Candice Aguilar has brought us something VERY special for her second stamp set with us. It is the type of set that many of you have been requesting for a long time. Something that can be easily adaptable for masculine cards, especially little boys. You will be seeing peeks of Candice's set throughout the weekend. The images in this set are all so fresh and fun to use! Be sure and stop by Candice's blog to see a few other sneak peeks she has prepared for you!
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While brainstorming for this month's countdown, an old technique cam to mind that I hadn't done for ages! I think they used to be referred to as gel cards! I have prepared a step-by-step tutorial that helps to reinvent this technique and make it new again!
First, you will need to prepare your card base according to the template I have prepared.
Download gel_card_template.pdf
I used Aqua Mist cardstock. After cutting & scoring in the appropriate places, I stamped one side with a series of open dots contained in our Polka Dot Basics set.
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Next, I folded the bottom flap upwards and punched through both layers with a 1.75-inch circle punch.
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After unfolding it, your project will look like this.
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Now you will want to flip your project over to the backside. Place small pieces of tacky tape around the opening in the middle section of your project. You also want to add a couple pieces to the side flaps.
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Put a small amount of clear hair gel (about 1 tablespoon) into a small ziploc bag. I purchased these in the beading section of my local craft store.
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Trim the top of the bag slightly, about 1/8-inch above the zipped closure. Adhere to your project with the tacky tape you already put in place.
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Fold the bottom tab up. The two circles will match up perfectly since you punched them together. You will be sandwiching the gel bag at this point as well.
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Fold the pocket up and fold the tabs around to the back.
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Here's the finished pocket with it's fun gel window!
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To finish my project, I created this tag using fish images from Pond Life. The tag measures 3.5 x 4.75. I folded a scalloped circle of Lemon Tart cardstock at the top of the tag as a little accent as well.
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When the tag is inserted in the pocket, it looks like the fish are really under water! Not only does this gel accent look cool, but it is super fun to play with too, especially for little boys!
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I'll leave you wit a close-up for the gel window. Also notice the sentiment "birthday fishes". thsi sentiment along with a few others that coordinate with Pond Life will be available in a $5 mini set. They really help to broaden your options with the main set!
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SUPPLIES:
Stamps- Polka Dot Basics & Pond Life from Papertrey
Ink- Summer Sunrise & Lemon Tart Palette inks, White craft ink from SU!
Paper- Aqua Mist, Summer Sunrise & Lemon Tart
Other- Summer Sunrise Swiss Dot Ribbon, yellow brad from Chatterbox, Word Window Punch from SU!, 1.75 inch circle punch from EK Success
MORE MASCULINE INSPIRATION
You have just GOT TO see Heather Nichols awesome Father's Day project using another one of our new sets. Be sure and stop by her blog today!!!
This is too cute! It has been such a long time since I have made one of these fun cards! Can't wait to see the rest of this set!
Posted by: Beth | April 11, 2008 at 01:36 AM
This is such a fun project :) You really are the best at coming up with brilliant ideas!
Penny
Posted by: Penny H | April 11, 2008 at 01:52 AM
Aw cuute. The Orange is going to be FaB!
Posted by: Acie | April 11, 2008 at 02:32 AM
Very cute card!
Posted by: Lilian | April 11, 2008 at 02:35 AM
Very cute card!
Posted by: Lilian | April 11, 2008 at 02:36 AM
How cool! Love the orange!
Posted by: cindy cherry | April 11, 2008 at 03:02 AM
I love the card Nichole. I've never seen a gel card before. Gotta make one when I get this month's order!
Posted by: Sue | April 11, 2008 at 03:14 AM
So cute, I've never seen that techenique before, I can't wait to try it, and I love the fish and saying. Linda
Posted by: Linda Roberts | April 11, 2008 at 05:13 AM
WOW! I have never seen this done before. How fun would that be for a child? I love the fish too. So cute!! Thanks for sharing.~Erica
Posted by: Erica | April 11, 2008 at 06:09 AM
i have never seen this type of card...and i so love it!! my youngest turns 10 this summer...what a perfect card for him!!! thanks for the inspiration!!! >"<
Posted by: Chris | April 11, 2008 at 06:17 AM
Love this! I am so excited about this set! I am one of those wanting manly sets and little boy sets!
Posted by: Tessa | April 11, 2008 at 06:29 AM
What an adorable project! I cannot wait to see the rest!
Posted by: Travelingmama@pobox.com | April 11, 2008 at 06:34 AM
So fun! I had forgotten about doing these. This is where that little frog leg must come into play...
Posted by: Alyssa | April 11, 2008 at 07:16 AM
I'm speechless.. I've never seen one of these before. cute stamps too!! what a great idea?? Is there going to be any stamps of people snorkling??
Posted by: Jana | April 11, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Hot Dang, this is cute!! My girls would love to make one of these gel cards. Adding gel to my Target list today!!
Posted by: Michelle Wooderson | April 11, 2008 at 07:29 AM
Great card Nichole ... I have not thought about this technique in ages ... I am am goin got have to make one for my nephews b-day on the 25th. Thanks for all your inspiration Nichole ~
Posted by: niccole-k | April 11, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Oh this is fabulous! Can't Wait!
Posted by: Bonnie Sharp | April 11, 2008 at 07:37 AM
I love to make gel cards, this one is fintastic!
Posted by: Sara | April 11, 2008 at 07:39 AM
This is absolutely wonderful -- will make great party favors or a larger size will make a great gift. Thanks for the tutorial.
Posted by: Julie Crowl | April 11, 2008 at 07:45 AM
That is awesome! What an adorable idea!
Posted by: Jackie W. | April 11, 2008 at 07:50 AM
Great card! What a fun card to make....my grandkids would love this!
Posted by: Penny J. | April 11, 2008 at 08:09 AM
That is SOOO cute! What a wonderful idea. The fish images are spectacular.
Posted by: Tracy | April 11, 2008 at 08:10 AM
Absolutely darling Nichole!! I can't wait to give this one a try..Those little fish are just too much!! Can't wait for the 15th!!!
Posted by: Bridget | April 11, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Cool idea, using the gel window. Don't tell me you ladies are coming up with a men of life set. Too funny, since I made a card recently with that in mind.
Posted by: Annapurna | April 11, 2008 at 08:20 AM
Love this new take on the Gel card Nicole! What wonderful colors and love those fish! I can see my stamp budget will be blown again this month! I'm afraid to look on the 15th??!! LOL!!
I'll be trying this card for sure!
www.createwithjulia.blogspot.com
Posted by: Julia (Artystamper on SCS) | April 11, 2008 at 08:25 AM