Windows
of Creativity Card
Submitted by Christi Conley
This is a wonderful and unusual three panel card with three different
"windows" filled with stamped acetate. Here are the
supplies you'll need:
| *One
30"x 8" folded 6-panel Accordion Card (Finished card
is 5"x8") OR an smaller size 6 panel accordion card
that you will adapt. |
| *Templates
A, B, and C for cutting your windows out. Templates that you
make: You need three pieces of paper, each measuring 8 inches
long, and 5 inches wide. Then, for template A, your window is
about 3 ¾ x 4 ¾ inches. Measure 2 ¼ inches
from the top of your paper, ½" from the sides, and
¾ " from the bottom. Template B's window is about
2 ¾ by 4 ¾ inches. Again, measure 1 " from
the top, ¾ " from the LEFT side, 2" from the
RIGHT side and 2 ¼ " from the bottom. Template C
is trickier, because it is "crooked" - at an angle. |
|
Stamp Artist Christi Conley |
| The actual square measures
3 x 3, so Measure 2" from the top, measure 1 " from
each side, and about 2 ¾ from the bottom. Then tip it
so the right hand corner is raised, 1 ¼ " from the
side, and the bottom right hand corner is ¼" close
the side of the template. All of these templates will fit on
your pages of the card. You want to make them all different sizes,
so when you look through the window you can see pieces of the
other images. You don't want to make it so you look straight
through. |
| *Embossable
Window Plastic (sometimes called Heat Resistant Acetate). |
| *Permanent
Ink like ZimInk, Ranger 213, Decor-It, OR Color Box Crafter's
Ink for stamping acetate - and a Permanent Ink Cleaner as well.
(ONLY needed if you are going to stamp on your acetate instead
of copy on it) |
| *Adirondack
or similar dye based stamp pads for stippling and sponging and
adding color. |
| *Stipple
Brushes or Sponges! |
| *Memories
Ink Pads in a few strong colors for stamping your images |
| *X-acto
knife, ruler if desired, scissors, bone folder, double stick
tape. |
| *Accent
yarns - textures are good. |
| *Rubber
Stamps! |
 |
First, you will want to stamp your acetate with the three images
you have selected. You can do this directly on the acetate with
a permanent ink, or use the Crafter's Ink and heat set it with
your Heat Gun. You can also use a copy machine and copy the stamped
images onto the acetate. I find this easier, because the acetate
can be a little slippery to stamp on directly. With practice,
you'll discover how much ink to use. NOTE: If you stamp directly
on the acetate, make sure to leave enough space around each image
so it will fit behind the "window". Put the acetate
aside for now. |
| Next, you will use the
templates to cut out the windows. On your card you will
be cutting out 2 A's, 2 B's, and 2 C's, using the templates provided.
Cut out the Template on the outside lines and also cut
out the window - you may want to do this with your x-acto. Put
the templates aside. |
There are a couple of ways
to fold your card so that it has 3 panels. Experiment and see
which way suits you the best. Then take the first two sections
which you have folded together to make a panel, and line up template
A on top of both of these pieces only. Use your x-acto
knife to cut out the window on both sections. Then take
the next two sections, which are folded together two create the
second, or middle panel. Keeping them apart from the other
pages, line up template B and use your x-acto knife to cut the
window out of both pieces. Lastly, do the same for the
last two sections, which when folded together create the last
page. Line up template C and cut out the window.
Now you are ready to stamp. Before starting, make sure
you know what pieces you need to stamp! It can get confusing
before it is taped together. You could even mark with an
X in pencil on the sides that will be taped together if you like.
Use the Memories Ink pads in strong colors to stamp your
images, this ink will withstand your adding of color with the
Adirondack colors later. Go with a theme, or simply choose
stamps you like. Stick to one color for stamping, or use up to
three. When you are done stamping (you could always
add a little more later!) use a stipple brush or a sponge to
add color to your work. The Adirondack colors do very well for
this. Try two or three complimentary colors for this. You can
always experiment on scrap paper. |
When you are done stamping and stippling, it is time to use the
DBL stick tape and insert your windows! Put some tape around
your image on the acetate, make sure the image is centered in
the window, and close the pages together. Now you will have 3
pages in your card. For a finishing touch you can wrap decorative
yarns around the spine of the card. I also like to string beads
on my fibers. You are DONE !!! Sit back and admire your work! |
 |
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"Every artist dips his brush
in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."
-- Henry Ward Beecher
Christi learned this technique in Lenna
Andrews Foster's class at The Stamper's
Cove in Southington, CT.
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