Written In Ink

Tag: holidaycard

  • Make Some Mid-Century Magic this Christmas

    Make Some Mid-Century Magic this Christmas

    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 the discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Red Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face down on my grip mat and used a coordinating red ink to slightly darken the edges, leaving the center lighter.
    • After the ink had dried,  I positioned the stencil and masked off the openings for the stars.
    • I  pressed my Versamark embossing ink pad firmly through the openings for the tree.
    • I sprinkled light green (sparkly) embossing powder over the wet embossing ink and set it with my heat gun.
    • I repositioned the stencil and repeated the process to add the stars where I wanted them, masking off openings that were too close for comfort each time.
    • Using white acrylic,  I added spatter generously.
    • I used a punch to round the top-right and bottom-left corners.

    Other:

    • I looked through my Sentiment binder and pulled out this cutie,  cut previously and saved for just this purpose.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base,  centering on all sides.
    • I added the sentiment as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the way this card turned out:  the colour combination,  the mid-century style,  the style of sentiment, and even the spatter –   everything played together so well!

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: (see images below)

    Mid Century Christmas Tree, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Green Embossing Powder,  Reflections, Michaels (retired)

    White Acrylic Spatter: Dr Ph Martin’s Bleed Proof White,  Taylored Expressions

    Dies:  Festive Collection,   Creative Expressions,  Ecstasy Crafts

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

    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.

    Mid Century Christmas Tree

  • Celebrate a Nostalgic Christmas with Creative Designs

    Celebrate a Nostalgic Christmas with Creative Designs

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

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Card Face: 5 ⅜ x 4 1/8

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on my grip mat and positioned the Whimsical Trees stencil.  I used blue ink and applied it lightly across the exposed areas.
    • I set that stencil aside and put the card face in my stamp positioner.  I stamped the barn, fence and footprints with black ink.
    • I put the card face back onto the grip mat and positioned one of the arch masks directly over the stamped images, shielding them completely. 
    • I inked around the mask with dark grey ink,  covering that section of the previous stencilling.
    • Leaving the mask in place to protect the stamped area, I added spatter in both silver metallic watercolour and white acrylic paint.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base.

    Final Thoughts:

    I like this calm, country scene!   Adding the spatter at the end made that arched section pop beautifully.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: (see images below)

    Whimsical Trees,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Marvellous Masks Arch,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Stamps:  Christmas Barn, 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 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.

    Whimsical Trees

    Marvellous Masks Arch

  • You Can Create Stunning Christmas Cards with Metallic Gold Ink

    You Can Create Stunning Christmas Cards with Metallic Gold Ink

    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 the discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Black Card Face:  5.25 x 3.75

    Card Face:

    • I laid the (black) card face on the grip mat,  and positioned the stencil.
    • I used metallic gold ink and a heavy hand across the exposed areas,  ensuring good coverage with the ink.
    • I put the card face aside overnight to dry (the gold ink is pigment,  and takes a while to dry when applied this heavily).
    • The next day I began by dusting the card face liberally with anti-static powder.
    • I put the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the sentiment with VersaFine embossing ink,  then I sprinkled silver embossing powder over the wet ink and set it with my heat gun.
    • I cut 1” off of the top and bottom inch of the card,  setting the strips aside carefully to keep them in the right order.

    Assembly

    • I glued the strips onto the card base,  leaving ⅛” between the strips,  which created visual interest.
    • I added iridescent black pearls to the stencilled pattern,  as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    • This is a very structured, dramatic, elegant card.   I loved finding a way to incorporate this stencil into a Christmas design.
    • The concept wouldn’t have worked without the highly pigmented gold ink that covered the black perfectly:  this Lisa Horton ink is amazing.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: (see images below)

    Mid Century Atomic Strands,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Silver Embossing Powder,  Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps: Tim Holtz,  Amazon

    Ink: Lisa Horton,  Cloud 9 Pot of Gold  (this gold is retired,  but she has several others available)

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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

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

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

    Mid Century Atomic Strands

  • Create an Awesome Merry & Bright Holiday Card

    Create an Awesome Merry & Bright Holiday 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 the discount code ChrisFan10 to save 10% on your entire order! (Master Creator Bundles are excluded as they already have a 20% discount built in.)

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.5 x 4

    White Cardstock: 2.5 x 2.5

    Red Cardstock: 2 5/8 x 2 5/8

    This card came to be simply because every time I looked at this stencil,  I saw the potential for a string of lights.   The idea just wouldn’t leave me alone –  until I finally sat down and created it.

    Card Face:

    I laid the card face on the grip mat and positioned the stencil.

    I used metallic gel pens to fill in the exposed areas –  red for the “bulbs” and gold for the strands in between.

    I drew small rectangles above each red bulb and filled them in with silver.

    I outlined the red bulb ith a black fineliner to provide more definition.

