Card InspirationCard Making

How to Make Jaw-Dropping Cards Set

on September 24, 2021May 16, 2024
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How to Make Jaw-Dropping Cards Set

Learn how to make twelve jaw-dropping cards using just three inks for coloring and the same three dies for all. This card set includes feminine and masculine greeting cards making it the perfect gift for that couple that is hard to buy for.

This is a very long post but you'll want to read all the way to the end. You do because it will be well worth it. We show you how to make twelve beautiful cards; with a feminine card and a masculine one using six sets of techniques. Plus we'll give you many cardmaking tips and tricks along the way.

This card set was created in response to the Final Challenge for Level 1 of the Altenew Educator Certification Program. These cards are so fun to make. There are two common themes used on this coordinated set of cards. Each card uses either Altenew's Dodec Cover or their Dodec Star dies. They help to create a beautiful geometric floral image or images. And all of the cards use three Distress Ink colors: Candied Apple, Picked Raspberry, and Wild Honey with a variety of blending techniques. I hope that you'll give them a try, you won't be disappointed!

Clean and Simple Die-Cut and Blending

We start off with this gorgeous pair of cards that use the Dodec Star as the focal point.

For the feminine card, we use a piece of white cardstock. And then we blend a circle of color that is just bigger than the larger of the star dies.

Ink Blending

We are using basic ink blending for these cards.

Using different blending brushes for each color we start with Candied Apple in the center. Then we add the Picked Raspberry and Wild Honey in a circular motion. We want to make sure to blend over where the two colors meet with the brush. When we do we actually create another beautiful color between them that is a blend of the two.

For the masculine card, we blend the colors in parallel lengthwise onto an A2 piece of vellum. We do this by adding each color in a straight line first. Then we blend them together as we did with the circle. Set that aside to dry while we do our die-cutting.

Die-cutting

We need a large star and a frame for both cards in this set. We'll cut the star from the circle that we've just blended for the feminine card. And, we'll cut the one for the masculine card out of black cardstock. We'll use low-tack tape to hold our die in place. We do this to make sure that it doesn't move as we run it through our die-cut machine.

Then we use a rectangular die to cut a frame from an A2 piece of card stock for each card. We're using pearl cardstock for the feminine card and black for the masculine card.

Sentiments for Die-cutting and Blending Cards

Next, we're going to add our sentiments using heat embossing. To ensure that we get the sentiments straight we'll place a 2″ x 4 1/4″ piece of vellum in a stamp positioning tool. But first, we'll put a piece of A2 cardstock in the tool and arrange the die-cut star where we want it. Then we'll add the vellum and then we'll lay the transparency grid over the top of everything and set our stamp in place. Now we'll close the lid of the Misti to pick up the stamp.

We can now remove the transparency grid making sure that the vellum doesn't move and hold it down with the Misti magnet. Next, we tap some anti-static powder onto the vellum to ensure that we don't get any embossing powder anywhere but where we want it. Now we'll load the stamp up with watermark ink and stamp it onto the vellum.

We sprinkle the embossing powder onto the vellum over a coffee filter or a piece of paper to catch the powder. And then use a heat gun to melt the embossing powder. There is a good explanation of how to do heat embossing in the video down in the Stamping With A Die cardmaking section.

For the masculine card, we use exactly the same process only we'll stamp our sentiments directly onto the blended side of the vellum that we blended earlier.

Assembly of the Die-cut and Blended Cards

To assemble the feminine card we attach the vellum sentiment strip to the backside of the frame where we ant it using double-sided adhesive tape. And we also use double-sided adhesive tape we attach the frame to the card base making sure that the frame is aligned with the edges of the base. Next, we use liquid adhesive on the back of the star and then pick it up and set it onto the card base using craft tweezers. And that is our first card done.

The masculine card is assembled the same way except we don't have the sentiment strip. And we need to adhere the vellum onto the card base using double-sided adhesive tape before adding the frame and the star.

