Category: Stencils

Easy Steps for Beautiful Handcrafted Cards
My wish for you this year, next year and always.

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

Copper Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face: 5.25 x 4

Card Face:
- I laid the card face on the Grip Mat and then positioned the stencil.
- I applied light green ink with a soft hand over all exposed areas.
- I allowed the ink to dry ( this only took minutes, but is a critical step when working with embossing powder).
- I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment and the spatters using Versamark embossing ink.
- I sprinkled copper embossing powder over the surface, and set it with my heat gun.
Other:
- I positioned a rounded-corner rectangular die in the center of the card face. I added the next largest die around this.
- After ensuring that there was equal spacing all the way between the two dies, I ran it through the Big Shot. This created that copper outline in the center of the card.
Assembly
- I glued the copper border layer to the card base.
- I glued the card face on top of these, centering on all sides.
- I put the center piece in place, carefully centering on all sides.
- I added three small gold embellishments to finish the card.
Final Thoughts:

I’m a sucker for the unexpected in design, so I love negative images. This is an old, long retired stamp set, but I pull it out every year to make Christmas cards.

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 Montage, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Copper Embossing Powder, Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Dies: Rounded Corner Rectangle Infinity Dies, Hero Arts

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

Card Bling: A Colorful Life Designs

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

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

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

Christmas Montage by A Colorful Life Designs
10/10/2025
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
Stencils and Diecuts -making masculine cards just got easy
An elegant masculine card – ready in a snap!

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

Let’s get Started:

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

Kraft Border: 5.5 x 4.25

Black Card Face: 5.25 x 4

Scrap of Kraft Cardstock: .75 x 4

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat , positioned the stencil and applied metallic gold ink across the exposed surfaces.
- After allowing the gold ink to dry (it is a very saturated pigment ink) I put the card face into an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot to add texture.
Other:
- I stamped the sentiment in gold ink on a piece of black cardstock, and then cut it down to ⅝ x 3
- I looked through my Bits & Pieces binder and found the tree, previously cut out of kraft and waiting to be used.
Assembly
- I glued the black sentiment strip to the kraft strip.
- I glued the kraft border layer to the card base, and then centered the black card face on both.
- I glued the tree in place on the right hand side as shown.
- I glued the sentiment strip in place over the tree, just below the center of the card.
- I added a metallic embellishment on either side of the sentiment.
Final Thoughts:

This was a fast & easy card to put together; it has a very masculine feel due to the colours used.

I love the way gold and kraft play off of each other.

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

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

Dies: Woodlands, Tim Holtz, Amazon

Ink: Lisa Horton Metallic Ink, Glitter & Ink

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

Fine Snowflakes by A Colorful Life Designs
10/01/2025
Touch his heart with a card he is sure to treasure
Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

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

Kraft Border: 5.5 x 4.25

Black Border: 5.25 x 4

Kraft Card Face: 5 ⅛ x 3 7/8

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

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

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

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stencil: Leafy Heart Frame, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps & Die: Rooted in Nature, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Leafy Heart Frame by A Colorful Life Designs
09/29/2025
Create Stunning Autumn Themed Cards Full of Nostalgia
memories of long, lazy summer days

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 sponged blue and blue-green ink across the surface of the card face.
- I put the card face into the stamp positioner and added the image with Versafine Onyx, stamping twice to get a dark image.
- I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the ink, and set it with my heat gun.
- I intensified the blue-green ink around the stamped image to create shadows and depth.
- I used my anti-static bag liberally across the entire card face and thenI placed the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil. I pressed a Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings, repeating each area several times to ensure full coverage.
- After removing the stencil I sprinkled the card face with gold embossing powder, and set it with my heat gun.
- With all of this complete, I was able to decide on the sentiment: I put the card face back into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx, again sprinkling this with clear embossing powder and setting it with the heat gun.
- I brushed additional blue ink around the edges of the card face to add a finishing touch.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
Final Thoughts:

There is something about this combination that I find quite magical. The image is beautiful, and the gold leaves add just the right touch to this nostalgic moment.

