Category Archives: Techniques

Beautiful Quilted Card

photo is of a beautiful quilted card using the gorgeous ll About Autumn Specialty Designer Series Paper

This beautiful quilted card is so easy to make! I love the new All About Autumn Specialty Designer Series Paper (162178) with it’s so many beautiful designs. One side of the paper is a print and the reverse side is copper embossed patterns. I cut 1″ x 6″ strips of a couple designs into 1″ squares. You could do this with a 1″ square punch if you have one but it might take more time. Then I glued them down alternating sides and patterns on a piece of Basic White cardstock and trimmed the cardstock to 2 3/4″ x 4 1/4″.

The next step was to adhere this layer to a piece of 5 1/4″ x 4″ designer series paper that had been die-cut with the large rectangle Radiating Stitches Dies. Embossing the piece with an embossing folder and the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine simulates the quilting stitches. I used the retired Tufted embossing folder but other ones that don’t have a high degree of detail would work.

The final step was to adhere this focal piece to the Moody Mauve cardstock base. I stamped a greeting from Translucent Florals stamp set on Basic White cardstock with Pretty Peacock ink and die-cut it with the circle from Radiating Stitches Dies. This was adhered to the card front with a Stampin’ Dimensional.

Supplies Used for the Beautiful Quilted Card

  • Stamp set – Translucent Florals
  • Ink – Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • Paper – Moody Mauve Cardstock 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
    Basic White Cardstock scrap and 5″ x 3″
    All About Autumn Specialty Designer Series Paper 1 piece 5 1/4″ x 4″, strip of two or three different patterns 6″ x 1″
  • Embossing folder of choice – I used the retired Tufted embossing folder
  • Adhesives of choice – I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue and Stampin’ Seal
  • Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
  • For your convenience, I have these items in a shopping cart in my online store. You can delete any item you already have.

September Gift with Purchase

I truly appreciate my customers and thank them when they purchase $75 or more with a free gift. This month is the great Adhesive- backed star trinkets found in the new Sept-Dec mini catalog which goes active on Wednesday. If you live in the United States and don’t already have a demonstrator, I’d love to be yours. Email me with your name, mailing address and phone number and I’ll send you a free catalog.

Beautiful Easy Fractured Card Technique

beautiful handmade greeting card using the easy Fractured Card technique and One Horse Open Sleigh Designer Series Paper

I created this card using the beautiful easy Fractured Card Technique. It is also called the Faux Shutter Technique and in a camera shutter. While it looks very complicated because it looks like the designer series paper has been cut into pieces and then adhered, it is really quite easy. Other Fractured Card techniques call for die-cutting the diamond out of the top and second layer, putting a piece of cardstock behind the opening, and then applying the strips of cardstock on top along the opening of the top layer.

In my technique, I put down a temporary 2 1/4″ mask in the center of the card and apply the strips around the mask. Then I remove it and add the top 2″ square that has been stamped with an image or greeting.

Supplies Used for this beautiful easy Fractured Card Technique

  • Quiet Meadow Stamp Set for greeting
  • Petal Pink Cardstock – 11″ x 4 1/4″ scored and folded at 5 1/2″ for card base. Four 1/4″ strips about 5″ long. For ease of adhering, apply Adhesive sheet material to back of cardstock before cutting the strips.
  • Basic White Cardstock – one piece 2 1/4″ square for a mask and one piece 2″ square
  • One Horse Open Sleigh Designer Series Paper – 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Early Espresso Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • Natural Tones Stampin’ Blends Deep -dark to color gem
  • Adhesive-backed Solid Gems
  • Adhesive Sheet
  • Other adhesives of choice
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Paper Snips Scissors
  • Click here to find these items in a shopping cart in my online store for your convenience. You can delete any items you already have.

Once you have your needed supplies gathered, stamp along with me while watching my Facebook Live replay.

Thanks for joining me today. grab a cup of coffee or tea and take some time to look around my blog. I have lots of interesting projects. Please also leave a comment so I know you have been here.

Elegant Soft Seedlings Framed Card

an Elegant Soft Seedlings Framed Card using the Soft Seedlings Stamp Set

Although this elegant Soft Seedlings framed card looks complicated, it is really easy to make.

