Stampin' Dreams Blog Hop - Favorite Technique

I love this month's Stampin' Dreams blog hop theme... favorite technique. I cannot wait to see what everyone has created. Prepare to be inspired! My project demonstrates two favorite techniques. My all-time favorite technique that I use quite alot is alcohol marker coloring. I am always looking for good coloring stamp sets so of course I had to buy the Butterfly Gala bundle for the very colorable butterfly stamps. 

I a substantial amount of time coloring the largest areas Balmy Blue, working on the light to dark variation. Since coloring is very therapeutic to me, I didn't rush this step, letting each layer dry and then I went back in to further push the Balmy Blue a teensy bit darker on the edges. The Mango Melody and Night Of Navy snippets of color were too small to vary much so those colors were quickly applied. I colored nine large butterflies and twelve small ones. One lone small butterfly didn't quite fit. I hope you can see the 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Whisper White template sheet I used in the picture of the layout: 

The second technique, I would call a "new" favorite technique. It is most commonly known as the "Glad Press'n Seal Floating Frame Technique". I have made similar type die cut projects but doing it the hard way. There are so many videos out there right now for this technique it is crazy! I watched a Jennifer McGuire video to get my bearings-> Check it out. In addition to the video I read discussions on the Stampin' Up Demonstrator Facebook group and made some adjustments based on everyone's input. As a result of my research, the technique steps went pretty smooth. 

The Press'n Seal is very, very sticky and many reported it tearing their cardstock so I repeatedly applied it to my hoodie arm to de-stick it a bit. Alternatively folks can pat the sticky side with an embossing buddy. I wanted to ensure my butterflies stayed light and bright so avoided using the powder. 

Trimming the butterflies around the edge of my template was quick and easy using the Glad material which held everything together nicely. 

The die cutout of the middle part of the frame also went well. 

The final preparation step is adding dimensionals to the back of every single piece you want to be part of your frame. I removed very tiny pieces that did not add value to the overall layout. I don't have mini dimensionals so I cut strips of half width dimensionals and used a little over one strip, the picture shows how little I needed to use of the second dimensional strip. (note: I always use half dimensionals because my projects are usually on the small side.) 

I found the two Glad pieces (frame and inside piece) easy to move around and manipulate as long as I kept them on a flat surface with the sticky side facing up. I prepped a background by embossing a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" Whisper White with the Subtle embossing folder. The inner message was stamped on the leftover template piece from the initial die cut using a sentiment and one little stitched heart from the Stitched All Around bundle. I then decided to trim it even further by choosing to recut it using a smaller stitched frame. I like the border affect with it smaller.

Here's the finished frame card: 

One bonus of this technique is that you get two cards out of it. I moved on to the Inside of the frame and chose to use the "a little note" sentiment from the "Butterfly Gala" stamp set. Again I used a Subtle embossed Whisper White background and finished it with another stitched balmy blue heart. Today the 2019 Catalog has been revealed to demonstrators worldwide and I have verified that both the Butterfly Gala stamp set and the Butterfly Duet punch ARE going to be available through May 2020! 

The hardest part of this technique was trying to get good photos showing off the "floating" images as well as the Subtle embossed treatment. 

I hope you enjoyed my projects, please leave me a comment before you hop. Next up is Rebecca-Jo, I am sure she has created something awesome to inspire you. Click on the next icon below to proceed. I've also included the full hop list in case you need it.
 

Full Blog Hop List:

I am entering my frame project in the following challenge:

• Stamp, Ink, Paper Challenge #195 - A Walk With Nature 
  

If you do not have a demonstrator or are looking for a change, I would love to have the honor. I am an active YouTuber and blogger, here are some other Stampin' Up! web activities I have for you to check out:

• Shop at my online store - 24 x 7. Don't miss the clearance rack with up to 70% off! Be sure to use the monthly host code (upper right nav) for FREE gifts!
  
• Be sure to try out my Stampin' Up! Sentiments Advanced Search tool that is loaded with both the annual catalog and Occasions/SAB catalog sentiments!
• Check out my YouTube Channel! I have over 250 stamping and camping videos.
• Consider signing up for the Stampin' Up! Paper Pumpkin kit each month, I publish a monthly video of alternative card ideas to inspire you. This is a great beginning stamper kit!
• Contact me for more information or assistance on any of your crafty needs, let me be your crafting angel.