We end up with a striking set of cards for our first set.

Dodec Star Card Supplies

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Altenew Course: Easy Ink Blending Techniques

Feminine Card

Masculine Card

Cover Dies and Blending

We use the same techniques for this pair of cards as we did for the first set only we're using a cover die to create beautiful backgrounds instead of using the die-cut as a focal point.

The card panel for the masculine card is blended just as we did on the vellum for the first masculine card only we're using an A2 size white piece of cardstock for this card.

For the feminine card, we're going to use a sort of ombre' effect to create some interest. We'll do so by using the same technique as we did for the masculine card panel only we want to make it darker on one end of the panel and then lightening it all the way to the other end of the panel.

Sentiments for the Cover Dodec Die and Blending Cards

The sentiment will be the focal point for our cards and we're using a big, intricate fabulous die. Glitter foam is what we'll cut out for the feminine card being very careful when removing the sentiment from the die. Then for dimension on the masculine card, we'll cut four copies of it from black cardstock and then glue them together using liquid glue.

And then we'll heat emboss the add-on sentiment for the feminine card using silver embossing powder and we'll stamp the masculine add-on using black pigment ink. Next, we just trim them up using a paper trimmer or scissors.

Cover Dodec Die and Blending Card Assembly

Assembly is quick and easy beginning with using a glue runner on the back-side of the die cuts and then adding them to the card panels. We just rub our fingers over the top of the die-cut piece after it is stuck down to remove any glue dots that might be showing.

Liquid glue is used to add the large sentiments across the front of the card and a glue dot is used to add the little add-on for the feminine card and double-sided adhesive foam tape is used for the one on the masculine card.

That takes care of another two quick and easy attractive cards

Cover Dodec Die and Blending Card Supplies

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Altenew Course: Easy Ink Blending Techniques

Feminine Card

Masculine Card

Stamping With A Die

We use a handmade “stamp” made from Altenew's Dodec Star and then do some faux watercoloring to make these cards. Learn how in the following video:

For more instruction on faux watercoloring check out How To Cardmaking Technique Using Faux Watercloring

Supplies for Stamping With Dies

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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Altenew Course: Easy Ink Blending Techniques

Feminine Card

Masculine Card

Stenciling With Dies

We're going to make this set of cards using the same process as we used for creating a stamp with wafer-thin dies however, for these cards we'll use Altenew Dodec Cover Die to create a stencil. And then we'll blend ink over the stencil using blending brushes.

The first step is to tape a card panel to the work surface and then tape down the stencil over the top of it. We'll be using Neenah Classic Crest 80lb Solar White.

Ink Blending over Stencils with Brushes

Holding the head of our brushes with our thumb and forefinger, we want to rest the base of the brush in the palm of our hand. This gives us more control, especially when working with intricate designs.

Our plan is for the feminine card to be pastel and we'll use bolder colors for the masculine one. It's helpful to test how light to press the brushes when applying the ink on a spare piece of the cardstock to ensure we get the color tone we're wanting to use. Once our testing provides the color tones we want then we can apply the colors to our card base over the stencil using a circular motion and being careful not to catch the stencil with the bristles of our brush.

When we have the blending done for both of the cards we can work on the watercoloring stencils.

We're using the same blending technique for both cards, but we'll use a heavier hand on the masculine card to make the colors a little darker. We trim both using a rectangle die and then attach them to their bases using double-sided adhesive foam sheets, but we heat emboss the sentiment directly on the feminine card panel over the blending first.

Finishing the Feminine Card

The focal point for the feminine card is a butterfly that we heat emboss with white embossing powder on vellum. We use the coordinating die to cut out the butterfly. To finish it we bend it on either side of the butterfly's body and stick it on the card panel using a glue dot. We finish off the card by adding some glitz with glitter glue.

