Creative Card Front

Feb 10

Today I have a card to share that features a stamp and die bundle from Gina K Designs.

To see the whole release, take a look at this link here. (Link is to Simon Says Stamp. My Gina K Designs link will be coming soon.)

Techniques:

I wanted to use the painted heart stamp as a frame for a sentiment. I stamped it in a tone-on-tone color, and then used the coordinating heart die to cut out the center. I also decided to trim out the stamped shape to a width that would be less than the 4.25” width of the card, but that was wide enough to go beyond an inside panel for writing a note. This created the top layer of the card.
Once that size was established, I folded 3” wide piece of cardstock (one step lighter) to be a top fold panel that is A2 height (5.5”). This is the folded card panel that makes up the middle layer of this card.
On the front of that folded panel, I did some blue ink blending in the area that would show in the heart. Adding the blue creates some contrast with the frame around it, with the gold embossing I planned to use on the sentiment, creates visual depth within that opening, and creates a visual connection with the back layer that shows on the sides.
The back panel is and A2 navy blue card panel. To give it some interest, I chose a couple of the leaf stamps from the set, and created a pattern on each side. These two leaf stamps work well for this because they have a different level of visual detail, so the pattern is more distinct that it would be if I used two more similar leaves. Stamping these at an angle creates a more dynamic pattern than just a random one, and helps to frame the center folded panel.
Finishing touches:
- I stamped the sentiment and embossed it with gold.
- The top layer is adhered with foam tape for added dimension. (If you try this, just be sure your foam doesn’t extend beyond the center folded panel you’re adhering it to, or it could stick to the back panel!)
- Using watermark ink, I added a few little heart stamps (also from the set) above and below the raised heart panel. This creates a vertical flow through the card panel, and continues the color/value of the stamping around the heart.
- I plan to stamp a secondary message inside the card, but will wait until I use it so I can choose one appropriate for the recipient and occasion.

Colors:

(It would have been great to use Gina K Designs inks and cardstock for these cards, but so far I only have a few ink cubes of hers. I need to expand my collection! In the meantime, I used what I have.)

cardstock: Concord & 9th Aqua Sky, Tidepool, Midnight.
ink: Concord & 9th Aqua Sky, Midnight. Versamark.