Less Is More Challenge #420

Going Dotty!  I stumbled upon a new card challenge today that caught my eye and led me straight to my crafting room! It’s the Less is More Challenge #420: Going Dotty. It’s a One Layer Card challenge ~ always a challenge for me, a big layering gal! Here is the challenge banner.

And here is my card.

Now, a one layer card doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have a few techniques sprinkled in. I did quite a bit of masking here to achieve this look.

Step 1: Making a Mask

First of all I stamped the Gingko branch from Stampin’ Up!’s Beautifully Braided in Bermuda Bay onto a Thick Whisper White card base. Then I created a mask by stamping it again on some copy paper, cut it out with my scissors (where are the dies when you need them!) and applied Multipurpose Liquid Glue to the back. I let the glue air dry. Did you know that this glue doesn’t dry completely? It stays tacky “forever”, making it a good temporary adhesive for things like masking. Think Post-it Notes tacky.

Once it was dry I carefully covered up my original stamp on the card and gave it a good press. Then I tackled the dots.

Step 2: Stenciling

To create the oval shaped dotty image, I double masked with two stencils that I have. The first stencil is called Mini Staggered Circles from My Favorite Things. I added an oval Masking Stencil by Taylored Espressions. With the two stencils together, I secured them over my card and added Pool Party ink with a sponge dauber. I went heavier around the edges and used a lighter touch in the center for a gradient look.

Step 3: Add a Sentiment

Next I stamped the sentiment (a favorite of mine) from Beautifully Braided in Basic Gray ink. I used my Stamparatus for this so I could go over it three times to get the darkest shade possible.

Step 4: Draw an Outline

The last step was to draw the oval outline around the dotty oval. I brought my oval stencil back out and drew it with a Basic Gray Stampin’ Write Marker.

I did it! A one layer card with dots! Woohoo! It was fun 🙂 If you would like to try one and enter into the challenge, you can do so HERE.

I will be back on Monday with my regular blog post. Until then, have a great weekend!

Product List

Beautifully Braided Photopolymer Stamp Set (English) [151637] $17.00	Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Thick Cardstock [140272] $8.25	Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pad [147107] $7.50
Basic Gray Classic Stampin’ Pad [149165] $7.50	Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin’ Pad [147096] $7.50	Neutrals Stampin’ Write Markers [147158] $30.00
Stamparatus [146276] $49.00