Month: April 2020

Sometimes I need something new to try, so I wanted to do something a little different today. I thought I would show you how fun it is to make a sunset by using the Sponging Technique.

This card was made with a Host set called Soft Spring. I will discuss how to get a Host set below. To me this is a very serene appearing card and could be used for a variety of occasions.

Measurements: Bermuda Bay card stock (CS) card base: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches with a score line at 4 1/4 inches; Pool Party (CS): 5 7/8 x 4 1/8 inches and a 1/2 x 5 inch strip; Whisper White (CS): two 5 1/4 x 4 inches.

The colors of ink we will be using today are: Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay.

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To prepare the scene you will need full sticky note paper punched with the 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch. Tape the 5 1/4 x 4 inch Whisper White to a sheet of scrap paper. Tape another sheet of scrap paper about 1 3/4 inches down from the top of the Whisper White card piece. This will be a mask.

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To prepare the sponges, first cut the Stampin’ Up! Stamping Sponges in half.

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Now cut the half in half, then the quarter in half.

I use a square punched out of the color of cardstock that I am going to use the sponge for, attached with a staple. I store my sponges in a compartmentalized crafters box.

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Dab the sponge onto the Daffodil Delight ink pad. If the ink is quite wet, dab lightly. Now rub the sponge onto the scrap paper with a small circular motion. This will give you an idea of how the sponging will look and will take off any excess ink.

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Sponge the ink onto the Whisper White with a small circular motion very lightly. It is best to go light at first then gradually add to the color to make it the shade you want. I wanted a medium color. You can see that it is a little blotchy. Do not worry about that. It will not be noticeable on the completed card.

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Apply the sticky note circle. The area that is masked will become the sun. Using the Mango Melody ink, sponge over the Daffodil Delight until you get a darker shade. Make it a little darker near the “sun” and the “horizon”.

I apologize for the blurry photo. My phone has been acting strangely all day. You can get the idea of how the sun and sky will look once you remove the sticky note.

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Now move the scrap paper that was masking the bottom of the card piece to mask the area above the horizon. Leave a wee bit of color showing under the mask so that you do not end up with a white space between the sky and the lake. Start sponging the Coastal Cabana ink onto the lower part of the card piece, using the same gentle circular motion.

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Once you have covered the area in Coastal Cabana ink, you can start sponging with the Bermuda Bay. Only sponge along the outer edge of the lake.

When you have finished with the Bermuda Bay ink, remove the scrap paper mask. Place the card piece on a Stampin’ Pierce Mat since we will be using a Photopolymer stamp set.

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Using Memento ink, stamp the images from the Soft Spring stamp set on the edges of the card piece.

Add images until you like the look. You could stop here if you like. This stamp set is a two step stamp which means you can stamp some more over the outline of the leaves and flowers to make them more of a silhouette.

Add the little dragonfly.

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Now you can add the second step of the stamping. This will make the leaves and flowers darker and more of a silhouette.

As you may have noticed, my second stamp does not line up with the outline perfectly. I do struggle with getting the two step stamps to line up. However, I do not think this will detract from the overall look.

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Adhere the second 5 1/4 x 4 inch Whisper White to the inside of the card base. Use the Bone Folder to fold the card base at the 4 1/4 inch score line.

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Adhere the stamped card piece to the Pool Party CS, then to the front of the card base.

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Now for the sentiment. Stamp the sentiment “Happy Day” from the Itty Bitty Birthday stamp set in Memento ink onto the 1/2 inch strip of Pool Party CS. Trim it down and make a banner end. If you need help with the banner end, please click on THIS for a “How to”. Boy my fingers are blue!

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Apply Stampin’ Dimensionals to the back of the sentiment strip, then adhere it to your card front.

And Viola! you have learned how to sponge a sunset and make a very serene appearing card. You could use a different sentiment and make this card very versatile. Now to go wash all the ink off my fingers!

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you are well and staying safe. If you want to get the Soft Spring Host Set, you would need to place a $150 order. Then you can order it for $9.50. One way to place such a large order is to have your friends order with you. Then you can all get together (once the pandemic is over) and use the Soft Spring stamp set!

Stampin” Up! Products used include:

Product List

Have a great day and try some sponging!