Category: kiddie

Create Beautiful Cards with Love Ewe and Celtic Knots
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: 5.25 x 4

8” of ¼” white ribbon.

Card Face:
- I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and stamped the image in the center using Versafine Onyx.
- I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the wet ink and set it with my heat gun.
- I repeated these steps with the sentiment.
- I laid the card face on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil. I used yellow ink and a light hand to apply it through the stencil around the edges of the card face, allowing it to fade as it approached the image.
- I ran the edges of the card face over the ink pad to create definition.
- I secured the embossing die on the card face using Mint Tape and ran it through the Big Shot.
Other
- I tied the ends of the ribbon together in a knot, and then cut the ribbon at the half way spot on the loop.
Assembly
- I used scotch tape to secure the ribbon to the card face towards the left as shown.
- I glued the black border layer to the card base, and then added the card face on top, centering on all sides.
Final Thoughts:

I love this image/sentiment from Unity, and the stencil makes a great backdrop. When I had the card face complete I thought it needed “something more”, and added the ribbon.

I don’t like the look of the ribbon, and would omit it next time!

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: Celtic Knots, 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: Love Ewe, Unity Stamps (retired)

Dies: Whimsy Dies, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Copics: Wallacks

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.

Celtic Knots
02/18/2026
Create Your Own Snowman Card with Easy Techniques
There is nothing this wee fella loves more than a good snowfall.

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

Let’s get Started:

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

Card Face: 5.5 x 4.25 (before die cutting)

White Cardstock for die cutting: 4 x 4

Card Face:
- I laid the card face on my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
- I used ink that matched the cardstock across all open areas, using a heavy hand to get a saturated result.
- I removed the stencil and sprinkled clear embossing powder over the wet ink, immediately setting this with my heat gun.
- I used a deckled rectangle die to cut the card face down to approximately 5.25 x 4”.
Other:
- I positioned the square die on the smaller piece of white cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot.
- I looked through my Ready to Go binder and selected the wee snowman, which had already been coloured and cut out.
- I checked my sentiment binder and selected one that worked with the design.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I centered the die-cut square on the card face and glued it down.
- I added the snowman towards the bottom right.
- I added the sentiment across the snowman.
Final Thoughts:

This is a fun and festive card to celebrate the season.

When I cut out the snowman I cut tight along the outer lines and cut off the arms (they are so thin and delicate that cutting them out would be very time-consuming.) I rectified this by using a fineliner to draw them back on once I had the snowman glued to the die cut square. I got this tip from a Jennifer McGuire video, and use it often.

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 Words, 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: A Colorful Life Designs (retired)

Dies: Your Next Stamp (no longer in business)

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 notified when I release new work

Christmas Words by A Colorful Life Designs
10/28/2025
Create Beautiful Christmas Cards with Stencils
Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencils I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

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

Border Layer: 5.25 x 4

Card Face: 5 ⅛ x 3 7/8

Card Face:
- I stamped the girl and the tree using black Memento ink, and then coloured them in using alcohol markers.
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the Diagonal Weave stencil. I used light gray ink and a soft hand to add this pattern to the background, carefully avoiding the two coloured images.
- I wasn’t entirely satisfied at this point: after mulling over my options I pulled out the Glittering Hearts stencil and added that to the background as well, using the same gray ink, and once again a very light hand. This provided enough detail in the background to support the two images, while the soft colour didn’t compete with them for attention.
- I placed the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment in red ink, stamping a few times to get the saturation I wanted.
Assembly
- I glued the red border layer to the card base, and then added the card face on top, centering both of these layers carefully.
- I added a small, textured red heart above the sentiment.
Final Thoughts:

I am happy with this card – the two stencils worked together perfectly to fill in that background, providing just enough visual interest.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stencils

Diagonal Weave, A Colorful Life Designs

Glittering Hearts, A Colorful Life Designs:

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

Stamps: Impression Obsession (no longer in business)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Alcohol Markers:

     Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

     Copics: Wallacks

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Diagonal Weave by a Colorful Life Designs

Glittering Hearts by a Colorful Life Designs
10/23/2025
Step-by-Step Guide to Gingerbread Card 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

Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face: 5 ⅜ x 4 ⅛

“Snow” layer: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face:
- I laid the card face down on the Grip Mat, then positioned the stencil to use the house’s outline.
- I applied light brown ink with a very soft hand to this portion of the stencil, adding a little extra pressure around the edges to add depth and visual interest.
- I repositioned the stencil to add the details to the house. Masking off portions of the stencil as necessary, I grabbed my small blending brushes and added the door, windows, and trim to the house, adding additional colour saturation where shown to create visual interest.
- I added “snow” to the house by colouring in each portion with an embossing pen, adding white embossing powder and setting it with my heat gun.
- There is also a small detail inside the smoke coming out of the chimney – I coloured this with my embossing pen, added holographic embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
- I added definition by using a black fine liner to outline the house and around each of the detail areas: I also added “bricks” to the chimney.
- I used a soft hand and light blue ink around the house to remove the harsh contrast between the house and the stark white paper.
- I positioned the die on the card face and ran it through the Big Shot to create the sentiment.
Other:
- I pulled out my “someday” binder and grabbed a gingerbread girl who had been coloured and fussy cut, and was just waiting for a chance to shine on a card.
- I tore one edge of the snow layer, creating hills and valleys on that edge; I tore this piece in two, creating additional hills and valleys in the second tear.
Assembly:
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I glued the upper layer of the snow in place, and then added the lower one, overlapping the two.
- Before the second layer was fully dry I added the gingerbread girl, tucking one lower edge in behind the snow just slightly.
- I trimmed all layers evenly at the bottom.
Final Thoughts:

I love the look of that debossed sentiment on this card.

