Tropical Thinking of You Tutorial

Stenciling adds depth and richness to your tropical design. You’ll need:

• Tropical-themed stencils
• Inks or coloring mediums (distress inks, markers, or paints)
• Blending brushes or sponges
• Masking tape

Position the Stencil: Secure the stencil over your foiled design using masking tape.

Apply Color: Use blending brushes or sponges to apply ink or color through the stencil. Blend different shades to create a vibrant, tropical look. 

And, we’re using bright and vibrant colors in keeping with the tropical theme.  If you want to use the same ink as the card in the photo, we’ll use Altenew Fresh Dye Inks in the following order:

Flower

• Buttercream
• Mid-Yellow
• Snapdragon
• Cherry Sweet

Stem

• Firefly
• Shadow Creek

I recommend that you start with the lightest color, and gradually blend in the remaining colors finishing with the darkest.  And, the darkest should be where the deepest shadows are on the flower and stem.  Additionally, use a bit of mint tape (or whatever you use for masking) to keep from blending dark into spaces that you want to remain lighter or a different color.

Remove the Stencil: Carefully lift the stencil to reveal your colored design.

Step 4: Layer the Tropical Thinking of You Sentiment

Adding a layered sentiment makes your card pop. Here’s what you’ll need:

• The sentiment, “Thinking of You”, that we foiled in Step 2
• 3 Shades of colored cardstock that coordinate with the inks we blended with in Step 3.
• Fussy-cutting Scissors
• Liquid glue

Fussy-cut: we’re going to fussy-cut around the sentiment leaving a tiny border around it on all sides. 

Trim Colored Layers: To tie the sentiment in with the flower we’re going to layer it up with three colors of cardstock that match it.  To do this, using a pencil lightly draw a line around the sentiment you just cut out on a scrap of chamomile cardstock.  Afterward, fussy-cut about 1/8″ from the line.  Next, do the same thing with a scrap of beeswax, but this time use the chamomile piece you just cut for a guide.  And when we’re done we’ll use the beeswax shape we just cut out as a guide on a scrap of poppy field cardstock.

Adhere Color Layers:  Attach all the layers with liquid glue.

Step 5: Assemble the Tropical Thinking of YouCard

Now, bring all the elements together to complete your card.

Adhere Color Layer:  Trim a piece of brushed black cardstock to 5″ x 7″.  Use glue or a tape runner to adhere it to the card base.  Read How To Attach A Color Panel for tips on how to get the color panel attached squarely.  

Attach the Sentiment:  Select the perfect location for the sentiment and fasten it onto the card front with liquid glue.

Double-Check: Ensure everything is securely attached and that your card opens and closes smoothly.