CASE when you are doing "Holidays in a Hurry"

LG652 Church with LJ819Snowflakes in the background

This month we are doing a challenge that is dear to my heart: Holidays in a Hurry! Yesterday I was visiting the links of those of you have joined the challenge and noticed that FitKitty had done a set of Christmas cards with creating for the busy crafter in mind. They were simple yet elegant, so I emailed her to ask her permission to CASE her cards using stencils instead. She graciously wrote back to say she would "be delighted" for us to do so and looked forward to seeing the CASE'd creations. By the way, CASE stands for "Copy And Say Everything"...which means you are copying the concept or design format, giving credit and telling how you achieved your results. Please, if you have time, follow the link to her blog (HERE) to see what I  CASEd and leave a comment (or two if you are not in too much of a flurry scurry this season). The technique is different of course, because she printed her images but the end result is very similar. Her image is colored and the background is white, whereas my background is colored and the image is white. Her background papers were done with a folder and mine were done with metal stencils.

STEP ONE: The color process

The technique for the color portion is an easy one that we refer to as "Letterpress". Click HERE if you would like to see the step-by-step tutorial that I did to show you how to achieve this simple way to add the color you see behind the embossed white images. You will need just a few items and tools... cardstock to emboss, your favorite embossing machine, Memories Mists sprays, a rubber embossing mat and of course Dreamweaver metal stencils. After spraying the stencil with Memories Mists ink and putting it through the embossing machine with the appropriate stacking method you will want to let it dry a few minutes. Next I daubed a small amount of Glossy White Embossing Paste (DGWP) onto the scene and sprinkled it with glitter right away while the paste is still wet. To speed up the drying process I have an electric pancake griddle that I put on a low heat setting and the pastes dry in half the amount of time.

STEP TWO: The background embossed papers

LJ891Holly Swirls stencil embossed through an embossing machine

I know it looks like the background card on the left was done with an embossing folder. But it was actually done with a metal stencil. How? Listen closely so you don't ruin your stencils. You want the stencil to be protected from the rollers of the embossing machine...so the stencil sandwich you are creating is the key to success. It is quite simple if you follow this stacking method for your embossing machine. Start with the thick white plate, then place the stencil face down (this means the side that has the copyright and product code imprinted on it) onto the thick white plate. Now spritz the back of your cardstock with rubbing alcohol and place it face down onto the stencil. Hold it gently in place while you set the thick Stamping Details Rubber Mat onto the cardstock and slide your hand off the stencil as you do so. Last in this sandwich you will place two acrylic plates on top of the rubber mat. If you are using a Big Shot you will let the tabs from the thick white platform trail behind as you run it through the machine with the two acrylic plates. If you are using a Cuttlebug you will use two "B" plates. Whatever machine you use, remember ....DO NOT force the machine. The stack should go through firmly...if it slides through too easily you need to add some "shims" in the form of a piece or two of extra cardstock on top of the rubber mat or perhaps a piece of thin chipboard...just start small and add more as needed.

STEP THREE: Putting it together

Mount the colored card from step one onto the embossed card from step two using foam tape and violá you have a very quick and easy card. This is so fast, fun and simple to do. Plus I love the classic monochromatic colorways. Thank you for the inspiration Ms. Fit Kitty

Here are some other cards done with the same technique:

LG676 French Horn stencil with LJ891 Holly Swirls background stencil

LG653 Mountain scene stencil with LJ819 Snowflake background stencil

LG677 Season's Greeting with holly stencil LJ891 Holly Swirls background stencil

So if are in a hurry and would like to do some last minute cards for a gift or to send to those on your Christmas card list....consider this fast yet elegant technique. We hope you'll take a few minutes out of your busy holiday schedule to visit not only Ms. Fit Kitty but the Dream it UP team listed below. Don't forget to link up below and join our "Holidays in a Hurry" challenge this month. If you need to know more about how to link, click HERE for more information.

Lea Kimmel
Louise Healy
Stacey Rumsby
Terrece Siddoway
Pam Hornschu