When I added the micro liner around the chimney, I somehow managed to smudge the ink slightly – that detail grabs my eye and frustrates me so much!

Over all I like the card, and was delighted to create a home for my gingerbread girl.

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: Gingerbread House, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Embossing Pen: Ranger, Amazon

Hollographic Embossing Powder: Ranger, R&R Scrapbooking

White Embossing Powder: Wow, R& R Scrapbooking

Stamps: Gingerbread girl: Your Next Stamp (no longer in business)

Dies: Impression Obsession (no longer in business)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Detail Blending Brushes: Waffle Flower, Glitter & Ink

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.

Gingerbread House by A Colorful Life Designs
10/15/2025
Easy Steps to Craft a Santa Card
Even the Big Guy needs a break and some fresh air every now and then!

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

Stamped Layer: 5.25 x 4

Card Face: 5.25 x 4

Card Face:
- I brushed blue ink onto the top two-thirds of the the card face, allowing variations in depth to create the look of clouds.
- I placed the card face onto the grip mat, and positioned the stencil about ¾ of the way down the card face. I used green ink to create the tree line.
- I shifted the stencil up and over (to allow the trees to fall in between those in the first row) and created a second row, overlapping where necessary.
- I put the card face into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment in the upper left, using Versafine Onyx.
Other:
- I stamped Santa on the second piece of cardstock, placing him towards the bottom right.
- I coloured this with alcohol markers, adding a shadow under him and the ski track behind him in the snow as well.
- I drew a curved hillside behind Santa, and then cut along that line and also carefully cut around the upper half of Santa.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, and the layer with the cut out Santa on top of these.
Final Thoughts:

This is such a cute combination – the style of the tree stencil works with Santa so very well. I really like this one.

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 Tree Edger #1, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Jolly Santas, Colorado Craft Co., (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

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
10/03/2025
Create a stellar birthday card that is Out of this WORLD
Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

Card Base: 5.25 x 10.5, scored and folded at 5.25

Border: 5 ⅛ x 5 1/8

Card Face: 5 x 5

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
- Avoiding the center, I used light blue-gray ink on the inner circles of dots, and black on the outer circles.
- I filled in the opening in the center with very pale yellow ink to create the moon.
- I repositioned the stencil and added the landmasses on the moon with the blue ink used earlier in the process.
- I added the stars with yellow ink, and then used the same colour to create a fine spatter over the surface of the card. (to represent stars in far away galaxies.)
- I added the rocket with black ink.
- I realized that I had failed to protect my moon, and this now had yellow spatter on it. I didn’t care for that, so I went over the moon with the yellow ink, until I had equalized the colour and the spatter was no longer visible.
- BUT – I didn’t want my moon to be that bright, so I went over this area with white pigment ink (4 or 5 times) to soften the colour again.
- I put the card face into my Stamp Positioner and stamped the sentiment.
Assembly

I glued the border layer to the card base, and centered the card face on both.

Final Thoughts:

This is a super fun stencil – making this card for a girl or boy interested in space was quick and easy.

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: Circl Moon, A Colorful Life Designs

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

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

Circle Moon by A Colorful Life Designs
09/18/2025
Craft Unique Kiddie Cards with *A Colorful Life* Stencils
Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencils I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

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

Card Face: 5.5 x 4.25 before cutting down

Card Face:
- I laid my cardface on the Grip Mat and then centered the largest of the Squeezed Rectangle stencils on top.
- Over this, I laid the Grunge Dots Stencil.
- I used blue ink on the top of this stencil and green on the bottom, creating the basics for a scene. (having the Squeezed Rectangle stencil on the bottom meant that the ink was kept within it’s borders.
- I removed the stencils and trimmed the card face along the border created by the ink.
- I ran my ink pads along the newly cut edges, matching the colours already used.
Other:
- I laid the Mid Century Banner stencil on the front half of the card base and applied blue ink with a light hand.
- I brushed green ink in from the edges of this piece, again using a light hand.
- I looked through my Ready to Go binder and found the wee elephants, the sun and the sentiment – all just waiting for a chance to shine.
Assembly
- I put dimensional tape on the back of the card face and centered it on the card base.
- I glued the elephants and the sun in place as shown.
- After experimenting a bit I decided that the sentiment would be best about halfway down on the right, and put it in place.
Final Thoughts:

I’ve had all of the components for this card for quite a while – except for the inked up card base. I was delighted to put them into use, and to discover that they were willing to play nicely together.

I initially intended this to be a flat cardface, with the stencilled pattern inked directly onto the card base, however an inky glitch required the card face to be cut out – and after that dimensional tape seemed like a good idea to make it really stand out.

I feel that the green ink applied to the card base is a bit too dominant: if I were to recreate this card I would not apply it, or I would use an even lighter hand.

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:

     Marvellous Masks, Squeezed Rectangle: A Colorful Life Designs

     Grunge Dots: a Colorful Life Designs

     Mid Century Banners: 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:

     Elephants: Studio Light (retired)

     Sun: Here Comes the Sun, Tayored Expressions

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

Mid Century Banners by A Colorful Life Designs
08/28/2025

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