Tag: stencils

Let the Sea set you FREE
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: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face: 5.5 x 4.25

Card Face:
- I put the card face onto the grip mat and positioned the Eddies stencil. I applied a mixture of light and dark teal inks across the exposed areas, varying pressure and colours randomly.
- Leaving the stencil in place, I spattered water across the exposed areas on the card face, blotting after several seconds to limit the effect.
- I removed the first stencil and replaced it with the mermaid stencil. I applied dark teal ink with a heavy hand across the exposed surface.
- I cut the card face down to 3.5 x 2.75, and then ran the edges over the dark teal ink pad. I allowed the ink to creep into the card face just slightly.
Other:
- I stamped the sentiment with the medium teal ink.
- This is a single stamp , with four lines: I cut the lines apart and tore both the right and left-hand edges on each piece.
- I put dimensional foam on the back of each of the sentiment strips.
- I salvaged a piece of the cut-off card front and trimmed it down to a 4 x .75” strip. I cut the right hand end into a banner and then ran all the edges over the dark teal ink pad.
- I placed the border layer into an embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.
Assembly
- I glued the embossed border to the card base.
- I glued the narrow strip to this, aligned to the left hand side about ¾ of the way down the paper.
- I added dimensional foam to the back of the card face, and then secured it on an angle, as shown.
- I positioned the four sentiment strips as shown in the picture.
Final Thoughts:

I love the play of colours on this card, as well as the texture created by the spatter.

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:

     Eddies: A Colorful Life Designs

     Set You Free, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps: Sentiment: Technique Junkies (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.

Eddies, by A Colorful Life Designs
07/14/2025
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.
05/01/2025
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.
03/19/2025
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.
03/17/2025

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