Written In Ink

Category: tips

  • Create a Card that will Provide a Smile AND Inspiration

    Create a Card that will Provide a Smile AND Inspiration

    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

    Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face: 5 3/8 x  4 1/8

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face down in my stamp positioner and stamped the artist and the three ink pads with Memento Black ink.   I coloured these with alcohol markers.
    • After removing the card face from the stamp positioner, I placed it on the Grip Mat and positioned the Mid Century Tower stencil.  I applied yellow ink with a soft hand, avoiding the coloured images.
    • Leaving the first stencil in place, I layered the Airy Swirls stencil directly on top and used the same yellow ink with a firmer hand to create the pattern.

    Leaving the first stencil in place meant the ink was confined to those openings, resulting in a pattern within a pattern.

    • I used small stamps to add spatter around each ink pad and a bit on the apron.
    • I used markers to add spatter to the artist’s face.
    • Using a fineliner, I added a messy border around the piece,  and then used a punch to round all corners.
    • I also used a fineliner to add lines around each ink pad, creating a sense of movement.
    • I put the card face back into the stamp positioner to add the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base and added the card face on top.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love this wacky artist, and had such fun creating this scene.  (Part of the reason I love her is  that I too am a very messy maker!)

    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:

    Mid Century Tower:  A Colorful Life Designs

    Airy Swirls,  A Colorful Life  Designs

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

    Stamps:

    Artist/InkPads: AALL & Creat, Craftaholic Dee,  Ecstasy Crafts

    Sentiment: Paint Your World, Spellbinders, Scrapbooking Fairies

    Fineliners: Amazon

    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 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.

    Airy Swirls

    Mid Century Tower

  • Create Stunning Daisy Cards with Simple Stenciling Techniques

    Create Stunning Daisy Cards with Simple Stenciling Techniques

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    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: 5.25 x 4

    Card Face:  5.25  x 2.25

    Hollographic card stock:  5.25 x ⅛” (2)

    This stencil includes 3 separate daisies,  in 3 sizes.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on my grip mat and positioned the largest daisy in the center of the strip:  I  applied light pink ink with a soft hand.
    • I repositioned the stencil and repeated the steps first on the left-hand side, then on the right.  I stencilled just over half of the flower on each side.
    • I positioned the middle-sized flower over the center daisy and applied the same ink,  with a heavier hand this time.  
    • I repeated this step on both of the other daisies.
    • I positioned the smallest flower over the middle daisy and applied ink, but this time I switched to a more vibrant pink.
    • I repeated this step with each of the other flowers.

    Other:

    • I placed the border layer cardstock in an embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot.
    • I used two green ink pads to apply colour to the raised leafy pattern, lightly running them over the embossed sections.
    • I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of scrap cardstock with Versafine Onyx and trimmed it into a narrow strip.
    • I trimmed a scrap of holographic cardstock to be the same length as the sentiment,  but ⅓” wider (to allow a narrow border).

    Assembly

    • I put dimensional foam tape on the back of the border layer and adhered it to the card base.
    • I glued the card face in place on top of this, centering vertically.
    • I glued the narrow holographic strips in place on either side of the card face.
    • I glued the sentiment to it’s holographic border,  and glued these in place over the center of the middle daisy.
    • I put a large gem in the center of both the left and right flowers.

    Final Thoughts:

    This stencil was on my wish list for a long time:  I’m so glad I finally got it and got this design out of my head!     I really like the layered ink in the daisies, and the two-toned leaves are really effective (even though they aren’t showing in the photo, LOL).

    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: Daisy Trio,  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

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Holographic Cardstock:  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.

    Daisy Trio

  • Unique Card Making:Try Using Spackle for Embossing

    Unique Card Making:Try Using Spackle for Embossing

    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

    I love experimenting with new (to me)  techniques and products:  this card was created using spackle as an embossing paste.  I remembered something from Youtube that I saw a few years ago,  demonstrating that “something from a hardware store”  made great embossing paste.  The demonstrator was perfectly clear in what that product was – but I cannot remember!  This was my attempt to substitute, and it was really successful!

    Card Face:

    • I put my card face onto a piece of scrap paper, positioned the stencil and secured both with Mint Tape. 
    • I spread spackle across all exposed areas, removed the stencil and put the card face aside to dry.
    • I put the stencil into water immediately, to prevent the spackle from drying on the stencil.

    When I work with embossing paste  (or spackle, LOL)  I prefer not to use my Grip Mat:  I’m forever going beyond the paper with the paste, and I don’t want to get it on the Mat.

