Friday, April 18, 2014

Elizabeth Craft Designs and Tombow Blog Hop

Welcome to the Tombow and Elizabeth Craft Designs Blog Hop. If you're here from Debbie Fisher's blog then you’re in the right place, if not you may want to start at the beginning, at the Tombow blog. There will be a prize give-away! The details are further below.

Tombow Blog
Candy Spiegel
Jacqueline Smith
Debbie Fisher
Mary Prasad <- You are here!
Raquel Mason

I decided to make a birthday card since it's one of the types I use the most (you can never have enough birthday cards around!).

Making the Card

1. Cut a piece of blue cardstock to 4.25" x 11". I started with a piece of 12" x 12" cardstock so I just cut off 4.25 inches from one side. Fold it in half (use a bone folder/burnishing bone to make a sharp crease). Use the Agatha Edges die to cut the fancy design on the opening side (if you used 12 inch paper, measure it so that the edge will create a card length of 5.5 inches). I measure 5.5 inches from the top of the card to the point on the die - also be sure the sides are the same measurements so the die will cut straight.


2. You will want to have a piece of white cardstock handy - a bit larger than the card. You can use a full sheet of cardstock if you want to make several cards or have scraps leftover for other stuff. To make the colorful background of the card, scribble pink, red, purple, and blue Tombow Dual Brush Pen markers on your Non-Stick Craft Sheet (I put them in that order on the sheet). Spray water with a mist bottle over the colors to get larger droplets - more water will lighten the colors more, less will intensify them. Note: you can purchase an inexpensive spray bottle from most dollar stores. I bought a blue bottle so I could easily identify it in my craft area. I bought a red one for alcohol (to use with alcohol markers, alcohol inks, and cleaning).

Set down then drag the white cardstock through the colors. Add more water and/or markers, repeating the process until you have a look you like.

3. Keep the Silk Microfine Glitter, Cool Diamond, handy. To create the dot texture, you will apply light molding paste (I used Golden brand) through a polka dot stencil.  First tape the background cardstock you just made to your craft sheet using painter's tape (you may use Post-It tape instead but I find it doesn't hold quite as well so you will have to be extra careful). Next, tape the polka dot stencil over the desired area on the cardstock. Only a small amount of molding paste will be used to spread over the dot stencil in order to fill the dots. Any stiff edge will do. I used a former hotel room key (plastic like a credit card) that I keep around for such things; a stiff piece of cardstock or mat board will probably work just as well. You may have to go in a couple directions but don't overwork it. You don't want any to get under the stencil. Don't worry about it being perfect - a few partial circles or slight lumps just add to the look.

Carefully untape then lift up the stencil and wash it immediately. You do not want the molding paste to dry on the stencil. While the paste is still wet, sprinkle it with the glitter over a piece of scrap paper on top of your craft sheet - the scrap paper will catch the extra so you can put it back into the jar. Set it aside to dry. Once it has dried, use a soft brush to remove any glitter that did not adhere (again, do this over scrap paper).

4. Cut a select area you like from the cardstock background so there will be a border all the way around. I just eyeball it and make some pencil marks where I want to cut. If you want to measure it, cut the cardstock 4 inches by 5.5 inches then place it on the blue card base to mark where you want to cut it off with the die. I placed the point of the die just short of 5.25 inches from the top. See the photo above for reference. Since the paper is likely warped a bit from the moisture, use a strong adhesive to stick it to the base. I used Tombow Xtreme Adhesive applied liberally.


5. To create the sentiment, emboss a 1.5" x 2" piece of White Velvet Adhesive Sheet using a Cuttlebug or other sentiment embossing folder. Run the red Tombow brush marker gently over the raised surface. Do not put on too much or it will bleed off the words. Rub a little between and around the words as well to go with the background (it looks too pristine otherwise). Put a few small dots of Glossy Accents on the words here and there - do not completely cover them or it will lighten too much. Sprinkle with glitter.

While that is drying, cut a piece of black cardstock 1.625" x 1.125" (i.e. 1/8th an inch larger on each side than the white piece). Apply Glossy Accents all around the edges (maybe .25 inches in). This will make it match the glossiness of the black peel off stickers (described next). Once both pieces are dry, brush off any excess glitter from the white piece, then adhere it to the black cardstock. Add Glitter Peel-Off Dots as shown.


6. For the gift and candle, cut pieces of white cardstock a larger than the desired stickers. Peel off one of the stickers and put it sticky side up on your craft sheet. Line up the white cardstock so none of the sticker shows and gently press it down onto the sticker, rubbing the back side where the sticker is located. Flip it over and rub the sticker to firmly adhere it all over. Do the same for the other sticker.