Supplies Used

  • Soft Seedlings Stamp Set
  • Deckled Rectangles Dies
  • Thick Basic White Cardstock 11″ x 4 1/4″ scored and folded at 5 1/2″ or 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored and folded at 4 1/4″, 5 1/4″ x 4″, 4 3/4″ x 3 1/2″
  • Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • Parakeet Party Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • Cajun Craze Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Iridescent Pearls
  • Stamparatus
  • Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
  • Click here to go to the shopping cart with these supplies on my online store. You can remove items you already have.

Instructions

  1. Use the third down from largest deckled rectangles die and the third up from smallest to cut the frame from the smallest piece of thick Basic White cardstock.
  2. Place the 5 1/4″ x 4″ piece of thick Basic White cardstock in corner of Stamparatus and put a magnet on the corner of it.
  3. Put the stamp, stamp-side down on the cardstock and pick it up with the acrylic plate.
  4. Use the Pumpkin Pie ink pad to ink the stamp. Then use sponge daubers to add Cajun Craze along the edges of the leaves and Parakeet Party ink to the center of the leaf.
  5. Stamp image.
  6. Place the frame on top of card front and move magnet to also hold the frame in place. Reink the stamp and stamp a second time adding the image to the frame. Clean off the stamp.
  7. While the frame is still being held down by the magnet, place the ‘hello’ stamp on card front inside the lower right corner of the frame. Pick it up with the acrylic plate, check to see that it is lined up correctly and stamp using Memento ink.
  8. Remove the card from the Stamparatus and adhere the frame with Stampin’ Dimensionals lining up the two images.
  9. Color one large and two small Iridescent Pearl Adhesive Gems with the Dark Cajun Craze Stampin’ Blends. Apply to lower right corner of the frame.
  10. Stamp the seed cluster on a corner of the inside if desired.

Watch the Video

Now that you have the supplies gathered to make this elegant Soft Seedlings framed card, follow along with me in this video.

Don’t Miss This Sale!

image is a banner about Stampin' Up's 24 Hour Stamp Sale - Don't Miss This Sale!

Don’t miss this sale! This coming Thursday, September 15 for just 24 hours almost all stamps in the 2022-2023 Annual Catalog will be 15% off. This sale occurs just once a year and I don’t want you to miss it. I’m sure you have stamps you would like to buy but just haven’t ordered yet. Thursday is THE day to get them at a discount. Get out your wish list and have it ready. Then on Thursday place your order in my online store or email it to me and I’ll place it for you.

While you are at it, check out the new Weekly Deals that will be posted on Thursday and add some of them to your order. You can easily find them here.

Beautiful Amazing Silhouettes Sneak Peek

handmade card created with the Amazing Silhouettes stamp set and poppin' pastels technique

I created this Beautiful Amazing Silhouettes sneak peek for a couple of reasons. First, the weekly challenge on SUDSOL, an online group I belong to, was to create and share a Clean and Simple card. A Clean & Simple card is one where there is a lot of white space, space where there is no embossing, stamping, designer papers, or embellishments. A C & S card has minimal layers and clean lines.

I received this Amazing Silhouettes stamp set as a prize during the Stampin’ Up! OnStage at Home virtual convention this November and originally thought I would trade with someone for a different set. The style of this set just wasn’t my style. But I started thinking of ways to use this set and came up with the poppin’ pastels technique.

To do this technique, you stamp the image on cardstock with versamark ink. Then you use a sponge dauber, q-tip, or your finger to burnish soft pastels chalk into the ink. it’s an easy and lovely way to enhance an image. I think it is perfect for this butterfly. I added a couple of Brushed Brass Butterflies which were also a prize for accent. The greeting from Encircled in Friendship is stamped in Coastal Cabana ink.

Supplies used to make this Beautiful Amazing Silhouettes Sneak Peek

  • Amazing Silhouettes stamp set – available January 4, 2022 or now if you join my team as a demonstrator – demonstrators get to preorder the month before a catalog goes live
  • Encircled in Friendship stamp set
  • Versamark Ink
  • Coastal Cabana ink
  • Soft Pastels – Granny Apple Green and Coastal Cabana
  • Brushed Brass Butterflies – available in new January – July mini catalog
  • Basic White cardstock 11″ x 4 1/4″ scored and folded at 5 1/2″

Click on the images below to go to my online store to order them. The Amazing Silhouettes stamp set and brushed brass butterflies are not available until Jan 4 If you want them now, contact me about becoming a demonstrator on my team. I’d love to have you join me in this great business.

