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.

Image Sponsor

I am sharing this creation at

Challenge #73~Holiday Spirit

The Spirit of Christmas Card Challenge

Embossed Digital Stamp on Dura-Lar Film Shaker Card

I resized the image to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I prepared the area where I will print the image on with the anti-static powder tool. I printed the image on Dura-Lar Film using my ink jet printer. I immediately poured clear embossing powder to the image and heat embossed it. The film stood up to the heat of the heat gun. No warping at all.  For this project, I used Copic markers to color the image. I colored the embossed side but I plan to put the wrong side out when I assemble the card. I applied red stickles to the hearts and orange stickles to the orange flowers.

For the background, I die cut a 4 1/2" x 6" Strathmore Bristol paper using Taylored Expression Rolling Cloud die. I first laid out the dies and arranged it to how I want the clouds cut. I secured the dies with tape and die cut the paper. I slightly offset the dies to create various alignment. I came up with a total of 5 pieces. The technique used in my background is inspired by a video tutorial by Stephanie Klauck for MFT Stamps (Whimsical Waves Background.) As what Stephanie did, I inked each piece with a different color. I used Tim Holtz Distress Ink Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Broken China. I adhered these pieces to a scrap piece of cardstock making sure all the pieces are aligned, just like puzzle piecing all the pieces. I spritz water onto this panel, allowed the water to seep in, then dabbed the water off with a paper towel. This technique created some texture on the ink blended background. I then spritz this panel with Ranger Perfect Pearl diluted in water using a mini mister.

To create the shaker element, I wanted to use a scalloped rectangle frame to cut an outline and also cut the cardstock layers for the shaker part. I can't find the right rectangle frame in my stash to do this job. The closest is SSS Frames Craft Die. The scalloped rectangle die that comes in this set cuts out a very narrow scalloped frame. Instead of using cardstocks to stack on top of another, I cut small strips of foam adhesive. I did doubled up on the foam adhesive for more space for the shaker elements to shake. I also used this die to cut the cloud panel to unify the scallop edge on all layers of the shaker card.

I cut the Dura-Lar Film with scissors using the negative curved rectangle cut as guide. I left a bit of a margin at the edges when I cut the film. I adhered this to a purple scalloped rectangle die cut using liquid glue. I adhered the double stacked foam tape. I rubbed a used dryer cloth to the film to decrease the static. I also used the anti-static powder tool on the edges of the foam to lessen the cling of the shakers to the sticky foam.

I poured some Martha Stewart and Simon Says Stamp sequins to the cloud panel. I adhered the film panel on top of this. I made sure the scallops are aligned before I applied firm pressure to adhere both panels together. Now, the shaker portion is done.

The die is smaller than a regular A2 card so my card base measures 4" X 5 1/4". I adhered the shaker element to this note card.

For the sentiment, I die cut a purple cardstock using Lawn Fawn Thinking of You die. I adhered a double sided tape to the back of the cardstock first before running this through the die cut machine. I have to run it a couple of times to make sure it cuts all the way. The good thing about this die cut is the ability to manipulate it. I curved the sentiment die cut to fit the space in the bottom. I used a Spica Clear Glitter pen and wrote over the letters of the sentiment die cut to add some sparkle to the die cut.

Thanks for viewing my blog. Have a blessed & brilliant day!

Maria Giselle

Image Sponsor

A Day For Daisies Digital Stamp Shop

I am submitting this creation to

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge

http://littlemissmuffetchallenges.blogspot.com