In Lay Technique Card Panel

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. For today's project, I used the Kat Scrappiness Stained Glass Poinsettia Window Craft Die. This die will cut a full front panel of a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card. There are lots of possibilities in using this die. This is actually my second project using this die. The first project I created using this die is a luminary Please check it out, if you have time. 

What is in lay technique? An in lay technique results in a flat panel. It involves die cutting several pieces of different colored cardstock then piecing this die cuts back to the die cut window just like a puzzle. The easiest way to do this technique is to die cut the window die on a whole panel of cardstock depending on how many colors of cardstock you intend to use. In my case, I used 3 colors of paper to piece in to the window panel. A lot of waste, you might say, and I totally agree with you. One way of avoiding waste is to interchange the colors of the inlay die cuts. In this way, you will end up with 4 cards. 

Another way is to selectively die cut the elements of the die on the cardstock. This method entails more work since you have to cut the cardstock to a size that fits the element of the window die. It also involves frequent passing of the die thru the die cut machine which can warp the die (ask me how I know). There is also a chance that the paper will not match the area of the window die that you want to cut or your paper shifts so you have to do the die cutting again. This method also requires frequent cleaning of the die in between die cutting since some of the scraps get stuck to the die. Whichever method you choose, the most important thing is the result. 

I die cut the window die on black mirror cardstock. I adhered this window panel to a double sided adhesive sheet. I trimmed off the excess. 

I die cut the poinsettia on white pearl cardstock. I inlaid these pieces to the matching open areas on the window die cut. Since there is already adhesive on these open areas, all I needed to do was match the poinsettia die cut pieces to the window panel. I die cut the leaves on gold cardstock. I die cut the background on green vellum paper. 

Once all the open areas are filled with the die cuts, I burnished the panel with a scoring tool to make sure that the pieces adhere well to the adhesive. Don't worry. If a piece falls off, just squirt a tiny dot of glue to the open area, then inlay the piece that fell off. 

I adhered KS Champagne Jewel Mix on the center of the poinsettia. This panel was adhered to an A2 note card. I decided not to add any sentiment to the front of the card to keep the focus on the image. 

I hope you like today's project and give this technique a try. A lot of work but the outcome is truly worth the time and effort. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Maria Giselle B.

I added below links to the Kat Scrappiness product I used on this project. There will be no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase this product. While you are at the Kat Scrappiness website, do check out their wide array of products. They have a new release, too! Enjoy!

I am sharing this project at

Simon Says: Use Dies in DieCember #2

Simon Says Stamp IG Challenge

Pastel Colored Christmas

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's card is not the typical red-green Christmas card. Just for a change. 

I used several Blank Page Muse products on this card: 

• Blank Page Muse Country Vintage Christmas Rubber Art Stamps Sheet 
• Blank Page Muse Blocks Pattern Stencil
  
• Blank Page Muse Butterfly Trails Circles Patterns Mixed Media Stencil
  

I worked on the background of the card first. I used Tim Holtz Distress Oxide inks on Yupo paper. I know Yupo is associated more with alcohol inks but it worked. I temporarily taped the blocks stencil to the paper to prevent the stencil from shifting while I blended the ink. I started with the THDO Saltwater Taffy. I heat set the panel to dry the ink before moving to the next ink color.

I rotated the stencil 90 degrees. After securing the stencil, I blended THDO Aqua Patina to the panel. Since the stencil is narrow, I moved the stencil up to blend the aqua ink to the rest of the panel.

I rotated the stencil 90 degrees again. This time, I blended the THDO Broken China to the panel.

I repeated the process using the butterfly trails stencil following the same order of inks.

Instead of rotating the stencil, I moved the stencil to the center to blend the aqua ink. 

I moved the stencil to the right side to blend the blue ink. 

This is how my created background looks like after all that ink blending on stencil.

I inked the snowman image on the stamp set using Versamark ink.

I used the Misti Stamping Tool in stamping the unmounted red rubber stamp on white cardstock. I used a washable glue stick to attach the red rubber stamp to the Misti. The glue residue can easily be wiped off from both the Misti and the red rubber stamp using a damp cloth.

