Tag: written in ink

Design Techniques for Unique Greeting Cards are something to CHIRP about!
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.)

I never feel that my day is something to chirp about until I’m caffeinated!

Let’s get Started:

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

Card Face: 5.25 x 4.25

Card Face:
- I placed the card face in my stamp positioner and stamped the focal image a couple of times with black Memento ink.
- I coloured the image with alcohol markers. This caffeinated fella is ready to take center stage on the card!
- After laying the card face on the Grip Mat, I positioned the stencil, using a brayer to ensure good contact with the sticky surface of the mat.
- I applied navy blue and teal ink across the exposed areas on the stencil, taking care to avoid the coloured image.
Other:
- I looked through my sentiment binder and found this pair – they are perfectly suited to the image!
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base,centering the vertical edges.
- I created faux borders on the card by using a blue marker and a ruler. (The marker matched one of the blues used on the bird.)
- I glued the sentiments in place as shown.
- I drew brackets around the sentiment on the bottom, using a black fineliner.
Final Thoughts:

It’s odd what I don’t see when creating a card: for instance, I see now that I forgot to create the outer border on the left of the card! I will fix that up before sending it on.

I love this sentiment, and I like the concept of the brackets around the second half of it, but if I recreate this card I will handwrite that one as I don’t like the combination of hand drawn brackets with the glued on sentiment.

(but now that this fella is fully caffeinated, he’ll have more of a chance of remembering that question, LOL.)

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: Square Swirl, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Stamps:

    Coffee Doodle Doo, Unity Stamps

     Simple Strips, Coffee: Taylored Expressions

Dies: Simple Strips Die, Taylored Expressions

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Alcohol Markers:

     Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!

     Copics: Wallacks

Fineliner: 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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.
May 7 2025
A DIY card that says “I care” Easy techniques for stunning results
Unexpected adhesive residue proves to be a bit of serendipity in the design!

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 began by spraying the back of the stencil with Pixie Spray. This is a temporary adhesive which I use to prevent movement in stencils that are delicate, or that have longer, unattached “strands” in the design.
- With that complete, I laid the card face on my Grip Mat, and then positioned the stencil. I rolled a brayer across the entire surface to ensure good contact between the adhesive and the paper.
- Next I selected light aqua and yellow inks and applied them diagonally over the stencil, using a soft hand throughout the process.
- I removed the stencil and placed the card face into my stamp positioner before adding the floral image with Versamark embossing ink.
- I added gold embossing powder over this stamped image, and this is where the serendipity comes in –
- During this step I realized that the stencil had left residue behind from the Pixie Spray, and bits of embossing powder had stuck to this. I could have brushed this off of the background, but decided to roll with it and allow it to add an unexpected touch to the background.
- I used an embossing pen to add a few random lines and dots to the background, and then added gold embossing powder.
- After heat setting this, I decided that one more thing was needed to finish the look: a gold border. I used an embossing pen again, going around the border of the card and creating an irregular line (I could have used a ruler, if I’d wanted precision). After heat setting the gold powder added to this I was satisfied with presence of gold on the card face.
- I used a rectangular stitched die to cut the floral image from the card face.
An adhesive eraser can be used to remove residue from Pixie Spray. Just rub it over the paper as if you’re trying to remove a pencil mark.

Other:
- I looked through my sentiments binder and found a foiled XOXOXOXOXO sentiment.
- I cut three separate XO sections out of this.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I added dimensional foam to the back of the die-cut focal image and then set it in place on the card face.
- I positioned the three XO sections as shown.
Final Thoughts:

I love the serendipity that is evidenced in the bits of gold embossing . They are very tiny and and add a lovely, delicate detail to the card face.

Initially I didn’t have the three sentiment sections on the card face: I was going to keep the imaging very clean and simple: after living with it that way for a couple of days I decided that the additional detail was needed.

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: Glittering Hearts, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Embossing Pen: Tim Holtz, A Colorful Life Designs

Gold Embossing Powder: Ranger, PCW

Stamps: Words in Bloom, Unity Stamps

Dies: Stitched Rectangles, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Pixie Spray: Michaels

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

Glittering Hearts from A Colorful Life Designs
May 2 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.
May 1 2025
Share a smile with a DIY Cheeky Get Well 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: 5.5 x 8.5, scored and folded at 4.25

Card Face: 5.5 x 4.25

White Frame: 5.25 x 4 (outer dimensions)

Card Face:
- I began by stamping the image onto the card face with black Memento ink and colouring it in using alcohol markers.
- Laying the card face down on my Grip Mat and positioning the Scripty stencil. I applied black ink randomly, using a light hand. I took care to avoid the image during this process.
- Removing that stencil, I replaced it with the Grunge Dots stencil and applied a medium blue ink across the exposed areas, once again avoiding the image.
- I brushed the same blue ink on the borders, allowing it to fade as it moved away from the edge. The stencilling was visible through this ink and took on the appearance of texture, which I liked.
- Finally, I traced around the image of the nurse using a soft grey alcohol marker. This helped to separate her from the background, making her stand out.
Other:
- I placed two consecutively sized rectangular dies on a piece of white cardstock, securing them with Mint Tape. I ran these through the Big Shot: this created the frame.
- I stamped the sentiment and used a smaller rectangular die to cut it down to the correct size.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base.
- I put glue on the back of the frame, but then blotted some of it off on scrap paper before putting it in place on the card face. (This ensured that no glue seeped out from under the frame.)
- I glued the sentiment in place as shown.
Final Thoughts:

I love a good cheeky image, and this one (both image and sentiment) from Art Impressions is awesome.