Finishing the Masculine Card

The focal point for the masculine card is a truck which is embossed on black cardstock using a die and then fussy cut out. We cut out the tires that go with the same dies set and glue them onto the card base using liquid glue. To add some dimension we add foam tape to the back of the truck before adhering it centered over the tires.

The sentiment for the masculine card is heat embossed using platinum embossing powder on vellum. Once it's all melted then we fussy cut out the words and attach them to the truck using glue dots on the back of the sentiments.

Now we have another two quick, eye-catching cards done.

Supplies for Ink Blended Stenciling with Dies

The following list may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something by following a link on this page, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Altenew Course: Easy Die Cutting Techniques; Celebration Stencil Techniques

Feminine Card

Masculine Card

Inlaid Die Cutting

This set of cards uses a combination of ink blending, die-cutting, and inlaying the die-cut pieces to create beautiful images that pop off the card fronts.

We begin by blending our inks in a circular motion that will go just beyond the size of the Altenew Dodec Star dies that we will use.

At this point, it doesn't look like much but you just wait and see…

When inlaying intricate pieces I find it helpful to apply double-sided adhesive to the back of the cardstock before cutting them out.

Inlay Template

We want to create a template to use for inlaying. We could just go with the thin piece that becomes the negative space (the space that we'll end up being without color) for our designs but for a sturdier template we just center and cut the same die out of another piece of heavyweight cardstock.

Next, we center the same die over the top of our blending and run it through our die-cutting machine and then keep all of the pieces in the die. We carefully remove the thin outline piece and place it in the template.

Then we tape the template to a white A2 size card base and place the thin piece outline piece inside. We are going to use the pieces that run around the outside edge from what we've just die-cut for the masculine card. And the ones in the center to form a flower on the feminine card.

Inlaying Technique

Now, beginning with the masculine card we want to remove and inlay one piece at a time to ensure the blending stays aligned. We do this using a pick to remove a piece from the die, remove the backing from the adhesive and then set the piece in the template using tweezers (see photo below). Once we have all of the outer pieces adhered to the card base we remove the template and place it onto another A2 card base and repeat the process for the feminine card inlaying the rest of the die-cut pieces.

At this point we have the main image established for both cards and now we're ready to work on sentiments.

Inlaid Die Cut Card Supplies

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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Altenew Course: Easy Die Cutting Techniques

Feminine Card

Masculine Card

Watercoloring Using Ink

Our final set uses the stencil that we created for the Ink Blending Over Stencils with Brushes cards. We tape down the watercolor paper card panel and stencil the same way we did for that card. But where this card differs is how we do the ink blending.

Before we begin to blend we need to fill a small jar or bowl with clean water and have several pieces of paper towel at our side.

We start by smooshing each of the three distress inks onto our work surface. Then we pick it up using a large watercolor brush and begin to paint the colors into the negative spaces left by the die. We can add each of the colors and then dip the brush in the water, dry it slightly on the paper towel, and then use the brush to blend the colors. We want to be sure to clean our brush between colors by dipping it in the water than then wiping it on the paper towel.

If we get too much water on our paper we can dab it up with a paper towel. And then just keep working with the ink until we are happy with it. Once the watercoloring is done we need to set it aside to let it dry while we work on the focal points for the cards.

Focal Points for the Watercoloring Using Ink Cards

For the focal point of the feminine card, we're using an outline stamp for a big lotus image that is similar to what we've just painted for the watercolor. We don't want to overpower the colors of the watercolor so we're using a color that matches the wild honey. And to make the image stand out from the background we're going to attach it with double-sided adhesive foam tape.

But first, we're going to use the direct to paper technique around the edges of the image to make them pop. We do that by lightly rubbing the ink pad on the edges being careful not to keep the pad on the cardstock too long so that it doesn't bleed into it.

We use the Dodec Star die cut from white cardstock for the masculine card.

Watercoloring with Ink Card sentiments and Assembly

A simple sentiment is stamped directly onto the watercolor card panel for the feminine card. And for the masculine card, we're stamping it onto a strip of white cardstock.

