Tonights post is a very long one and it's a step by step tutorial on making this round easel card. It's one I have been meaning to do for a very long time, but knew it was going to take me ages to do, so I have been putting it off.
Step 1
Fold a sheet of card in half and place it over a large circle die. So that the folded edge is only partly cut, lay the card on the die and leave a little of the die exposed. This will create the hinge of the card.(see photo on left)
Run it through your die cutting machine.
The folded edge should NOT be cut completely. See photo below
Step two
Cut another complete circle in the same size and colour card. (this will be the front of your card.)
On one half of your hinged circles, score a line about half across the circle making sure it is straight and fold in half towards the center of the card.
Step three
Your base card should now look like the photo below.
Step four
Add adhesive to the outer edge of the folded circle.
Step five
Take your full single circle and place it over the glued section lining up the edges of the circles perfectly.
Your base card is now ready for decorating.
option one
Cut two white circles one die size smaller than the base card.
or
Option two
Cut, two white lace doilies and one smaller white circle two die sizes smaller than you base card.
Ink up a small tree stamp in a light blue ink. ( I used stampin' up's Bashful blue) near the top of your circle.
Make sure you leave room above for a second row of trees.
Using the same ink and stamp ink up the stamp and lightly stamp the image onto scrap paper then stamp the image again (without re inking) above and between the first line of trees you stamped. Repeat this process until you have a pleasing arrangement of trees.
The stamping off of the excess ink before stamping the second row of trees will make them look further away, increasing the depth of your card.
Step Eight .
Ink up a larger tree or group of trees
(I used the line of tree s stamp from stampin' up's set Lovely as a tree) with the same ink and stamp the image either side of the circle leaving a gap in the centre for your focal point .
Take a sponge dauber and ink it up lightly with the same blue ink. Dab off a little of the ink onto scrap paper, then using the edge of the dauber begin making streaks starting at the sides and bringing the streaks in towards the centre and under the larger trees.
Then draw soft streaks below the smaller trees. This will create the impression of snowy land and anchor the trees to that ground.
( have a little practise on scrap paper if you have never done this before.)
You can now stamp your focal point.
Using a darker ink ( I have used Stampin' up's Night of Navy)
The pine tree stamp is from the "Lovely as a tree" stamp set from S.U.
Stamp the tree in the foreground.
Step Eleven
Very Important!!! you card has been handled a lot and has collected oils from your hands and moisture from the inks, so if you apply embossing powder now it is going to stick in places you really don't want it to stick.So the next step is crucial.
Once the inks are dry wipe over the card with an embossing buddy/ anti static pad. If you don't have one DON'T DESPAIR, you can make one from several layers an old pair of thick tights and some talcum powder. But that's another tutorial.
Another option is to just sprinkle a little talc over the card and brush or wipe off with a clean cloth or tissue. This method is a little more messy.
Step 12
Ink up a smallish snowflake stamp with Versamark ink and randomly stamp the snow flakes over the trees.
You won't be able to see where you have stamped very well with this ink as it's clear, so have a good light available and you should be able to see the sheen.
When you have stamped enough snowflakes cover them with a fine silver embossing powder, tip the excess back into the pot.
Then gentle tap off the excess powder from your work and heat until the embossing powder begins to melt. Don't over heat, once it is shiny move your heat tool to another area of the card.
Over heated embossing powder is not a good look.
This is the front panel of the card finished.
Now you will need to create the bottom panel.
For option one
just recreate the top part of the front panel on the lower half of the bottom panel. ( see above photo)
Then adhere this panel to the bottom circle of the base card.
For option two
Adhere the doilies to the front and the base panels. Then adhere the stamped circle into the center of the doily on the front of the card.
So now you need something to stop the card collapsing when it's being displayed.
This can be done by cutting two strips of card the same length as the width of your card and layering them.
Stamping a sentiment on the top layer.
This this then stuck across the middle of the base panel using sticky foam pads to give it a little height which will act as the stopper when the card is on display.
My final words on this card are why not mix and match the options. I am thinking I may like one doily on the front and the tree scene on the base. That's a project for another day as it's time to say goodnight.
