Bite 5:

  

Fairy Waterfall

 

Well, everything is still absolutely barmy at Sugar Buttons HQ, especially with the news of Kanban going into Administration. There's been enough happening over here to fill a series of soap operas! But never mind about all that; we're here for projects and ideas aren't we?

The project I'm going to share with you in this installment is this beautiful fairy waterfall card. Now, usually you can obtain waterfall cards in die-cut kits that come pre-cut and scored, but today I'm going to give you all the tips and tricks to help you create your own DIY version completely from scratch. I hope you enjoy it.

You will need:

STAMP005 Pretty Fairy Duo clear stamp (Product code is our own unique ID)

STAMP007 Pretty Embellishments clear stamp set

STAMP008 Sweet Sentiments clear stamp set

Sugar Buttons patterned backing card (I will be using the rosebud sheet)

A3 contrasting matte backing card

5X7 card & envelope

Stamping card scraps

Memento stamping ink

Distress Ink in a complimentary colour (I will be using Spun Sugar)

Ink blending tool
Colouring pens (I will be using Spectrum Noir pens but any other stamping pen would be suitable)
Crafting ruler that displays inch measurements.

 

 Step One: Trimming the Pieces

Before we start with the instructions as to how to put the waterfall together, you will need to cut your various pieces of card to the following measurements:

1.  Cut a piece of your A3 matte backing card to 9" x 2"

2.  Cut a scrap of matte white card to 1" x 5"

3.  Cut some of your A3 matte backing card into four squares measuring 2" x 2"

4.  Cut some of your white stamping card into four squares measuring 1 3/4" x 1 3/4"

5.  Cut a piece of your A3 matte backing card to an appropriate measurement that will mount onto the strip from item 2).

6.  Trim your Sugar Buttons patterned backing card to an appropriate size for mounting to the face of the 5X7 card.
7.  Trim a piece of your A3 matte backing card to an appropriate measurement for mounting to the face of the 5X7 card.

The sequence of pieces should look like this:

 

 Step Two: The Waterfall Mechanism

The 9" x 2" strip of matte backing card that you trimmed in the previous step is the piece that will form the waterfall mechanism. Unfortunately, a Hougie Board won't be useful for making this waterfall card because the score marks you will need don't fall in the measurements of the Hougie Board, but a generic score-board would come in handy.

Lie your crafting ruler across the long edge of the strip like so (please forgive the bad angle, once again);

Without moving the ruler from this position, you will need to make small pencil marks at the following points;

2"
2 3/4"
3 1/2"
4 1/4"

Using your generic score-board (or freehand if you don't have one), fold the card at each of theses points well, going over the creases with a bone folder or the ruler's edge (take care not to damage the card). Once this is done, you can set the mechanism aside for now.

 

Step Three: Distressing & Stamping

Cover your work surface with a scrap piece of paper or some newspaper and, using a blending tool, Distress the whole area of each of the four 2" x 2" white squares. Leave them to dry naturally or speed up the process using a heat tool.

Once the squares are sufficiently dry, they are ready to be stamped on. Now, the trick to a good waterfall card is to create an appropriate sequence that adds coherence to the four squares. My first attempt at the waterfall card was to alternate between toppers and stamped sentiments but I wasn't happy with the end result. Then I was flicking through the stamps and came up with the idea that I am going to share with you now. I decided to create a story.

Now, the small fairy stamps on the Pretty Fairy Duo stamp set are somewhat bigger than the 2" x 2" square so the featured area will have to be lined up with great care. If you are using some of the embellishment stamps like I did then you will find that they will fit nicely without leaving too much empty space.

After the stamping is complete, the result will be this;

The story I tried to create was a fairy casting a spell and the sentiment 'fairy dust is a must' is a fitting conclusion to the idea. Overall, it has a lovely effect.

When you're happy with the result, it is time to colour them in. Take care when using pens that have a thick nib so that you don't go over the lines too much. Because of the Distress Ink layer, you will probably find that the ink will run more freely than if the card was left matte so bear this in mind as you colour.

Once the ink is dry, it adds a nice finishing touch to go over certain areas of the images with some glitter. Using a glue pen with a fine, biro-style nib (my personal favourite is the Quickie Glue Pen), draw over the parts of the images that you want to accent with glitter and then add a liberal layer of sparkle. Glamour Dust is perfect for this because it is such a fine, discreet glitter and is perfect when used with the fairies and princesses in the Sugar Buttons collection.

Unfortunately you won't be able to see the effects of the glitter in the photographs so you'll have to trust me. Naturally, any use of glitter is optional so don't feel like you have to use it.

Step Four: Matting Up.

Now that the trimming, stamping and colouring is complete it is time to layer the pieces together onto the matte backing card that we cut out earlier. Always prepare the card base first and secure the mounts before dealing with the waterfall.

I also Distressed the edges of the 5X7 card base to diminish the stark white appearance. I used the same Distress Ink colour as with the rest of the project.

Step Five: Taping & Arranging.

Now it is time to start finally putting the waterfall together. Set aside your completed card base for now and return your attention to the scored 9" x 2" strip that we prepared earlier. Just by looking at the pattern of the score lines, you will see that there is a section that is 2" x 2" square, then the series of score lines, and then a long strip at the top. The long, unscored area will act as the pulley mechanism.

In this picture, I have gone over the score lines in black so that you can clearly see where the tape should be placed. The above picture is the front face of the mechanism where the squares will be placed. The following picture is the back face;

On the back face, a piece of tape needs to be placed right at the bottom of the square area. This will anchor the mechanism to the 1" x 5" strip that we trimmed earlier.

Once all the tape is in place you can start sticking down the stamped squares. Make sure that you have them properly arranged so that whatever story you are telling isn't distorted. Of course, if you aren't telling a story and have just constructed a series of images you can arrange them how you like.

When taping the squares, make sure that the top of each square is in line with the fold line and doesn't go over it. You need to keep the hinges moving freely in order for there to be a smooth transition between the layers of the waterfall.

Step Six: The Band.

The 1" x 5" strip that we trimmed earlier will form the band that will hold the waterfall in place. The band consists of a plain piece of white card and a contrasting colour mount that is trimmed slightly smaller. This contrasting colour should be the same as you have used for the rest of the card.

Remove the backing from the last remaining tape strip at the back of the waterfall and fix it to the band as centralised as possible.

Before fixing the waterfall to the front of the base card, remember to fold the long flap of the mechanism down behind the waterfall. This will poke below the band and will form the pulley that will operate the effect.

Once everything is secured in place it is time to line it up on the base card. Try and get the waterfall as central and as straight as possible.

Then, using a pokey tool, pierce two holes through both sides of the band, running through the base card too and use subtle brads to hold it in place.

Step Seven: Finishing Off.

Once the topper is secure, pierce another hole at the bottom of the pulley to add a loop of ribbon.

Et voila!

You now have a completed waterfall card. You can place these toppers on any size of card base but I personally think that they look best on 5X7 because it doesn't leave too much empty space that you may struggle to fill. It creates a nice, understated little card that will bring a smile to anyone's face.

This last sequence of pictures is purely to show you each step of the waterfall:

Lovely isn't it?

THE END

Well done everyone! I hope you're happy with the result. As always, if there is anything you're unsure about or if the instructions confuse you in any way, feel free to contact me. Please don't be afraid to comment on my project posts and leave me feedback. I'd love to hear how you're all getting on.

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See you soon for another project! Happy crafting everyone.