    Other:

    I had previously di- cut the gift from patterned paper: it wasn’t used at that time so I saved it in my Ready to Go Binder until it was needed.

    • I pressed the die cut into my Versamark embossing ink pad, sprinkled it with gold powder and set it with my heat gun.  
    • There were a couple of spots that weren’t completely covered,  so I repeated the process, and the second time around I had great coverage.
    • Once the spackle had dried,  I sprayed the card face with Lindy’s Magicals sprays (gold and blue).  I was pretty enthusiastic with the spraying,  so I left this to dry overnight.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.
    • I glued the die-cut gift in the center of the card face.
    • I glued a small gold embellishment in the center of the bow.

    Final Thoughts:

    I am  impressed with how well the spackle worked.   It is heavier bodied than embossing paste,  so it takes a little extra work to cover the areas well,  but it’s not difficult.  Because it is so heavy bodied there is no danger of it seeping under the stencil – bonus!

    I love the way the spackle took the spray,  it’s really pretty.   

    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:  Joined Roses,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Gold Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies: Gift, KSCraft, Amazon

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

    Joined Roses

  • 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 Bold Captivating Design in a Card that will be Treasured

    Create Bold Captivating Design in a Card that will be Treasured

    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:

    This card face began as a bold gel print that I simply cut down to size.

    • I placed the card face on scrap paper and positioned the stencil.  I secured these with Mint Tape.
    • I applied Lunar Paste to the exposed areas, then carefully removed the stencil to avoid smudges.
    • I placed the stencil immediately into a basin of water (keeping the paste wet makes clean up much easier).
    • I put the card face aside to dry.
    • Once the paste had dried,  I positioned a second stencil over top and pressed my Versamark embossing ink firmly over all exposed areas.
    • After removing the stencil, I sprinkled this with gold embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I die-cut three small leaves from gold cardstock.
    • Using Versamark embossing ink, I stamped the sentiment on a piece of scrap cardstock.
    • I sprinkled gold embossing powder over this and set it with my heat gun.
    • I used a die to cut this down to size.

    Assembly

    • I added dimensional foam to the back of the card face and centered it on the card base.
    • I glued the leaves and sentiment in place, as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the warm, rich tones this piece has, and the way the Rungs stencil appears to float between layers of colour and texture.  This was the result of the addition of the gold-embossed layer of stencilling:  I have had that curly Q stencil for so long that I no longer know who the maker is,  but you could achieve a similar look with Simple Spirals from A Colorful Life Designs.

    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: Rungs, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Gold Embossing Powder by  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamp/ Dies: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Embossing Paste:  Tropical Tango by Simon Hurley, 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.

    Rungs by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Create Your Own Love Letters Card Design

    Create Your Own Love Letters 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

    Card Face: 5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    • After laying the card face down on my Grip Mat,  I positioned the stencil and applied pink ink over the exposed areas.
    • I switched to a smaller blending brush and added more ink to the hearts on the envelopes.
    • I placed the card face in the stamp positioner and added the “swoosh”  with darker pink ink,  and then added the “sending love”  with black Versafine Onyx.
    • I centered the die on the card face and ran it through the Big Shot.

    This set of dies makes impressions on the card face without cutting through the paper.

    Other:

    • I stamped the “thinking of you”  sentiment on a piece of scrap cardstock and cut it out with a die.
    • I used the matching, larger die to cut a frame for the sentiment.

    Assembly

    • I centered the card face on the card base.
    • I glued the sentiment to the frame,  put dimensional foam on the back and then added it to the card face in the upper left.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is such a pretty stencil: with the hearts on the envelopes, the immediate temptation is to create a Valentine’s Day card, but really, it can be used for any season.

    Although the stamps/dies in this sample are retired, you can easily substitute from your stash and make something wonderful.

    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: Love Letters,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps/Dies:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Smaller Blending Brush:  Waffle Flower #1 Shader,  Glitter & Ink

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Recollections 110 lb., Michaels

    Do you havany e comments or thoughte 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.

    Love Letters by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Make an elegant card: combine embossing paste and vellum

    Make an elegant card: combine embossing paste and vellum

    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

    Card Face:  5.5 x 3.75

    Vellum:  7 x 2.5

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on scrap paper and positioned the stencil.  I secured both with Mint Tape.
    • I applied DIY embossing paste across all exposed areas.
    • I carefully removed the stencil and placed it in water immediately.

    When I work with embossing paste, I have a container of water beside me:  I usually do several card faces during a session with paste,  with each one going into the water as soon as it’s removed from the card face. When I’m done, the stencils are all cleaned at the same time.  This makes clean-up much faster and easier.

