I am so loving this November 2015 card kit by Simon Says Stamp. There are simply so many possibilities and and perfect timing too, for Thanksgiving specially. But we are going to get very busy planning for our vacation and I may not be able to play with it as much as I’d like :-( Let’s see…
Anyways, today I have this card for you which is the first of its kind I made.
It’s an almost-clear card! The card front has only a frame with a clear shaker.
Are you excited to see how it was made? Let’s get started them!
Okay so first, I stamped some leaves from the ‘Apple of my pie stamp’ set using Versamark ink, embossed some of them with Martha Stewart antique gold embossing powder and some using Martha Stewart Evergreen embossing powder. Then I watercolored these images using Zig Clean Clear Brush markers.
I also had a couple craft punches with similar but smaller leaves. I watercolored randomly on both sides of a watercolor paper using Zig Clean Clear Brush markers, let it dry completely and then punched leaf shapes using these craft punches.
Next I did some die-cutting. I used one of the three notecards that came in the kit and the second largest rectangle die from SSS stitched rectangles die set to create the card window.
I also used the same rectangle die with the largest rectangle die to die cut a black frame. This black card stock came in one of the older monthly kits by SSS. A small piece of masking tape helped keep the dies from shifting when they went through the die cutting machine.
To create a clear shaker pocket, I filled one photo sleeve with the punched out leaves and some sparkly confetti. Two sides of it were already closed. I sealed the other two sides with my fuse tool from We R Memory Keepers using the outer edge of my second largest rectangle die as a guide. I needed something solid to put the photo sleeve against and also to protect my (carpet) work surface. I used a piece of thick cardboard for it.
I used my MISTI tool to carefully place the stamp through the center of my front frame, on the inside of card and stamped it. I accidentally shifted my paper while opening the door of this tool and ruined the sentiment. So I stamped the sentiment on to the inner stitched rectangle from the front of my card and adhered it to the inside panel :-)
For “P.S. In other words thank you”, I first heat embossed the sentiment in same gold embossing powder and then stamped the banner in red pigment ink on top. I tried doing it the other way around – first banner and then sentiment, but I the pigment ink itself kept holding embossing powder. I guess I should have heat set it first. Anyways.
Finally, I layered the pieces for the front of the card using some glossy accents + a strip of double sided foam tape. I adhered some of the bigger painted leaves in two opposite corners. I also adhered a matching leaf on the inside of the card, just for a finishing touch.
I wanted to make a video for this card, but did the whole process in so many small steps at different times throughout the day and with several interruptions. I will try to do another similar card and make a video of the same.
Here are some of the things I learned while making this almost-see-through card:
Photo sleeves work very well with the fuse tool and are a great option for making shaker cards without any bulk.
Fuse tool works great when you let it heat up for about 8-10 mins. After using the tool, it remains hot for some time. I used a glass jar from my kitchen to hold it while it was hot. (Thanks Julie, from Ellen Hutson for this tip!)
When using the MISTI tool to stamp on a card, it is best to lay the paper flat and not have it folded. My note card was a thick cardstock + I kept the card folded while I was stamping, and that actually made my card move a little bit as I was opening the door. Lesson learned!
One very important thing to consider while making a see-through shaker is that the back side of the shaker elements will also show when someone opens the card. I punched a few leaves from the paper that was only colored on one side and was trying them out in the shaker window, when I realized I had to color on both sides before I punched out my leaves.
After finishing the card, I wished I had made some mirror stamped bigger leaves and placed them on the inner side of the frame. Or I should have colored the back side of my bigger leaves too. But just this once, I decided to not let this bother me. Much. :-)
I really hope you liked this card and found the information in this post helpful. If you have got friends, who might be interested in seeing card ideas please do share this post with them. I’d appreciate your support.
Share Handmade Kindness Challenge
One of my favorite bloggers in the world, Jennifer McGuire, is having a unique challenge this month: #sharehandmadekindness. This week is about sharing kindness with family and friends. I am sending this card to a very special friend and will be linking to the challenge.
This challenge is supporting the Kind Campaign – an organization working to end bullying. I’d encourage you to check it out and support them.
I believe that kindness is magic and our world today could surely use some more of it. :-)
Tic-tac-toe challenge at Stamping Smiles Designs
I am also planning to send this card to a DT call at the tic-tac-toe challenge of Stamping Smile Designs.
I chose the middle row of this challenge – leaves, embossing and sparkles. This card has the leaves, embossed leaves + embossed sentiment “P.S. In other words, thank you” and sparkly confetti in the shaker. Wish me luck :-)
Supplies list
For your convenience, here are the links to the supplies I’ve used – click on the picture or link to go directly to the product. Wherever available, I have used affiliate links, which means when you make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate your support!
xoxo, ~Varada
