Surround Yourself

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

Stencilled layer: navy cardstock, 4.25 x 5.5

Card Face: 4 x 5.5

Small Scrap of Cardstock for Sentiment

Stencilled Layer

• This card began with the stencilled layer. I attached the stencil to the navy cardstock with Mint Tape, and applied a light blue DIY embossing paste through the stencil. ** I have a selection of colours in DIY embossing paste, and really enjoy using it. It's a great way to save money (for more crafting supplies of course, LOL.)

• I removed the stencil and immediately put it into water to prevent the paste from drying on my stencil.

• I put the cardstock aside to dry. (The drying time varies: it depends on the kind of embossing paste in use as well as the thickness of the application.)

**Technique: see Using Multi-Media products with Stencils under the Techniques tab in the header.

Card Face:

All the components of this card face are die cuts.

• I used two partial - border dies to create the pattern in the frame, one on the top and one on the bottom.

• The house, tree and landscape are all one die cut.

• I used a stitched rectangle die to cut the center from this piece of cardstock. I decided that I wanted to create a rounded shape in the top left corner to compliment the moon and stars, instead of having a full rectangle. To achieve this I would need a clear container and a partial die cut. ** **Technique: Further information on the Partial Die Cut process can be found under the Techniques tab in the header.

  I selected a small, round container and positioned it carefully on the upper left of the card face. I could see through it, making it easy to position exactly where I wanted it relative to the moon and stars. I traced the lower right part of this jar onto the cardstock: this allowed me to see exactly where I wanted this shape on the card face as I was die cutting.

  I put the stitched rectangle die in place and secured it with Mint Tape. Then I put the cardstock (with the die attached) into my Big Shot with the top of the cardface being closest to me. I positioned the paper and the top plate of the Big Shot in such a way that the upper left corner (with the pencil mark) was outside of the area covered by the top plate. Without the pressure from that plate, the die could not cut through the paper there.

  I put the small container back in place along the pencil line, and used an xacto knife to very carefully cut along the outer edge, joining it up with the straight sides of the rectangle.

Other:

• I stamped the sentiment with versa mark ink and added silver embossing powder, setting it with my heat gun.

• I used a circular die to cut this out.

Assembly:

• I glued the stencilled layer to the card base.

• I glued the die cut with the house to the back of the frame at the bottom, positioning it as shown in the picture.

• I glued the entire card face panel to the stencilled layer, centering vertically.

• I glued the sentiment in place.

• I added tiny stars to the night sky.

Final thoughts

This card is evocative of the still, cold nights that we get in winter where I live. I'm happy with the look of the partial die cut: I think it adds a lot to the final result.

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: Classic Snowflake, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamps: sentiment Wrapped in Christmas, Stampin' Up! (retired)

Dies: The Carols of Christmas , Stampin' Up! (retired)

Hearts Come Home, Stampin' Up! (retired)

Versamark Ink: Simon Says Stamp

Silver Embossing Powder: Stampin’ Up!

Mint Tape:Scrapbook.com

Tiny Stars: Crystal Stars, Studio Katia (retired)

Adhesive: Tombow Aqua, Michaels

Navy Card Stock: Stampin' Up!

Card Base: Accent 100 lb., Amazon

Card Face: Accent 80 lb., Amazon

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