This is the part when I forgot to take photos of my step by step process. But these directions hereon are pretty straightforward. I colored the ink using the same colors I used on the background. I smooshed the pigment on a palate and picked the pigment with a water brush. Since I used a cardstock, I tried not to saturate the paper with water. 

I fussy cut the image leaving a narrow border around it. I added doodling details to the image with pens and a snow marker.

I die cut an oval on vellum. I added embossing to the vellum die cut using the butterfly trail stencil. The impression created by the stencil is subtle compared to the impression created by an embossing folder. 

I die cut an oval frame using the next size oval die. I adhered the snowman to the embossed oval piece and the oval frame.

I adhered snowflake sequins on the panel that will be hidden underneath the vellum oval die cut. I adhered colored snowflake sprinkles to the rest of the panel. I used sprinkles of the same colors as the background.

I hope you like today's card. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Blank Page Muse and I Brake For Stamps is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy!

Snow Globe Shaker Ornament, a Blank Page Muse Post

 

Hello! Today's project was created for the Blank Page Muse blog. Please head to the blog for details on how to create this project. 

Thank you! Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

Blank Page Muse and I Brake For Stamps is generously offering a 15% discount to their online store to YOU, my blog readers. Just use the code BPMMaria when you check out. Enjoy!

I am sharing this project at

Simon Says: Make It Sparkle #112

Winter Blues

3D Pop-Up Snow Globe Card

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. I am a guest designer at Send a Smile 4 Kids for the month of December. This month's challenge is Winter Cards 4 Kids. I hope you join their challenge.

My snow globe is not the typical snow globe with shaking elements inside. I created a snow globe that can fit inside an envelope, then pop-ups for display once taken out of the envelope. I also created a place to write a message on. 

I used products from Lawn Fawn because of its kid friendly images. The LF products I used are:

1. Snowday Remix 6x6" petite paper pack
2. Ready, Set, Snow stamp set and coordinating die set
3. Ready, Set, Snow Shaker Add-on die set
4. Winter Village stamp set and coordinating die set
5. Stitched Hillside Borders
6. Tiny Tag Sayings stamp set
7. Mini Picture Frames die set

I die cut the patterned paper using the shaker add-on dies. I adhered an acetate on the back of the window die cut. 

For the layers, I partially die cut the bottom of the window piece so I only end up with the base piece. I die cut this piece on the same patterned paper I used for the window piece. I trimmed this in half. I scored this pieces at 1/4" on both ends. This will be the connecting piece for both the window and back die cuts.

I adhered one of the connecting pieces to the left side of the background die cut. I adhered the other end to the window piece making sure that the bottom portions line up with each other. 

For the snow banks, I partially die cut the snow slope included in the shaker add-on die set. I partially die cut this so I can extend the height of the slope. This slope will be adhered to the background piece.

For the middle snow slope, I used a 4"x2" piece of white cardstock. I die cut the slope on this piece using the border die. I used the piece without the stitching detail to coordinate with the slope on the background piece. I scored each end at 1/2". This will be the tabs that will be adhered to the connecting piece.

I pounced Versamark ink to the snow slope. I poured Judikins Iridescent Embossing Powder to the sticky ink then heat embossed it. 

For the elements of the snow globe, I stamped the trees from the LF Winter Village stamp set on the trees patterned paper from the paper pad. I used a green dye ink for stamping. I die cut the trees using the coordinating die. I added snow details to the tree using a Marvy Snow Marker. 

I stamped the snowmen from the LF Ready, Set, Snow stamp set on white cardstock. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink since I am coloring the images with Copic markers. I used the same colors as the patterned papers in coloring the snowmen. I die cut the snowmen using the coordinating dies.

I adhered the tall slope on the background piece. I then adhered the trees to the background snow slope.

I applied liquid glue to the left tab of the middle snow slope. I adhered the tab to the connecting piece of the snow globe. Once the glue has dried, I adhered the snowmen on the middle layer snow slope.

I stamped several snowflakes on the back of the acetate. The snowflake stamp is from the LF Ready, Set, Snow stamp set. I used Stazon Cotton White ink in stamping. 

