This darling stamp is entitled Always By Your Side (Dreamerland Crafts). I thought it would make the perfect image for my husband's anniversary card (our 27th!). We were friends before we started dating and are still besties, doing most things together - working out, martial arts, watching movies/TV, traveling, board gaming, riding Segways (purchased for our anniversary a couple years ago), and more! If only he liked crafting as much as I do! Oh well, no body's perfect.
I fussy cut the image to be featured inside the card on a twist circle pop-up (using Karen Burniston's new dies!). I kept the card front rather plain, with the real surprise inside. I used Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor colored pencils to color the image. These are oil based pencils, which go on pretty smoothly and blend well. I have the full set of 72. Unfortunately the colors are not best suited to portrait work (or people images) - the flesh colors are really lacking. There is basically only one for fair skin and maybe one for very dark skin - there aren't any suitable middle browns or tans. I much prefer Faber-Castell Polychromos (set of 120); they are even smoother and also oil based. I think the two sets would be great to use together though - extending the color range of both sets.
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Making the Card
1. Cut light pink cardstock 4 1/4 x 11 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.
2. Using the largest circle die from Snowman Twist Circle pop-up set, cut both a scrap piece of white cardstock and the light green heart patterned paper (Hugs and Kisses Paper Pad). Optional, go around the edge of the white cardstock with a matching light green color (even lighter than the paper) - I used a Copic marker for this. Adhere the white circle to the back of the patterned circle; this extra layer will give the patterned paper more support.
3. Cut red cardstock 3 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches; fold in half. This is the piece that you will use for the inside of the card on which the twist circle base will be cut. Also use red cardstock for the arm. Watch the following video to assemble the twist circle pop-up part of the card but leave the light green heart patterned circle off for now.
4. Cut two pieces of paper with lips 3 x 4 inches: the paper is 6 inches so cut off 4 inches first then cut it in half. Adhere one to each side of the card inside as shown. Cut another piece from the scrap 2 x 3-3/4 inches. Adhere to front of card where shown.
5. Using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, stamp Always By Your Side (Dreamerland Crafts) on colored pencil friendly white cardstock (I used Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Plate Surface). I recommend a fairly smooth cardstock for this. Color image with colored pencils; I used Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor 72 Set. Fussy cut around image; use a craft knife to cut out inside areas. From the back side of the image, use a black marker, such as a Copic Multiliner with brush tip or Memento Tuxedo Black marker, to go around all the edges - this will hide the white edges and give it a more polished look. Adhere image to light green heart patterned circle as shown, using dimensional tape. Hint: to make edges of white dimensional tape less noticeable, color the edges with a black alcohol marker, such as a Sharpie or Copic, before adhering. Adhere to twist circle arm as directed in the video.
6. Using stitched die from Snowman Twist Circle pop-up set, die cut red cardstock. Using dotted border die, cut pink paper and light green gingham (Hugs and Kisses Paper Pad). Using the smaller circle, die cut pink gingham (Hugs and Kisses Paper Pad). Adhere the light green gingham inside piece of the dotted border (not the border itself) to the center of the red circle. Adhere pink dotted border around it (you may have to gently nudge the border into place in some areas). Adhere pink inside piece of dotted border to inside of card where shown. Adhere light green gingham dotted border around it. Adhere pink gingham circle in center.
7. Die cut "Thinking of you" and "my friend" from red cardstock using Word Set 1 - Greetings (by Karen Burniston). Adhere in circles as shown. Cut a strip of light green hearted paper about 5/8 inches (3 rows of hearts) by 5 1/2 inches. Adhere to card front as shown. Use dimensional tape to adhere "Thinking of you" circle to front where shown.
8. Embellish with various sizes of crystal sequins as shown (7 on card front, 3 inside around sentiment).
Supplies
- Dreamerland Crafts Stamp: Always By Your Side (D17002)
- Dies: Karen Burniston in Cahoots with Riley and Company 1012 Snowman Twist Circle and 1002 Word Set 1 - Greetings
- Patterned Paper: Hugs and Kisses 6x6 Pad (Your Next Stamp YNSPP007)
- Cardstock: Light Pink, Red
- Paper: Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Plate Surface
- Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
- Colored Pencils: Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor 72 Set
- Craft Knife
- Optional: Black Copic Multiliner or Memento Tuxedo Black Marker
- Dimensional Tape
- Crystal Sequins (Darice) in Various Sizes
