Wish! Wish BIG!

a fun, impactful birthday card

TUTORIALSTENCIL

5/26/20233 min read

Discover Fresh Design Styles for Cardmaking..

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

Black Border:5 x 5

Small Piece of black cardstock for border on "Wish Big" piece.

Card Face: 4 7/8 x 4 7/8

Small Scrap of Cardstock for Sentiment and Candle

For this card, I've used the wonderful Layered Square Mandala, a wonderful set of 3 layering stencils from A Colorful Life Designs. The intricate design demands precision; I secured each layer with Mint Tape to prevent any unplanned movement.

Card Face:

I got out my blending brushes and secured the first layer of the stencil before adding a soft yellow ink.
I removed the first layer, and secured the second: peach was the colour of choice for this layer.
The third and final layer found me selecting a vibrant coral ink.
With the stencilling complete, I put the card face into my stamping platform and put the stamp in position: I decided to place it slightly off center to add an asymmetry to this strongly graphic design. I added the sentiment with a black pigment ink and clear embossing powder as I wanted it to stand out against that very colourful background.
I centered a square die around the sentiment and cut it out with my Big Shot.

Other:

I used a scalloped die to cut out a black square, which would become a border for the sentiment. I selected a die just slightly larger than the one used for the sentiment.
I stamped the candle in black pigment ink, and used clear embossing powder to heat emboss it . I used the matching die to cut it out.
I stamped the candle flame in yellow ink and cut it out with a matching die. I added red to the base of the flame with a marker.

Assembly:

I glued the black border layer to the card base, and then glued the card face on top.
I glued the scalloped square to the back of the sentiment and put this back into the opening left when the sentiment was cut out. I took care to match the pattern precisely.
I glued the candle and the flame in place as shown.
To give the card a bit of extra pop, I used Ranger Glossy Accents on the candle flame. This product dries clear, and although you can't see it in the photo, it provides dimension and shine.

Final thoughts:

These stencils are very easy to line up, and the end result can be as colourful (or not!) as you wish, depending on your choices. The card is quite different from what I usually design, but I'm really happy all the colour and movement in the pattern.

Supplies: (and links where possible)

Stencil: Layered Square Mandala, A Colorful Life Designs

Stamps:

Wish Big: Altenew

Birthday Candle and matching die Stampin' Up (retired)

Blending Brushes: Taylored Expressions, LDRS- Scrapbook.com, Simon Says Stamp

Ink:

Die Based Ink: Stampin' Up!

Black Pigment Ink: Altenew,Versafine Onyx - Scrapbook.com., Hero Arts, Intense Black -Simon Says Stamp

Clear Embossing Powder Wow: Amazon., Scrapbook.com., Simon Says Stamp

Die Cutting Machine: Big Shot - The papercrafters Workshop, Scrapbook.com., Simon Says Stamp

Ranger Glossy Accents: Crafty Meraki, Scrapbook.com., Simon Says Stamp