Stunning Offset Triple Time Card

Handmade card featuring the Offset Triple Time stamping technique and Beautiful Friendship stamp set

I showed how to make this stunning offset triple time card on my Facebook Live this afternoon. The technique is really quite simple and yields beautiful results. The trick is to layer three different sized pieces of light colored cardstock either one on top of another or offset them as I have done. Then stamp an image that is large enough to cover parts of all three layers. The image will most likely not be stamped right up against the edge of the cardstock on top of it but that is OK as the pieces of cardstock are layered on a contrasting color like above. That layer covers the poorly stamped areas.

Products Used for Stunning Offset Triple Time Card

  • Beautiful Friendship stamp set
  • Soft Seafoam Cardstock – 11″ x 4 1/4″ scored and folded at 5 1/2″ for card base
  • Blackberry Bliss Cardstock – 5 1/4″ x 2 1/4″; 4 1/4″ x 2 1/4″; 3 1/4″ x 2 1/4″
  • Shimmery White Cardstock – 5″ x 2″; 4″ x 2″; 3″ x 2″
  • Old Olive and Gorgeous Grape ink pads
  • Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin’ Seal
  • Stamparatus
  • To order these supplies click here.

I used the stamparatus to stamp the flower for one important reason. I could stamp and then re- ink the stamp and stamp again several times until I got the depth of ink I desired. That is one of the wonderful benefits of the Stamparatus. Another hint I have is to put a couple small dots of the multipurpose liquid glue on the overlapping edge of each piece of Shimmery White cardstock. Use your finger to spread it out a bit and then let the glue dry. This makes it repositionable. Now when you place the pieces of cardstock in place, they will stay there while you stamp them.

Give this Offset Triple Time stamping technique a try. Play with different colors and different focal images. Black is often used for the mat layers or some other dark color. I toyed with the idea of using gold foil sheets for the mats which would also be stunning. If you do try this technique, I’d love to have you send me a photo of your card. I would share it on this blog with your permission.

Featuring Berry Delightful DSP

handmade greeting card featuring Berry Delightful DSP

This week’s series of cards are featuring Berry Delightful DSP part of a free bundle with the Berry Blessings stamp set in the 2021 Sale-A-Bration brochure. I will be sharing a variety of cards this week showing the designs of this beautiful designer series paper and various greetings in the stamp set.

I think the double folded fancy fold technique shows off this designer series paper in a lovely unique way. To achieve this fold, follow the diagram below. The designer series paper is cut 10″ x 5″ and scored at 1″, 1 1/2″, 2 1/2″, 3″, 4 “, 4 1/2″, 5 1/2″, 6″, 7″, 7 1/2″, 8 1/2″, and 9″ along the long side. Then mark 2″ and 3” up the sides from the bottom and cut from that mark to the center score lines. Then pleat along the scores, make the first fold on each side of the center a valley fold followed by a mountain fold. Tape the pleats down on the reverse side. Then apply to card base or a layer of the card front.

Double Folded Fancy Fold Template

Supplies used to make this card featuring Berry Beautiful DSP

  • Granny Green Cardstock 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored at 5 1/2:”
  • Basic White Cardstock 5 1/4″ x 4″, scrap
  • Blackberry Bliss Cardstock 5″ x 3 3/4″
  • Berry Delightful Designer Series Paper, raspberry design 10″ x 5″ scored as described SAB Free item
  • Berry blessings stamp set – Free SAB item
  • Metallic edged ribbon – white colored with Blackberry Bliss Stampin’ Blend
  • Tear & Tape
  • Stampin’ Seal
  • Mini Glue Dots
  • click here to order these supplies

Here is another design of the Berry Delightful Designer Series Papers . I used Basic White and Pacific Point cardstock and one of the other greetings in the Berry Blessings stamp set. You can order the supplies for this card here.

this is a second card featuring Berry Delightful Designer Series Paper

Come back later this week for a couple more cards using this cheery designer series paper and Berry Blessings stamp set. The stamp set and paper come as a bundle for FREE with a $100 or more order during Sale-A-Bration. Sale-A- Bration is over February 28. Place an order with me at my online store now or email me with your order and I’ll place it for you.

