Category: Inspirational

Make a card that includes good vibes and sunshine
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 into my stamp positioner and stamped the image with Memento ink.
- I coloured the image with alcohol markers.
- I moved the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
- I applied yellow ink across all exposed areas, coming close to the coloured image, but not overlapping .(I varied intensity in the ink to create visual interest.)
- I put the card face back into the stamp positioner and added the cheery sentiment with Versafine Onyx. I sprinkled this with clear embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
- I positioned a scalloped rectangular die around the focal image and ran the card face through the Big Shot.
- I darkened the edges of the card face with brownish-yellow ink.
- I added red and white spatter with metallic watercolour paint.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I added dimensional foam to the back of the die cut rectangle and put it back in place in the card face.
Final Thoughts:

The darkened edges on the card face bring a lot of dimension.

I love the varied pattern in this stencil: it adds so much 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: Zentangle Dots, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Clear Embossing Powder, Wow, Simon Says Stamp

Stamps:

    Flowers: Your Next Stamp (no longer in business)

    Sentiment: Photoplay, Positive vibes Only (retired)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Alcohol Markers:

     Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

     Copics: Wallacks

Metallic Watercolour: 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
07/21/2025
Send a supportive, encouraging card to that special Someone
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: 4.25 x 11, scored and folded at 5.5

Black Border Layer: 4.25 x 5.5

Kraft Card Face: 4 x 5.5

Card Face:
- I placed the card face into my stamp positioner and used red ink to stamp the image. I stamped three times to ensure a clear, fully saturated image.
- I moved the card face to my grip mat, and positioned the stencil. I applied brown ink with a soft hand over the exposed areas, avoiding the image.
- I went around the borders on the card face with a light hand, brushing on the red ink used for stamping.
- I put the card face into an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot to create texture.
Other:
- I placed a scrap of kraft cardstock into my stamp positioner and created the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.
- I used a stitched die to cut this out, and then went over the edges of this with red ink, as I had with the card face.
Assembly
- I glued the black border layer to the card base, and then centered the card face on top of these.
- I put dimensional foam tape on the back of the sentiment and put it in place as shown.
Final Thoughts:

I love kraft and red together, and I also love how much the stencilling and the embossing add to this design (both subtle, but critical to the end result).

I am really happy with the simplicity of this card – I think it makes a statement with minimal fuss.

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: Broken Lines, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Technique Junkies (no longer in business)

Dies: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

Card Base: 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
06/23/2025
A (quick & easy) gorgeous, inspirational handmade 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

Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face: 5.5 x 4 (subtle patterned paper)

Card Face:
- This stencil is delicate, with long “strands” – so before I started, I sprayed the back with Pixie Spray.
- Next I laid the card face on my Grip Mat, and then positioned the stencil. (I always allow approximately 30 seconds to allow the Pixie Spray to start working.)
- I applied yellow ink across all exposed areas, building up intensity in the top left and bottom right corners.
- After removing the stencil I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the dancer with dark yellow ink, stamping a couple of times to create enough contrast with the background.
- I removed that stamp and added the sentiment, I stamped this three times with Versafine Onyx to achieve a crisp, intense result.
When I want to add a sentiment directly to the card face, and need to be certain that it’s straight : I add a layer of acetate on top of the card face and stamp on that. I make minor adjustments as necessary , cleaning the acetate and restamping until I’m satisfied. Then I remove the acetate and stamp directly onto the card face. This has saved a lot of work from hitting the trash!
- I added spatter to the card face, using the reinker for the darker yellow.
Assembly
- I glued the black border layer to the card base, and then centered the card face on top of these.
Final Thoughts:

I love this elegant ballerina image, and also the combination of the two stamps with this stencil. They all play together so very well!

Although I used a subtle patterned paper for this, the design would also work on regular cardstock.

