Make your own Designer paper with stencils.

This week I wanted to use some die sets I bought back in November at the Scrapbook Expo and hadn’t used yet!  I know you’re thinking “For the love of God girl, it’s almost the 4th of July!”  Well, I’ve been busy with holiday, birthday and specific commissioned cards.  I must say, I’ve really developed a love for everything Susan Tierney Cockburn for Elizabeth Craft Designs.  I’m crazy for her “Country Scapes” collection.   The die set I’ve been anxious to use is 1078 – CountryScapes – Backyard 3 – Apple Orchard pictured below:

I also think it’s about time I sang the praises of stencils!  If I’m making a card with an outdoor scene for the front or inside of a card, I pull out two things first.  Susan’s Cloud and Grass stencil.  I use it so much I don’t why I even put it away.  And the other is my PanPastels.

I used to look for designer paper of the sky and others for grass.  Sometimes you want the “cute” look rather than a realistic look and that’s what I think designer paper is great for.  But, if you’re trying to create a realistic look, this stencil is not only your best bet financially but you can get a pretty authentic look.  I haven’t used it yet for a sunset but I will soon or try to!  Susan has a tutorial on YouTube demonstrating this stencil.

The Steps:

1.  Cut a piece of white cardstock to measure 5.5″ x 5.3/8″.  Using the above stencil create your sky and grass using PanPastels.

2.  Cut and prepare all the pieces that will create the components of your scene and glue to the stenciled cardstock.  I used these die sets for this scene.

From Elizabeth Craft Designs:

                              1078 – CountryScapes – Backyard 3 – Apple Orchard

1127 – CountryScapes Backyard 5 – Wash Day (quilt)

1131 – CountryScapes Garden Edges Daffodil

1133 – CountryScapes Garden Edges Tulip

1084 – CountryScapes – New England Stone Wall & Gate (little fence)

Additional die sets used:

From Frantic Stamper Inc.:

FRA-DIE-09921 Flying Gulls

FRA-DIE-09822 Gardening Pots (set of 4 dies)

3.  Cut a piece of blue cardstock 5.3/4″ x 5.5/8″.  Adhere the scene piece to this blue layer.

4.  Cut a piece of white cardstock 6″ x 12″ and score at 6″ on the long side.  Fold in half and adhere the completed step 3 to the front of you folded card.  My card’s fold is at the top but you could have a book open card as well.

That’s it.   Thank you so much for the taking a look.  I love comments and answer any questions personally.