Get excited! You are going to learn how to do the Faux Silk Technique right here! Sometimes as a seasoned cardmaker your inspiration can run dry. Here on this post is a very easy technique you can do over and over again for any type of occasion card you need. Then when you mail or give one of these style cards, you will get highly praised and thanked! Won't you feel great?!
My sample card photos are a Fall Birthday card using the Celebrate Sunflowers and Go To Greetings stamp sets. The pretty fall themed paper comes from the Celebrate Everything Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack.
Did you know Stampin' Up! has color-coordinated cardstock, patterned papers, inks, ribbons, and embellishments? Oh my goodness, it makes card designing so much easier. You don't have to rack your brain, saying to yourself, "Do these colors match?" because you've purchased items from the big box craft stores that really don't go together. You will never have to worry using Stampin' Up!s fabulous Color Collections. You will make beautiful cards that match perfectly everytime!
From the Regals Collection on page 123 of the current Annual Catalog you will use Crushed Curry and Shaded Spruce cardstock and the matching ink. The Early Espresso ink is from the Neutrals Collection also on page 123.
In the photo above I always recommend decorating the exterior of your envelope flap with some matching DSP. Cut a 2-3/8" x 6" piece and adhere to the flap with Stampin' Seal and trim off the excess with your Paper Snips. It's so pretty!
Look at the above and below photos. Do you see the subtle wrinkly effect the white tissue paper has on the DSP? It softens the bright colors of the DSP and gives a fun unique texture that is definitely one-of-a-kind each time you do this technique. Your cards will reach a whole new level of beauty when you add this technique to your cardmaking designs.
LET'S BEING CRAFTING!
FAUX SILK TECHNIQUE:
1. With the paper trimmer cut a 3-3/4" x 5" piece of the Celebrate Everything DSP.
2. Look through your gift wrap supplies and find the white tissue paper. You'll need a piece 5" x 7".
3. Locate your white school glue stick.
4. Once back at your crafting station - crumple up the piece of tissue paper.
5. Run your white glue stick all over the face of the DSP making sure the edges have glue too. The paper may start to bend slightly, that's ok.
6. Uncrumple the tissue, but don't smooth it completely flat again. Lay the center of the tissue centered on the piece of DSP. Start smoothing gently from the center towards the outer edges. You want some wrinkles left, just not big ones. With your index finger make sure the tissue is sealed on the outer edges of the DSP. Let it dry for a while.
7. When everything feels dry to the touch, take your paper snips and flip the DSP over, and carefully cutting the excess tissue away from the DSP without cutting into the DSP accidentally.
WHILE THE TECHNIQUE IS DRYING - TIME TO CUT AND STAMP:
1. With your paper trimmer, cut the Crushed Curry cardstock at 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", score at 4-1/4". Fold your card in half and use your bone folder or a clear block edge to crease the fold well.
2. Cut the Shaded Spruce cardstock layer at 4" x 5-1/4".
3. Cut Basic White cardstock for the inside layer at 4" x 5-1/4".
4. Cut another piece of Basic White cardstock at 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" for the stamping of the sunflower, sunflower center, two leaves, and greeting.
5. With Crushed Curry Ink - stamp the sunflower image, and die cut it out.
6. With Shaded Spruce Ink - stamp two leaves and die cut them out.
7. Near an edge that remains of the Basic White piece, stamp your greeting in Early Espresso ink. Using your paper snips, fussy cut it out, and save for the assembly steps.
8. Flip your sunflower stamp over and ink just the center area with Early Espresso Ink pad. Press what's left of the Basic White cardstock piece onto the inked center. Rub with fingers with out moving the paper. Lift up and turn over to dry. Fussy cut the center out.
9. Before gluing the Early Espresso center down on the sunflower, take a Blender pen and going from the center of the sunflower out, blend the ink to create a shaded effect about 1/4" into the petals. Don't rub the Blender pen too hard. I recommend using it on its side to get the desired effect.
10. Glue the Early Espresso Sunflower Center to the sunflower matching its location, so it fits perfectly.
FINAL ASSEMBLY STEPS:
1. With the Stampin' Seal adhere your tissue/DSP layer to the Shaded Spruce Layer.
2. Wrap the Linen Thread around the double layer 3 times, scotch tapE the cut ends on the back of the Shaded Spruce layer.
3. With Stampin' Seal adhere the double layer and thread to the Crushed Curry card front.
4. Adhere the Basic White Layer to the inside of the card for your personal message.
5. Scotch tape the two leaves to the back of the Sunflower as shown in my photos.
6. Raise the entire sunflower/leaves with dimensionals and affix to the card front.
7. Cut one or two dimensionals in half and apply to the back of fussy cut greeting and apply to cardfront above the linen thread.
8. Apply the Iridescent Rhinestones to the card front as shown. (The rhinestones I used are retired, but my substitution on the shopping list will be just as pretty.)
9. If you haven't already, apply the DSP to the envelope flap, trim excess, and ALL DONE!
Don't forget to sign or stamp the back of your card/artwork and date it!
Wasn't that easy and fun? I hope you agree!
At the link below I have compiled an extensive shopping list for this card and the needed tools, too. You have several options when you use this shopping list. You can add all to the cart if you want everything. But if you already have some of the items in your stamping collection, just uncheck each box by the items you have, and the rest of the items you need will go to your shopping cart when you click the "add to cart" button. Once in the online store you can set up a free account or check out as a guest. Either way this link goes to my store and I appreciate your business so much!
Plus two more items from home
1. White Tissue Paper used in wrapping gifts
2. White School Glue Stick
*************
Learn how to get more done in less time by signing up for my exclusive "Insider" weekly newsletter. Each week the news will share card class information, Stampin' Up! promotions, hot tips from me, and two free tutorials! Subscribe to my Weekly Newsletter today.
Plus you’ll receive a FREE 14 Card One Sheet Wonder Tutorial to download when you receive my thank you email for signing up.
Please contact me or email me at stampinwitheva@gmail.com if you have any questions about products, techniques, or card designs. Comments below are welcomed too!