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:

    Script, A Colorful Life Designs

    Grunge Dots, 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

Stamps: Get Well, Art Impressions

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.
April 27 2025
How to create a Stunning Art Deco card
dance like nobody’s watching

The elegance of Art Deco meets the extravagant feel of foil! (And a touch of sass, as an unexpected final touch.)

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.)

Are you intrigued by the luxurious feel of foil, but at the same time just a bit intimidated? Me too! or, I was until I discovered Duo gel and transfer foil. No Minc or laminator required, but the same amazing results – and unlimited options.

Let’s get Started:

Card Base: 4.25 x 11, scored and folded at 5.5

Border Layer: 4.25 x 5.5 **

Card Face: 4 x 5.5

** Budget tip: Rather than a full piece of foiled cardstock, I used two strips of cardstock that were ⅛ x 5.5 each. Gluing them snugly alongside the card face gave the look of a full piece, and is more economical.

Card Face:
- I sprayed the back of my stencil with Pixie Spray. This is a temporary adhesive that will ensure that the stencil stays in place on the card face during use.
- I placed my card face on a piece of cardstock and positioned the stencil. I used a brayer over the entire surface to ensure good contact with the card face.
- I applied Duo gel to all exposed areas, carefully removed the stencil and put it into water. I set the card face aside to dry.
- After the gel had dried (this depends on the thickness of the application, but I typically leave this 2 – 4 hours) it was time for the magic! I put a piece of transfer foil over the card face and ran it through my Big Shot.
- Once this was done I removed the excess foil, leaving the beautiful pattern behind.
- This card needed a sentiment, but I wasn’t certain which direction to go in at first – and then I stumbled across this bit of sass, which fit the bill perfectly. So I put the card face into my stamp positioner and added the sentiment with Versafine Onyx, stamping 3x to get a bold result.
I didn’t use my Grip Mat for this as I don’t like to risk compromising the surface with gels and pastes. I’ve seen content creators do this successfully: I’m just not brave enough yet!

Other:
- I placed a piece of adhesive dimensional foam on the back of a scrap piece of cardstock and added the die. Then I ran it through the Big Shot.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, centering vertically.
- I glued a narrow strip of irridescent cardstock to both sides.
- I added the dancing lady as shown.
Final Thoughts:

This stencil was part of a water themed release from A Colorful Life Designs, but as soon as I saw it I thought of the elegance of Art Deco. This design has been perking away in my head for a while now – I’m glad to finally have it out and on paper.

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: Waterspout, A Colorful Life Designs

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Clear Embossing Powder: Wow, R&R Scrapbooking

Stamps: Be Yourself, The Frantic Stamper

Dies: Carmen, The Frantic Stamper

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Memento Ink: 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 added to the list, and notified when I release new work.
April 19 2025
Master Card Making with Simple Innovative Stenciling Techniques
Would you like to experiment with a design like this? Below, you’ll find a supply list, 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.)

Mixing media and techniques can create stunning results – read more below for a how-to.

Let’s get Started:

Card Base: 4.25 x 11, scored and folded at 5.5

Card Face: 4 x 5.25

Card Face:
- I placed my card face on the Grip Mat.
- I sprayed the back of the Graduated Lines stencil with Pixie spray and waited for about 30 seconds before positioning it on the card face. (The longer, unattached lines of this stencil may shift if not secured.)
- I applied intense pink ink across the bottom of the stencil and then shifted to a softer orange colour before setting this stencil aside.
- I took the Heart of Hearts stencil and scrap copy paper. I traced around the outer edges of the heart where I could. Once I removed the stencil, I joined the gaps to create a complete heart. I then carefully cut it out with an Xacto knife, leaving the borders intact.
- I removed the card face from the Grip Mat and placed it on scrap paper. I positioned the stencil on the card face, securing it with mint tape.
- I laid the scrap paper over the stencil, lining up the cut out opening carefully: the remainder of the scrap paper became a mask.
- I applied Duo Gel to all open areas on the stencil.
- After carefully removing the stencil and putting it in water, I set the card face aside to dry.
- Once dry I laid a piece of transfer foil (previously cut to size) over the now-sticky gel, and ran the card face through the Big Shot.
- When I removed the foil, the Duo Gel held onto the foil, causing the stencilled pattern to remain.
- I added dashes around the outside of the heart, about ⅛” away from the foiling.
Other:
- I stamped the sentiment with Versafine Onyx ink, immediately sprinkled on clear embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
Versafine Onyx is a pigment ink, which stays wet long enough to allow heat embossing.
- I fussy cut the around sentiment and put dimensional foam on the back.
Assembly
- I glued the card face to the card base, centering vertically.
- I added the sentiment to the card face.
- I added small dashes under the sentiment, echoing those around the heart.
- I used a black marker and a ruler to create the look of a fine black border beside the card face.
Final Thoughts:

I really like the combination of the two stencils – they work so well together. I had initially tried to heat emboss the sentiment to create a flat card, but it was too muted on top of the foil. I solved it by heat embossing the sentiment on white and fussy cutting around it, then lining it up directly over the dud sentiment.

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.

Stencils:

Graduated Lines, A Colorful Life Designs

Heart of Hearts, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Stamps: Loads of Wishes, Avery Elle, Amazon

Fine Liners: Amazon

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Clear Embossing Powder: Wow, Simon Says Stamp

Duo Gel: Therm O Web, Simon Says Stamp

Transfer Foil: Summer Rainbow, Therm O Web, 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 Contact section in the header – I’d love to hear from you!

Before you go – use the Notifications box (below) to be notified when I release new work.
February 12 2025