    • I put the card face aside to dry.

    Other:

    • I turned on my heat gun before starting work with the vellum.
    • I placed the vellum in my stamp positioner and added the butterflies with Versafine Onyx.
    • I sprinkled the ink with clear embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.

    Vellum will warp easily with heat,  so it’s important to have a very hot, preheated tool and to move it constantly until the powder has melted.

    • I stamped a scrap of cardstock with the sentiment,  and then cut it out with a die.
    • Assembly
    • I folded the vellum around the card face and secured it with scotch tape.
    • I glued the card face to the card base,  making sure that the vellum on the back of the card face was fully adhered.
    • I glued the sentiment in place as shown,  taking care to use no more glue than was needed, as vellum warps very easily with moisture.

    Final Thoughts:

    The gleam of the embossing paste is so pretty, but the panel was very busy as a whole:  the vellum is such a great tool in this instance,  as it dampens that down, while providing another layer of interest because it is translucent.

    Sadly, the stamps here are retired: but this design is easily replicated with others that you have on 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: Chaos Squares, A Colorful Life Designs

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Stamp & Die:  Stampin’ Up!  (retired)

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Vellum: 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.

    Chaos Squares by A Colorful Life Designs

  • You Can Create Stunning Cards with this Stencil

    You Can Create Stunning Cards with this 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

    Holographic Cardstock:  5.5 x .25

    Transfer Foil:  6 x 4.25

    We’ve just had a big snowfall and are still digging out.  It’s safe to say that there won’t be any snowdrops peeking through for a couple of months!

    Card Face:

    • I positioned the card face down on a piece of scrap paper, placed the stencil, and secured both with Mint Tape.
    • I spread Duo Gel over all exposed areas.
    • After carefully removing the stencil,  I put it immediately into water and put the card face aside to dry.

    Duo Gel dries to be a super sticky adhesive and can ruin a stencil – mine go into a basin of water beside me until I am done the session, and can scrub them.

    Duo Gel goes on white and dries clear: the drying time depends on the thickness of the application.

    • Once the card face was dry, I laid the transfer foil over top  (pretty side up) and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I removed the foil:  the dried Duo Gel caused the foil to stay behind, creating the pattern.
    • I placed the card face in a texturizing embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.

    Other:

    • Although this card could be used for any occasion, I felt it particularly suited a sympathy card and pulled the appropriate sentiment from my binder.

    Assembly

    I glued the card face to the card base, leaving a ⅛” border on the left.

    I glued the strip of holographic card stock on the right, butting it snugly up against the card face.

    I added dimensional foam to the back of the sentiment and positioned it on the card face as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    This design is simple, but nevertheless “enough”.   The foiled image has a lovely sheen with card in hand, and the texture provided just enough additional 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: Snow Drops, A Colorful Life Design

    Duo Gel: Deco, Amazon

    Transfer Foil,  Prism by Spellbinders, Amazon

    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.

    Snow Drops stencil by a Colorful Life Designs

  • Make a Striking Impression with Card Crafting

    Make a Striking Impression with Card Crafting

    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: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    I wanted to have a play with ink smooshing – I hadn’t even remembered that technique in a long time.   I loved the result I got from the blue and brown mix, then I had to figure out how to use it.

    Card Face:

    • I pressed an acrylic block firmly into a brown ink pad and spritzed it with water.  I pressed the watery result onto the card face in several areas.
    • I repeated this process with blue ink.
    • I put the card face aside to dry.
    • Once dry, the paper was warped (caused by the watery ink smooshing).  I lightly spritzed the back of the card face with water and placed it under a weight overnight, which flattened it again.
    • I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and added the image with Versafine Onyx.
    • Moving the card face to the Grip Mat, I positioned the Chaos Squares stencil and applied brown ink randomly across the image.
    • I switched the stencils, positioned the Falling Dots over the card face, and filled in some areas with the same brown ink.
    • I returned the card face back to the stamp positioner and stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.
    • I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the sentiment and used my heat gun to set it. 

     This treatment makes the sentiment more intense, and it stands out more against a busy background.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base,  and then added the card face on top.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love Andy Skinner stamps,  and I’m so happy with this card.  The combination of ink smooshing and randomized stencilling works very well with this image.

    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:

    Chaos Squares:  A Colorful Life Designs

    Falling 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:  Best Friends,  Andy Skinner, 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.

    Falling Dots By A Colorful Life Designs

    Chaos Squares by A Colorful Life Designs

  • 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.