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: Glittering Hearts, 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: Dancer and Sentiment – Technique Junkies (no longer in business)

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

Glittering Hearts by A Colorful Life Designs
05/19/2025
Create Stunning Cards with Bloom Mandala Stencil
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 (x 2)

Card Face:

Before beginning I sprayed the back of this delicate stencil with Pixie Spray. I left this for about 30 seconds before using it.
- I created the first card face by placing the it on my Grip Mat and positioning the stencil. I went over the stencil with a brayer to ensure good contact.
- I used dark teal ink and a heavy hand across all open areas, creating very saturated tones across the surface.
- I used a circular die to cut the center from this panel.
- I put that card face to the side and positioned the second one on the grip mat: again I positioned the stencil on the card face and used a brayer to ensure good contact between stencil and paper.
- Using the same ink but with a light hand this time, I created the pattern once again. I added several layers of ink to all borders to intensify the colour there.
Other:
- I stamped the sentiment on a piece of scrap cardstock, and cut it out with a stitched rectangle die.
- I used two circular dies and some gold foiled cardstock to create the circular frame. The smaller of the dies was the one used to cut the circle from the initial card face. This ensured a perfect match in sizing.
Assembly
- I glued the second card face to the card base.
- I added the more intensely coloured circle cut from the first card face, taking care to line the patterns up perfectly when gluing it down. This second layer added a nice bit of subtle dimension.
- I glued the gold circle in place around the layered circle.
- I added the sentiment across the center as shown.
- I added 3 different sizes of gems around the mandala to finish the card.
Final Thoughts:

The delicacy of this stencil is so lovely – it is a joy to use. This card was created for my 97 year old mother, and she was delighted with it.

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: Bloom Mandala, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Polka Dot Blossoms, Tim Holtz, Amazon

Dies:

   Circular Nesting Dies, Amazon

   Stitched Rectangles, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Gems: Twilight Illusion, Crafty Meraki

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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.
05/12/2025
A DIY card that says “I care” Easy techniques for stunning results
Unexpected adhesive residue proves to be a bit of serendipity in the design!

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 began by spraying the back of the stencil with Pixie Spray. This is a temporary adhesive which I use to prevent movement in stencils that are delicate, or that have longer, unattached “strands” in the design.
- With that complete, I laid the card face on my Grip Mat, and then positioned the stencil. I rolled a brayer across the entire surface to ensure good contact between the adhesive and the paper.
- Next I selected light aqua and yellow inks and applied them diagonally over the stencil, using a soft hand throughout the process.
- I removed the stencil and placed the card face into my stamp positioner before adding the floral image with Versamark embossing ink.
- I added gold embossing powder over this stamped image, and this is where the serendipity comes in –
- During this step I realized that the stencil had left residue behind from the Pixie Spray, and bits of embossing powder had stuck to this. I could have brushed this off of the background, but decided to roll with it and allow it to add an unexpected touch to the background.
- I used an embossing pen to add a few random lines and dots to the background, and then added gold embossing powder.
- After heat setting this, I decided that one more thing was needed to finish the look: a gold border. I used an embossing pen again, going around the border of the card and creating an irregular line (I could have used a ruler, if I’d wanted precision). After heat setting the gold powder added to this I was satisfied with presence of gold on the card face.
- I used a rectangular stitched die to cut the floral image from the card face.
An adhesive eraser can be used to remove residue from Pixie Spray. Just rub it over the paper as if you’re trying to remove a pencil mark.

Other:
- I looked through my sentiments binder and found a foiled XOXOXOXOXO sentiment.
- I cut three separate XO sections out of this.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I added dimensional foam to the back of the die-cut focal image and then set it in place on the card face.
- I positioned the three XO sections as shown.
Final Thoughts:

I love the serendipity that is evidenced in the bits of gold embossing . They are very tiny and and add a lovely, delicate detail to the card face.

Initially I didn’t have the three sentiment sections on the card face: I was going to keep the imaging very clean and simple: after living with it that way for a couple of days I decided that the additional detail was needed.

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: Glittering Hearts, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Embossing Pen: Tim Holtz, A Colorful Life Designs

Gold Embossing Powder: Ranger, PCW

Stamps: Words in Bloom, Unity Stamps

Dies: Stitched Rectangles, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Pixie Spray: Michaels

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

Glittering Hearts from A Colorful Life Designs
05/02/2025
DIY Card Design: Techniques for Beautiful Stenciled Art
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 x 3.75

Card Face: 4 ⅞ x 3 ⅝ (after die cut)

Card Face:
- I began by laying the card face down on the Grip Mat and positioning the grid stencil. I applied lime green ink over the exposed areas, deliberately creating variations in depth of tone
- I laid the Broken Lines stencil directly over the first stencil and secured it before adding dark grey ink randomly through the stencil.
- After removing both stencils and setting them aside, I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and added those awesome hearts. I stamped twice to be certain that the image was dark enough.
- I added both gold and black spatter, using metallic watercolour paint.
- I used a deckled edge rectangle die to trim the card face down to its final size.
- Then I decided that I wanted one more detail for visual interest, so I used a smaller die from the same set to cut a deckled rectangle from the card face, centering the die around the hearts.
Other:
- I looked through my sentiment binder for the perfect finishing touch and decided on a motivational sentiment in the end.
Assembly

I added dimensional foam to the back of the inner piece of the card face.

