Category: Stencils

Make a Christmas card with a masculine twist
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

Black Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face: 5.5 x 4

Scrap of Kraft Cardstock 3 x 2

Small Black border layer: 3 x 2 3/16

Black Strips: 4 x 3/19 (three of them)

This stencil has long strands which are unsecured between the top and bottom – a recipe for unwanted movement while applying ink. Before starting I sprayed the back of the stencil with Pixie Spray, and waited about 30 seconds before proceeding.

Card Face:
- I laid the card face on my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil. I applied metallic gold ink across the exposed areas.
Other:
- I placed the scrap of kraft cardstock into my stamp positioner and added the tree with Versafine Onyx. I stamped a couple of times to ensure a very bold image.
- Once the ink had dried, I placed this in an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.
Assembly
- I glued the black border to the card base.
- I glued the card face to the border layer, centering vertically.
- I glued the three narrow strips to the card face, evenly spaced.
- I glued the embossed/stamped layer to the smaller black border, centering vertically.
- I put dimensional foam on the back of this smaller piece, and positioned it in the center of the card face.
Final Thoughts:

This is clearly a masculine card: this is determined by the shapes and colours used. There is nothing in the design or the focal image that indicates that this has to be for a male… and yet that is the only real choice.

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: Drizzled Lines, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Christmas Tree of Hope, Joy and Love, Unity Stamps (retired)

Lisa Horton Metallic Gold Ink: Glitter & Ink

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.

Drizzled Lines by A Colorful Life Designs
10/31/2025
All I need for Christmas is endless coffee, and a great card design
Alternate title: A guide to surviving errors and still ending up with a card!

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: 5.25 x 4

Card Face:
- Using Memento black ink, I stamped the image in the upper right of the card face, and then coloured it with alcohol markers.
- I placed the card face down on the Grip Mat and positioned the coffee cup portion of the stencil in the lower-left corner. I masked off open areas on the stencil near the mug, then used red ink over the exposed area.
- When I removed the stencil, I was dismayed to see that I had been too energetic with my brush between the mug and the handle—and I had ink between the two, instead of a lovely, clean page. What to do?
- I cut very carefully along the outline of the mug, removing it completely from the card face. Then I laid it on a scrap piece of cardstock and traced it. I carefully cut this piece out and then tested it in the opening on the card face. Once I saw that I had a good fit, I glued the card face to a piece of scrap copy paper (cut down to 5.25 x 4”) and glued the blank “mug” into the opening.
- I used my snips to remove the paper between the mug and the handle, cutting carefully along the lines. Once that was done, I was able to glue that piece back in place directly over the blank.
- I repositioned the stencil and placed the sentiment I wanted to use in the upper-left corner, then applied black ink to the open areas.
- I put the other stencil in place: I used yellow ink and a light hand to create the pattern around the mouse.
Rather than grab my yellow ink pad, I simply used the residual ink on the yellow brush. Because I only wanted a subtle background, this worked well. I learned this tip from my friend on YouTube – check out Amy’s Wares for some great tips.
- I outlined the mug with silver gel pen: while I was outlining the handle, the pen slipped and suddenly I had an unplanned streak of silver ink …. I dealt with that by adding additional lines to the handle, creating stripes. I decided to add dots to the rest of the mug just for fun.
- I ran the edges of the card face over my red ink pad., creating definition.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, centering all sides.
Final Thoughts:

I had coloured the mouse and lights (so adorable!) and didn’t know what I wanted to do next. A random hunt through my stencil binder resulted in my tripping over the Christmas Coffee stencil and a plan was born. Serendipity is a wonderful thing!

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 Coffee Stencil: A Colorful Life Designs

Connect the Dots, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Merry and Bright, House Mouse, Spellbinders (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.

Connect the Dots by A Colorful Life Designs

Christmas Coffee by A Colorful Life Designs
10/30/2025
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
Is “Fast & Easy” your cardmaking jam? Stencils for the win!
Two stencils and a couple of pre-coloured & cut elements … easy peasy.

