Written In Ink

Tag: sympathycard

  • Share a Stunning Card Made with Two Leafy Stencils

    Share a Stunning Card Made with Two Leafy 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 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: 5.25 x 4

    This card began as a ghost print created during a gel printing session. The fine lines visible in the background were created there.

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on my grip mat and positioned the Leaf Lattice stencil.
    • I applied brown ink across the exposed areas, using more pressure in some areas to create more saturation and visual depth. With this particular stencil,  this process created the look of shadows under the leaves,  which was pretty fun.
    •  I removed that stencil and allowed the ink to dry completely.
    • I positioned the Leaf Sprigs stencil at the bottom-left of the card face and then pressed my Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings.
    • I sprinkled gold embossing powder over the embossing ink and set it with my heat gun.
    • I positioned an edger die along the right-hand side of the card face and ran this through my Big Shot.  This split the card face in two,  while creating two different leafy patterns – one positive and one negative.
    • I trimmed off the rough edge left on the left-hand piece.

    Other:

    • I stamped the sentiment in Versafine Onyx and used a die to create the shape.

    Assembly

    • I glued both pieces of the card face to the card base, allowing a ⅛” border around the outside:  this left a white strip visible between the two pieces.
    • I put dimensional foam on the back of the sentiment and put it in place over that strip, as shown in the picture.
    • I added three metallic gems – two above the sentiment, and one below.

    Final Thoughts:

    These stencils are really pretty together,  and I really like this brown & gold combination.

    If I were to recreate this card,  I would add a border layer underneath the card face to create more contrast and show off the die-cut leaves a little more.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencils:

    Leaf Lattice,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Leaf Sprigs,  A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: The Scrapbook Cottage

    Gold Embossing Powder,  Wow,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies:  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.

    Leaf Lattice stencil

    Leaf Sprigs stencil

  • Start with a Gel Print, End with Something Wonderful

    Start with a Gel Print, End with Something Wonderful

    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

    Card Face: 5.25 x 4

    This card began its life as a gel print.   I loved this mixture of blue, green and silver and wanted to use it in a card. I trimmed it down and got started…

    Card Face:

    • I laid the card face on the grip mat and positioned the stencil.
    • I pressed my Versamark embossing pad firmly through the openings,  going over each area a couple of times to be certain that I had good coverage.
    • I sprinkled translucent embossing powder over the embossing ink,  and set it with my heat gun.
    • I positioned the large negative butterfly die to the right and ran it through the Big Shot.

    Other:

    • I positioned two dies on a piece of scrap cardstock –  one butterfly,  and one for bricks –  and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I stamped the sentiment on another scrap,  and then used a die to cut it down to the desired size and shape.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
    • I glued the die-cut bricks towards the bottom left and added the butterfly above.
    • I put the sentiment in place as shown.
    • I added metallic embellishments to the butterflies.

    Final Thoughts:

    I love the translucent embossing powder on this gel print:  fun pops of blue that feel so natural that they could have been part of the original gel print.

    Although I chose to send this card to someone who had just experienced a loss, the design is versatile and could be used for many different purposes.

    Supplies: (and links where possible)

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

    Stencil: Big Squiggles, A Colorful Life Designs

    Versamark Embossing Ink: The Scrapbook Cottage

    Topaz Embossing Powder, Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

    Dies:  Bellina Butterfly Collage,  Poppy Stamps,  R&R Scrapbooking

    Ink: Stampin’ Up!

    Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up! 

    Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

    Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

    Cream Cardstock: 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.

    Big Squiggles

  • Support someone you Care for with a Fast and Easy Card

    Support someone you Care for with a Fast and Easy 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: 8.5 x 7, scored and folded at 3.5

    Card Face: 8 ⅛ x 3 1/8

    Card Face:

    • I placed the card face into my stamp positioner and stamped the image with Versafine Onyx. I stamped a couple of times to create an intense image.
    • I let this dry for a couple of minutes and then placed the card face on my Grip Mat.  I positioned the stencil and added light grey ink around the image.   I allowed a variation in tone as I added ink.
    • I put the card face back into the stamp positioner and added the sentiment in the same light gray ink.

    Assembly

    • I glued the card face to the card base, centering on all sides.
    • I used a ruler and a black marker to create the narrow black border around the card face.

    Final Thoughts:

    This is such a beautiful image:  I purchased it recently, and couldn’t wait to use it.  The stencilled pattern in the background complements perfectly without distraction.

    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: Celtic Knots, A Colorful Life Designs

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

    Stamp:  Twilight Grazing,  Creative Expressions,  Ecstasy Crafts

    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.

    Celtic Knots

  • You Can Create Stunning Cards with this Stencil

    You Can Create Stunning Cards with this Stencil

    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

    Holographic Cardstock:  5.5 x .25

    Transfer Foil:  6 x 4.25

    We’ve just had a big snowfall and are still digging out.  It’s safe to say that there won’t be any snowdrops peeking through for a couple of months!

    Card Face:

    • I positioned the card face down on a piece of scrap paper, placed the stencil, and secured both with Mint Tape.
    • I spread Duo Gel over all exposed areas.
    • After carefully removing the stencil,  I put it immediately into water and put the card face aside to dry.

    Duo Gel dries to be a super sticky adhesive and can ruin a stencil – mine go into a basin of water beside me until I am done the session, and can scrub them.

    Duo Gel goes on white and dries clear: the drying time depends on the thickness of the application.

    • Once the card face was dry, I laid the transfer foil over top  (pretty side up) and ran it through the Big Shot.
    • I removed the foil:  the dried Duo Gel caused the foil to stay behind, creating the pattern.
    • I placed the card face in a texturizing embossing folder and ran it through the Big Shot.

    Other:

    • Although this card could be used for any occasion, I felt it particularly suited a sympathy card and pulled the appropriate sentiment from my binder.

    Assembly

    I glued the card face to the card base, leaving a ⅛” border on the left.

    I glued the strip of holographic card stock on the right, butting it snugly up against the card face.

    I added dimensional foam to the back of the sentiment and positioned it on the card face as shown.

    Final Thoughts:

    This design is simple, but nevertheless “enough”.   The foiled image has a lovely sheen with card in hand, and the texture provided just enough additional 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.

    Stencil: Snow Drops, A Colorful Life Design

    Duo Gel: Deco, Amazon

    Transfer Foil,  Prism by Spellbinders, Amazon

    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.

    Snow Drops stencil by a Colorful Life Designs