Written In Ink

Tag: diy card

  • Create Beautiful Christmas Cards with Stencils

    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

  • Step-by-Step Guide to Gingerbread Card Design

    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

  • Create a one of a kind, elegant Thanksgiving card

    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

  • Easy Steps for Beautiful Handcrafted Cards

    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

  • Stencils and Diecuts -making masculine cards just got easy

    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

  • Create a Stunning Stenciled Card & Send Love

    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

  • DIY Card Making: Using a Stencil for Unique Designs

    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

  • Create a stellar birthday card that is Out of this WORLD

    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

  • Easy Steps for Stunning Card Making

    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

  • Be Your Beautiful Self – Celebrate the Wonderful Individuals in Your Life

    Be Your Beautiful Self – Celebrate the Wonderful Individuals in Your Life

    Oh, the elegance that can be added with gold!

    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

    Card Face:  5 x5

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face down on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.  I used cranberry red ink over the exposed surface, avoiding the middle of the stencil.
    • I used an embossing marker to randomly go over some of the dots around the circle,  sprinkling the wet ink with gold embossing powder and setting it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I stamped the poppy outline with black ink,  and the fill-colour for the petals in the same red used in the background.
    • I used a circle punch to cut this out.
    • I taped two circular dies together on red card stock and ran them through the Big Shot to cut out the red circle.
    • I looked through my sentiment binder and selected the one shown in the picture.

    Assembly

    • I centered and glued the card face onto the card base.
    • I used the embossing pen to create a line around the edges of the card face, sprinkled gold embossing powder over this and set it with my heat gun.
    • I glued the poppy into the center of the card.
    • I glued the red ring around the poppy.
    • I put foam tape on the back of the sentiment and put it in place across the center of the blossom.
    • I put a gold pearl on both ends of the sentiment strip.

    Final Thoughts:

    This card is so pretty in real life:  the gold embossing catches the light beautifully,  and adds a touch of elegance to the finished 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: Circle Moon, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Embossing Pen,  Ranger, R&R Scrapbooking

    Gold  Embossing Powder,  Wow, R & R Scrapbooking

    Stamps: Painted Poppies, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Dies: Nesting Circle Infinity Dies, Hero Arts

    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

    Circle Moon by A Colorful Life Designs