Candy Borders

An effective and relatively simple way to add some pizazz to a Christmas card is with a candy cane border. There are several ways to achieve this look, and I'd like to show you the method I prefer.

Start off by stamping your main image in whatever position you prefer.

Next, use a pencil to sketch in your border. Keep the two lines parallel, but don't worry if they aren't perfectly straight and evenly spaced... a little imperfection adds character to your card. Once you're happy, add in some dividers for the different coloured sections keeping them relatively even in spacing.

Colour your candy border with markers. Once the ink is completly dry, rub out the pencil lines. I find using the pencil first helps to prevent any bleeding between the outline pen and the markers, regardless of whether I'm using alcohol or water-based pens.

Now outline your candy border with black pen, including the lines between the colours. Adding the black pen last also allows you to "clean-up" any little wobbles you might have had with the colouring.

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Dear Friend

I tried something a little different for the background of this card. Before stamping, I coloured the entire piece of cardstock with blue alcohol marker, then spritzed and dripped clear alcohol over the top to give it lots of extra texture. Next, I stamped and coloured the flowers, adding very deep shadows around them. To finish, I added an embossed sentiment and a scattering of white dots.

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Tutorial - Cosmos Pocket Card

Add some stamping, colouring, and fussy cutting to a piece of A5

cardstock to create a pretty pocket card for someone special.

1. Place your A5 cardstock horizontally on the desk in front of you. Using a pencil and ruler, measure 7cm from the right-hand edge and draw a vertical line.

2. Ink up the large cosmos stamp with black, water-based ink. Stamp on the right-hand side of the cardstock using the pencil mark to keep the stamp straight and even. Rub out the pencil line. 

3. Place the cardstock on your score board, lining up the stamping with one of the grooves. Use a stylus or scoring tool to score right up against the stamped image. Fold along the score line.

4. Colour the image with alcohol-based markers or coloured pencils. Fussy cut around the edge of the image, ensuring that you start and finish at the edge of the cardstock. Don't follow the image too closely, instead opting to keep the cut line smooth and rounded.

5. Place the cardstock into your trimmer as shown below:

6. Fold along the score line so the image is tucked under the cardstock. Place the top left-hand corner at the 10.5cm mark on your trimmer and cut away the excess.

7. Cut the following cardstock for your tag and sentiment panel:

- 13.8cm x 9.5cm white cardstock

- 11.3cm x 8.5cm white cardstock

- 14.3 x 10cm red cardstock

- 11.8 x 9cm red cardstock

8. Use a corner rounder on all pieces of cardstock, including the card base.

9. Add stamping to both pieces of white cardstock, keeping the sentiments toward the top. The smaller piece of cardstock will be visible when the card is first removed from the envelope, so this is the best place for your main sentiment.

10. Use glue or double sided tape to adhere the sentiment panels to the red cardstock. Use glue along the edges of the image to form the pocket. (See the photo below for correct glue placement). Allow the glue to dry completely before sliding the tag in place.

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Life is Better with Friends

I really enjoyed stamping and colouring this card. It makes me feel happy just to look at all those fluffy little chicks, and judging by that smile, I think the sheep feels the same way!

Some process photos for those who are interested:

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Tutorial - Colouring with Glitter Pens

One of my favourite colouring techniques is to stamp on watercolour card with water-based inks, then use those same inks to paint the image. For a fun twist in today's tutorial, we're going to use the same method, but instead of a brush and water, we'll be using a glitter pen to add colour.

1. Choose some water-based inks, and stamp your image onto a piece of watercolour card. Try to add the appropriate colour ink to the specific parts of the stamp - for example, green for the leaves and pink for the flowers - but don't worry if the colours overlap or get a little mixed up. 

2. Lay down some of the green ink on a non-porous surface, such as an acrylic block or plastic plate. Use a water-based glitter pen to pick up the green ink and colour all the leaves. Allow to dry between layers.

3. To add shadows, mix in a tiny amount of black. Add the darker green to the areas under the leaves, in the background or below the flowers. Always work in layers, allowing each to dry before adding more colour. Repeat the process for the watering can.

4. To get some variation in your flowers, pick up two colours on your brush, OR paint the flower pink and while it's still wet, add a touch of yellow, or vice versa. Allow to dry.

5. Darken the pink by adding a small amount of green. Apply to the centre of each flower for depth. You can also use the same brush mix to add a few details to the petals, if desired.

6. When your image is dry, add some "ground" beneath the watering can with a brush mix of green and black ink. Then add a light blue background around the outside of the main image.

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Delicate Freesias

After stamping and heat embossing the image, I added a bit of colour with a white pencil to give the flowers a soft, delicate look. I love how they almost have the appearance of vellum. The freesias would look even more striking on a really dark background... perhaps that will be my next project!

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