The cards this week have all used a different technique as their basis. Monday we had the cute Circle-Cut Fun Fold. Wednesday I used the "new-to-me" Bargello Technique. Today's card uses a Technique that I first used many, many years ago.
In fact it had been so long since I had used this technique that I could not remember how it was done! It was also WAY BEFORE I started creating tutorials for each of my cards, so, I had to do some research and experimenting to relearn it.
This is a great technique for those that like to send cards but like to keep them flat enough so additional postage is not usually required.
This technique that I'm calling Dry Embossing with a Shim creates a flat space in the middle of your embossed layer. So you get the pretty effect of embossing with your embossing folders, but you don't need to add an additional layer on top of it for your stamped images or sentiment.
For this card I used the Starstruck Sale-A-Bration (SAB) embossing folder and a shim that I made with the Nested Essentials Dies. If you look closely you will see that the area where I stamped my toadstools, bug, and sentiment is NOT embossed. But rather it is flat -- ready and waiting to be stamped.
To learn how I did that, watch this Learning with Friends video.
As I mention in the video creating your shim is the most "critical" part of the technique. And the thickness that you will need can be different depending on which Die Cutting & Embossing Machine you may have. You may need to do some experimentation for your particular machine. For my Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine I found that a shim that was approximately 1/16" thick seemed to work best. Also, depending if you are using a standard embossing folder or a 3D embossing folder your sandwich will need to be adjusted. Grabbing some scrap paper and running tests is my best advice.
For the inside of this card, I stamped a couple more toadstool trios and another little bug. Choosing color combinations for the bug was also something I needed to experiment with. My bug has a Crushed Curry body and his back shell is Cajun Craze. I've never seen a bug this color, but you gotta do what you gotta do to make your bug color-coordinate with the card and look cute. Live bugs aren't cute! Stamped bugs can be. LOL
Today's card uses some more of the Toadstool Gardens Designer Series Paper (DSP). This DSP is one of my favorite Sale-A-Bration items.
For this card I used the Bargello Technique and the "backside" of several DSP designs. I refer to them as "backside" because they are more all-over patterns rather than the more scenic sides which I usually think of as the "front" side of the paper. In reality, there is no "front" or "back" side to Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper.
The Bargello technique is a
needlework or quilting method that uses strips of fabric or paper to create a
zigzag pattern. The technique can be used to create quilts, cards, and
other art.
Can you see the vertical "zigzag" pattern in the background of the card?
I stumbled across this technique so decided to see if I could figure it out. It is not difficult and is a wonderful way to use up those DSP scraps. There are some helpful tips and tricks that I learned the "hard" way. But you can take advantage of my stumbling-along learning by watching this video that I made for my Learning with Friends Technique Video Series.
The little toadstool patch focal point was quick to stamp, and the Terrific Toadstools Builder Punch make it easy to cut them out!
The "diamond" for the toadstool patch was made with a square Stylish Shapes die. Sometimes a diamond shape is a little more interesting than a square, so just rotate your square and you have a diamond. Add 3 Brush Brass Butterflies for a little bling and the focal point was complete.
The inside of the card was finished with a strip of the Toadstool Garden DSP and a little more stamping. I usually avoid much texture on the inside of the card because I want it to close nicely for mailing, but I couldn't resist adding another little Brushed Brash Butterfly. These embellishments are flat so I didn't think it would cause any issue with closing the card.
If you would like a written tutorial you can download a PDF at this link and I hope you will watch the video to learn the Bargello Technique.
New SAB items were added this week, so be sure to visit my store to check them out. There is only about 3 weeks left in Sale-A-Bration so don't miss out!
A list of the products I used for today's card is shown below:
This week I am going to be sharing cards made with the very cute Terrific Toadstools Bundle. The toadstool stamps are so cute, and if you love punches, you will love this Bundle.
You may have first seen this Circle Cut Fun Fold on my Learning With Friends video series. It is such a unique fun fold and is so much easier than it looks. If you missed the video, you can watch the replay below.
This fun fold reminds me of a cute little purse and don't these Terrific Toadstools look cute decorating the handle?
The Designer Series Paper is called Toadstool Gardens. It is a Sale-A-Bration (SAB) item and can be selected as a FREE item when you place a $60 order. Sale-A-Bration runs through the end of February and these items are available while supplies last, so don't wait too long. This DSP has been very popular!
The inside of the card was stamped with some more of the Terrific Toadstools.
There is not a lot of room on the inside, but there is plenty of room for your note of thanks!
Use this link to download a written tutorial that includes a list of the products used, all the cutting and scoring dimensions for the fun fold, as well as step-by-step written directions for those that learn best through reading rather than watching a video.
I hope you will give it a try. As you will see in the video, it is so much easier than it looks!
A list of the products I used is shown below. For those that would like more information or want to place an order click on the image of interest.
For my last card this week I have another Fun Fold. This Fun Fold is definitely "Mantle Worthy".
It stands beautifully for display and looks very impressive. But it is so much easier to make than it looks! Impressive but easy -- two of my favorite words to describe a card.
Do you recognize who graces our card today? It's Ella--our Otter who looked most likely to succeed at catching dinner for Wednesday's group of friends! She has definitely caught a handsome Pretty Peacock fish hasn't she? She's tightly gripping it in her paws so it doesn't get away! She thinks it might be large enough to feed the entire ABC Otter family and their friends!
But if it isn't, she still has an opportunity to catch some more as she is surrounded by a school of Pretty Peacock Fish.
But Ella thinks this one is plenty big to feed everyone. She is so proud of it that she swam to the local Bandstand to show it off!
Ella asked me to tell you that she loves visiting the Bandstand and would love it if you joined her. She's made it easy for you to visit. All you need to do is click on the video below and you can build your own bandstand.
Did you enjoy meeting Ella at her bandstand? She hopes so and asked that I give you another view of her bandstand. I'm here to oblige, but don't tell her that I think she is getting a little bossy after catching that big fish!
Frankly, she's holding it so tightly that I'm thinking she may not want to share it with Alice, Benji, Charlie, Dave & Frank.
Her closing "demand" was that I tell you that she thinks "YOU'RE OTTERLY AMAZING".
Since I totally agree with her, that was an easy request!
I hope you have enjoyed our journey with the Otterly Adorable Product Suite this week. I've had fun. I've made myself smile, and I hope I have made you smile, too!