I applied liquid glue to the tabs on the right of the middle slope and the connecting piece. I flattened the snow globe to adhere the tabs to the window and background pieces. I made sure that the bottom edge of the snow globes are aligned. I set this aside to dry with something heavy on top of it for better contact.  

I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock using the same green dye ink I used for the trees. I used the Misti Stamping Tool in stamping. I re-stamped the sentiment using Versamark ink. I poured clear embossing powder to the sentiment, then heat embossed it. I die cut the sentiment using the coordinating die. I adhered this to the front of the snow globe.

I die cut two pieces of the background on green cardstock and another piece on patterned paper. I scored one of the green cardstock pieces about an inch from the top to create a fold. I adhered the other green cardstock die cut to the back of the snow globe to add stability to it. I applied liquid glue to the top portion of the scored green cardsctock die cut. I lined this up with the back of the snow globe. Now, I have a place to write my message for the recipient.

To embellish the back of the snow globe, I partially die cut a holly patterned paper using the background die. I stamped a sentiment on the center using a stamp from LF Tiny Tag Sayings stamp set. I used the same green dye ink I used for the trees. Since the sentiment is small and the design of the patterned paper is busy, I die cut a frame from the LF Mini Picture Frames die set on the same green cardstock I used earlier. I adhered the frame to the holly patterned paper making sure the sentiment is on the center. I adhered this holly patterned paper die cut to the back of the snow globe, underneath the score.

Below is a short video on how this snow globe looks like when taken out of the envelope, and how it pops up into a 3D snow globe. 

I hope you like today's project. Thank you for visiting my blog. Thank you, SAS 4 Kids challenge blog for having me again as a GD. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day! Have a joyous holiday to you all!

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Challenge #318~Sparkle and Shine #26

Simon Says: Make It Sparkle #94

Winter Blues

Faux Stained Glass Luminary

 

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. Today's project features one of Kat Scrappiness' new release, the Stained Glass Poinsettia window craft die. It also features several of the Kat Scrappiness Glitter Mousse. I hope you like it.

I created a home decor using the die. I put fairy lights inside the decor. The above photo is how the decor looks with room light on and below is a photo showing how the decor looks when the room light is off. The fairy lights are on on both photos. 

To create the luminary, I die cut the poinsettia on a scrap piece of cardstock. The die conveniently cuts 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" panel perfectly fitting the front of an A2 note card. I also trimmed 4 pieces of acetate at 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" using left over packaging.

I secured the acetate on the back of the die cut window panel using tape to hold the die cut down and prevent any shifting. This is when the messy fun begins. Using a spatula, I scooped some of the KS Ruby Glitter mousse and applied it generously to the poinsettia portion of the window die cut.

Since I was working on a slick surface and with the dainty cuts of the window die cut, instead of spreading the mousse to the open areas of the window die cut, I pressed and pounced the glitter to distribute it to the open areas. I ended up removing the tape from the die cut so I can rotate the die cut. This allowed me to apply the glitter mousse better. You can also rotate your work surface instead of rotating the panel.

 

It looks like a hot mess at this point as I added more colors to the panel. I did not do any masking. The design of the die cut was very simple that I was able to apply the glitter mousse to the areas that I want to apply it to. I applied the green glitter on the leaves and the gold glitter on the background. 

Since I was creating four acetate panels, instead of working on a panel before moving on to the next one, I applied one color of gel mousse at a time on all four panels before moving on to the next color of mousse. I started with ruby then proceeded with emerald. You can let the gel mousse dry in between colors but I did not. There was some color contamination but it was hardly noticeable.

Amazingly the die cut stencil held up through all three colors of glitter mousse. 

Cutting the acetate the same size as the window panel made the lining up of the image easy by lining up the corner of the acetate with the corner of the die cut window.

I die cut a silver cardstock with the poinsettia window die. I die cut four pieces, one for each acetate. I adhered each window die cut on the acetate using liquid glue. I placed something heavy over it while the glue dries. 

I trimmed strips of the silver cardstock at 1/2" x 4". I scored this at 1/4" on the short side. These pieces will be the tabs holding the window panels together. I folded the tabs on the score line, reinforcing the fold with a bone folder.

