Way back in early October I set myself a challenge to mark World Card Making Day. I would try to design and make from scratch 24 cards and coordinating envelopes in 24 hours. It was a tough challenge as always but one I really enjoy. If you followed my Facebook page at the time you’d have seen quick photos of each card as I made them. But it occurred to me that I haven’t yet posted them all on my blog. So today I wanted to show you this masculine birthday card created using the Seabed 3D Embossing Folder.

SEABED SURPRISE

The Seabed 3D Embossing Folder is simply gorgeous. It has the most amazing detail and is the perfect addition to any sea or beach themed project. While it looks good just embossed normally I wanted to add even more detail with the inked embossing folder technique.

I decided right away that I would use the Seabed 3D Embossing Folder as the coordinating feature for this project. That meant I wanted to prepare a piece large enough for the envelope and inside of the card, as well as the front.

So I began by cutting a 6″ x 6″ piece of Seaside Spray Card. This would probably be more than I needed, but I wanted to do this part in one go. Next I opened up the Seaside 3D Embossing Folder and covered the inside with ink. This was simply a process of gently tapping the ink pad onto the surface of the embossing folder. Once I had a good ink coverage I placed the Seaside Spray Card inside and ran it through my Cut & Emboss Machine. When I opened up the embossing folder the ink had transferred to the card making the embossed sections really stand out. Then I set the embossed piece aside to dry for a minute while I got on with the sentiment.

The background would provide the interest and so I wanted a sentiment that was fairly simple. In the end I chose “happy birthday” from the Peaceful Moments Stamp Set. Using Night of Navy ink I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of Whisper White Card. Then I punched it out using a 2″ Circle Punch and set that aside too.

Now I was ready to start putting the card together.

DIFFERENT EDGES

I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score a piece of Thick Whisper White Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create my card base.

Next I cut two layers, one 3-1/2″ x 4-5/8″ from Night of Navy Card. The second layer was cut 4″ x 5-1/4 from Whisper White Card.

Going back to the Seabed embossed piece I cut two 3/4″ strips. The first one was 4-3/4″ long and I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue to attach it on the right-hand side of the Whisper White layer. Then I glued the assembled piece inside the card base.

The second 3/4″ strip of Seabed embossed card was cut to 4-3/8″ long. This piece was glued down the left hand edge on the front of a Whisper White Medium Envelope. With that done I then had the rest of the embossed piece to play with. And play I did.

I wanted to give the feeling of movement on the front of the card and so I decided to tear the remaining embossed card. Holding the card in one hand I used the other to tear the edges of the card towards me. As well as creating a torn edge, it also revealed an uninked edge around the piece. I continued tearing and checking the size against the Night of Navy layer I’d already cut. Once I was happy with the size of the embossed layer I simply glued it to the Night of Navy piece.

FINISHING TOUCHES

However, before fixing the layers to my card base I wanted to add some extra detail with ribbon. The Seaside Spray 1/4″ Metallic Ribbon is one of may favourites and and was an easy choice to make. I wrapped the ribbon around the layers 1-1/4″ from the bottom edge and secured it on the back with Tear & Tape Adhesive. Then I mounted the assembled piece to the centre of the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Next I went back to the 2″ Circle Punch and punched out some Night of Navy Card. I would use this as a mat for under my punched sentiment. But before I fixed the two together I decided to tear around the sentiment to create a ragged edge just like the main layer.

After tearing off enough of the sentiment edge to allow the Night of Navy piece to show through, I fixed the two together with liquid glue. Then once I’d attached it over the ribbon with Stampin’ Dimensionals my project was complete.

There’s so much I love about this card. The blue and white colour combination is a favourite of mine, and a real classic. But the tone-on-tone details of the Seabed 3D Embossing Folder is what really stands out. I haven’t used this embossing folder nearly enough and hope it doesn’t appear on the retiring list that will be published on March 24th.

For another project featuring the Seabed 3D Embossing folder see my earlier blog post Seabed or something much more?

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Peaceful Moments Stamp Set in a bundle with the Poppy Moments Dies (not used today) using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to explore this option.

GUARANTEED RETIREMENTS – While we have another four weeks until we see the list of products being retired by Stampin’ Up!, some things are guaranteed to be on it. This is because the In Color range is only good for two years with one set retiring each year to make way for a new set. So the 2019-2021 In Colors will definitely go, and that includes all the Seaside Spray products used on today’s project. These are likely to sell out quickly so check the full range of retiring 2019-2021 In Color products via my online store and place your order asap. In fact why not do it before February 28th and earn free Sale-A-Bration products too!