Color everything using the brush side of the markers. To color the candle, keep in mind where you want the shine so you can leave it white. With the red marker, color every other stripe, starting from the edges and going a short way in using flicking strokes. You may want to practice first on a scrap piece of cardstock. Repeat this on the other stripes using the purple marker. Using the pink marker, go over all the red leaving a small amount of white as shown, while blending (i.e. go over all the red then go over the red again while extending it). Do not overwork the paper or it may pill up. I suggest practicing blending on some scrap cardstock first. Repeat with the pink marker over the purple. To color the flame, barely touch the orange marker to the red then start coloring on the bottom inside flame. For the outside part of the flame, touch the yellow marker to the orange; on each side, color from the bottom to the top.

Color the bow on the present with red and pink, similarly to the red stripes - keeping in mind where you want your shine. Refer the the photo above. To color the rest of the gift, work with one color at a time. Scribble some of the color on your craft sheet and use the blending marker to apply it to the stripes and dots. When you pick up color from the craft sheet, it will be darker but will blend lighter as you apply it. Work from the edges towards the center so that the darker shaded areas will be on the outside edges and bottom of the gift, as well as under the bow. Scribble on a scrap sheet to remove excess color from the blender, e.g. when switching colors.

Once everything has been colored, add a slight coat of Glossy Accents to the flame only. Do not get any on the black sticker part (if you do, wipe it off with a tooth pick or other pointy tip). Sprinkle with glitter. Clean off the black sticker as necessary. Once dry, if the color looks too dull go over it with the markers, coloring as you did before. Be aware that the color will take longer to dry over glitter.

Carefully cut around the designs with a sharp pair of scissors; use a craft knife to cut out the pieces inside the bow loops (you may have to use a craft knife around the wick of the candle as well). Don't worry if some of the cardstock shows. With the black marker, go over all of the outside edges from the backside of the cardstock to give them a nice clean look.


7. Scribble pink, red, purple, and blue marker on your craft sheet; spray generously with water. Cut a length of Seam Binding Ribbon (enough to make a bow). Run it through the color to create a rainbow effect to match the background paper. Let it dry naturally or dry it with a heat tool (do not get too close or over dry it, the seam binding may brown). Tie it in a bow and trim the ends evenly.

8. Using dimensional tape, adhere sentiment, gift, and candle as shown. Hint: color the dimensional tape with a black alcohol marker (e.g. Sharpie or Copic) before removing it from its backing tape. This helps it to be less noticeable. I doubled up on the dimensional tape behind the candle to bring it forward a bit more than the gift. Adhere the bow; I used Glue Dots but you could use Glossy Accents.

I love how bright and colorful this card turned out, as well as all the textures. The glitter over the modeling paste feels velvety.

Now for the prize give-away! What do you need to do? To be eligible to win, just comment on each of the designers projects and don't forget to "Like" the Tombow and Elizabeth Craft Designs Facebook pages!



Rachel Mason's blog is your next stop!

Supplies

Elizabeth Craft Designs Supplies:
Agatha Edges Dies 782
Peel-Off Stickers, Candles 2545 (Black)
Peel-Off Stickers, Gifts 2544 (Black)
Glitter Peel-Off Glitter Dots 7018 (Silver)
Silk Microfine Glitter, Cool Diamond 642
White Velvet Adhesive Sheet

Tombow Xtreme Adhesive
Tombow Dual Brush Pens, Primary Palette Set of 10

Non-Stick Craft Sheet
Water in a Mister Bottle
Polka Dot Stencil
Light Molding Paste
Glossy Accents
Bazzill Basics Cardstock
Seam Binding Ribbon
Cuttlebug Embossing Folder "Happy Birthday" (From a Set of 4)
Dimensional Tape, Glue Dots (Optional)
Scissors, Craft Knife

83 comments:

  1. I love the way you have done the shine on the candle . it is fab and something I will start practicing.

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  2. Wonderful card! I love the fine glitter! Beautifully colored! The tye dyed bow looks amazing!

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  3. Colorful and pretty...love the cheerful colors and design!

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  4. our card is so gosh darn cute!!

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  5. One word for this card - WOW! Love the colors. Thanks for all the detailed instructions. Will definitely give this a try.

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  6. Your lovely cards pops with all kinds of wow, the color the design and the wonderful inst. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. LOVE your card Mary and the Shine you put to the images!!

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  8. I love the bright colors and the designs! Beautiful!

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  9. Wonderful colors & I love how you put the shine on the candle & bow.

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  10. I love the paste/glitter technique. I'm going to have to try it. Beautiful card, Mary!

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  11. Love you shiny card! I want to try your ideas.

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  12. What a stunning birthday card Mary!!! Your coloring of these 2 festive images is amazing--the candle and bow look like they are shining!!! :) Thank so much for this fabulous creation for todays co-hop!! I'm having so much fun and getting wonderful inspiration!!! Hugs and happy Friday!!! :)

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  13. love the bright mix of colors...great card

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  14. Wish I could at all day with my stash. I just need more time luv luv this craft

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  15. Fantastic colors! Now I have some inspirations for using the peel-off stickers in my stash!

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  16. This is such a fun birthday card! I love the saturation of colors!

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  17. Great card. Love blog hops. I love seeing what everyone is doing.

