Have a Magical Day

where ever you may be

TUTORIALSTENCIL

6/25/20232 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: 5.25 x 10.5, scored and folded at 5.25

Aqua Border: 4 7/8 x 4 7/8

Card Face: 4 5/8 x 4 5/8

Card Face:

This stencil - Layered Mermaid - is made up of three layers, and gives a wonderfully unique look to a finished card.

I worked from dark to light inks, securing each layer with Mint tape as I worked.

  • The first layer has the mermaid worked into the design, which acts as a mask and has the effect of leaving that shape uninked.... I applied a medium blue ink with a light hand, fading out as I reached the top; gradually building up ink towards the bottom. My vision was that the mermaid was swimming up towards the surface, with the dark, deep water below.

  • The second and third layers of stencils were both done with shades of aqua , wih the second layer being a darker version and the third and final layer being the lightest colour used on the card face. I took care to apply ink lightly where the figure of the mermade appears so that she would blend into the rest of the image.

  • With all the inking complete, I held the card face up in the air and gave one good spritz of water. After a couple of seconds I blotted with a paper towel. The result is the mottled look visible towards the bottom of the image. I put this aside to dry completely.

  • I put the card face into my stamping platform and stamped the sentiment with black pigment ink. I heat embossed this with clear powder: this darkened the ink and made the sentiment stand out more against that colourful background.

Assembly:

I glued the border to the card base, and the card face onto the top of that.

Final thoughts:

When I spritzed this with water I really felt that I'd over done it, and ruined the panel. I set it aside for a couple of days, and when I dared to look again I decided that the mottled effect made it look like she was moving through the water very quickly, stirring up bubbles as she went. So I proceeded with the card, and I liked it in the end.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

I have listed which products I have used, and where they were purchased. It's a huge marketplace and in most instances there are multiple sources and many alternatives to choose from.


StencilL Layered Mermaid Stencil, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamp - Sentiment: Stampendous, Believe - Amazon

Ink:Stampin' Up!

Mint Tape: Scrapbook.com

Blending Brushes: Stampin' Up!

Black Pigment Ink: Obsidian, Altenew

Clear Embossing Powder: Wow. Simon Says Stamp

Stamping Platform: Misti, Spellbinders

Adhesive:Tombo Aqua, Michaels

Aqua Cardstock: Stampin' Up!

Card Base: Accent 100 lb., Amazon

Card Face: Accent 80 lb., Amazon



Elevate Your Cardmaking with Innovative Techniques and Design Styles