Oh, what to do on a rainy, cold day when the husband has gone to camp and the girls (fur variety) and I are listening to Pat Benatar? Make thank you cards, of course. This brisk start to November has me thinking of leaves. So, let's "leave" a nice "thank you" to someone special!!!
This project will show you two techniques- masking and the puzzle piece (I made that one up.)
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Here is what you need:
We are stamping on the very vanilla cardstock and will be using the "masking" technique. New to masking?? No worries!! It's easy. If I can do it, anyone can. What you want to remember is that masking creates a layered effect. And you start by stamping the image that will be on top first. What is underneath, gets stamped last. Trust me on this.
Stamp your leaf on the cardstock, then stamp it again on your sticky note. Make sure you stamp it near the top of the sticky note because we will use that "stickiness" to help hold it in place. Cut out the sticky note leaf, just inside the line so it will be smaller than your stamped leaf. Then place your sticky note leaf over your stamped leaf (masking), make sure that a small amount of your stamped leaf is sticking out . This is important... why???? The paper creates a ledge and your ink will miss a spot. So there is usually a millimeter or so that will have no ink. As with everything (except dental work), the more you do it, the easier it gets.
Then stamp your next leaf. Repeat the steps to make a sticky note leaf of that design. You may need two or three sticky note leaves, depending upon how much layering you desire.
Keep repeating the process until you have the look you want. I think this works for me. I will fill in any blank areas with crumbcake specks. (My favorite specks are in Forever Fern..... in case you wanted to know.)
On another piece of very vanilla, stamp your maple leaf in crushed curry or another lighter color of your choice. I stamped it off first so that it is not so bright. Then cut it out using the coordinating die.
And now for the main attraction- my puzzle piece technique. You are going to cut a hole in the middle of your leaves... well, a leaf actually. Center your maple leaf die in the middle of your paper and cut away!! Here we go. Ready??
Throw away that maple leaf because we are using the one we stamped. Adhere your very vanilla cardstock to the grapefruit grove matting.
Stamp your "thank you" in the crushed curry leaf. You can either fit it right in like a puzzle piece, or you can add some dimensionals and pop it up slightly. Either way, you are golden!
At this point, the mind starts reeling of all the other stamp sets and projects I can use this puzzle piece technique on. Oops, getting distracted. Still need to add the ribbon and some bling... and presto!
Here are a few other cards using the same techniques but a different look.
Sorry to "leave" you so soon but I have laundry to fold!!! But don't forget to vote for me!!
If you are in the U.S.A and are in need of a demonstrator, I would love the opportunity!