Arrow Fold Christmas Card

Handmade Arrow Fold Christmas Card using In the Woods Dies

I got the idea of this fun arrow fold Christmas card from a tutorial I saw online. I loved the idea of turning the card with the point up. A Christmas tree fits in the arrow perfectly.

Supplies Used for this Arrow Fold Christmas card

  • Snow Front stamp set – little birds stamps
  • Itty Bitty Christmas – Season’s Greetings die
  • Whisper White cardstock 11″ x 4 1/4″ and scrap for pine tree die
  • Classic Christmas 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper green pine tree pattern 2 pieces 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • In the Woods Dies
  • All the Trimmings Combo Pack – red ribbon
  • Multipurpose Liquid Glue

To order the supplies used to make this project click on this link https://s.tamp.in/07LoGX. The templates for scoring both a 11″ x 4 1/4″ and an 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ card base are below.

Template showing the scoring measurements for both a top fold and side fold A2 card
Template for Arrow Fold cards giving scoring measurements

I did a Facebook Live presentation a couple of weeks ago showing how to make this card. Then I uploaded it to my YouTube channel. You can watch the video below to help you with the folding.

If you decide to try this type fold, please send me a photo of your card. I’d love to share it here on my blog.

Candle Triple Side-step Card

Handmade Christmas Card using the Curvy Cgleaming Specialty Designer Series Paperhristmas stamp set and Brightly

I’m very excited to share with you this Candle Triple Side-step card! Last Saturday, I shared another Triple Side-fold Christmas card here and told you the design suggested to me a row of candles. Ta daa! Here is the creation.

I used the same Night of Navy cardstock for the base but changed the dsp to another Brightly Gleaming Specialty Designer Series paper design. This time I used copper foil sheets as a layer under the dsp. The smaller of the Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack was used to punch out the copper foil and then I hand-cut the shape of the flames. I happened to have a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock that had been embossed with the Subtle embossing folder. That was perfect for the candles.

I cut branches from Mossy Meadow cardstock using the Beautiful Boughs dies. I stamped the little pine cones from the In the Woods stamp set on Soft Suede cardstock using Early Espresso ink. Then I used the little pinecone die from the In The Woods Dies to cut them out. The greeting and swoosh of stars were stamped on Very Vanilla with Night of Navy ink using stamps from the Curvy Christmas stamp set. The Curvy Christmas stamp set is part of the Quite Curvy Variety Bundle special starting November 3.

Supplies for Candle Triple Side-step Card

  • Night of Navy Cardstock – 10″ x 7″
  • Very Vanilla Cardstock – 4″ x 1 1/2″, 6 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ for inside, 1″ x 3″, 2 pieces 2″ x 3/4″
  • Mossy Meadow Cardstock – scrap
  • Soft Suede Cardstock – scrap
  • Copper Foil Sheets – 4 3/4″ x 2 3/8″, 4 1/4 x 1 3/4″, 2 pieces 2 7/8″ x 2 1/8″, scrap
  • Brightly Gleaming Specialty DSP – 2 pieces 2 5/8 ” x 1 7/8″, 2 1/8″ x 4 1/2″
  • Night of Navy and Early Espresso Ink
  • Curvy Christmas stamp set – available Nov 3
  • Winter Woods stamp set – pine cone
  • Beautiful Boughs and In the Woods dies
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Stampin’ Cut Emboss Machine
  • Multipurpose Liquid Glue

You can order the supplies for this card here.

Stunning Shimmery Halloween Card

Handmade stunning shimmery Halloween card

This stunning shimmery Halloween card is easy to make using the split-circle technique. I designed this card for an Facebook Groups class I’m holding Sunday afternoon. Due to copyright laws, we aren’t allowed to include stamped images in card kits. Therefore I used a collection of dies to make this card.

The split-circle technique gives that swoop of color in the center of the card. You cut out four circles in increasing size using alternating colors/designs of cardstock/designer series papers. In this case I used the Rainbow Glimmer paper on the purple to yellow side of the sheet. I used the layering circle dies starting with the smallest circle. I labeled the dies in increasing size starting with the smallest being one and the largest being 8. I used #1 – #4 dies for the circles. Then cut the circles in half and adhere together as shown. For your convenience I have listed the place to position each circle on your paper trimmer to have them cut in half. Notice that each die goes up exactly 1/8″ plus the 1/16″. I could have given the measurements all in sixteenths but I found it easier to find the eights on the ruler and then add the 1/16″.

