Nichole Heady issued a challenge that I couldn't refuse: it was to create a clear piece using any PaperTrey stamps and printed paper. I originally meant to cover a container, but when I realized that I had nothing cool to put into a container after I got it covered, I thought I'd go back to basics with a clear card.
Clear cards are notoriously hard to photograph, so I hope you can see the edges well enough! I used 1/2 of a transparency, scored at 4-1/4" in the standard A-2 size. Next I used my Spellbinders Nestability Plain and Scalloped Classic Rectangles to cut some PT Aqua Mist cardstock and a piece of patterned paper from the 6" square Everyday Blessings pad. I used Staz-On Timber Brown ink to stamp part of the branch from Out on a Limb on the front cover, masking the left edge of the stamp off so that the image would fit within the boundaries of my rectangles. I stamped the leaves in Olive Staz-On, then I used Liquid Applique to add white blooms just because I thought they would look cool on a transparency. Julia Stainton had used some Liquid Applique here, which reminded me that I had some! (If you try this, be sure to keep your heat tool as far back as possible, and moving in a circle so that you don't melt or warp your transparency.)
To attach the rectangles to the clear base, I used one length of redline/super sticky tape up the right side of the back of the Aqua Mist rectangle and attached it to the inside left of my card base. That kept much of the back panel free for a short note or signature. (It would be best to write on it before attaching it, if possible.) To attach the PaperTrey Aqua Mist grosgrain, I used another single strip of redline/super sticky tap on the back of the ribbon, then wrapped it around the card. I used my Spellbinders Nestability Petite Plain and Scalloped Oval set to make the "Every Day is a Gift" tag, to which I added white mini brads that are hidden under the ribbon. If you'd like to see how it looks on the inside, here's view that might be helpful if you are making one.
Clear cards have been around for a long time; they seem to cycle in and out of popularity regularly. If you haven't tried one before though, give it a try! If you happen to be a Technique Junkie Subscriber, the TJ newsletter covered something very similar to this in the 2/06 issue, Floating Acetate cards.
To see what the other "challenge-ees" did with the clear challenge, check out their blogs:
Nichole, Taylor, Amy, Heather (Pine), and Lisa. Thanks for visiting!
