Embossed Plaid Background

Hello! I am the author of today's challenge at Incy Wincy Designs. The challenge is called Create Your Own Background. When we were asked by our blog moderator, Hev, to come up with a challenge, this is the one that first came into my mind since I do enjoy creating backgrounds.

It took me a while before I came up with this card. This is not the original design I created featuring the image provided by A Day For Daisies. The images were already printed, colored and even, foiled that is why I am trying my best not to resort to re-printing the images. I am glad I did not give up in using these printed images.

The gift image is stamped on Neenah Solar White cardstock. I printed the gift in different sizes for some variation. I colored this with Copic markers and added details with a Sakura white gelly roll pen. I foiled this using the Minc Machine. I fussy cut the image leaving a small white border around the image.

I started off with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"red cardstock. I rubbed an anti-static pouch over the entire panel for embossing. I also added pencil marks on all sides to let me know where the center is. I am using the Misti Stamping Tool for this project. I positioned the stamp on the paper, straightening it with a ruler, and then picked it up with the Misti Tool door. The good thing about this pattern and using a Misti, I just have to rotate the paper to get the same impression on the other side. I used different embossing powders for this project. I know some designers love to complete the stamping and pouring the embossing powder before heat setting the panel to prevent warping. Although I did this in some parts of this panel, for the borders with multiple lines, I stamped, applied powder then embossed right away. I was afraid that I will sweep off the powder that's why I did this. To prevent warping the paper, I made sure the heat gun is really hot before pointing it to the area that will be embossed. I also started with heating the backside of the panel first before going to the front. I also made sure to move the heat gun around while heat embossing. The stamps I used to create the plaid are Mama Elephant Boutique Borders and Simon Says Stamp Basic Stripes stamp set.

I applied anti-static powder to a vellum. I heat embossed a sentiment from Hero Arts. I die cut this using a Spellibinders hexagon die. I stamped some small dots to fill in the empty space on top and bottom of the sentiment. This stamp is also from Mama Elephant Boutique Borders. I stamped this using Delicate Shimmer White pigment ink. I set this aside to dry.

I created a hexagon frame on gold cardstock with the use of two hexagon dies. I adhered this to the center of the plaid panel using foam adhesive. I adhered the vellum panel to the center with a liquid glue. I applied dots of glue to the back of the embossed sentiment to hide it. I adhered the gifts to the bottom of the frame. I added a die cut ribbon using a die from Paper Smooches Bows die set onto a red mirror cardstock. I adhered this to the top of the frame. I adhered the gifts to the bottom of the hexagon frame adding foam adhesives to areas with image overhang.

I added gems to the bow and ribbons on the gift boxes. I don't have a small red gem in my stash. I colored a clear one with a Copic Marker to create a red one.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you join us in this challenge. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

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I am sharing this creation at

Challenge #73~Holiday Spirit

The Spirit of Christmas Card Challenge