  • #1 4/8″ + 1/16″
  • #2 5/8″ + 1/16+
  • #3 6/8″ + 1/16″
  • #4 7/8″ + 1/16″

I used the next to the largest stitched rectangle to cut the Basic Black background. The frame was cut from the Rainbow Glimmer paper by nesting the third largest die inside the next larger die. I placed #2 and #4 circle dies inside the rectangles to conserve paper.

Supplies Used for the Stunning Shimmery Halloween Card

  • Mango Melody Cardstock – 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″ and folded for card base
  • Basic Black Cardstock – 4 3/4″ x 3 1/2″
  • Rainbow Glimmer Paper – purple to yellow edge of sheet 5 1/2″ x 5″
  • Black Glitter Paper – 4″ x 2″
  • Layering Circles Dies
  • Stitched Rectangles Dies
  • Word Wishes Dies
  • Halloween Magic Dies

Are you ready to make your own stunning Halloween card? Then click on the photo of the card to go to the shopping cart filled with the supplies you need. I have a video demonstrating how to make this on my YouTube channel. While you are there, subscribe so you receive notification when I upload my next video.

Poinsettia Bay Window Fancy Fold

photo is of Poinsettia Bay Window Fancy Fold card created with the Bay Window Fancy Fold technique and Plush Poinsettia specialty paper

I love this beautiful Poinsettia Bay Window Fancy Fold! If you have been reading my blogs, you have discovered that I love fancy folds. This fold is a really easy one that you will like to make.

I used the Plush Poinsettia Specialty Paper (153486) on the bay window part as it looks like lace curtains to me. It is one of the products in the Poinsettia Place Suite (155109). Another product is the Poinsettia dies (153522) which I used to cut out and emboss the flowers from Red Foils Sheets (153510). The greeting is from the Peaceful Boughs stamp set (150541) found in the 2020-2021 Annual catalog.

Supplies Used for Poinsettia Bay Window Fancy Fold:

  • Shaded Spruce cardstock – 4 1/4″ x 11″ scored parallel to the short side at 3/8″, 1-7/8″, 3-5/8″, 5-1/8″, and 5-1/2″
  • Whisper White cardstock – scrap for greeting, 4″ X 3-3/8″ for inside
  • Plush Poinsettia Specialty Paper – 2 pieces 4-1/8″ x 1-3/8″, 4-1/8″ x 1-5/8″
  • Red Foil Sheet – scraps for poinsettias
  • Poinsettia Dies – smallest and next smallest flowers
  • Tear & Tape, Stampin’ Seal

Learn how to make this card by joining me on my Facebook Live tomorrow at 3 pm Pacific time. You’ll find me on the Soggy Stamper Facebook page. I’ll be demonstrating this technique and a second sample using other supplies. After I’m through with the live presentation, you can watch the video on the Soggy Stamper YouTube channel. While you are at my channel, click the subscribe button to receive notification when a new video is uploaded. I’d love to have you leave a comment here on this post and on the video when you watch it so I know you have been visiting.

Stunning World of Good Grad Card

photo shows the front of the Stunning World of Good Grad Card
photo shows the Stunning World of Good Grad Card opened

This Stunning World of Good Grad Card is made with the wonderful World of Good Suite of products. This suite is shown on pgs 24 – 26 in the 2020-202 Annual Catalog and includes the Beautiful World stamp and dies bundle (154091), brass embossed World of Good Specialty Designer Series Paper (152491), Faux Suede Trim (152472), World of Good Memories & More Card Pack (153600), Old World Paper 3D Embossing Folder (153200), Antique Corners & Slides (152471) , and Brass Foil Sheets (153057). You can order all of this with just one number (154140).

I used the rectangle Rocker technique to make this card. When you open the card, the image behind the cut-out window on the card front rotates to the right. Interactive cards are such fun to make and receive. Watch the video below to learn how to do the technique.

