AAA Cards | Game #121

Have you ever been wondering why some Clean and Simple cards look completed while others have an empty look?

I am sharing today 8 Tips for using one simple tool which will help you to complete your cards with elegance.

My today's card is inspired by AAA Cards Challenge, where the theme for the next fortnight is Friendship.

I made my today's card with Create A Smile Sharp One stamps set and In Circles stencil (SSS | CRT).

I started with stamping the cactus image down onto a card panel and tracing a circle aperture to be die cut with a pencil.

Then I partially fussy cut out the cactus within the circle border and using a circle steel die cut the aperture.

T o create the background within the opening I used In Circle stencil and a mix of Distress inks.

The cactus image is coloured with Copic Sketch markers. A combination of B24-32-37 markers perfectly matches the ink blended background.

To assemble my card I popped the cactus panel with a fun foam and raised the embossed sentiment stripe with a double sided foam tape.

To finish off the card I added a few assorted chameleon sequins in fresh green, dark blue and silver.

Without the stencilled background this card would look completely differently. That's why I'd like to share with you 8 Tips for using stencils, but firstly I will explain my addiction to stencils.

• Stencils are usually cheap. The prices start below 2 USD.
• There is an immense choice of various designs in the market.
• Stencils take up a very small storage space.
• You can use stencils with inks, sprays and pastes for various effects.
• Stencils help to build patterns, add texture or special effects like shimmer.

8 Tips for fail-free usage of stencils for CAS card making:

1. Pick the right stencil for your focal element. Look for similar lines, patterns or shapes. I selected In Circles stencil for my today's card for two reasons. There are circles repeating the shape of the cactus and there is zigzag pattern matching the needle of the cactus and the waves on the pot.
2. Size matters. The stencil pattern elements should match the size of your focal element. For instance, stars or dots pattern for this card would create a busy background disturbing the viewer's attention.
3. If a stencils is not symmetrical, look for the part of the pattern that matches your card in the best way. This is a benefit of stencils, we can easily rotate most of them and turn over. 
4. Always tape your stencil to your card panel with a low tack tape in order to get crisp lines. 
5. Play with several shades of ink, try to select three different shades to add depth to the stencilled pattern.
6. Always keep in mind where the focal element of the card is located. I prefer to make more intense ink blending around the focal element.
7. Start applying ink with a very light hand and bounce off colour before the first tap down onto a piece of a paper. 
8. Wash your stencils with warm soapy water. It is easy not to notice remaining light shades of ink left and then spoil a new card. Pastes get stuck in delicately designed stencils. I use a soft brush to wash stencils after pastes.

I am also sharing this card to the following challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge  - Make Your Background
The Daily Marker Coloring Contest at Advanced Level.

ATCAS #142 - Masculine. Making this card I kept in mind one of my friends and I will give this card to him. 

Supplies Used

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Please be sure to hop over to AAA Cards to see beautiful creations of other Design Team members, find out about the prize and share your creation with us.