Peeking in ....

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: 4.25 x 11, scored and folded at 5.5

Black Cardstock layer: 4.25 x 5.5

Card Face: 4 x 5.5

Small Scraps of black, orange and white Cardstock for Sentiment

Card Face:

This cardface was created using the Layered Stencilling technique, and involved two different stencils: Graduated Lines and Little Peepers.

(A full description of this technique can be found under the Technique section in the header.)

• Before I began, I sprayed the back of the Graduated Lines stencil with Pixie spray. I waited 20-30 seconds and then set to work. (Pixie Spray is a temporary adhesive that is great for use with stencils. It holds a stencil in place while necessary, but will then release without tearing the paper.)

• I positioned Graduated Lines on the card face and used a small brayer to ensure good contact for the adhesive.

• I grabbed my blending brushes and some orange ink and applied an even coat across the card face. Because this stencil is entirely composed of straight lines I found it easiest to appy the ink in that manner; following the lines rather than using the circular motion I use for most stencils.

• Once I was satisfied with the coverage on this first layer of ink, I put the Little Peepers stencil in place directly over top of the Graduated Lines stencil. I played with positioning of this second stencil until I was satisfied - there are 6 wee monsters on this stencil, so I had to make a decision about which ones would be included. I secured it with Mint Tape.

• I used a dark teal ink for the Little Peepers, to provide a good contrast to the orange stripes. (the colour is quite dark and didn't photograph well, but it is teal.)

• I removed both stencils, and outlined the monsters with a fine tipped black marker.

• I outlined all the orange stripes in a fine tipped orange marker that was as close to the colour of the ink as possible.

• I used a white gel pen to create catch light in the eyes of each monster.

Other:

• 
  I stamped the sentiment and used a square die to cut it out with my Big Shot.

• I used my paper trimmer to cut an orange square 1/8" larger , and then I cut a black square 1/8" larger again.

Assembly:

• I glued the black cardstock to the card base.

• I glued the card face onto the black, centering vertically.

• ,I glued the orange square to the black square, and the stamped white square on top of these two.

• Once the glue had set (a few seconds), I put the sentiment in place on the card front as shown.

• I scattern black confetti embellishments here and there on the card face.

Final thoughts:

Initially I only outlined the monsters ... I spent some time looking at the card and finally decided it needed more definition, so I went back and outlined the stripes: I wanted it to be subtle while still providing extra definition. I think the orange marker accomplished that.

In the end, I love the look of the Little Peepers peeking through the blinds... are they waiting to see if they're invited to the party? waiting to jump out and yell "surprise"? .... who knows! But they're pretty cute.

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.

Stencil:

Stamps:

Ink:

Mint Tape:

Blending Brushes:

Stamping Platform::

Adhesive:

Card Base:

Card Face:

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