I centered the outer section of the card face on the black border and then glued these layers to the card base.

I put the center of the card face back where it belonged, with the foam creating added dimension.

Finally, I glued the sentiment to the card face, directly over the hearts.

Final Thoughts:

This design would work for any occasion: I’m always happy when I have a fun, multipurpose card.

I’m really happy with the way that these two stencils work together, as well as the final result.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stencils:

    Broken Lines, A Colorful Life Designs

    16 Square Shadow, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Metallic Watercolour Ink: Amazon

Stamps:

    Hearts, Technique Junkies (no longer in business)

    Polka Dot Blossoms Sayings, Tim Holtz, Amazon

Dies: Deckled Edged Rectangles, 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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.
05/01/2025
How to create a Stunning Art Deco card
dance like nobody’s watching

The elegance of Art Deco meets the extravagant feel of foil! (And a touch of sass, as an unexpected final touch.)

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.)

Are you intrigued by the luxurious feel of foil, but at the same time just a bit intimidated? Me too! or, I was until I discovered Duo gel and transfer foil. No Minc or laminator required, but the same amazing results – and unlimited options.

Let’s get Started:

Card Base: 4.25 x 11, scored and folded at 5.5

Border Layer: 4.25 x 5.5 **

Card Face: 4 x 5.5

** Budget tip: Rather than a full piece of foiled cardstock, I used two strips of cardstock that were ⅛ x 5.5 each. Gluing them snugly alongside the card face gave the look of a full piece, and is more economical.

Card Face:
- I sprayed the back of my stencil with Pixie Spray. This is a temporary adhesive that will ensure that the stencil stays in place on the card face during use.
- I placed my card face on a piece of cardstock and positioned the stencil. I used a brayer over the entire surface to ensure good contact with the card face.
- I applied Duo gel to all exposed areas, carefully removed the stencil and put it into water. I set the card face aside to dry.
- After the gel had dried (this depends on the thickness of the application, but I typically leave this 2 – 4 hours) it was time for the magic! I put a piece of transfer foil over the card face and ran it through my Big Shot.
- Once this was done I removed the excess foil, leaving the beautiful pattern behind.
- This card needed a sentiment, but I wasn’t certain which direction to go in at first – and then I stumbled across this bit of sass, which fit the bill perfectly. So I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx, stamping 3x to get a bold result.
I didn’t use my Grip Mat for this as I don’t like to risk compromising the surface with gels and pastes. I’ve seen content creators do this successfully: I’m just not brave enough yet!

Other:
- I placed a piece of adhesive dimensional foam on the back of a scrap piece of cardstock and added the die. Then I ran it through the Big Shot.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, centering vertically.
- I glued a narrow strip of irridescent cardstock to both sides.
- I added the dancing lady as shown.
Final Thoughts:

This stencil was part of a water themed release from A Colorful Life Designs, but as soon as I saw it I thought of the elegance of Art Deco. This design has been perking away in my head for a while now – I’m glad to finally have it out and on paper.

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: Waterspout, A Colorful Life Designs

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Clear Embossing Powder: Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

Stamps: Be Yourself, The Frantic Stamper

Dies: Carmen, The Frantic Stamper

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Memento Ink: 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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.
04/19/2025
Make a card for that strong, amazing woman in your life
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 got started by putting the card face onto my Grip Mat and then positioning the stencil on top.
- Next, I applied soft pink ink to one edge, and yellow ink to the other; where they met they turned orange and I went over this junction with both pink and yellow until I had a smooth blend.
  - Although there is a lot to be said for a smooth, homogenous finish I usually allow variations in tone when I blend as I have on this card. I feel that this provides a subtle visual interest and keeps the eye moving on the card face.
- After setting the stencil aside, I put the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the fabulous image with Versafine Onyx.
Other:
- I created a frame by taping two dies together (taped to ensure even spacing) and then running them through the Big Shot with holographic cardstock.
Assembly
- I started putting the card together, beginning by gluing the black border layer to the card base.
- Next came the card face: glued on top of the other two and centered vertically.
- I found that I needed to experiment a bit before gluing down the frame: did I want it straight? Or angled? In the end, I put it at an angle which was a fun, unexpected detail.
- I finished by adding bling in both black and silver, scattered randomly around the card face.
Final Thoughts:

I love this stamp, and it works SO well with the stencil.

