Acetate window cards & Floating Strip cards

August 07, 2022

Hello & welcome to my blog,

My name is Alison & I am an independent Stampin' Up® demonstrator in Melbourne, Australia. I love creating cards & gifts for my loved ones & this blog will show you how to create something special for those you love. Today's blog is all about making a simple card or adding to it to create something a little bit more special. I hope you like what I've made!

This week I've used acetate to create windows on card fronts. In previous blogs I have shown you how to use acetate to create shaker cards. I have again created a shaker card with a slight twist by making a faux stained glass front. I also have a slightly different way to use acetate windows. Floating strip cards are pretty cool because at first glance it looks like there's a gap in the card, then you notice that there's a connection between the top & bottom half of the card. It's a very easy technique which I'll show you how to create. Here are two different ways to use acetate as a feature of a card.

I'll show you how to make the Floating Strip card first.

Starting with a regular Pale Papaya card base I cut 2 strips from the bottom of the card front. These can be whatever size you like but mine are 4cm each. This means that the second piece that is 'missing' in the centre & replaced with acetate can be used to back the 'floating' bottom piece. This leaves a front piece measuring 6.8cm x 10.5 that is still part of the card base. Cut a 2nd piece the same size but trim a sliver off the length (6.8cm) to allow for folding of the card. These two spare pieces will allow you to attach the acetate window & cover it on the inside of the card.

The best trick is to apply strong adhesive such as Stampin' Seal to the reverse of the front panel. Line up the acetate & attach it. Apply adhesive to the backing piece & apply it over the acetate, ensuring it lines up evenly with the bottom of the top panel. Use the same principle with the bottom, 'floating' piece, but in reverse. You start with applying adhesive to one piece of cardstock, lining up with the bottom of the card base then carefully lowering the acetate onto it. The next step is to attach the front piece of cardstock. If you find it easier, you could attach the acetate to the bottom strips but I prefer doing it as outlined.

I then cut 2 strips of Hand Penned DSP that co-ordinated with my images .5cm smaller than the front pieces & adhered them. Next step was creating the images. I stamped & diecut 2 images from Colour & Contour using Black, Pale Papaya, Blushing Bride, Shaded Spruce & Mint Macaron for the blooms & leaves. Adding these carefully to the front of the card so that they spanned the top & bottom pieces of cardstock meant that it gave the front a little more strength as the acetate is not strong when the card is standing.

I wanted something to peep through the acetate window, that is the reason for having a window after all, so I adhered a piece of Basic White to the inside of the card then lined up the window area & used small pencil marks to give me a space to stamp a sentiment within. I chose a sentiment from the new Charming Sentiments stamp set as it filled the window area just right. When closed you can see the sentiment peeking out behind the blooms. The last step was to add a few sequins from Artistry Blooms & the card is complete.

The next card is similar to a regular shaker card but I used a floating frame to highlight the faux stained glass image on the acetate.

When stamping on Acetate it's really important to use a permanent ink such as Staz On. This ink takes a minute or so longer to dry but unlike regular ink that smudges when touched, Staz On can be touched when dry & coloured over without it smudging.

Step 1

Step 1 - stamp the image you want & allow the ink to dry. I used the long stemmed bloom from the Colour & Contour stamp set.

Step 2

Step 2 - Using Stampin' Blends Granny Apple Green I outlined the leaves & stems of the flower.

Step 3

Step 3 - The blooms were coloured with Stampin' Blends Pale Papaya & Calypso Coral.

While the image dried I set to work creating the rest of the card. I stayed with the pretty Pale Papaya from the previous card but added a Basic White matte, diecut with the largest frame from Scalloped Contours dies. This allowed a backing for the stained glass image to really pop on.

Next, I used two more of the frames dies to create a frame that the acetate could be adhered to. Using Foam Adhesive Strips I created a 3D fully sealed box behind the window. I stripped off the side & bottom backing paper & carefully adhered the frame to the Basic White matte. By gently squeezing the top of the frame you can add your shaker details, I used Effervescent Elements. Carefully peel off the last backing from the top of the card & the box is finished.

On some thin Basic White scrap strips I stamped 'You are simply the best' from Varied Vases (retired) & 'Happy Birthday' from Waves of inspiration. These were both backed with some Old Olive scraps. With double dimensionals & a little adhesive tape I secured 'You are simple the best' across the top of the frame. 'Happy Birthday' was adhered to the shaker window with some adhesive tape.

For the inside of the card I stamped the floral image onto a Basic White insert. With all of the lovely effervescent bubbles on the inside of the shaker I didn't decorate the front anymore as I don't think it needed it.

So that's it for another week. I had so much fun creating these cards this week & I hope you enjoyed checking out my creations. Thanks for popping in. My next Mid Week blog on Wednesday shows you how to create simple background WOW using Stampin' Blends markers. Next week's regular blog will feature another Tic Tac Toe challenge creation. I hope you can join me for both of these blogs.

If you would like to order any of the supplies I used today you can head over to my Stampin' Up® shop using the links below.

If you would like to purchase any of the cards I feature in my blogs they can be found in my FaceBook shop at craftedbyalison.

If you would like me to send you a catalogue then please message me via my FaceBook page, Crafted by Alison or send me an email at craftedbyalison@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by, til next time, take care & keep creating! XX Alison

Shop with me

Colour & Contour stamp set

Scalloped Contour dies

Charming Sentiments stamp set

Waves of Inspiration stamp set

Basic White Thick cardstock

Basic White cardstock

Pale Papaya cardstock

Acetate window sheets

Foam Adhesive strips

Pale Papaya Classic Stampin' pad