Layered Sunset Tutorial & Christmas Card of the Month

Okay, this has to be the best self-control I've ever had. My order finally arrived and I told myself that I had to post this tutorial before I opened any of the boxes. Can you believe that restraint?! LOL! I'm having trouble typing this; the boxes are calling me…

Charlotte, this tutorial is for you – thanks for submitting comments with your feedback and questions. I greatly appreciate it!

I call this technique Layered Sunsets (or sunrise if you prefer), hopefully for obvious reasons.

Supplies:

• Card stock: Glossy white (I also used Basic Black – 4 x 5.25" - and Kiwi Kiss – 5.5x8.5")
• Accessories: rubber brayer & handle, typing weight paper (the thinner the better)
• Inks: your choice of 3 complementing colors (I used Baja Breeze, Lovely Lilac, and Pacific Point)
• Stamps: your choice

 

 

Step 1 – Brayer lightest color of ink (Baja Breeze) over entire piece of Glossy White card stock (3.75 x 5"). You may need to apply 2-3 coats of ink to get the coverage you desire.

Step 2 – Tear typing weight paper in a jagged line (you don't want it straight). Be sure the paper is as larger, or larger, than the Glossy card stock. This will be your mask for brayering the next 2 layers of ink.

Step 3 – Lay the torn mask over the Glossy card stock, leaving approximately 2/3 of the card stock showing. Brayer the second color of ink (Lovely Lilac in my sample) over the mask and glossy card stock. When you have the desired color, the card stock will look something like this:

Step 4 – Move the mask up so it covers about 2/3 of the card stock, leaving 1/3 showing. Brayer with the darkest color ink (Pacific Point in my sample).

 

 

Step 5 – Stamp as desired.

Here I used Lovely as a Tree with both White StazOn and Pacific Point ink. Then I stamped the saying from Heard from the Heart in Pacific Point. Last I took my Itty Bitty Backgrounds and added "snow" with White StazOn. (Note: I used the White StazOn because this ink will dry on the Glossy card stock. If I used White Craft ink, I would have had to emboss it, otherwise it wouldn't dry.)

Here's a close up so that hopefully it's easier to see the white "ghost" trees:

Now, you may be asking yourself, why did Kari title this post as Christmas Card of the Month? Well, I decided that to make it easier to get my Christmas/holiday cards ready that I'm not going to procrastinate this year (okay, it's a goal), and make at least 10 holiday cards every month. In case any of you want to join me, I decided to post my cards here for you to copy as you please. I hope you will enjoy this new monthly feature!

This is my first tutorial, so please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of it. Would you like to see more? Should I change something? Was anything not clear? Are there specific tutorials you'd like to see me create? I honestly do value your feedback, so please let me know what you're thinking. To entice more of you to comment, be on the lookout for upcoming Blog Candy!

I think this is plenty for the day, plus my boxes are calling me!

Happy Stamping!

Comments

[Jan]

Great tutorial, I must give this a try.
Your card and colors a beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[Charlotte]

Thanks, Kari! You did a great job! I'm going to try it today. Lovely as a tree is the best set and so versatile w/ so many techniques to use w/ it. I know if they retire it any time soon, there will be a mass mourning. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to do a tutorial for us! You're the best!

[Phyllis Oakley]

I love this technique with the masking. It is one that I have recently started using more, only with the pastels.

The brayered ink on the glossy card stock makes such a nice Christmas card and people think you are really doing such a difficult technique. Really impresses them.

Your tutorial was clear, concise, and matched nicely with your pictures.

Thank you.

[Diane McCornack]

This card is beautiful and your tutorial was great, very easy to follow and the photos are great and matchup with instructions beautifully. I avoid my brayer like the plague, I don't know if it is because it seems messy or that I don't know exactly what to do with it most of the time. You have inspired me though, I think I must try this tutorial. What lovely Christmas cards these will make!! TFS
Diane

[nancy]

This is my first time posting a comment but I had to tell you that I love this card!!

[mary puskar]

You did a great job. Wish I could take the leap to my first. Soon,maybe! Congratulations, Nice blog.

Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com

[bunny]

I was reading your update from a reader and didn't realize this was your first tutorial! It's awesome. Easy to understand -- and the card is gorgeous!