A simple Thank You

can make someone's day.

TUTORIALSTENCILSTRETCH YOUR PENNIES

5/2/20242 min read

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

Border: copper foil, 5.5 x 4.25 *

Card Face: 5.5 x 3 ⅞

*See Cheating on Layers and Borders under Stretch Your Pennies in the header

Card Face:

I hadn’t played with ink smooshing in forever, but I finally had a play and created a few. I was happy with the way this one turned out and decided to use it for this card.

I laid the card face on my Grip Mat and then positioned the stencil.
I masked off the center portion of the stencil using a piece of copy paper cut to size and a loop of mint tape to hold it in place.
I used dark blue ink on the remaining exposed areas.
I removed the stencil and allowed the ink to dry completely.
I dusted the card face with anti-static powder and then put the card face into my stamp positioner.
I stamped the tree using versamark clear ink.
I added copper embossing powder and used my heat gun to set it.
I returned the card face to the stamp positioner and added “thank you”, again using versamark clear ink.
I again added copper embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
I used a small rectangular die to cut out the sentiment.

Assembly:

I glued the copper layer to the card base.
I added the card face on top of this, centering vertically.
I added a bit of foam tape to the back of the sentiment and put it in place on the card face, carefully lining up the design.

Final Thoughts:

This is such a pretty card: the ink-smooshed background provides quiet visual interest, while the copper embossing powder and foil provide shine and a feeling of luxury. I wasn’t able to capture that in the picture - much to my frustration.

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:

Right Angles, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamps: Memorable Mosaic, Stampin’ Up! (retired)

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

Stamp Positioner: Misti, Spellbinders

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

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Versamark embossing ink: Simon Says Stamp

Copper Embossing Powder: Stampin’ Up! (retired)

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!