CELEBRATE THE DREAM STEPPER CARD

For this project i went back to a wonderful set of stamps from LYNNE PERRELLA Collection Published by PAPERARTSY called COLLECTION LPC005. This set of stamps and a wide collection of other stamp sets are available from THATS CRAFTY ON LINE. All the goodies highlighted are also available from Thats Crafty on Line Store. Just click on the link and it will take you right to the item so you can add it to your crafting shopping basket at prices that are very easy on the pocket.

i also went back to a card design that i have not explored for a long time: The Stepper Card. it a design that does allow us to be creative and build up a picture.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

A4 Black Craft Card

A4 White Stamping Card

A4 Gold Mirror Card

Versafine Onyx Black Ink Pad

Adirondack Rust Ink Pad

Rusty Hinge and Tea Dye Ink Pad By Tim Holtz

Collection of Distress Markers from Tim Holtz

Selection of Metal Dies from Spellbinders

Die Cutting Machine

Red, Bronze and Gold Acrylic Paints here i have used: a selection from Eco Green Crafts Paints

Strong Clear Glue to build up height

Double Sided Glue Tape

Gold Metallic Gel Pen

Edge Distress Tool here i have used: Tim Holtz Tonic Studio Paper Distresser

Heat Gun

Crafting Mat

Magnetic Poetry Magnetic Word Stamps

inkssentials Glossy Accents

Sharp Tipped Scissors

Paper Trimmer

Metal edged Ruler

Sharp Tipped Craft Knife

Spritz Bottle

Spatula

LETS MAKE A CARD:

The first thing we need to do for this project is to make a stepper card. For this card we need to have the center part as the one that comes to the front. if you dont have a template to cut out a stepper card let me know and i will see if i can upload one or send one via your email.

Start to stamp up the imagery that you want to use. As you can see the banner set from this set of stamps does allow you the opportunity to bend the stamp and make as usual with Lynne Perrella stamps the perfect impression. Like all stamping its the paper that you're going to stamp on. So if possible always buy the best stamping paper/card that you can afford. Then place them into a container to keep them clean and safe.

After you have stamped out all the imagery you want for the project we can now start one of the best bits in the wonderful world of stamping, selecting the colours we want to use and then colour. Start to build up the story we want to show.

After i had placed a layer of colour onto my stamped out imagery i took my mister and a roll of paper ready to start the next process. i had to spritz a layer of water on the side bars and the main topper. The reason for the paper towels was to soak up as much water as possible. As the distressing pens react to water and will 'spread' by soaking up the water as quickly as l could to stop the colour from dissipating and then leaving just a mess. Once l had done the paper towel i grabbed my heat gun to dry the stamped and coloured image as quickly as possible. When i was happy with the result i took a golden gel pen and placed some colour along the crown and frame.

To make thing easy for myself i took some metal dies from a spellbinders set and then ran them through my eBosser. When it came to cutting out the gold mirror card all i had to do was to select the next die up in the set. i opted to use a die rather than use a pair of scissors and a corner edge punch. i just opted for this option to save some time.

After i once again used a metal die the next step for all the mirror card cut-outs was to distress the edges. i wanted to do this so that it looks worn and aged. it also when the next step is done helps a lot.

To make the edge of the mirror card stand out i used the edger to distress the edge. When i then took a inking tool to the edge of the card that had been inked up with Rusty Hinge [a wonderful deep rich colour]. As it was worn the ink took to it a lot easier. it also makes the edge 'POP' out giving it depth. Also it can act as a layer behind the card you have distressed. i like to use a lot of ink so that its a depth of colour.

Taking the main image i wanted to bring this into the colour scheme and not to be 'white and new' to do this i used a ink pad and Tea-Dye around the edge. Then using the Glossy Accents l placed a layer on the face as i wanted it to be slightly 3D when looked at.

For the banner i had to build up a clear building block. Acrylic glue is the perfect way to do this as it can build up a firm block of glue that when dry can be then re-glued and secured to where you want them to be. i could have used dimensional pads, i would have had to use a lot to build up the dept that i wanted. The banner had to stand out as i wanted depth.

Now then this could be the part that will scare a lot of you. i have to admit its one of those 'in for a penny in for a pound' moments. You just have to have faith in your crafting ability. the aim is to let paint drip down from the top edges, if you get the paint to be like double cream your going to be okay. mix up your paint and then take your spatula and scoop up some. the aim is to use the spatula as if it was a knife and you are spreading butter on some toast. If you want to help it form drips pick up the card and just bang it carefully on to the table. Using a heat gun will help stop the paint and dry it so you do have some control over the action of the paint. You want to do this using your 3 colours just do the same take your time and it will be okay. if you are not comfortable practice. We all had to start somewhere , i have used up quite a few sheets of old card trying to get this right. This card was never thrown away but became backdrops to other projects. i'm a crafter i do not throw anything away.

i have been lucky enough to buy a set of 350 words. The only downside to this purchase was that they were all in their own box and were magnetic. At first i was a little disappointed when i bought them as i was after something else. But now they are a important part of my crafting and creating. So don't worry if you buy something that you then think Oh what was i thinking..... it will work out and you will find a place in your crafting with them.

There you have it a stepper card that was able to be embellished how i now do my crafting. i always thought that this style and others would only fit into the way we normally use them. i have to hold my hand up and say i think there is a reason now to revisit all the other card designs and see what i can now do with them.,

i hope that this might inspire you to have a look and maybe explore what you can do with an 'Old style' card design. i say old but then isn't everything old as its all been done before? My old lecturer at Uni once told me that in fashion nothing is new its all been done before. The only real 'New' idea was the Mini skirt back in the 60's.

Take care look after yourself and happy crafting. Any questions please send me a message and i will get back to you a.s.a.p.