Technique of the Week: Let's Mix it Up by Pam Nelson

This week’s card is quick and easy.  I decided to mix things up this week and use a gate fold on the card, just to provide a bit of extra interest.  It also features two new Hero Arts products that were released during the holiday season – the Star Confetti Fancy Die (DI331) and the Ribbon Messages Stamp and Cut (DC184). 

To begin cut a piece of 110# white card stock to measure 8 1/2” x 5 1/2” for my card base.  Score it at 2 1/8” from each end. 

Fold each side in so they meet in the center, creating an A2 card that measures 4 ¼” x 5 ½”. 

Cut a second piece of white 80# card stock to just slightly smaller than the A2 card, approximately 4 1/8” by 5 3/8”.  Die cut using the Star Confetti Fancy Die. 

To easily remove the die cut from the die, leave the paper in the die and lay it paper side down on a soft cloth.  Use the brush end of the Tool ‘n One all over the back of the die.  This releases all of the little stars from the die and they’ll remain on the cloth.  These stars will make great filler for shaker cards.   

Put the die cut face down on work surface.  Cut a piece of Scor-Tape the same size as the die cut and place it on the back of the die cut. 

Turn over the die cut and cover it liberally with Elizabeth Craft Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter.  Burnish the glitter well to press it into the tape.  Return the excess glitter to the jar and wipe the die cut with a Swiffer cloth to remove the extra glitter.  Cut the die cut in half lengthwise.  Remove the cover sheet from the back and adhere each half to the front of the card.

Select a sentiment from the Ribbon Messages Stamp and Cut.  This set has several sentiments and two banner die cuts in different sizes.  The example uses “Happy Birthday” and the small banner die cut.  Use a powder tool on a small piece of So Silk Paper.  Stamp the sentiment using VersaMark ink and then emboss with Judikins White Opaque embossing powder.  Use the appropriate banner die to cut out the sentiment.  Adhere a small strip of Scor-Tape to the back of the left side of the sentiment and adhere to the left side of the card. 

You can see this card in person at the store.  While you are there, check out the Hero Arts catalog for more of these fabulous Confetti dies.  In addition, we are expecting a HUGE order from our supplier on Monday.  We'll be restocking all of the basic items like inks, adhesives, glitters, embossing powders and more.  We are also expecting an order from Memory Box that contains their newest dies for your Valentine's Day and spring cards.  All of us at Art 'n Soul look forward to seeing you soon.

Technique of the Week: Use Those Napkins

How many of you have a stash of some beautiful napkins that you have collected over the years to use with various techniques for your cards?  I know I have a stack of them that I just can part with.  I was recently watching a video by Els of Elizabeth Crafts.  She suggested using the Elizabeth Crafts Silk Microfine Glitter on napkins so I thought I’d give it a try.

I went through my stash of napkins and found one that would work well on a 5 ½” square card.  I separated the three layers of the napkin and cut one square of the napkin for my card.  I cut a piece of white card stock to about 7” x 7” and used a glue stick to cover it with glue. 

I adhered the napkin layer to the piece of cardstock and smoothed it out so there were no wrinkles in the napkin. 

I cut several strips of wide Scor-Tape and placed it over the napkin, covering the entire surface. 

I used a bone folder to smooth it out and ensure it was firmly adhered to the napkin.  I removed the top layer of the Scor-Tape and placed the piece on some wax paper (you could also use a coffee filter.) 

I sprinkled Elizabeth Craft Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter over the entire surface and spread it around with my finger to ensure it was covered.  I tapped off the excess glitter and returned it to the jar. 

I used the cover sheet from the Scor-Tape to burnish the glitter, pushing it into the adhesive.  You can also use a bone folder for this. 

The more you burnish the glitter, the greater the shine. 

Elizabeth Craft Silk Microfine Glitter comes in number of colors to include Warm and Cool Diamond.  The Cool Diamond that I used on this project has a slightly blue tone to it and works well on projects with blues, purples, etc.  The Warm Diamond glitter has a slight rose tone to it and works well on reds, oranges, etc.

I trimmed the napkin down to the size I wanted for my finished card.  This particular napkin had a natural edge on it that I trimmed around. 

I mounted the napkin on a piece of 5” square Glamour Green So Silk paper.  I then adhered the piece to a square of 5 ¼” square Fashion Purple So Silk paper and lastly adhered them to a 5 ½” square card.  I used the new Grape Soda Enamel Accents in the corners. For the sentiment I cut a tag using the second smallest die from the MFT Die-Namics Stitched Traditional Tag Stax (MFT-525) and stamped it with a sentiment from the Penny Black Special Thoughts stamp set (#30-338).  I shaded it slightly with Distress Twisted Citron.  I cut a piece of foam tape slight smaller than the tag and adhered it to the back of the sentiment.  I adhered it to the front of the card and added a couple of highlights with Pink Gumball Enamel Accents. 

This was a fairly quick and easy card and provides another way to use up those beautiful napkins.  You can see the card at Art ‘n Soul and I hope you will give it a try.

Everything is Better with Glitter!

This week’s technique features one of my favorite products – Elizabeth Craft’s Silk Microfine Glitter.  It’s also a very quick card to put together.  It’s a good way to use leftover pieces of watercolor panels that you’ve colored with Nuance, too.  This card was inspired by a technique I saw on a blog post by Jennifer McGuire.  If you have never watched any of her videos I really encourage you to check them out at her web page:  JenniferMcGuireInk.com.

To start with I selected a piece of watercolor paper that I had colored with Aquamarine, Purple and Cerulean Blue.  This technique works best if the Nuance colors are dark so they will show up through the glitter.  I cut the panel to 4 ¼” x 5 ½”. 

I needed a die that would cover the card and provide areas to let the glitter shine.  I selected the Memory Box Reverse Butterfly Collage (#99145) but there are many dies that would work great with this technique.  To die cut the butterflies I used a piece of Constellation Jade Wave Embossed Metallic paper cut to 4 ¼” x 5 ½” because I thought the subtle waves in the paper enhanced the feel of floating butterflies.

Next I cut a piece of Scor-Tape paper to 4 ¼” x 5 ½”. 

I removed the backing sheet of the Scor-Tape and placed it on top of the Nuance paper. 

Using the backing paper I rubbed the front and back of the Nuanced piece to ensure the Scor-Tape was firmly adhered. 

I peeled off the top sheet of the Scor-Tape then lined up the die cut of the butterflies and pressed it in place using the backing sheet from the Scor-Tape.

I set the panel on a piece of wax paper and covered it with Cool Diamond Elizabeth Craft Silk Microfine Glitter. 

I rubbed the glitter into the open areas of the die cut to push the glitter into the tape and then tapped off the excess. 

I used the backing sheet from the Scor-Tape to burnish the glitter well – the more you push the glitter down into the tape, the greater the shine from the glitter.   

You can buff off the excess with a Swiffer cloth and then pour the excess glitter back into the jar.To finish, I decided to trim the panel down to 4” x 5 ¼”. 

I had some scraps of Black Style So Silk paper so I stamped Magenta’s “Dream” stamp (#07.933.D) with VersaMark and then embossed with Judikins Opaque White embossing powder. 

I cut a piece of Fashion Purple So Silk Paper to 4 ¼” x 5 ½” and adhered it to an A2 card front.  I adhered the card panel to the upper left corner of the card front.  I trimmed the sentiment as shown in the picture and adhered it to the card with a piece of foam tape to provide dimension. 

I added a few sequins and the card was done.  The microfine glitter really adds beautiful sparkle and highlights the Nuance colors. 

This technique works great with snowflake dies too, for all of you who are getting a head start on your Christmas cards!