Hello everyone! Spring is here, and we had lovely weather yesterday. Right now, a tiny bit of snow is falling, but I hope it won't be more than that. This week at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog, we have a Layer It Up theme.
Don't miss our guest designer Linda Kunsman and the pretty projects that she made this week.
I love creating with lots of layers, and for this accordion Easter card, I used layers of paint, stamping, heat embossing, texture paste and cheese cloth. At first glance, it might not look particularly layered, but that is one of the wonders of layers, they can add texture and interest, even when you don't spot the singular layers themselves. I used newly released Simon Says Stamp New Beginnings dies and stamps. If you don't want to make an accordion card, each of the panels can become an Easter, or spring, card on its own.
If you look closely at the photo above, you'll spot a stone behind the first panel. It was windy when I took these photos and the accordion kept attempting to escape by flying away.
I used Spring Seeds and More Spring Flowers with their coordinating dies. These stamps are really sweet.
To create my eggs, I used Tim Holtz Stitched Ovals and die cut them from Mixed Media Heavystock cardstock. The die embosses a border, giving you an instant layer.
Two of the eggs were die cut with the SSS Oval of Flowers and Floral Dot Collage dies. I ended up not using the one to the right, but only decided that right at the end. When die cutting, use the Sizzix Magnetic Platform to make sure the die stays in place.
Coat them with gesso.
Paint with Distress Paints and before the paint is completely dry, rub some of it off with a paper towel.
The eggs were stamped with the You Matter stamp using coordinating tones of Archival Ink.
I added Enamel Accents to the flowers of the yellow egg - this is the egg I ended up not using. I might use it on a card later on.
Add one more layer by white embossing grasses and leaves from the More Spring Flowers set.
Finally, I added one more layer with stencils and texture paste. I mixed a little white paint into the paste first, because the paste sometimes soaks up colored Archival Ink and I wanted to make it more opaque so that the ink wouldn't show.
All four images from Spring Seeds were stamped on the smooth side of Ranger's watercolor paper. Next, I used the coordinating dies to cut them out.
The images were watercolored with Distress Inks. Smear the inks on a craft sheet, mist with water and pick up with a paint brush.
I taped a strip of cardstock along the back of the eggs to keep them together. Since oval shapes don't stand up very easily, I also gave the eggs supporting feet at the back.
I tore some cheese cloth and placed between the images and the background. I also stamped, colored and die cut strands of grass from the More Spring Flowers set. Here you see the accordion folded up.
If you look closely, you can see the layers of the faux-stitched edges, paint, stamping, paste and cloth.
And below the images, you'll find the white embossing. You could also pick either texture paste of white embossing.
This cute bunny stamp is my favourite. Stamp sentiments in the space provided.
Texture paste is very efficient when it comes to adding a layered feeling to a project.
I die cut a vellum egg and glued it behind the flower egg. You could also turn it into a shaker.
The word was die cut from watercolor paper and painted with Cracked Pistachio.
I like texture paste rose showing at the top of this panel.
The last panel features this pretty and delicate image. If you use a different sentiment, it can work many different themes. The flowers and leaves are so pretty.
I really hope you will join us in our Layer It Up challenge. As every week, you have a chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in.
Don't forget to follow Simon Says Stamp on Instagram, they post great stuff daily.
