Written In Ink

Tag: stencils

  • DIY Card Design: Techniques for Beautiful Stenciled Art

    DIY Card Design: Techniques for Beautiful Stenciled Art

    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 x 3.75

    Card Face:  4 ⅞ x 3 ⅝ (after die cut)

    Card Face:

    • I began by laying the card face down on the Grip Mat and positioning the grid stencil.  I applied  lime green ink over the exposed areas, deliberately creating variations in depth of tone
    • I laid the Broken Lines stencil directly over the first stencil and secured it before adding dark grey ink randomly through the stencil.
    • After removing both stencils and setting them aside,  I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and added those awesome hearts.  I stamped twice to be certain that the image was dark enough.
    • I added both gold and black spatter, using metallic watercolour paint.
    • I used a deckled edge rectangle die to trim the card face down to its final size.
    • Then I decided that I wanted one more detail for visual interest,  so I used a smaller die from the same set to cut a deckled rectangle from the card face, centering the die around the hearts.

    Other:

    • I looked through my sentiment binder for the perfect finishing touch and decided on a motivational sentiment in the end.

    Assembly

    I added dimensional foam to the back of the inner piece of the card face.

    I centered the outer section of the card face on the black border and then glued these layers to the card base.

    I put the center of the card face back where it belonged, with the foam creating added dimension.

    Finally,  I glued the sentiment to the card face, directly over the hearts.

    Final Thoughts:

    This design would work for any occasion:  I’m always happy when I have a fun, multipurpose card.   

    I’m really happy with the way that these two stencils work together, as well as the final 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:

        Broken Lines,  A Colorful Life Designs

        16 Square Shadow,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Metallic Watercolour Ink:  Amazon

    Stamps:  

        Hearts,  Technique Junkies  (no longer in business)

        Polka Dot Blossoms Sayings,  Tim Holtz,  Amazon

    Dies:   Deckled Edged Rectangles, 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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.

  • Create a handmade card that celebrates the Simple Moments

    Create a handmade card that celebrates the Simple Moments

    Sometimes the simple pleasures really are the best; it could be a smile from a loved one, sunshine on a spring day, or flowers in a vase.

    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 inked up the background stamp with orange ink, and laid it face up on my desk: then I placed the card face on top, doing my best to keep it straight.
    • I laid a piece of scrap copy paper over this and ran my fingers over the entire surface to ensure ink transfer.   (This is my preferred method when using a background stamp.
    • I put the card face on my Grip Mat and used a black fineliner to trace the pattern onto the card face.
    • I coloured the images with alcohol markers, adding white highlights with gel pen.
    • I used a blue gel pen to add the dotted circle around the center of each blossom  ( it doesn’t look blue in the image, but it is).
    • I used a clear metallic pen to add sparkle to the center of each blossom:  the centers had been coloured green with alcohol marker and the addition of the metallic ink activated that, creating a pretty greenish gold.

    Other:

    • I looked through my sentiment binder and selected one that was a good size for this bold image, and I felt this sentiment worked well too.
    • The sentiment had been created on very light cardstock:  I added a piece of heavier cardstock to the back to create stability.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face directly to the card base.
    • I added the sentiment as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love this stamp and stencil combination:  they work so very well together.

    I was initially concerned about the orange ink showing through the colouring but then decided that it would just add depth and  visual interest.  I don’t mind the result, what do you think?

    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: Bottled Posies,  A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Stamps:  Weave,  Technique Junkies  (no longer available)

    Fineliner:  Amazon

    Metallic Gel  Pen: Sakura Gelly Roll, Amazon

    White Gel Pen: Arteza,  Amazon

    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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.

  • When handcrafted is heartfelt: Tips for Stunning Card Designs

    When handcrafted is heartfelt: Tips for Stunning Card 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 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: 

    4.25 x 11, scored and folded at 5.5

    Card Face:   3 ⅞ x 5.5

    Card Face:

    • I laid my card face on the Grip Mat and positioned the Starry Rays stencil so that it was hanging off on the left hand side.  I used light green ink across the exposed surface.
    • Leaving that stencil in place,  I secured the Floating Flowers stencil,  applying a darker green ink over the exposed areas.
    • I removed both stencils and spattered water lightly over the ink,  blotting off quite quickly.  This added texture and depth to this part of the design.
    • I placed the card face in my Stamp Positioner and used Memento ink to stamp the image of the tulip.
    • I coloured this with alcohol markers.
    • I spattered purple metallic watercolour over the card face.

    Other:

    • I looked through my binder of sentiments and selected one that worked for the design.

    Assembly

    I added the card face to the card base, centering vertically.

    I used a dark green marker and a ruler to draw a line down each side of the card face, creating a faux border layer.

    I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and put it in place as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love this bold tulip,  and the stencils created a fabulous background for it.

    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:

        Starry Rays,  A Colorful Life Designs

        Floating Flowers, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

    Stamps: Sketched Tulip, Technique Junkies  (no longer available)

    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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.