    Other:

    I placed the white cardstock in my stamp positioner.  After masking off the “Merry & Bright” with low-tack tape,  I stamped the bulbs with red ink.  I stamped twice for good saturation, carefully removing the masking before stamping and replacing it before reinking.

    I repeated this step, stamping the “Merry & Bright” with embossing ink and masking off the rows of lights.  Then I sprinkled on gold embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.

    Assembly

    I glued the red border layer to the card base and then centred the card face on top of these.

    I glued the smaller piece of white cardstock to the red piece,  and then glued it into the centre of the card face.

    Final Thoughts:

    I was really happy with this variation on the stencil –  I love finding new ways to use product I own. Then I remembered this stamp from an old set in my stash,  and I knew it would be a great finishing touch.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: (see images below)

    Festoon,   A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: R&R Scrapbooking

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Stamps:  Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Fineliner:  Amazon

    Metallic Gel Pens:   Amazon

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    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.

    Festoon

  • Fast, Distinctive and Contemporary makes a great holiday card

    Fast, Distinctive and Contemporary makes a great holiday card

    Black is an unusual choice for a holiday card, but so distinctive!

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

    Let’s get Started:

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

    Card Face:  5 ⅛ x 3 7/8

    Card Face:

    • I laid the black card face onto the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.  
    • I pressed my Versamark embossing ink pad firmly into the openings, moving as needed and covering the entire surface twice to ensure good coverage.
    • After removing the stencil I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the card face, setting it with my heat gun.

    Other:

    • I looked through my “someday” binder, and struck gold with both the houses and the snowflakes.  
    • Then I looked through my sentiment binder and selected the one you see in the photo –  it worked well with the design.

    Assembly

    • I glued the strip with the houses to the bottom of the card face.
    • I glued the sentiment into (approximately) the center of the card face.
    • I added the snowflakes to the sky as shown, then placed a pearl in the center of each snowflake.
    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love a card that has a hidden surprise, as this one does.  Seen from the front, it’s a simple scene of houses in snowfall; however, when you tilt it just slightly, the light catches the clear heat embossing, revealing the stencilled pattern.

    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

    Clear Embossing Powder,  Wow,  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 Montage by A Colorful Life Designs

  • How to Use Stencils for Beautiful Holiday Card Designs

    How to Use Stencils for Beautiful Holiday Card 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

    Black Border Layer: 5.5 x 4.25

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face onto my grip mat and positioned the stencil with the ivy swag where I wanted it.  I used a small blending brush and green ink over this part of the stencil, being careful to avoid ink in other open areas on the stencil.   
    • I moved the stencil and added ivy to other sections of the card face randomly.
    • I wiped the stencil down to remove the green ink.  I added the poinsettias with red ink, switching to the small brush designated for that colour.
    • The stencilling was complete,  but I wanted more detail in the background,  so I added two different backgrounds stamps with light brown ink.

    To use a background stamp:

    It can be difficult to get a good impression with a background stamp – there’s a lot of area to cover. I get good results with this method – I’m quite certain I saw it on Youtube, but cannot remember who to give credit to.

    I lay the stamp on my work surface and ink it up thoroughly, going over it more than once to be certain I’ve got good coverage.

    I lay my card face directly on this, carefully lining up the edges so that it’s straight. I hold it down with one hand to be certain that it doesn’t move.

    I place a piece of copy paper over the card face very carefully, not allowing any movement.

    I run my fingers or palm over the copy paper, switching hands as necessary – one holding everything still and the other transferring ink.

    When I’m satisfied I remove the copy paper and then the card face, careful not to smudge.

    I use the copy paper to keep ink off of my hands – it will inevitably transfer to the card face! (The stamps are larger than the card face, so there is exposed ink.)

    This method allows me to vary pressure or skip over parts of the image if I don’t want solid inking.

    I often use a slightly larger piece of cardstock than I need: if I don’t get it quite straight, I can trim it down and fix that.

    • With the background complete I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the bakers twine and bow images using Versafine Onyx ink.
    • I used a corner rounder punch on each corner.

    Other:

    • I looked through my sentiment binder and found these wee gift tags which had been created and saved for future use …  it saves so much time to have things like this ready and waiting.

    Assembly

    • I glued the black border layer to the card base, and then centered the card face on top of these.
    • I added the tiny gift tags as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I think this card face would have been good with only one background stamp rather than two: if I recreate the design I will try that.

    I was trying for the look of a retro Christmas gift with this card –  not as successfully as hoped,  but it’s a fun card anyway.

    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: Retro Candy Canes,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamps:

    Rustic Linen,  Altenew

    Woven Stripes,  Altenew

    Handmade Twine Bows, Picket Fence

    Bakers Twine, Picket Fence, Scrapbook.com

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Small Blending Brushes:  Waffle Flower, Scrap n’ Stamp

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Cream Card Base & Card Face: Recollections 100 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.

    Retro Candy Canes by A Colorful Life Designs