The cutting measurements of the papers are:
Cinnamon Cider Cardstock (153078) 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″ for card base; 5 1/2″ x 2″ scored at 1/2″, 2 3/4″, and 4″, 3″ x 2″ scored on all sides at 1/2″ for mechanism: and 4 1/4″ x 3 1/4″ for moving panel
Basic Black Cardstock ( 121045) scrap
Whisper White Cardstock (100730) scrap
Brass Foil Sheets (153057) scrap
World of Good Specialty Designer Series Paper (152491)
Cinnamon Cider embossed map design 5 1/4″ x 4″
Checkered Black design 4″ x 3″
Black with globe design 2″ x 1-7/8″, 1-7/8″ x 1″

You can order the supplies I used to make this Stunning World of Good Grad card by visiting my online store or clicking on the links to be taken to each item’s location in my store.

Three Faux Watercolor Techniques

Today I am going to show you three faux watercolor techniques. Yes, there are three ways to achieve a water-colored look without actually pulling out your watercolors.

handmade greeting card using Faux Watercoloring Technique 1

In the card above I used the first of three faux watercolor techniques.

  • Color directly on the rubber stamp with markers. You can use different colors in different spaces if desired.
  • Lightly Spritz the air above the stamp with water and allow the mist to fall on the ink. For a more detailed water-colored look, use just a little water. To have a less defined image use more water.
  • Stamp onto your cardstock and allow to dry. You can gently blot image with a paper towel if there is too much bleeding and water.

This next card demonstrates the second of Three Faux Watercolor Technique,s a watercolor wash. The background has been created with this type of faux watercolor.

handmade greeting card using the faux watercoloring technique that is a watercolor wash
  • Scribble on an acrylic block with one color of marker.
  • Above that scribble a second and third color. You can even blend them at the color junctures.
  • Lightly spritz the air above the block with water allowing the mist to fall on the block. You will want the block to have enough water on it that the colors start running into each other.
  • Stamp the block on a piece of cardstock.
  • Blot excess water and ink with a paper towel.
  • When cardstock dries, stamp an image over the watercolor wash.

This is the third Faux Watercolor Technique.

handmade card created with a third faux watercolor technique
  • Lightly mist cardstock, preferably watercolor paper, with water.
  • Stamp image with a water-based ink.
  • Mist the cardstock again so the ink starts to run. When it has run as much as you want, blot excess water with a paper towel.
  • When cardstock is dry, stamp greeting below the water-colored image.

To recreate these cards yourself you will need the following products:

  • Misty Moonlight, Soft Seafoam and Just Jade cardstock 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ scored at 4 1/4″ and folded for card bases
  • Thick Whisper White cardstock scraps for first two cards
  • Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper scrap for third card
  • Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper 5 1/4″ x 4″ for the first two cards
  • Forever Gold Laser-Cut Specialty Paper on third card
  • Forever Fern stamp set
  • Inks – Misty Moonlight, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz ink pads: Stampin’ Write Markers – Shaded Spruce, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Granny Apple Green
  • Accessories – Misty Moonlight 1/4″ Ribbon, Stitched Nested Lables Dies, Stitched So Sweetly Dies

Most of these supplies are new to the 2020-2021 Annual catalog which will go live on June 3. If you live in the United States and don’t have a current demonstrator and would like your own copy of the new catalog, contact me and I’ll be happy to mail you one.

Easy Faux Silk Technique

Handmade card using the Faux Silk Technique and Timeless Tropical Stamp Set

I made this beautiful card using the Faux Silk Technique. This technique is easy to do and gives a lovely texture to your background. You can stamp on the faux silk portion of the card or leave it a solid color.

How to do the Easy Faux Silk Technique –

Supplies:
Stamp set of your choice’
Ink colors of your choice
Piece of cardstock of desired size
Multipurpose Liquid Glue
tissue paper either white or colored about 1/2″ larger on all sides than cardstock

Instructions:
1. If you want a design on your faux silk, stamp it now on the piece of tissue paper. Then crumple the tissue paper into a tight ball.
2. Open the ball up and lightly smooth the tissue paper out leaving lots of wrinkles still in it.
3. Apply glue all over the cardstock using the broad end of the Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
4. Lay the tissue down on the glue pressing it down into the glue wrinkles and all. Allow to dry.
5. When dry, trim off the excess tissue paper and use this for a layer on your card. You could use a larger piece of cardstock and tissue paper and create a lovely paper for a small gift box.

