I had been seeing designs where the Queen Anne’s Lace stamp was shown as a silhouette and I just HAD to try it for myself, but first I needed to learn how to do the pretty sky in a strip! I knew how to blend the colors, but I did not know how to contain the colors to a strip. Anyone who knows me, knows I struggle with straight, so this technique had me a little anxious, but I was determined to do it and I’m so glad I did. It was WAY easier than I thought it would be! Luckily, my Stampin’ Up! upline, Lisa Curcio had a GREAT video for me to learn from. The secret is GRID PAPER. Take a look and learn yourself.

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Queen Anne’s Lace Photopolymer Stamp Set and the Painted Labels Dies

Measurements

Full list of supplies needed, listed below. A die cutting machine is needed for this card.
Card Base: Gorgeous Grape Cardstock 5 1/2″ h x 8 1/2″ w folded to 5 1/2″ h x 4 1/4″ w
Background: Night of Navy Cardstock 5 1/4″ h x 4″ w
Stamped Sky Strip Layer: Basic White Cardstock 5″h x 3 3/4″ w
Pretty Border Accent: Basic Black Cardstock scrap die cut with the Painted Labels Dies
Sentiment Layer: Basic White Cardstock scrap die cut with the Painted Labels Dies
Inside Layer: Basic White Cardstock 5 1/4″ h x 4″ w

Let’s Create

1. Affix all stamps to Acrylic Blocks.
2. Fold the Card Base in half using a Bone Folder to sharpen the crease.
3. Create the Stamped Sky Strip Layer
   1. First I recommend watching the video I linked above for the best description of how to set up your work area and complete the technique.
   2. I will say grid paper and those big sticky notes are the KEY. I added a little painter’s tape too because my sticky notes were kind of old and I was concerned they would move.
   3. Once you have your Basic White Cardstock 5″h x 3 3/4″ w secured in position and masked with your sticky notes, you’re ready to apply the layered sky.
   4. You’ll use a sponge brayer to pick up ink off your stamp pad and roll it onto your cardstock. I recommend starting with the lighter colors and working to the darker colors. And you’ll want to start rolling on your grid paper first and then onto your cardstock. I started with Fresh Freesia, then added some Highland Heather, Balmy Blue and ended with Night of Navy. You have to be very careful not to darken your light colors too much and use nice even strokes to blend through all the colors. Keep working at it. No two attempts will be the same. That’s the fun!
   5. Remove the sticky notes and voila! You have your pretty sky strip.
4. Next Stamp the Queen Anne’s Lace on the Basic White Cardstock 5″h x 3 3/4″ w in Memento Black Ink and then again in Gorgeous Grape Ink. Go back with the Blossoms Fill stamp in Memento Ink for the fuller look of the black Queen Anne’s Lace. You could do the Blossoms Fill stamp with gorgeous grape, if you want to, but I didn’t.
5. Stamp your sentiment on a scrap of Basic White Cardstock in Gorgeous Grape Ink and die cut with the Painted Labels Die.
6. Attach an adhesive sheet to the scrap of Basic Black Cardstock and die cut cut the Pretty Border die.
7. Now it’s time to Assemble!
   1. Attach the Stamped Sky Strip Layer to the Night of Navy Cardstock with the adhesive of our choice.
   2. Remove the backing from the Pretty Border Die Cut and attach to the Stamped Sky Strip Layer.
   3. Use Tear & Tape to attach a 3 1/2″ w piece of shimmery Highland Heather 1/2″Grosgrain Ribbon. Use your Paper Snips to trim the ends to size.
   4. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to attach your Sentiment over the Ribbon and Pretty Border Die Cut.
   5. Sprinkle some Rhinestone Basic Jewelsto the sky for stars and also to the Sentiment for fun.
   6. Tie a tiny tiny white Baker’s Twine bow and attach to the Sentiment with a squished up Mini Glue Dot.
8. Stamp an message on the Inside Layer and attach to the inside with adhesive of your choice.
9. Beautiful! Who will you send it to?

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Shopping List

Stamper’s Toolkit

You will also need adhesive, acrylic blocks, scissors and other basic PaperCrafting items from the Stamper’s Toolkit