Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Layered Scene Cards - Design Element

Hi everyone.  This month at Group of Cardmakers, we are playing with Layered Scene cards.  This is another Design Element that will increase you variety of options for your card designs.  There are many different ways to make these cards.  Below are samples of three different ways shared by very creative cardmakers.  Thanks to Kittie and Caroline for sharing their amazing work! 

If you have a different way you like to make Layered Scene cards, please share with us!  

Different Types of Layered Scene Cards




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Measurements, Scoring and Folding instructions for Step Cards:


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IF USING REGULAR CARD STOCK (NOT HEAVY) FOR YOUR BASE - you may need a brace to help keep the card standing.



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Supplies:  Layered Cards 
  • Heavy card stock for base is recommended
  • Regular card stock for all stamping and die-cutting
  • Stamped or die-cut images
  • Colouring supplies (inks / markers)
  • Pop dots or foam (optional).  If using foam inbetween your layers, you may want to use a smaller size for your card in order for it to fit into a standard size envelope.  Recommended:  Use layers 5 1/4" x 4" for A2 envelope.
  • Sentiment stamp
  • Finishing embellishments 

Technique Instructions:  Layered Cards
  • Create base layers for your card design (if adding foam between layers, recommended you make your card base width 1/4" shorter to fit in envelope)
  • Create your stamped or die-cut images.
  • Dry fit before assembly is recommended
  • Adhere your layers and images in a tiered design.  You can adhere them with glue or double-sided tape, or you can layer them with foam for added dimension
  • Add sentiment and finishing embellishments

Supplies:  Step cards
  • Heavy card stock for base (or regular card stock, but you will need to create a brace to keep the card from sliding open)
  • Optional:  Regular card stock for creating panels on your step cards.
  • Regular card stock for all stamping and die-cutting
  • Cutter (optional)
  • Scoring board and scoring tool
  • Bone Folder
  • Stamped or die-cut images
  • Colouring supplies (inks / markers)
  • Pop dots or foam (optional)
  • Sentiment stamp
  • Finishing embellishments 

Technique Instructions:  Step Cards
  • Follow diagrams above for size of card base and measurements for cutting, scoring and folding
  • Create your images and embellishments for your card
  • Add sentiment and finishing embellishment

Supplies:  Layered Cards using Nesting Dies (Faux Tunnel Card - easy version of a Tunnel Card)
  • Heavy card stock is for base is recommended
  • Regular card stock for layers
  • Nesting Dies (optional)
  • Stamped or die-cut images
  • Colouring supplies (inks / markers / etc.)
  • Pop dots or foam (optional).  If using foam inbetween your layers, you may want to use a smaller size for your card in order for it to fit into a standard size envelope.  Recommended:  Use layers 5 1/4" x 4" for A2 envelope.
  • Sentiment stamp
  • Finishing embellishments 

Technique Instructions:  Layered Cards using Nesting Dies (Faux Tunnel Card)
  • Using your nesting dies, cut at least 2 or 3 card fronts using the various sizes, making sure to layer the shapes so they are create an even tunnel effect.  Cut a background for your layered design
  • Stamp and colour images and either die-cut or fussy-cut them to place inside the card in layers - dry fit before assembly is recommended.
  • Layer your card fronts with the smallest opening at the back and the largest at the front.  You can just tape them down, or you can add pop-dots or foam to give them more dimension.  Add in images.
  • Add sentiment and finishing embellishments

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.


Layered Scene Cards Samples

Basic Step Card

Layered Scene Card

Faux Tunnel Card
* * * * *
We'll be back on the 28th of February
with another technique and sample cards.
See you then!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter




Sunday, December 28, 2025

Acrylic Painting on Coloured Cardstock

Hi everyone.  This month we are Acrylic Painting on Coloured Cardstock.

