:
- I spattered the Kraft cardstock with black and gold ink.
- I looked through my sentiment binder and found one that was a great size and “feel” for this card.
- From the remaining pieces of the gel print I trimmed two 5.5 x ⅛” strips.
Assembly
- I centered and glued the kraft layer on the card base.
- I glued the narrow strips on either side of the kraft layer, filling in the remaining space on the card base.
- I centered and glued the card face to the narrow black border.
- I added dimensional foam tape to the back of this and centered it on the kraft border layer.
- I glued the sentiment towards the bottom of the card face, as shown.
- I used a micro liner to add a fine black border to each side of the kraft layer.
Final Thoughts:
- This started as a gel print that I really didn’t care for, but ended up as a card that I quite like – yay!
- I did not initially plan to outline the embossed areas, but the image needed additional definition against that busy background.
Supplies: (and links where possible)

I have listed which products I have used, and where they may be purchased. It’s a huge marketplace and in most instances, there are multiple sources and many alternatives to choose from.

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Gold Embossing Powder: Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

Stamps: Amazing Silhouettes, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Microliners: Amazon

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
08/30/2025

Your cart (items: 0)

Products in cart
Product	Details	Total
	Available on backorder Previous price: Discounted price: Save	Save