I applied glue to one of the folds on the tab. I adhered this to the inner side of the acetate panel making sure that the folded end is towards the outer frame of the acetate panel. 

I adhered another acetate panel to the other half of the tab making sure that the orientation of poinsettias are the same for both acetate panels.

The beauty of using a liquid glue was it gave me time to wiggle the layers while aligning it.

Now, the pieces are connected. I continued this process until all four acetate panels are adhered together.

This is what the luminary looks like when viewing it from above.

The luminary stands up nicely on display. 

I hope you like today's project. Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.

I added below a link to the Kat Scrappiness product I used on this project. There will be no additional cost to you should you decide to purchase this product. While you are at the Kat Scrappiness website, do check out their wide array of products. They have a new release, too! Enjoy!

I am sharing this project at

Scrapbook & Cards FB Challenge

Make It Sparkle #7

Challenge #318~Sparkle and Shine #12

Saying Goodbye

Hello! Thank you for visiting my blog. It is the first day of the month. Usually, Incy Wincy will have a new challenge today. Sadly, this is the last post for Incy Wincy Designs Challenge. We are closing up the challenge blog. I am forever grateful to Incy. They gave me my first break in the DT world. My first post as a DT was on June 6, 2016 with the card below, Chalkboard Altered Digital Print. 

Whew! That was eight years of my designing life. The challenge blog evolved from having multi-sponsors per month to a solo sponsor to a non-sponsored challenge blog. From having two challenges a month, we cut back to a monthly challenge. On those 8 years, DT members have come and go. Until we were down to 5 and remained 5 for a long time despite the DT call. There were signs that the challenge blog is about to end but we held on because of our loyal followers who chose to stay despite the circumstances. We feel blessed because of them.

Back to my card, I used products from Erin Lee Creative. Unfortunately, these products are already retired but I am pretty sure you can find substitutes for it. Like any product that is new to me, I research the product online. There is a tutorial to the cardinal die by Jeannie which was very helpful to me. Unlike Jeannie's cardinal which was cut on white cardstock, I decided to cut my version on colored cardstock. I added details to the debossed portions of the bird and the wing with a Copic marker. On my first attempt, I used a very dark gray ink which did not turn out too good. On my second attempt, I used a lighter gray alcohol marker which worked out just fine in making these details pop. 

I blended red ink over areas I think there is a shadow. I used a medium sized blending brush to have a bit of control over the areas I am blending on. I used the scrap cardinal die cut as a layer to the final piece. I didn't want to waste that piece.

I also added details to the bird's beak and the bird's feet using markers. I blended a bit of brown dye ink on the bird's feet. There is really no rhyme or reason with the blending. I think the bird will still look pretty no matter what.

I assembled the bird and set it aside while the glue dries.

For the sentiment, I did hot foiling. It took me 3 tries before I got a good result. The lessons I learned with foiling are:  

1. Foiling on a smooth paper gives better results. My first attempt was on a matte, heavy weight cardstock. The result was a splotchy foiled sentiment.

2. Assess the thickness of your paper. If using a thin sheet of paper, add a shim e.g. another cardstock or a thin cardboard to add more pressure to the foiling sandwich. On my second try, I used a light weight mirror cardstock. Being thin, not all of the foil adhered to the mirror cardstock. It was okay but I feel it can still look better that's why I gave it another try, my 3rd try.

I die cut the foiled sentiment using the coordinating die.

For the card panel, I used an embossed cardstock from DCWV. I splattered white paint over the panel. I dried the paint by heat setting it.

I love the result of foiling. The beauty of foiling is that the look it gives. The colors change depending on how the foil gets hit by the light. I think foiling the sentiment on mirror cardstock also made the foiled sentiment even prettier, what do you think?

I adhered the cardinal and the sentiment to the cardstock panel. I added a dot of blank Ranger enamel accent for the bird's eye. 

Well, this is it. I hope you continue to follow me and my co-DT members as we embark on other things. We truly appreciate your support. 

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day! I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Maria Giselle B.

I am sharing this project at

Happy Holiday Cards 4 Kids #23

Anything Goes

SSS IG Challenge