All I want for Christmas

is enough caffeine to get through it!

TUTORIALSTENCILCHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY SEASONTECHNIQUESTRETCH YOUR PENNIES

11/22/20242 min read

Would you like to experiment with a design like this? You'll find a supply list below, including a link to the 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

Red Border Layer: 4.25 x 5.5 **

Card Face: 4.25 x 5.25

Additional red and white scraps for the owl and border.

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

Card Face:

There are two trees on this stencil, so I masked off one of them before starting this card.

I laid the card face on my Grip Mat and positioned the stencil so that it extended just past both the bottom and the right.
I masked off the star on top of the tree.
I applied green ink over the exposed areas allowing variation in tone for visual interest.
I moved the mask off of the star and positioned it so that it was protecting the top of the tree.
I added Versamark embossing ink to the star, sprinkled on red glitter embossing powder and set it with my heat gun.
I removed the first stencil and positioned the second one over the tree. After masking off any nearby areas to prevent accidental inking, I added Versafine Onyx with a firm hand.
I added silver and gold spatter across the card face.

Other:

I looked through my binder *** and selected this fabulous wee caffeinated owl. He had already been stamped and coloured and was just waiting for his chance to shine.
I cut a red border to go around the rectangle with the owl, allowing a 1/16” border on all sides.

See Ready to Go binder under Techniques in the header to learn how I use this tool to save time.

Assembly

I glued the red border layer to the card base and the card face onto both of these, centering vertically.
I glued the piece with the owl to the smaller red border, and then glued them in place on the left of the card.
I added an assortment of red gems to the tree.

Final Thoughts:

What a great combination these two stencils and the stamp were. That little owl actually looks like he could use a shot of coffee, 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.

Stencils:

Geometric Christmas Duo, A Colorful Life Designs

Christmas Coffee, A Colorful Life Designs

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

Versamark Embossing Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Stamps: Great Day Owl, Unity Stamps

Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Blending Brushes: Stampin’ Up!

Versafine Onyx, Simon Says Stamp

Memento Ink: Stampin’ Up!

Alcohol Markers:

Stampin’ Blends: Stampin’ Up!