The sentiment is tiny, which allows the scene to take center stage: that works for this card IMO.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stencil: Falling Leaves, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Clear Embossing Powder, Wow, Simon Says Stamp

Gold Embossing Powder: Wow, R&RScrapbooking

Stamps: Best Day Includes You, Unity Stamps

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Falling Leaves by A Colorful Life Designs
09/25/2025
Create a Stunning Stenciled Card & Send Love
Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

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

Card Face:5.5 x 4.25

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat, and then positioned the stencil towards the vertical center.
- I used a medium pink ink to cover all exposed areas, allowing variations in the depth of colour.
- I moved the stencil down and to the right and repeated the inking, allowing the stencilled areas to touch but not overlap.
- I repeated this once more, positioning the stencil above the first stencilled leaf and slightly to the left.
- I put the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the “sending lots of love your way” with the same ink, but stamping a couple of times to intensify the colour.
- I left the stamp and the card face where they where, but shifted the platform door down two spots, and stamped again. I repeated this twice more.
- I cut the card face down with a stitched rectangle die (approximately 5 x 3.75), and then added texture by putting it into an embossing folder and running it through the Big Shot .
Other:
- I stamped the “sending hugs” sentiment on a scrap of cardstock, and cut it out with a matching die.
- I used another die from the same set to cut a slightly larger, complimentary shape from scrap cardstock.
- I glued these two pieces together, centering the stamped sentiment.
- I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment.
Assembly
- I wrapped metallic gold thread around the left hand side of the card face 5X. I used a small piece of the same thread to tie a knot around them approx ⅓ of the way down the card face. Pulling this taut (and securing it with a dot of glue) created a sort of hourglass shape.
- I glued the card face onto the card base, centering on all sides.
- I put the sentiment in place over the knot in the metallic thread.
Final Thoughts:

I’m happy with the various textures and shapes in this design: they came together to form a pretty card.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stencil: Filigree Leaf, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Filigree Leaf by A Colorful Life Designs
09/23/2025
DIY Card Making: Using a Stencil for Unique Designs
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 tearing)

Card Face:
- I laid my card face down onto the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
- I used lime green ink on one end and purple on the other. I allowed the green ink to cover about ⅔ of the surface, and took care when it met the purple not to blend them too much – there was a big possibility of creating “mud”.
- I put the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the bee with Versafine Clair.
- I used an embossing folder to create texture on the card face.
- I tore off the right-hand side to create texture and visual interest.
Other:
- I stamped the sentiment onto a scrap of cardstock, and used a die to cut it out.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, aligning snugly to the left hand edge.
- I added dimensional tape on the back of the sentiment, and put it in place as shown.
- I added a metallic embellishment to the right-hand end of the sentiment.
Final Thoughts:

I’m so happy with this compilation: I love the stencil, the image, the colours – and they all played together wonderfully well.

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: Ordered Lines, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Bee: Technique Junkies (no longer in business)

Die: Impression Obsession (no longer in business)

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Ordered Lines by A Colorful Life Designs
09/21/2025
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
A simple & elegant – and sincere! – thank you card
Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

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

Card Face: 5.5 x 4.25

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

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

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stencil: Filigree Leaf Stencil, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamps: Simply Sentimental, Trinity Stamps

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

Ink: Metallic Ink- Lisa Horton, Glitter & Ink

Blending Tool: Studio Light, Ecstasy Crafts

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Filigree Leaf by A Colorful Life Designs
09/15/2025
Easy Steps for Stunning Card Making
handWould you like to experiment with a design like this? You’ll find a supply list below, including a link to the stencil I used from A Colorful Life Designs. Follow the link and use discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

Let’s get Started:

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

Black Border: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face: 5.5 x 4 1/8

Card Face:
- I laid the card face onto my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil so that it was hanging off the left-hand side.
- I applied light green ink across all open areas, and then applied dark green ink around the edges, building up intensity gradually.
- I put the card face into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx.
- I sprinkled the ink with clear embossing powder while it was still wet, and set it with my heat gun. This intensified the sentiment, making it stand out from the leafy background.
- I positioned a very narrow embossing folder (½” wide) on the left-hand side of the card face and ran this through the Big Shot.
- I spattered white metallic watercolour over the card face.
- I used a punch on both top and bottom corners of the right-hand edge of the card face.
Assembly
- I glued the black border layer to the card base.
- I glued the card face on top of these, aligning snugly on the right-hand edge and leaving a ⅛” border on the left.
- I added three small metallic embellishments to the left-hand edge, on top of the embossing.
Final Thoughts:

The various colours and textures work well together in this design.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

Stencil: Leafy Heart Frame, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Clear Embossing Powder, Wow, Simon Says Stamp

Stamps: The Joy of the Journey, Stampendous , Amazon

Metallic Water Colour: Amazon

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

Leafy Heart Frame by A Colorful Life Designs
09/13/2025

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