Eclipse Background Greeting Card

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. It is time for a new sketch at Stick It Down Scrapbook and Card Making Challenge on FB. As always, there are 3 sketch options to choose from. Pick one or better yet pick all 3.

I have two cards created for this month's sketch with one of them being an accident. I overlooked the sketch and thought there were 5 squares on the background only to find out there were only 3. I already cut the patterned paper. I did not want to put this aside and potentially forget about it. I just went ahead and created it into a card as a different interpretation of the sketch.

I did the eclipse technique on the background of both cards. Eclipse technique is when you pop up a die cut creating a subtle dimension on the card. 

After I trimmed the patterned paper into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", I die cut the rectangles on this panel using a Hero Arts nesting rectangle die set. I kept the dies together using a less tacky tape to maintain the distance of the rectangles. I die cut 2 more white 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" cardstock panels using these arranged rectangle dies. I die cut 2 sets for each card. 

I adhered the white cardstock die cuts to the back of the patterned paper rectangle die cuts but only to the die cuts that are patterned on the sketch. The outer rectangle is layered. The one next to it is not. So on and so forth until I get to the inner rectangle. Both cards have a total of 2 dimensional frames.

For the frames that were not raised, I pounced the frame die cut to an embossing pad. I poured holographic embossing powder over the sticky ink and heat set it until the powder was melted. I had to repeat it again since some of the glittered powder was blown away by the heat gun. I don't think that was a wise choice since some of the glitters from the frame got stuck to the embossing pad. Oh, well.

I used an Altenew die for the flower and leaves. I die cut these on patterned paper and colored cardstock based on a color from the plaid pattern. I did a bit of ink blending on the base layer of the flower and leaves using a small blending brush. I only added glue to the center of the detailed flower die cut and the spine of the detailed leaf die cut so I can zhush this layer for an additional dimension. 

For the sentiment, I did foiling which is really hard work for me. Somehow, I always end up with trial and errors before coming up with a nice foiled piece. I used a blue foil on a red cardstock for the red card, and a silver foil on blue cardstock for the other card. I used a craft knife to cut the foiled sentiment leaving a small border around it. I fussy cut the curved corners. This foil sentiment set is from Altenew which has a matching die available.

 

To compare my cards with the sketch, I used a rectangle instead of a square card. I also used a vertical sentiment instead of a horizontal one.

I hope you like today's cards. Please join this month's challenge. I can't wait to see your take on the sketches.

Have a blessed, brilliant and creative day!

Maria Giselle B.