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  18. Love both present and candle peeloff.
    great card

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  19. Stunning the colors are cheerful and bright! Love it!

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  20. Great colors and as always never enough birthday cards

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  21. Mary I really like this card. Lot of work but very rewarding! Always looking to improve my cards so by adding the dots the way you did is a great idea!

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  22. Love the color scheme. So cheerful and bright!

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  23. i really like using the paste on top of the alcohol ink b.g! looks great!
    sandyh

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  24. The watercolored piece has a lot of dimension. It looks like it has a pleat at the bottom.
    The candle and present are very bright and shiny. I'm going to check into these pieces the next time I'm shopping. thanks for sharing.

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  25. I love the colors and design of the card, plus the use of ECD and Tombow products.

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  26. So bright and cheery, thanks so much for sharing.

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  27. Great card. Love the colors and the layout.

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  28. Very pretty card. Thanks for sharing your techniques.

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  29. Wow your coloring of the stickers is awesome. It looks so real. Very nice card.

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  30. Wow your cards looks wonderful. I will have to try adding glitter to my wet paste.

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  31. Beautiful card! love using that mix media technique! Great Card!

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  32. Mary, very intricate and beautiful Birthday car! :)

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  33. Just love your card. Great texture and color combo. Super job done on the tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

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  34. Thanks for the instructions on coloring the ribbon for the bow. It's a great tip and money saver, too.

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  35. so clever wish I could think of clever ideas like these bloggers

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  36. Oh how pretty and I
    love the bright colors!
    Carla from Utah

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  37. I too liked the bow. Very clever way to color it.

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  38. I love this card! The whimsical look and all the bright colors are just wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

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  39. I love how you created the background with the Tombow markers--what a beautiful card!

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  40. What a sweet birthday card with beautiful colors!

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  41. Very creative use of materials for a fabulous effect. My real take away tho was your tip of coloring the dimensional tape to make it less noticeable. So simple and yet I never thought to do that even tho I have tried disguising it in other ways. So thanks for an inspiring project and a great tip.

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  42. This is an amazing card. I love your colors and the tip on coloring the ribbon is fantastic. Thanks.

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  43. Thank you to everyone who replied. I appreciate every one of your comments!! I hope you will stop by again!

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  44. Beautiful card! The colors are fabulous.

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  45. Love the fancy edge and the bright sparkly colors on the candle and gift~

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  46. Love your colors, so bright and cheery. Have to try the spritzing thing!

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  47. so bright! I love it, my daughters two favorite colors!!! very awesome.

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  48. Eye popping colors give it such a WOW factor....great card!!

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  49. Wow! Great blending techniques! Thanks for the tutorial!

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  50. Love the background! Thanks for the detailed directions too! :)

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  51. Love this card! You used some of my favorite colors. Love the way you used Agatha's Edges on the bottom of the card and thanks for the very detailed directions for this card.

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  52. Pink and purple-my favorite colors!! I love how you embossed the velvet sticker paper.

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  53. Love the way you coloured the candle and present to give it a highlight. A technique I need to practise-thanks for the detailed steps.

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  54. Great card and fantastic tips and hints, too.

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  55. Love the details for such a beautiful card.

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  56. I love the shape of the card & all the beautiful colors. Thank you so much for sharing this card with us!

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  57. I love the shading on the present and candle. I wish I knew how to color like that. I guess I just have to practice. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  58. I love how you always design something different and always so complex! So very well done! Xxx

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  59. Lovely card. Love how you colour the candle and gift box, especially the shine on it. You make it look so simple to do.

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  60. Diggin' these bright colors and the ribbon is awesome!

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  61. Love how you created the background to the package and candle. Nice

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  62. I love this, so pretty and bright! :)

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  63. What a cute card! I love the vibrant colors, thanks for sharing.

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  64. Love all the texture and dimension you achieved on your card, as well as the vibrant colors.

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  65. Love your technique for creating the background - thanks for sharing it!

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  66. Mary, thanks so much for the details on how to get the look of the background and details on your card. appreciate the time to write these up and share the techniques with us.

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  67. What a pretty and festive card!! Love all the different textures and so much depth!!! Anyone would have to smile when they receive this card! TFS!

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    1. Forgot to mention that the walk through is wonderful! TY!

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  68. Very bright! Jenne Lamb (no idea why Google shows me as unknown).

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  69. Love this card! The background is just awesome, love the colors! And love the coloring and vibrant colors on the present and candle. Great job. Thanks for sharing.

    Katie B.

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  70. Love the card! Getting so many clever ideas!

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  71. You really know how to bring out the highlights and shades with the markers. This is so cute, and it helps so much knowing how to color the shine from the candles. Thanks for sharing.

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  72. Thank you for the detailed instructions. And for a pretty vibrant card.

    Smokie

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  73. Very neat card -- really like the bright colours and your highlighting .. Great work and thanks for sharing

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  74. FUN & FABULOUS - LOVE the sparkle & shine and the rich, bright colours too!!!

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Thank you for leaving a comment! I read (and appreciate) every one!