Michele Reynolds
http://inspirationink.typepad.com/inspiration-ink/ michelerey@aol.com |
Star of Light Balmy Star |
B eautiful Christmas card using Stampin' Up! products and heat embossing.
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Cut cardstock pieces to the following sizes using a Stampin' Trimmer:
- card from Balmy Blue Cardstock at 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" and scored at 4-1/4"
- 4" x 5-1/4" from Whisper White Cardstock
- 2" x 4" from Whisper White Cardstock
As you are ready to stamp using the Star of Light Set, place the cardstock on the Stampin' Pierce Mat. Using the mat will help you get a cleaner image each time you stamp.
Rub the Embossing Buddy all over the right side of the large white rectangle. This will help keep embossing powder from sticking where you don't want it.
Mount the large, detailed star image from the Star of Light Set on Block E. Carefully Ink it up with the VersaMark Ink Pad so you do NOT ink up the bottom 2 loops on the bottom ray. Stamp it on the right side of the large white rectangle so the top ray is as close to the top as possible and the right ray is about 1/4" from the right side.
Mount the "Star of Wonder Star of Night..." or "Merry Christmas" sentiment from the Star of Light Set on Block H. Ink it up with the VersaMark Pad and stamp it below the star image so it is centered side to side.
Lay the stamped cardstock on top of the Grid Paper in the center. Sprinkle on some Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder so it covers all of the stamped images. Tap off excess powder. Return the excess powder to the container to use again later.
Heat the powder with the Heat Tool until it is completely melted (smooth and shiny).
Cut a Stamping Sponge into quarters. This gives you more sponges to work with and gives you a little more control as you use the sponge.
Rub the rounded edge of a Stamping Sponge quarter across the open Balmy Blue Ink Pad to get it inky. Then, lightly rub it across the right side of the heat embossed rectangle in swirling motions. Ink up all but the left 1-1/2" inches. Get more ink on the sponge quarter as needed. Keep adding ink until you have the color saturation you want. Buff off excess ink on the embossed images using a clean tissue or paper towel.
Tip: I just clean my Stamping Sponge pieces when I'm done using them by running them under water until no more color is coming off. Then, I let them air dry. They may be stained, but they are clean enough to use with any color of ink in the future.
Place the small Whisper White rectangle into the Oh My Stars Embossing Folder. Place the folder with the cardstock inside on top of a Cutting Pad on your Big Shot Platform at the lowest possible setting. Place another Cutting Pad on top of the folder and run through the Big Shot.
Adhere the dry embossed white rectangle to the left side of the stamped, heat embossed, and sponged white rectangle.
Cut a 5" piece of Silver 3/8" Metallic-Edge Ribbon.
Lay the ribbon across the layers so the ribbon covers the seam between the stamped white cardstock and the dry embossed white cardstock. Flip the layers over and fold the ends of the ribbon over. Adhere the ends of the ribbon in place with pieces of Tear & Tape Adhesive.
Remove the protective backing from the Tear & Tape strips and add more SNAIL to the back of the cardstock. Adhere it to the front of the Balmy Blue card.
Cut a 3-1/2" piece of Silver 3/8' Metallic-Edge Ribbon.
Slide one end of the ribbon under the ribbon already on the card front near the top. Tie it in place using a half knot. Trim the ends.
Carefully peel up a small gem from a sheet of Clear Faceted Gems making sure that you get the adhesive backing as well. Adhere it to the center of the star.