Adding Another Layer

Hi, Ho to all my crafty friends.

Today's blog is the fourth card using the Free As A Birds stamp set. I will also show you what a Matt is and what a Topper is.

Let's get making. Firstly I measured my card and it is 5" x 3 1/2" I will now cut my DSP a 1/4" less at 4 3/4" x 3 1/4" this gives me a 1/8ith" of a border around the card. You can use a piece of the 12 x 12 DSP paper or make your own. This is what a Matt is, it is a layer or layers of cardstock on top of the base notecard.

Next, I wanted the piece I stamped on to have a broader edge so the pattern on the DSP is more visible and I think it looks nicer, this measurement of this is 4" x  3/4". Another name for this is a Topper and it is the piece you stamp your main image on. If you wanted the same border as the Matt then cut the Topper at 4 1/2" x 3".

It may be a good idea to write out these measurements for future cards.  I am also bringing in a Duo of Dark Crumb Cake cat no. 144581 and Light Crumb Cake cat no. 144582. These are £4.25 each or you can get the combo cat no.144601 both together are £8.50.

Firstly we need to stamp the topper so it will have enough time to dry so you can paint it. I only want to use the three birds that are together so I inked up the image and then carefully wiped and ink that went on the bird or the flowers that is apart. 

Stamp and clean off the stamp and let it air dry or dab with a piece of Kitchen Towel, don't rub it as bits of the Towel might come away and stick on your stamp, this might cause a problem next time you use it. As you can see you do need a longer block to stamp this image, on page 182 of the annual catalogue are the blocks I find it better to get a bigger block in this instance. This will be Block I cat no. 118488 £11.25. You may have a wide 6" ruler you can use. In my next blog, I will be giving you a list of the essentials to get you started.

Now you can glue the Matt to the card leaving an even border around it.

Back to the topper your image should now be dry.

I used the light Crumb Cake on the branch then added the dark over the lines on the branch and the Daffodil Delight on the birds, first the light then go over any crosshatching with the dark and blend with the lighter colour.

Place dimensionals at the back of the topper but before you add it too the card Open the card and stamp the words I have choosen the Your friendship means the world to me. You can now take off the dimensionals and line up the topper in the center. 

Must not forget the envelope

Thank you for following me. xxxx