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: 5.25 x 4

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and then positioned the Fine Snowflakes stencil: I applied white pigment ink on all exposed areas, using a heavy hand to ensure good saturation.
- After removing this stencil, I replaced it with the Tree Edger #1 stencil, positioning this approximately half way down the page (horizonally).
- I used the same white pigment ink to create a tree line, with a lighter hand than I had used for the snowflakes.
- I moved the stencil down and repeated this step, to create a second tree line directly below the first.
- I used a white gel pen to add dots of snow to the night sky.
Other:
- The wee house and tree were already stamped, coloured and cut out, waiting in my Ready to Go binder, as was the sentiment. I pulled all three out for use on this card.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
- I glued the house in the middle of the card, just a bit up from the bottom.
- I added the tree as shown, overlapping the house slightly.
- I added the sentiment to the upper left.
- I added rhinestones to the center of each snowflake.
Final Thoughts:

This is a very outside-the-box card for me: both design wise and as a Christmas card. None the less, I like 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:

Fine Snowflakes: A Colorful Life Designs

Christmas Tree Edger #1, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

White Gel Pen: Arteza, Amazon

Clear Embossing Powder, Wow, Simon Says Stamp

Stamps & Coordinating Dies: Stampin’ Up! (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.

Fine Snowflakes by A Colorful Life Designs

Christmas Tree Edger #1, by A Colorful Life Designs
10/26/2025
Making Cards or Making Mischief ? sometimes you can have both!
Peaceful & calm outside, but inside? Mischief and mayhem!

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

Card Face:
- I stamped the trees roughly in the center of the paper using Memento black ink. I coloured the trees with alcohol markers.
- I placed the card face onto the grip mat, and then added one of the Arches stencils, centering the opening around the trees.
- Using a light hand, I added blue ink in the open areas.
- I added snow to the scene by spattering white metallic watercolour into the opening, directly over the image.
- I removed the Arches stencil and placed the Floor Perspective stencil towards the bottom of the card face, immediately under the window. I used brown ink across the open areas. I wanted to continue the floor pattern across the entire width of the card face, so I moved the stencil to the right and tried to line up the pattern before applying ink again. (you can see that I was not entirely successful!) I repeated this on the left side of the card face, extending the tiled floor there as well.
- I protected the window image created earlier by adding the corresponding mask to cover the inked area completely. I used a loop of low-tack tape on the back of the mask to keep it in place.
- Using a strip of low tack tape to mask the edge of the floor, I added yellow ink to the top of the card face around the window.
- I put the Sparkles stencil in place and added the same yellow ink across the exposed areas, creating a tone on tone pattern.
- I added light grey ink to the border area between the floor and wall to create shadow.
- I put the mask back in place over the window and traced around this with a black marker. I used a ruler and the same black marker to create the window panes within this border.
Other:
- I had previously stamped and coloured the image of the dog with the string of lights: I fussy cut around the image. To give this just a bit more “pop” I used a clear medium over the Christmas bulbs – this added a bit of depth and a lot of shine.
- I looked through my sentiment binder and found one that worked perfectly with the scene.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I glued the dog in place.
- I added the sentiment across the center of the trees.
Final Thoughts:

Supplies: (and links where possible)

This card involved a lot of design on the fly …. I started the process with the idea of using the Arches stencil, and no real plan. It created itself as I went along (something that happens often in my craftroom), and once I had added the floor, wallpaper and outlined the window I thought the card was done.

When I went back and had another look the following week, I realized it still needed “something”. So I looked through my pre-coloured images and discovered the perfect final touch.

I love it when serendipity strikes!

Supplies:

   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:

Marvellous Masks Arches, A Colorful Life Designs

Floor Perspective, A Colorful Life Designs

Sparkles, 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:

Dog: Christmas Fun, Penny Black, Amazon

Trees: Impression Obsession (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

Marvellous Masks Arches by A Colorful Life Designs

Sparkles by A Colorful Life Designs

Floor Perspective by A Colorful Life Designs
10/25/2025
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
Yes, fast & easy can create beautiful holiday cards
The world is hushed as snow falls silently on a secluded cabin.

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 placed the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the cabin, fence , fox and trees using Versafine Onyx.
- I moved the card face to the grip mat, positioned the stencil and added the design using white pigment ink. I used a heavy hand with this, to be sure that it would stand out well against the dark background.
Other:
- I looked through my sentiment binder, and selected the one that worked for this card.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
- I added the sentiment as shown.
Final Thoughts:

This was such a quick and easy card to create, and a very satisfying result.

