A unique use of a layering stamp set and die - Stencilled Triad Tree Card

One of my favourite things is to find unique ways to use my supplies.  The more looks I can get from one stamp set, the better!  

For this card, I used the Snapdragon Build-a-Flower layering stamp set and dies to create a stencilled triad tree.

I'm going to tell you how I did it, but first - have you ever heard of triad trees?  It's a really simple but beautiful way to create watercolour trees.  Here's an example I made using basic red, yellow, and blue a while back:

Basic Steps for a Triad Tree:

1. Choose three colours of watercolour paint.  Usually, the three primary colours are used but the process can work with other combinations, too.
2. Splatter the three colours onto watercolour paper.  
3. Spritz the paper with water, allowing the colours to mix, concentrating the spray toward the centre of your "tree".  This will sort of create an amorphous shape with variegated colour.  
4. Once dry, paint or draw a tree trunk, positioning it wherever you think the "foliage" looks best.

This time, I used a variation of this technique alongside some inspiration from the Altenew Academy course, Celebration Stencil Techniques with Laurel Beard.

Here's how I made this stencilled triad tree card:

1.  First, I used two 'stem' stamps from the Snapdragon set to create the tree trunks.  I stamped the upper-stem pieces first, and then extended the base of the trunks with the lower-stem stamp.

2.  I then die-cut the two main flower dies from a piece of cardstock to create a DIY stencil!  I love this idea from Laurel.  (To create a differently-shaped third tree, I just used the stencil upside-down.

3.  I positioned each stencil space over the corresponding 'tree trunk' and splatter-painted overtop.  Keeping the stencil in place, I then misted the splatter-painted area, allowing the paint to spread and mix.

4. I used three colours -- a cool red, a cool green, and a bright-ish blue -- and once dry, I added a few additional splatters just to balance out the colours.

4.  After cutting down my watercolour panel, I realized the trees needing 'grounding' so they wouldn't look like they were floating in space.  I used some painter's tape to mask off a straight 'horizon' line and painted the bottom of the panel green.  It also needed a little something in the upper portion, so I used the lower-stem stamp to create 'corners'.

5.  I stamped a sentiment from the Paint-a-Flower Poppy set in black and then embossed it with clear embossing powder to give it some shine and dimension. 

6.  I then wrapped the panel with twine and mounted the whole panel onto a kraft cardstock notecard.

I think this technique could really open up the possibilities of a person's stamp-and-die collection.  The Build-a-Flower sets would be great for this, because many different stems and flower dies could be used to create an array of trees and shrubs.

Thanks for stopping by! 

😊Teri

Inlaid Die-Cut Birthday Card using the New Beginnings set from Altenew

 Hey there!

I’m excited to share my card design for my Easy Die Cutting Techniques class taught by Yana Smakula. This is one of the courses required for AECP Level 1. Listening to Yana’s beautiful accent is a definite bonus of this course! 😊

Do you ever find yourself unsatisfied with a “basic” technique? I wanted to step it up a bit to incorporate multiple pieces of inspiration from the class. I decided to inlay a flower into the leaves in order to make the two appear to be one nested piece.

Here’s how I made this card using the New Beginnings Stamp, Die, and Mask bundle:

First, I used the coordinating stencil to blend two shades of pink with a concentration toward the centre of the flower. I waited to stamp the outline of the flower until afterward, embossing with a fine white embossing powder as this seemed easier than removing ink from the embossing afterward.  

I then did the same with the leaves and cut everything out using the coordinating dies. 

To create the flower/leaf inlay, I then layered my die-cut pieces to see where I wanted the leaves to ‘nest’ against the edges of the flower. Then, I die-cut in the following order:

1. Flower

2. Leaves (from the edges of the flower space)

3. Inlaid the leaves, re-added the flower die to make space for the flower, die cut and inlaid the flower

4. Used a circle die to cut out the inlaid flower and leaves

5. Used the circle die to cut from the green panel so that I could inlay the white circle

I used some tape to hold things together across the back, then added a sentiment on a velum strip that I wrapped around the back of the panel so I could hide my adhesive. 

I added some dots with a gel pen to give some brightness and texture to my panel before mounting the whole thing on a top-folding card base and adding a few iridescent sequins to catch the light. 

This card has me wanting to try more inlaid designs! Thanks for the inspiration, Yana! 

Until next time, take care!

Teri