Sparkly Stencilled Holly & Ornaments Card - ATSM #117 Challenge

Addicted to Stamps and More have a 'Make Your Mark' challenge running this week which was the perfect nudge for me to use a new technique I learned from the amazing Alison at the Glitter Pot, my local craft shop.  Using alcohol based markers, colours are applied through a stencil and then Diamond Sparkle Medium paste is applied over the top of the stencil.  Because the Diamond paste is translucent the colour shows through the sparkle.  Colour can also be added by applying inks through the stencil - but the inks MUST be dry before the paste is applied or the colours will run and discolour the paste.  Using alcohol markers which dry quickly means you can apply the paste straight away.  It took me a while to find the 'right' CS to use, with some CS I found I had issues with colours from the markers bleeding under the stencil so I wasn't getting a crisp, defined design.  A thick, smooth, white CS provided the best results for me. 

I taped the Christmas Holly stencil down, coloured the design using Marsh Green, Ruby and Gold ProMarkers, applied the Diamond Sparkle Medium paste and then impatiently waited for that to dry! Once dry the marker colours appear muted and softened due to the paste being translucent.  I trimmed the stencilled panel to size, layered onto a red mat and added a brad to each corner.  I stamped and punched the sentiment circle element and popped that up.

I used punches to add holly decorations inside and on the envelope to complete the card.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampendous 'Small Merry Christmas', Hero Arts 'Holiday Cheer' clear set
CS: IndigoBlu White Perfect Stamping Card, SU! Wild Wasabi & Whisper White
Patterned paper: Bo Bunny Strawberry Double Dot Paper (plain side used)
Ink: SU! Wild Wasabi, Marsh Green, Ruby & Gold ProMarkers
Tools: Imagination Crafts 'Christmas Holly' panel stencil, circle punches, Martha Stewart Holly punch, palette knife, paper piercer
Embellishments & accessories: Imagination Crafts Diamond Sparkle Medium paste, SU! brad bases & Crushed Curry Candy Dots, Dimensionals, low tack tape