Videos:

Supplies:
  • Coloured Cardstock
  • Stamps - Outline Images
  • Archival ink (Ranger) - light gray, black
  • Acrylic Paint (all brands work)
  • Paint brushes
  • Sentiment stamps

Technique Instructions:
  • Start by stamping your image in light permanent ink (Ranger Archival works great).  Watering Can Gray used here.  Leave your image in your stamping platform!
  • Decide which parts of the image you want to colour and use your acrylic paints and paint brushes to fill them in.  Make sure your painting is opaque and doesn't go over the lines of the image.
  • Once your image is dry, stamp again using Black Archival ink.  Check image and stamp again if you need to make the image stronger in places.
  • Let it dry before touching your image.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.


Acrylic Painting on Coloured Cardstock Samples
* * * * *

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
We'll be back on the 28th of January with another
technique and sample cards.
See you then!






Friday, November 28, 2025

Stenciling with Mica Powders

Hi everyone.  This month we are Stenciling with Mica Powders.  You can use any mica powdered inks for this technique.

There are two types of mica powdered inks:
  1. One with a binding agent - adhesive included in the powders (Perfect Pearls, Mica Minerals, etc.)
  2. One without a binding agent - adhesive needs to be added (Arteza, Pearl-Ex, etc.)
Listed below are instructions on how to add mica powders for both types.


If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

Different suggested ways to do the technique or try your own way!


Mica Powders with Binding Agent
Video:   For Mica Powder with binding agent:  Stenciling with Mica Powders by GiogioCraft (1:29)

Supplies: (for Mica Powders with binding agent:  Perfect Pearls, Lavinia Mica Minerals, etc.)
  • Mica Powders such Perfect Pearls
  • Versamark (or other clear ink)
  • Soft brush for Mica Powders (small detail brushes work well for smaller areas so you don't need to mask)
  • Card stock (light or dark).  (Dark card looks best with Mica Powders.)
  • Stencil
  • Swiffer cloth or large brush
  • Water mister
Technique Instructions - with binding agent (Perfect Pearls, etc.)
  • Place stencil over top of card stock, add tape to secure to work surface
  • Press Versamark (or other clear ink) over stencil
  • Optional:  Remove stencil and clean; place cleaned stencil back over top of image, lining up carefully.  This will contain the powders and usually means less cleanup afterwards ... OR ... mask areas and brush on one colour of mica powders at and time; remove masks and repeat until all areas of the stencil are covered (this works well if you have a lot of small areas in your stencil design).
  • Use soft brush and mica powders (with binding agent) to brush over image (small detail brushes work well from smaller areas so you don't need to mask).  Clean brush between colours by brushing onto paper towel.
  • Remove stencil and tap card stock on work surface to remove excess powder
  • Lightly brush with a piece of swiffer cloth or large brush, to remove any excess powders that remain
  • Lightly spritz with water and let dry before finishing your card
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Mica Powders without Binding Agent
Video:  For Mica Powders without binding agent:  Stenciling with Mica Powders by Michelle Short (15:10)

Michelle uses Essential Glue Pad.  You can also use Versamark and sticky embossing powder (Sticky Powder from Ranger; or Heat & Stick from SU!; or any other brand of sticky embossing powder).
We recommend Sticky Powder (Ranger).


Supplies:  (for Mica Powders without binding agent:  Pearl-Ex; Arteza; DreamWeavers Metallic F\X; LuminArte Mica Powders, etc. )
  • Mica Powders such as Pearl-Ex 
  • Versamark (or other clear ink) with Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger) or Heat & Stick powder (SU!) ... OR ... **Essential Glue Pad
  • Soft brush for Mica Powders (small detail brushes work well for smaller areas so you don't need to mask)
  • Card stock (light or dark).  (Dark card looks best with Mica Powders.)
  • Stencil
  • Heat Tool
  • Swiffer cloth or large brush
**  Essential Glue Pad can be found at these stores:  Ecstasy Crafts (Cda)Simon Says Stamp (US)

