LOVE SMOOSHING

As I indicated in my New Year's Day announcement, the second card each week will be a card for those who like create stepped up cards that may be classified as cards for casual to avid crafters.

Or if you are a beginner and want to start learning some paper crafting techniques, you will love these posts.  My goal is that they will always include a video that gives you some great tips & tricks and shows you how to make the card.  Don't worry, if you are someone that learns best by reading instructions, a written tutorial will still also be available.

Today's card features the Smooshing on Glass Technique for the unique upper background.

No two backgrounds made with Smooshing will ever look the same, so be prepared to be surprised.  Watch the video to learn how to do the Technique.

After making the background on Thick Basic White cardstock, I layered the Made with Love Designer Series Paper--cut an angle--over the bottom of the Technique Sheet Layer.

The card base is made with Strawberry Slush cardstock.  This is a color I haven't used much and now that Valentines Day is approaching, I decided it was a perfect time to start!  Besides it is one of the coordinating colors in this Made with Love Designer Series Paper (DSP).  This paper is really pretty, and it coordinates with five different colors of reds and pinks.

I know cutting things at an angle stresses out some card makers.  I've included all the dimensions on the written tutorial but honestly, since the Technique Sheet is a full panel for the card front, the angle is not critical at all.  Just cut the DSP angle before you stamp the L VE on the card front so you can use your DSP as a guide for stamping.

To place the ribbon along the angle just fold the ends around the back and adhere them.  That will keep the ribbon in place at an angle.  I tied a separate piece of ribbon around the angled ribbon to create a bow.  If you try to do it all in one piece, you will have trouble keeping the angled ribbon in the right place.

HINTS WHEN MAKING TECHNIQUE SHEETS:  

• When you create any type of Technique Sheet, cut the cardstock larger than you want it for the card front and then trim it down to size.  This will give you scraps to decorate the inside of your card.  
• Alternatively,  grab some cardstock scraps and make some extra technique pieces while you are making the Technique Sheet.  I used a few Thick Basic White scraps to make some extra technique pieces which I used to die cut hearts for the inside of the card. 
• If you are learning a new technique, practice a bit with scraps.  Getting an ink and water mixture that gives you a design you like can be a bit of trial an error.  I can tell you to spritz the ink 3 times, but if your spritzer is different than mine or you put more or less ink on your glass mat, you may need more or fewer spritzes -- so practice with your equipment.
• Let the Technique Sheets dry completely before using them.  Placing them under something flat and heavy while they dry will help keep them flat.  A large Acrylic Block works well, but anything flat with some weight will work.

Use this link to download the PDF Tutorial.

A list of the products used is shown below.  Click on any image to purchase or learn more.

Product List

Hope Love & Joy Bundle (English) [166858]	Strawberry Slush 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [165625]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [159229]	Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock [166780]
Made With Love 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [167054]	Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad [165286]	Bubble Bath Classic Stampin' Pad [161664]	2025–2027 In Color™ Flat Pearls [165192]
Strawberry Slush 3/8" (1 Cm) Faux Linen Ribbon [165274]	Stampin' Spritzer [126185]	Stampin' Glass Mat Studio (Imperial) [163987]	Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653]

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