Written In Ink

Tag: birthdaycard

  • Create Stunning Daisy Cards with Simple Stenciling Techniques

    Create Stunning Daisy Cards with Simple Stenciling Techniques

    xx

    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

  • Creat Stunning Masculine Cards with a Cool Stencil

    Creat Stunning Masculine Cards with a Cool 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

    Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5 ⅜ x 4 ⅛

    Scraps of kraft and black cardstock for the “happy”

    Scrap of kraft approximately   1.25 x .25 for the “birthday”.

    Scrap of black approximately  1.5 x .33” for the shadow layer

    Before starting I sprayed the back of the stencil with Pixie Spray, allowed a lapse of about 30 seconds and then placed it on the card face.  The strands of this stencil are very fine,  and this temporary adhesive made sure that they stayed put!

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on a piece of scrap paper, positioned the stencil and secured it with Mint Tape.
    • I applied two different colours of DIY embossing paste randomly across the stencil. (Blue and a soft peach.)
    • I removed the stencil carefully and put it into water immediately. (this makes cleanup a lot faster!) and put the card face aside to dry.

    I prefer not to use paste on my Grip Mat,  so in these cases I secure the card face and stencil directly to scrap paper

    Other:

    • I cut the large “happy”  from both kraft and black cardstock.
    • I stamped “birthday”  on kraft using Versafine Onyx.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base.
    • I glued the two  “happy” layers together, kraft on top and offset slightly to allow the black to peek out.
    • I glued the kraft “birthday” layer on top of the black shadow layer, centering on all sides.
    • I added matt black card bling randomly to the card face.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is such a cool stencil,  and I love the effect of the embossing paste on it:  I didn’t expect the peach embossing paste to dry to be so close to the colour of the kraft cardstock,  but it’s a cool effect.

    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: Wavy Ladders, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Die: Hero Arts, Happy, Amazon

    Card Bling:  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    Wavy Ladder by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Unlock Amazing Texture in Card Making

    Unlock Amazing Texture in Card Making

    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 x 3.75

    Vellum:  7 x 2.5

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on the grip mat and applied blue, yellow and red ink randomly , covering the entire surface.
    • I spattered water generously over the surface, creating texture and depth.
    • Once this had dried, I positioned the stencil and applied black ink with a heavy hand:  the pattern was created by the areas which had been protected by the stencil, allowing the multicoloured base layer to show through.

    Other:

    • I dusted the vellum liberally with anti-static powder.
    • I stamped the image with Versamark embossing ink, sprinkled silver embossing powder, and set it with my heat gun.  

    I turned the heat gun on for approximately 1 minute before use to be certain that it was good and hot.  While embossing the vellum, I moved the heat gun constantly to prevent warping.

    Assembly

    • I wrapped the vellum around the card face and secured it with scotch tape, centering vertically.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the card face, and put it in place in the center of  the card base.
    • I added a silver pearl to each corner of the card face,  and a triangular metallic embellishment to each corner of the card base.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the bits of texture created by the water spatter,  and the interest provided by the use of different colours in the background.

    The use of vellum softened the contrast and bold colours of the background.

    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: Scribble Mask,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Silver Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps: Candles, Stars & Birthday Wishes , Unity Stamps (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  or  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.

    Scribble Mask by A Colorful Life Designs

  • Create Stunning a Card for Your Special Guy

    Create Stunning a Card for Your Special Guy

    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 at 5.25

    Border Layer: 5 x 5

    Card Face:  5 x 5

    Frame: 5 x 5 (before die cutting)

    I had stamped and coloured this image, then set it aside in my “someday” pile.  This stencil gave me the perfect opportunity (and the inspiration)  to put this handsome fellow to use.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face down on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.  I applied brown ink with a light, careful hand – avoiding the pre-coloured figure.
    • Using the frame die as a guide,  I cut the card face down to a size slightly smaller than the finished frame would be.

    Other:

    • I put the border layer onto the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil once again.  I used the same brown ink with a heavier hand on this piece, covering all exposed areas.
    • Next, I worked on the piece for the frame: I started with white cardstock, positioned the die, and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • After removing the cardstock from the die, I used a medium brown ink over the entire frame, allowing a random variation in the depth of tone. 
    • I finished this off by bringing in a dark brown ink and using it here and there on the frame, increasing the variation in tone.
    • I selected a sentiment from my Sentiment binder (I love having them ready and waiting when I need one).

    Assembly

    • I glued the border layer to the card base, centering it on all sides.
    • I glued the frame on top of the cut-down card face.
    • I glued this new combination on top of the border layer, centering carefully.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment, and put it in place as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is so far from my first thoughts about how to use this stencil – but how perfect is this for a masculine card?

    I’m really happy with the way this turned out.

    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: Close Up Branches, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps: Zeke Guy,  Unity Stamps

    Dies: Oval Woodgrain Frame,  Hero Arts, 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 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.

    Close Up Branches by A Colorful Life Designs