Technique Instructions - without binding agent (Pearl-Ex, Arteza, etc.)
  • Place stencil over top of card stock, add tape to secure to work surface
  • Press Versamark (or other clear ink) over stencil; remove stencil; then sprinkle card panel with Sticky Embossing Powder or Heat & Stick; use heat tool to melt powder
  • Wash stencil and dry; then place back over card stock, lining up the image; tape to secure
  • Use soft brush and mica powders to brush over image (small detail brushes work well from smaller areas so you don't need to mask). Clean brush between colours by brushing onto paper towel.
  • Optional:  mask areas and brush on one colour of mica powders at and time; remove masks and repeat until all areas of the stencil are covered.
  • Remove stencil and tap card stock on work surface to remove excess powder
  • Heat image for just a few seconds to set the mica powders into the sticky powder - very important - let cool
  • Wipe with a piece of swiffer cloth to remove any excess powders that remain.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.


Stenciling with Mica Powders Card Samples

Robyn (Waterlily Cards)

     
  

Pat


  

* * * * *
We'll be back on the 28th of December with another
technique and sample cards.
See you then!

Sharing ...

 
Hilary                                        Hilary

  
Robyn O.                                  Robyn O.



Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing

Hi everyone.  Today we are combining four techniques (watercolouring, sponging, dry embossing, brayering) to create beautiful and unique cards.

It all starts by adding texture to our card fronts using thick or wet strength tissue paper.  Below is a video on how to watercolour tissue paper if you want to give it a try.  Only need to watch the first 3 1/2 minutes for how-to and tips.

Video:  Tissue Paper Watercolouring & Techniques by Loll Thompson (10:24) - watch first 3:30 mins. on how-to

If you do make cards, please join us by adding to the linky at the bottom of this post.  We'd love to see what you make!!

Supplies:
  • White card stock
  • White tissue paper (thick or wet strength tissue paper) ***
  • Glue (Elmers or something similar)
  • Sponge or sponge brush to spread glue
  • Inks (2 or 3 colours work best)
  • Sponges
  • Detailed Embossing folder (3D are best, but regular efs work too!)
  • Brayer
  • Metallic acrylic paint (acrylic paint shows more contrast than alternatives)

*** Here is a link to craft tissue paper on Amazon (Canada)(US)(UK).  We have not tried this paper because we had thick tissue to use already in our supplies.  We believe this paper will work great for this technique.


Technique Instructions: (with Tips)
1.    Watercolour tissue paper (let dry); then glue onto white card front (let dry)
        - Tips:  
        - Use thick or wet stength tissue paper (available in some craft stores or through Amazon)
        - Use 2-3 colours of ink to watercolour tissue, follow video instructions
        - Takes approx. 20 minutes to dry watercolour tissue
        - Use everyday glue (ex. Elmers) to glue tissue to white card.
        If you want more texture, scrunch the tissue paper then smooth out before gluing to white card ...
          or scrunch it as you glue it to your card front

2.    Sponge your tissue mounted card with same colours of inks used to watercolour.
        This adds layers of colour with increases the vibrancy to your colours.
       
3.    Dry emboss with 3D detail folder
        - Tip:  3D Embossing Folders work best - the more detailed, the better.  The less detailed the
            folder, the more risk of getting the brayered metallic paint (step below) on the background of
            your piece.
            ... but ... regular embossing folders will work for this (see Loll's blue and purple card below)
        - Tip:  Avoid the newer 3D embossing folders with layers within the design.  The brayer
            will only catch the design on top.

4.    Brayer LIGHTLY with metallic, acrylic paint to catch highlight of embossing
        - Tips:  Brayer LIGHTLY to minimize paint getting on background
        - Do several LIGHT coats from different angles
        - Use small paintbrush and more metallic paint to fill in raised areas missed by the brayer

Alternatives:
  • If you don't have a brayer, try lightly tapping your ink pad directly onto your embossed image.  Tap very lightly and several times to build colour.  Ink will not create as much contrast as acrylic paint, but it will add to the card's design.

These instructions are listed on the sidebar by technique for easy reference.


Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing Card Samples
We'll be back on the 28th of November
with another technique and sample cards.
See you then!

* * * * *
Sharing ...
  
Vicki                                                   Loll                                               Loll

  
Julie B                                    Robyn O                               JoAnn B.