Assembly is easy for this pair of cards. We'll trim the watercolor paper using a rectangular die and then add a sheet of double-sided adhesive foam sheets to the back of them and then center them on their card bases. We add the lotus to the feminine card and we're done. We'll fasten the star onto the card panel using liquid glue and we'll use double-sided adhesive foam tape on the back of the masculine card to make it pop.

Supplies for Watercoloring With Ink

The following list may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something by following a link on this page, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Altenew Course: Celebration Stencil Techniques

Feminine Card

Masculine Card

Packaging

The very last thing that we're going to do to make this card set extra special is to make a beautiful package to present them in.

We don't want to cover up our beautiful cards so we're going to use acetate boxes to store them in. We'll use three; one for the feminine cards, one for the masculine cards, and one for the envelopes.

Dodec Ribbons

We're creating Dodec “ribbons” using the cover die and white cardstock for the feminine cards and black for the masculine cards. This way our receiving couple won't have to dig through all of the cards to find the kind that they want to use.

The cover die produces a nice border around the edge but the cover die is too big for our ribbon. So after die-cutting it in each color we'll cut each piece down the center and then glue them together using liquid glue. Once the glue has dried we can then trim the little bits off that go beyond the borders on each side.

Next, we blend our three favorite dioxide ink colors onto a 2″ wide x 11″ piece of vellum and set it aside to dry. When the ink is dry on the vellum we'll mark the center of the vellum lengthwise and then mark 1″ on either side of the center mark.

When the ink is dry on the vellum we'll mark the center of the vellum lengthwise and then mark 1″ on either side of the center mark. Now we'll cut two pieces of scrap cardstock to 2″ by 2′ and then arrange the Dodec Cover die on the strip so that it would align with where one of the flowers would be in the center. And then we run it through the die-cut machine. This creates one side of the “Dodec Ribbon” We'll then do the same thing on the other end of the strip.

White and Black Ribbon Assembly

To assemble our package we'll begin by attaching a strip of super tape to the end of each of our ribbons and then dabbing some anti-static powder on the top side of each to keep it from being sticky. Next we use a glue runner to put a little of the adhesive on the back of the black ribbon just to hold it to the blended ribbon while we're finishing the package.

Now we set the white ribbon on top of one of the boxes in the center horizontally and then carefully fold the ends down over the sides. Once we have a bend in the ribbon we want to remove the backing tape from the super tape at one end. Then checking to make sure that the ribbon is still in the center of the box press the ribbon to the box. Do the same for the other end.

We're going to adhere the black ribbon the same way that we did the white one being careful not to bend or tear the Dodec ribbon that is still attached to it.

Blended Vellum Ribbon Assembly

Next we lay the other piece of blended vellum ribbon face down on our work surface and then place the box on top of it with the white ribbon placing down. Then we set the box that has nothing attached to it on top. Lastly we add the last box with the black and dodec ribbons on the top.

Taking care to keep the vellum ribbon centered, remove the backing paper from the super tape and bend the ends up over the sides and stick them to the top box. Then fold the ends dodec ribbon down over the vellum ribbon pieces and adhere them to it.

The last step is to add the labels to each side of the box set. We create them by heat embossing the words “Card Set” created with Altenew's Ombre' Alpha. We choose this set because the font kind of reverberates the Art Deco feel that the Dodec images produce. Then we trim the sentiments using either a paper trimer or scissors. We strategically place 3/16″ glue dots behind the lettering on the vellum so that you can't see it from the front. And then we attach them to the boxes between the ends of the black and white ribbons.

Supplies for the Packaging

The following list may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something by following a link on this page, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Enjoy Making Your Awesome Jaw-Dropping Cards

Now you have twelve new cards and a way to package them to give them a clean boutiquey kind of look in your cardmaking arsenal. We hope that you enjoy making them as much as we do! Thanks for sticking with us all the way to the end.

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