One of the reasons that I like the angled frame is that it works so well with the lines created by the stencil.

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: Op Art Bench, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Stamps: Be A Legend, Technique Junkies (no longer available)

Dies: Everlasting Squares, Spellbinders

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx Ink, Simon Says Stamp

Holographic Cardstock, Recollections, Michaels

Card Bling: A Colorful Life Designs

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.
04/01/2025
An easy creative solution to a BIG cardmaking Blunder

What to do when you’ve invested time and materials, but then it all goes sideways? When that happens to me I hate having to scrap the time and materials invested in the piece.

Errors are opportunities for creativity! Read on to learn more ….

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 images in black Memento ink and colored them with alcohol markers. I was happy with the result, as coloring isn’t my strong suit.

  Then I put this aside for a period of time, trying to decide how to finish the piece. When I picked it back up again I was dismayed to see that it had been sitting too close to something messy – there was a fine blue spatter in the upper right. (Probably from cleaning a stencil, and simple carelessness with my work!). How to salvage the time and materials…. ???

I added both large and small drops of paint above the brush. I used a fine liner to outline the drops and a blue alcohol marker to fill them in. I also added small dots of blue marker here and there to bridge between the fine spatter and the larger drops. It worked – I was delighted with the result, I had successfully camouflaged my error!

I carried this one step further by creating puddles of paint under the brush. (There were puddles around the paint pot, but not under this paintbrush).

I used a white gel pen to add accents here and there in the scene.

I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment.

I cut the card face into three panels, 1 ⅓” each.

Assembly

I glued the border layer to the card base.

I glued the three pieces of the card face onto this, spacing evenly.

Final Thoughts:

I love Anita Jeram’s work, and was so happy with the images as placed and coloured. (I don’t pretend to be an expert with any form of colouring, so when I get something that I’m satisfied with, I’m happy!).

Then I was dismayed to notice the spatter, and finally, happy again when the problem was resolved.

Happy – dismayed – happy. Sounds like a movie theme! 😆

Of course if you want to avoid the need for a rescue operation, putting the card in a safe spot is definitely the way to go.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stamps: Paint the Town, Colorado Craft Co.,

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Alcohol Markers:

     Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

     Copics: Wallacks

Fineliners: Amazon

White Gel Pen: Arteza, Amazon

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

03/23/2025
Create a handmade card that celebrates the Simple Moments
Sometimes the simple pleasures really are the best; it could be a smile from a loved one, sunshine on a spring day, or flowers in a vase.

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 inked up the background stamp with orange ink, and laid it face up on my desk: then I placed the card face on top, doing my best to keep it straight.
- I laid a piece of scrap copy paper over this and ran my fingers over the entire surface to ensure ink transfer. (This is my preferred method when using a background stamp.
- I put the card face on my Grip Mat and used a black fineliner to trace the pattern onto the card face.
- I coloured the images with alcohol markers, adding white highlights with gel pen.
- I used a blue gel pen to add the dotted circle around the center of each blossom ( it doesn’t look blue in the image, but it is).
- I used a clear metallic pen to add sparkle to the center of each blossom: the centers had been coloured green with alcohol marker and the addition of the metallic ink activated that, creating a pretty greenish gold.
Other:
- I looked through my sentiment binder and selected one that was a good size for this bold image, and I felt this sentiment worked well too.
- The sentiment had been created on very light cardstock: I added a piece of heavier cardstock to the back to create stability.
Assembly
- I glued the card face directly to the card base.
- I added the sentiment as shown.
Final Thoughts:

I love this stamp and stencil combination: they work so very well together.

I was initially concerned about the orange ink showing through the colouring but then decided that it would just add depth and visual interest. I don’t mind the result, what do you think?

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: Bottled Posies, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Stamps: Weave, Technique Junkies (no longer available)

Fineliner: Amazon

Metallic Gel Pen: Sakura Gelly Roll, Amazon

White Gel Pen: Arteza, 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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.
03/19/2025

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