Written In Ink

Tag: mixed media

  • From Busy Backgrounds to Remarkable Results in Card Design

    From Busy Backgrounds to Remarkable Results in Card Design

    Got a busy, chaotic print to use? Tame it, and create beauty in the process.

    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 Layer: 5.5 x 4

    Card Face:  Gel Print: 5.5 x 4.25 (before trimming down)

    Narrow Black Border:  5.5 x 2.5

    Card Face:

    • I laid the Gel Print in my stamp positioner and stamped the image with Versamark embossing ink.
    • After removing it from the positioner,I added gold embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
    • I used a microliner to trace around the negative image of the tree on the inside of the embossed area,  and then outlined outer edges as well.
    • I trimmed the gel print down to 5.5 x 2.25.
    • Other:
    • I spattered the Kraft cardstock with black and gold ink.
    • I looked through my sentiment binder and found one that was a great size and “feel”  for this card.
    • From the remaining pieces of the gel print I trimmed two 5.5 x ⅛” strips.

    Assembly

    • I centered and glued the kraft layer on the card base.
    • I glued the narrow strips on either side of the kraft layer, filling in the remaining space on the card base.
    • I centered and glued the card face to the narrow black border.
    • I added dimensional foam tape to the back of this and centered it on the kraft border layer.
    • I glued the sentiment towards the bottom of the card face, as shown.
    • I used a micro liner to add a fine black border to each side of the kraft layer.

    Final Thoughts:

    • This started as a gel print that I really didn’t care for,  but ended up as a card that I quite like –  yay!
    • I did not initially plan to outline the embossed areas,  but the image needed additional definition against that busy 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.

    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:  Amazing Silhouettes, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Microliners:  Amazon

    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

  • Make and send sea of thanks

    Make and send sea of thanks

    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: gel print,  5 1/8 x 4 1/8

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face on the Grip Mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I pressed my Versamark embossing ink pad through the stencil firmly,  making sure that there was good ink transfer across the exposed surface.
    • After removing the stencil I sprinkled the card face with sparkly mint green embossing powder,  and then used my heat gun to set it.

    Other:

    • I looked through my Ready to Go binder,  and grabbed three wee fish which had already been coloured with alcohol markers and then cut out.
    • I stamped the sentiment using Versafine Onyx, sprinkled on some clear embossing powder and set it with the heat gun.  I used snips to fussy cut the sentiment.

         Versafine Onyx is a pigment ink and takes longer to dry:  this allows time for heat embossing which intensifies the stamping.

    Assembly

    I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.  

    I glued each of the fish down individually, and then put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment before putting it in place.

    I used clear acrylic dots to represent bubbles coming from the fish,  creating a stream coming from two of the three fish  (visible in the close up image, but not in the full shot).

    Final Thoughts:

    The embossing powder stands out nicely against the dark gel print background,  and the pattern in the gel print provides a lot of depth and additional interest.

    The end result created a cute watery environment for the fish.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

       I have listed which products I have used, and (if possible) 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:  Droplet Grid,  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

    Green Embossing Powder:  Michaels  (retired)

    Stamps: Bite Me, A Colorful Life Designs (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: 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

    Droplet Grid from A Colorful Life Designs

  • Get Messy! a Simple DIY Card Tutorial with Stencils

    Get Messy! a Simple DIY Card Tutorial 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.)

    Don’t be afraid to get messy during your design process! The results are usually unexpected, but awesome.

    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:

    • First things first:  I laid the card face on my Grip Mat,  positioned the stencil and applied a random mixture of blue and yellow ink.
    • I left the stencil in place and traced the outline with a teal gel pen.
    • I added some spatter with water to create additional depth and visual interest.
    • Time to get a little messy. I placed the Broken Lines stencil on top of the first one and added slate grey embossing paste selectively over exposed areas.  I immediately removed both stencils (carefully!) and put them into water.
    • I set the card face aside to dry.

    Other:

    • I looked through my binders for inspiration and found the heart and the sentiment.  

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
    • I glued both the heart and sentiment in place as shown.
    • I added a small coloured rhinestone in the center of the heart.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is a fun card, with a bit of grunge provided by the embossing paste.  

    This stencil is 6 x 9,   so the card face was cut in half to yield this result.

    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:

        So Many Bubbles:  A Colorful Life Designs

        Broken Lines:  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,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Metallic Gel Pens:  Sakura,  Amazon

    Embossing Paste:  Stormy,  TCW,  Glitter and Ink

    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?  Do you like to add a bit of grunge to a design, or are you more of a clean and simple designer? 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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.

  • A handmade card: a great way say I’m Here for You

    A handmade card: a great way say I’m Here for You

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    Would you like to experiment with a design like this? Below, you’ll find a supply list, 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.)

    A handmade card, sent with love is a great way to say Here For You.

    Let’s Get Started:

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

    Card Face:  5.25 x 4  (before tearing)

    Several pieces of scrap white cardstock for flowers & leaves

    Vellum:  2.5” circle & 6.25 x 1.5” strip

     Card Face

    • I had a gel print that I wanted to use:  I cut this to size and laid it on a piece of scrap paper.
    • I put the stencil in place, securing it with Mint Tape
    • I spread DIY* mint-coloured embossing paste** across the first layer of the stencil.  I removed the stencil carefully to avoid smudging the design,  and put it into water immediately.
    • After the first layer had dried I put the second layer of the stencil in place and spread white embossing paste across the surface.  Again,  I removed the stencil carefully and put it immediately into water.

    *See Homemade Embossing Paste under Stretch Your Pennies in the header

    ** See Multi-Media Products and Stencils under Techniques in the header

    Other:

    • I put the extra pieces of cardstock into my stamp positioner one at a time and stamped the first layer of the flower, creating the outer rim of the petals as well as the center of the blossom with dark teal ink.   
    • I repeated the process with medium teal ink for the inside of the petals.
    • I pressed the dark teal ink pad directly to a piece of white cardstock and then die-cut four leaves from this piece.
    • I used an embossing buddy liberally on the strip of vellum, and then put it into my stamp positioner. I added the sentiment with Versamark embossing ink and sprinkled on some silver embossing powder which I set with my heat gun.

    Assembly

    I wrapped the strip of vellum around the card face towards the top as shown in the image,  securing the ends on the back with scotch tape.

    I tore a narrow strip off of the bottom of the card face to create an uneven edge,  and then glued it to the card base.

    I experimented with the placement of the flowers and leaves on the vellum circle: once I was satisfied with the design I used liquid glue to secure these.  I used dimensionals behind the flowers  in a couple of spots to separate the layers and create dimension.

    I put glue on the back of the vellum circle (behind the blossoms, so it wouldn’t be seen through the vellum)  and glued it in place as shown.

         when using liquid glue on vellum, I apply it very sparingly,  and then blot before it is affixed.     Vellum warps very easily when it comes in contact with moisture,  but will tolerate  a small amount.

    Final Thoughts:

    I’m really liking the combination of rustic feeling card face with the more finished feel of the vellum and blossoms.  It creates subtle tension and 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; in most instances, there are multiple sources and many alternatives.

    Stencil: Layered Fall Foliage, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Silver Embossing Powder:  Wow,  Simon Says Stamp

    Vellum:  Stampin’ Up! (retired)

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

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