I saw this technique recently and was very intrigued. Plaid banner background? Genius. The background was created using the Banners Pick A Punch and Plaid Tidings Designer Series Paper. I was hooked at first sight. I made several card panels with this technique.
- Thick Whisper White cardstock:
- 4-1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5-1/2″
- OPTIONAL: Scrap at least 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ for dog silhouette
- Whisper White cardstock:
- 4″ x 5-1/4″ for card front (to be trimmed to 3-1/2″ x 4-3/4″)
- 4″ x 5-1/4″ for message insert
- Basic Black cardstock:
- 4″ x 5-1/4″ for layer
- Scrap for sentiment
- Plaid Tidings DSP: 4 or 5 coordinating patterns
Stamp the Good Morning Magnolia image onto the vellum panel using Basic Gray ink. The lines will be blurred by the Stampin’ Blends and the alcohol to create a faux watercolor effect.
Color the image starting with the lightest color. Use Dark Daffodil Delight for the center. Dip a fine-tip paintbrush into the rubbing alcohol and gently move the color. I added Champagne Shimmer Paint to my rubbing alcohol.
Next, color non-adjacent petals with Dark Flirty Flamingo. Gently blur the stamped line. Let dry and repeat on other petals. Do the same for the leaves. TIP: Blow into a straw to gently direct the ink flow in the desired direction.
Add a second layer of color after the image is dry. Repeat the process of alcohol painting and gently blowing the ink.
OPTIONAL: Pick up some clean rubbing alcohol with the paintbrush and flick it over the image. This will create small droplets that will lighten some areas by moving the color outward.
Adhere the vellum panel to the Basic White cardstock panel using Stampin’ Seal or a light amount of Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Add to Basic Black card base.
Stamp the sentiment in White Craft ink and heat emboss with with embossing powder. Trim to you liking. Add to card panel with small black Dimensionals.
Customize the message insert and the envelope with some flicks of color from the brush end of the Stampin’ Blends.
Background
- Cut 1/2″ x 2-1/2″ strips from 4-5 coordinating plaids.
- Using the Banners Pick a Punch, add arrow and fishtail ends to the plaid pieces.
- Draw (or eyeball – I rarely draw a line but it is useful) a line in the center of the 4″ x 5-1/2″ Whisper White card panel.
- Emboss card panel with Subtle embossing folder. HINT: You can barely see the embossing between the banners but it gives a very nice texture. I would not skip this step.
- Adhere the banners starting on the center line. TIPS:
- Use Multipurpose Liquid Glue to give you some wiggle working time
- Trim of ends as you go and use them to fill in the sides
- Stagger banners
- Trim panel to a finished size of 3-3/4″ x 5″
Sentiment
- Stamp sentiment from Waterfront stamp set in Whisper White craft ink.
- Heat emboss with white embossing powder.
- Die-cut using Stitched Shapes dies.
- Add black Dimensionals behind sentiment.
Dogs (Optional)
- Stamp dogs using retired Happy Tails stamp set. ALTERNATIVE: Use the Pampered Pets Bundle or maybe a gnome!
- Punch out with the Dog Builder Punch.
- Add black Dimensionals behind the dog hind end.
ASSEMBLY
- The ferns are from a retired Paper Pumpkin kit. ALTERNATIVE: Beautiful Boughs are one of my absolute favorite pine bough dies. Die-cut from a coordinating color.
- Layer as shown.
- OPTIONAL: Use Multipurpose Liquid Glue on the dog chest to secure to sentiment.
- Personalize the envelope with coordinating plaid and add a sentiment to the message insert. TIP: I add a 3″ strip of Tear-n-Tape to the top of the message insert. All my cards are stored in the Clear envelope. I face the message insert outward on the back so that I can read the message. When I am ready to send the card, I remove the protective layer on the Tear-n-Tape and attach the message insert to the inside of the card.
These were so much fun to make. It is a great way to use up scraps. Try a similar background using the Classic Label punch.
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We are all mad for plaid but this is over the top gorgeous. What a clever technique for the background! ?
Don’t get mad, Get plaid! LOL – Your comments make me smile, thanks.
Oh, how I love these plaid pieces, Ann! Such a great idea for wonderful cards! ♥
You did a background with punches and I loved that. This is just an extension of your inspiration. Thank you for your encouragement.
Ann, Brian is right… you are so talented!
You are too kind. Thank you so much.