Cocktail of Sparkles: a chic thank you card

4 hours 4 hours

Cocktail of Sparkles

1. Emboss your card blank

   Start by aligning your create-a-card die (or any other corner die) to the bottom right of your Adaptable. Using a little masking tape or washi tape, adhere your die; wrap the tape around the back of your card (don’t place any tape to the front). Once adhered, run your die & card through your die-cutting machine using the normal embossing sandwich; this is the one with the rubber mat. Run it through only once in order to avoid creating a double image or cracking your card. Do not remove the die from your card at this point.

2. Colour your card base

   With your die still attached, pick up Spun Sugar ink on your blending brush. Sweep your brush across both the holes in the die AND off the diagonal edge. You will find your inked area will always be slightly smaller than your embossed areas due to the design specification of dies.
   Once you are happy with the level of ink coverage, remove the die from your card. Blend the same Spun Sugar ink around the edge of the card using your blending brush. To start with, I applied ink to the bottom and right hand edges.
   Give this a quick waft with a hairdryer or dual power heat gun on low; try to avoid warping your card base though by wafting across the surface quickly.
   Apply the Tattered Rose glitter glue using a fine tip glue applicator – I used the ultra fine ones to get into the tiny dots in the design.
   
   

3. Creating the main layout idea

   Starting to develop the layout, I referred back to my original sketch layout that I used when creating the background of the card. So, my sketch had the stamped element as being on the same level, but as our background is embossed that idea wasn’t feasible anymore. This meant a change of plan was in order so the stamped image could be independent of our base card.
   Start by laying the cocktail glass stamp with its backing sheet onto the card to plan your layout. As the stamp has a matching die, I used this as part of my decision process, as I knew I would not be stamping directly onto my card base. An additional flap would give an unusual card, rather than the usual fussy cut and 3D that you might otherwise do. Flaps and pockets always give the opportunity for using unusual or luxury materials for projects with extra wow!
   
   

4. Stamping Vellum

   Use a stamping platform always when stamping on vellum or acetate. Place your A4 vellum into your platform, inset your stamp slightly from the shortest edge; this gives you room to align your die or enables your ScanNCut to see your image clearly. Make sure your cocktail glass is vertical at this point to help you later; use the grid on the lid of your platform to help you, or print a gridded sheet instead if you need something bolder. Don’t worry about positioning it to match your card at this point as your vellum is larger than your card base; simply aim for the centre vertically. We used Memento Grey Flannel for the stamping; this is because the ink is water-based and quick drying (but still allow a good drying time if possible), and the grey colour suited the design. Once stamped, set to one side until the stamped image is completely matt; I wafted with a dryer briefly but don’t try to heat vellum as it will warp.
   TOP TIP: Try to use drawing gloves whenever working the vellum piece to avoid warping the vellum or leaving grease marks. The pearlescent vellum is slightly more forgiving for those working with vellum for the first time. Wash hands regularly when using ink or if you are having a crafty snack; this is not the time to be eating biscuits.
   
   

5. Colouring the vellum: Spun Sugar

   Once your stamped image is dry, flip over your vellum and start to apply colour using a Cut N Dry nib from your Spun Sugar Distress Oxide Pad; your colour should be applied strongest at the base of the bowl of your cocktail glass, but leave a slight gap to your line. This gives the true impression of a glass. You can then blend this colouring with a small blending brush to soften your edges.
   Using the nib, add a little more pink to the top of the stem on one side and the bottom of the stem on the opposite side. Add some more of the pink into the “wells” at the base of the cocktail glass using the nib. The nib applies ink much thicker than a brush or sponge with is why we use it for all the detail.
   
   

6. Colouring Vellum: Weathered Wood

   Switching to a fresh nib and the Weathered Wood colour, apply to small sections of the glass outline (this suggests reflections in the glass). Add a little more with the same nib in the join between the bowl and stem of the cocktail glass and down one section of the stem where there isn’t any Spun Sugar. Moving to the base of the glass, draw with the nib across the bottom edge of the glass. Finally the leaves; flick the nib from the centre of the leaves outwards to give them some shading; these are pretty forgiving so you decide which way you want to shade these.

7. Colouring Vellum: White Karisma Pencil

   Finally, apply highlights to your cocktail glass with a white soft coloured pencil such as Karisma, Prismacolor, Coloursoft or Polychromos. Working down the centre of the design add a small patch to the centre of your bowl, the middle of your stem, the base join and the “top” section of the base. Then add a little to the sides of the bowl where we left the gap. Finally, colour in the pith of the fruit to finish the colouring on the reverse.

8. Aligning the die

   Now we have allowed all the ink to dry thoroughly, align your die to your cocktail glass and adhere with pieces of washi tape. Be sure to only adhere tape outside of your design to prevent lifting your stamped image by accident. You can then run through your die-cutting machine using the usual die-cutting sandwich.
   
   
   If you are using a different design for this tutorial and you don’t have a half die like this…
   You have two options:
   • Partial die cutting: You can cut just part of a co-ordinating design by only having your top plate overlaying part of your die. See this video: Partial Die Cutting
   • ScanNCut & Enhanced Image Tracing: Partial Fussy Cutting

9. Trimming the vellum

   If you’ve used the ScanNCut Partial Fussy Cutting technique to create your flap, follow these steps for the solid shape for the non-fussy section.
   Apply a piece of post-it mote tape or a scrap piece of paper to protect your design so it goes along the end points of the outline. Using a metal edged ruler and craft knife trim from these points to the outside of your sheet. The post-it note tape protects the stamped cocktail glass image from your ruler. I would recommend cleaning your ruler prior to putting it over your vellum.
   
   

10. Finishing the flap

    Mark the vertical fold point for your flap and allow space for your chosen tape adhesive or runner. You do not want to use wet glue for this step at all. Ideally, your adhesive will cover evenly so it is not obvious when adhered.
    Trim to allow for adhesive, score and gently roll the fold and slowly making it crisper and crisper. We go slowly and gently to avoid cracking the vellum at this late stage.
    
    

11. Adding extra detail

    You may decide (like I did) that your background needs more oomph. Working carefully, blend more ink around the edges; if you like you can also add a little more stencilling like I did. I also added a small section of the corner to the front of the vellum as well as filling in the segments of the citrus.
    
    

12. Adding the Sentiment

    Using a sentiment die, cut one from the soft pink and one from the grey. I choose the colours to match the ink rather than contrast with it on this occasion. Limiting the colour palette always adds a touch of class to a project.
    
    

13. Add extra sparkle to finish

    We added a final touch of sparkle with a little more of the Stickles glitter glue. I chose to highlight some of the additional stencilling detail as well as adding bubbles to the cocktail glass.
    You want to do this at the very last and set to one side to dry completely.