I love the white ink on that dark teal cardstock – a very pretty combination. If I wanted even more contrast I could have used clear embossing powder on top of the white ink, but I felt that it was distinct enough without that step.

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 Greenery, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Peaceful Cabin, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

White Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Peaceful 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

Christmas Greenery by A Colorful Life Designs
10/19/2025
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
Create a one of a kind, elegant Thanksgiving 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 4.25 (before cutting)

Card Face:
- I used a background stamp and black ink to provide additional texture on this layer.
My standard practice with background stamps is to lay the stamp on my work surface, ink it, and then carefully lay the cardstock on top. I cover this with a piece of scrap paper and rub the surface gently with my fingers to transfer the ink, always holding the paper absolutely still with my other hand. (The scrap paper serves to keep any excess ink off of my hands, and it is sure to transfer to the card face!)
- I placed the card face down on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil. I applied a variety of embossing pastes through this, mixing the colours randomly.
- I removed the stencil and immediately put it in water, and put the card face aside to dry.
- Once the paste had dried completely, I trimmed it into three equal pieces measuring 1” x 4.75” each.
- I put dimensional foam on the back of each of these strips.
Other:
- I put the border layer into an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.
- I stamped the sentiment with Versamark embossing ink, added gold embossing powder and set it with the heat gun. I used a die to create the final size and shape.
- Then I ran each side of this die cut lightly over the Versamark pad, added gold embossing powder and set it with my heat gun. This added a very fine gold edging to the die cut.
Assembly
- I glued the border layer to the card base,
- I removed the backing from each strip and put them in place as shown.
- I glued the die-cut sentiment into the middle of the card.
Final Thoughts:

The border layer for this actually started with a stamped image that I wasn’t happy with: it was a new stamp, and the image hadn’t transferred as well as hoped. Rather than waste this, I made use of that paper and ink to create a background for this card.

The card is so beautiful in real life – that embossing paste dries with a lovely sheen which is gorgeous with all that mixed colour.

The use of the embossing folder on this card makes a subtle but massive difference to the end result – the additional depth and texture really elevated the 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: Blowing Leaves, A Colorful Life Designs

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: Impression Obsession (no longer in business)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

Do you have 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.

Blowing Leaves by A Colorful Life Designs
10/14/2025
Autumn Card Design Tips with A Colorful Life Stencils
Snuggling up and getting cozy when autumn bring chilly winds … bliss!

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

Card Face:
- I laid this piece on the Grip Mat and then positioned the stencil.
- Using a soft hand, I applied a mixture of brown, yellow and green inks across the open areas.
- Tip: Adding just a touch of extra colour to the edges created the look of a shadow and provided additional dimension.
- I decided to add the Windy Day stencil to represent the chilly winds of autumn: I positioned this stencil so that it would extend from the left-hand side of the focal image, and applied light blue ink to create the pattern.
- I selected a different portion of the stencil and added the pattern after positioning it to be added to the bottom right-hand corner of the card.
- I added spatter to the card face using both plain water and metallic copper watercolour paint.
Other:
- I stamped the image using Memento ink, and coloured it with alcohol markers.
- Once the colouring was complete, I fussy cut the image with my snips.
- I stamped the sentiment using brown ink, and cut it out with a small oblong die.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I glued the focal image into the center of the card face.
- I added the sentiment as shown.
Final Thoughts:

I love House Mouse stamps – they are so deliciously whimsical. I loved spending time colouring this one and then using it on a card. I decided to colour the leaf in the bright colours of autumn, despite the fact that this kind of leaf would not actually have those colours in real life. Artistic licence!

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:

    Windy Day, A Colorful Life Designs

    Fall Leaves, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Snuggle Up- House Mouse, Spellbinders, Frantic Stamper

Dies: Ornate Labels, Sizzix, Amazon

Metallic Watercolour: 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 notified when I release new work

Fall Leaves by A Colorful Life Designs

Windy Day by A Colorful Life Designs
10/12/2025

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