To Make Card

Supplies:
Stamp Set – Timeless Tropical (151497)
Inks – Old Olive and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers, Memento Ink Pad, Combo Flirty Flamingo Stampin’ Blends
Cardstock – Crumb Cake 11″ x 4 1/4″ scored and folded at 5 1/2″ for card base, Old Olive 5 1/4″ x 4″, Whisper White 4 7/8″ x 3 7/8″ plus scrap for greeting, Soft Suede scrap
Accessories – Stitched So Sweetly Dies (151690), Multipurpose Liquid Glue, white tissue paper, paper snips, SNAIL adhesive, Stampin0 Dimensionals

Instructions:
1. Ink the palm tree stamp with the markers and randomly stamp all over the piece of tissue paper.
2. Follow the instructions for the Faux Silk technique as above.
3. Adhere the Old Olive CS to card front and the faux silk layer to the Old Olive layer.
4. Stamp the greeting and the plumeria flower on scraps of Whisper White CS with memento ink. Color the flower with the Stampin’ Blends and cut out with the paper snips.
5. Die-cut the greeting with the third from inside Stitched So Sweetly rectangle die and use the next size up to cut a layer from the Soft Suede CS. This leaves a fairly large border around the white label so I cut the Soft Suede layer down a bit. I show you how in the video.
6. Layer the labels together with SNAIL and then adhere them to the card front. Add the flower with a Stampin’ Dimensional.

Now it’s your turn to do the Faux Silk Technique. I’d love for you to share your end results with me. Email or text me a photo of it.

Easy Faux Bokeh Technique

handmade card created with the faux bokeh technique and Timeless Tropical stamp set

This Easy Faux Bokeh Technique is fun to do and makes a wonderful background! The bokeh effect comes from photography where the background is out of focus with pinpoints of light like this. The focus is distinctly on the main image.

sample of the bokeh effect

Easy Faux Bokeh Technique

Supplies:
Cardstock Vellum
At least three colors of Stampin’ Blends – darker colors show up better – I used dark Pumpkin Pie, dark Granny Apple Green, and dark Pineapple Punch
paper towel

Instructions:
1. Make a circle with one of the stampin’ blends and immediately burnish with the paper towel. Don’t even take time to recap the marker. Otherwise, the edge of the circle will dry and you won’t get the blurred effect.
2. Repeat this step several times with the first color randomly on the piece of cardstock vellum.
3. Change colors and repeat as desired.

To Make Sample Card

Supplies:
Stamp Set – Timeless Tropical
Inks – Memento and Pear Pizzazz ink pads
Stampin’ Blends – Dark Pumpkin Pie, Dark Pineapple Punch, Dark Granny Apple Green for bokeh background; Calypso Coral Combo, Dark Granny Apple Green, Dark Pineapple Punch
Cardstock – Whisper White 11 x 4 1/4″ scored and folded at 5 1/2″ for card base, 5″ x 3 3/4″, scraps for flower, leaves and greeting; Granny Apple Green 5 1/4″ x 4″; cardstock vellum 5″ x 3 3/4″
Accessories – In the Tropics Dies, Stitched So Sweetly Dies (next to the smallest rectangle), SNAIL adhesive, mini glue dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Gold Metallic Edged Ribbon colored with Light Calypso Coral Blend

Instructions:
1. Adhere Pear Pizzazz cardstock to Whisper White card base with the SNAIL
2. Do the technique on the Cardstock Vellum
3. Adhere the vellum to card front with SNAIL adhesive placing the adhesive in areas that will be covered up with the other elements.
4. Color length of gold metallic edge ribbon with the light Calypso Coral blend. Then tie an overhand know and adhere to left side of card with glue dot.
5. On Whisper White scraps stamp the leaves with Pear Pizzazz ink and the hibiscus flower with Memento ink. Color in the flower with the blends. Then cut out with the appropriate dies.
6. Stamp greeting on another scrap of Whisper White with Memento ink. Cut out with next to the smallest Stitched So Sweetly rectangle die.
7. Adhere the leaves to card front with SNAIL and the flower and greeting with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

If you need any of the supplies I used for this card, visit my online store. Use the host code when you order and I’ll send you a small thank you gift.