Card Making Details That Add LOTS of Interest

Today I wanted to share some of the card making details I like to use to really make a project pop. Sometimes it is small things that make all the difference and once you know what they are, you can apply these details to many of your projects bringing them to a new level of awesome!

For today’s card I used the Rubbernecker Winter Tree, Tiny Leaves, Chickens/Squirrels, Grass and Grass #2,

The Scene Layer

Creating a scene on a popped up layer is one of my favorite ways to add interest and dimension to my cards.  I could have created this same scene on the card base and it would have been fine but I think this looks far more interesting.

• Cut an A2 card base and a 4.75″ x 3.50″ rectangle layer using white cardstock.
• Apply light blue ink to the rectangle layer using a large blender brush. Note:  I didn’t take the blue sky color all they way out to the borders of the scene layer.  I wanted the blue to fade away and leave the white borders.
• Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the scene layer and attach it to the card base.

The Tree and Leaves

Popping the tree up on the scene layer is much more interesting than attaching it flat to the surface.  Forming the leaves slightly rather than using them flat makes them to appear far more realistic.

• Cut the tree using Kraft cardstock and the leaves using white cardstock.
• Color the tree by swiping the brown ink pad directly over the cardstock and then wipe with a wet baby wipe to smooth the color. 
• Use mini applicators to apply green, red and orange ink to each tiny leaf.  Note:  It may seem like coloring each leaf is a tedious step but I think it is well worth the effort.  I could have cut the leaves out using red, orange and green cardstock but it never looks as natural as the multi colored leaves.
• Place the small leaves face up on a molding and gently push down in the center of each leaf with the leaf tool.
• Attach several leaves to the tree branches using glossy accents. 

The Grass and Squirrels

• Cut the grass layer using green cardstock.
• Use white cardstock to cut the squirrels.
• Use mini applicators to apply a light tan layer of ink to the body of the squirrels and then apply darker shades of brown and orange to the tail and upper body.

Assemble the Scene

• Apply a rope of rolled up double stick tape to the back of the tree trunk and branches and attach it to the scene layer.  Note:  A thin rope of adhesive using double stick tape is perfect to use to attach thin die cut layers like the tree or thin alphabet die cuts.  It’s so much easier than trying to cut thin strips of mounting tape.

• Apply a strip of mounting tape to the back of the grass section and attach it to the scene.
• Use touches of glossy accents to attach a few falling leaves to the sky area and to the grass.
• Apply small pieces of mounting tape to the back of the squirrels and attach one to the tree top and two on the grass layer.

Here are the Rubbernecker products used for this card.

Winter Tree Die Cut 5170D [ RBB ] 5162-04D Tiny Leaves [ RBB ] Tabed Grass Set Die Cut 5152-03D [ RBB ] Chickens/Squirrels Die Cut 5142-03D [ RBB ] 5210-02D Grass #2 Die Cut [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #9 [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #2 [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #4 [ RBB ] Color Fuse Set #11 [ RBB ]

Here are the other tools and supplied used.

Life Changing Blender Brush Set,… [ ELH ] Mini Applicators, 12 pk, PanPastel Sofft [ ELH ] Scotch Foam Mounting Tape [ ELH ] 5mm (1/4″), Be Creative Tape [ ELH ] ATG Kit, Advanced Tape Glider [ ELH ] Mini Glossy Accents, Ranger Accents [ ELH ] Teflon Bone Folder, Essentials by Ellen [ ELH ] Scor-Pal Measuring & Scoring Board 12×12 [ ELH ] Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting… [ RBB ]

Now that YOU know a couple of my “secret” card making details how will you use them? Let me know – I love to know how I have inspired you!  Check out my Fall Category for more inspiration.   Thanks for coming by and I hope you have a great day.