I'm super excited to share this new photos tutorial with you. I have been messing around in the craft room (emphasis on the MESS) and came up with something cool! This stained glass acetate window card with embossing paste is a lot easier than it looks, so don't be scared to give it a go, because it's a real WOW technique!
It's very fitting that I made this card while listening to a podcast on the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, Spain! Mike and I had the privilege of touring this amazing on-going construction. I will never forget the light inside that space. Have fun making your own stained-glass inspired card!
To begin, you'll need to gather:
Start by using the medallion-patterned design from Pattern Party masks pack, and spread embossing paste that has been mixed with a little dab of Dazzlin' Diamonds glitter. Stampin' Up's quick dry embossing paste takes just a few minutes to harden, so wash your stencil and palette knives off quickly afterwards.
I mixed my glitter in to the paste itself, but you can also sprinkle some on immediately after lifting the stencil, if you want more obvious sparkle. This looks amazing on Christmas cards, by the way!
Set the acetate window sheet aside to let the paste dry (about 10 minutes). While that's hardening, work on the card base.
Cut a regular 4.25 x 11 inch card base (top hinge) from your neutral color. Cut a 4 x 5.25 inch background mat from a cardstock that matches one of the shades you plan to use in the window. I used Rich Razzleberry. Then, cut a piece of the same neutral to a 3.25 inch square.
Use the largest plain square size from the Layering Squares Collection Framelits to cut a window from the background piece and also from the center of the neutral square, as shown. You can then use the squares for your sentiment and mat, using the Layering Ovals Collection framelits or punches, as preferred.
When the embossing paste is dried, use Tear & Tape or other very strong adhesive to rim the back side of the window opening in the cardstock background.
Turn the background piece over, adhesive side down, and press it carefully onto the embossing paste side of the window sheet. Make sure the pattern is straight and even before pressing the adhesive down firmly on all four sides.
Trim off any excess window sheet with scissors. Your front should look like the photo above.
Now, flip your piece over to the back side, embossing paste-side down, and let's add color! Scribble color with the brush tip of the Stampin' Blends markers directly onto the window sheet. Use at least 4-5 colors to get the best effect. I used the dark version of five bright colors. Pastels are not really dark enough to work for this project.
The more heavily you can layer on the color, the better. The colors will mix and blur at the edges--that's ok. When it's laid on there as thick as possible, proceed to the next step.
Fill an empty Stampin' Spritzer or mister bottle with 70% pure rubbing alcohol. Spray the colors, not so much that they run, but so that every section of it is definitely wet. Allow to dry completely. This will take about 10 minutes.
As the rubbing alcohol dissipates, the colors blend together even more, and any streaks or lines produced by coloring on a plastic medium like acetate will smooth out. Nifty! If you're a fan of even more sparkle, add a couple of drops of Wink of Stella to the alcohol and shake well before spritzing.
Once the alcohol is all dry, you can assemble the card and base. Use Dimensionals to pop the card up from the base. I used Mini Dimensionals hidden behind the embossing paste-covered areas, to keep the window sheet from smooshing against the card base.
Use the 3.25 inch square frame you created to provide a nice, finished edge to the window.
That wasn't so bad, was it? A little messy, but that just means you should make several at a time so you only have to clean up once. And the results are totally awesome. Leave me a comment if you're going to give it a try!
Every time you do this technique it will be a little different! Have fun experimenting with the new Stampin' Blends and our fun new quick-dry embossing paste. Need supplies? Please shop with Lyssa and support free tutorials like these at Song of My Heart.
