In Touch: April 2018

Hi everyone! Welcome back! I hope you're having a fabulous April!

In this month's edition of the Ellen Hutson In Touch Newsletter, we're talking windows. I'll be sharing a few window card ideas in today's video tutorial and give you a few tips for creating window cards of your own.

These projects feature the newest Leading Ladies from the Essentials By Ellen line, Hot Mess Lady and Everyday Hero Lady. They are so much fun. I'll also be using the Be Strong stamp set, which coordinates perfectly with these new ladies. I've done all of my coloring with Copic Markers.

Window cards are a fun change-up to a basic card project. They're not difficult to create by any means and they are an easy way to step up a card design.

Windows come in lots of shapes and sizes. You can use almost any die to create a window on your card project. Think outside the box and experiment with the dies you may already own. Today, I'm using the Silver Linings Die Set to create a rectangle window, I'm using the Brushstroke Love die to create a word window and finally a basic heart shaped die to create a fun heart shaped window.

In addition to different shapes and sizes, there are a lot of ways to use windows on your cards. Here are a few of my favorite.

Frame it up. A framing window is used when your focal point is actually on the inside of your card. The window creates a frame around the focal image and allows the recipient to have a peek of the focal image. Once the card is opened, the entire image is revealed. In the card featuring my lovely super hero, I've used a rectangle to frame up my lady. Once the card is opened, the Everyday Hero Lady, in all her caped glory, is revealed. This window is rather large and gives a big sneak peek, but it would also be fun to create this with a smaller window, and allow the cape to be a big surprise when opened.
Suspend it. I love to use frames on my card as a means to suspend elements. In the heart window card, I've used the window as an opportunity to suspend my die cut greeting, making it appear as if it's floating. I added acetate to the back of the window so I could adhere the greeting in the center. If your suspended element is big enough, you can skip the acetate and allow it to stretch over the entire window and attach it on either side. This is a fun way to add something unexpected to your card project. You'll also notice that I've suspended some vellum clouds in the first window card. I love this effect.
Pattern play. In the final card project, I've used a word die to create a window. This peek-a-boo window allows the recipient to see the patterned paper showing through the window. At first glance, you may think it's just a little bit of patterned paper backing. When the card it opened, a whole new element (a die cut heart) is revealed. Allowing the pattern to peek-a-boo through the window adds color and pattern to the front of the card, as well as the inside of the card.
Shake shake shake, shake your card. I didn't create a shaker card today, but it is definitely another fun spin on a window card.
Go all the way. Try adding a window that goes through all the panels of the card, card front and card base....all the way through the back portion of the card base. This is always such a fun way to add another variation to your window cards. It's like a see through card!

As your experimenting with window cards, try something you've never tried before. Try an unexpected shape or use a sentiment die to create your window. Add patterned paper, dry embossing or some stamping on the inside of the card and allow it to peek through the window. Look beyond your normal and find some fun new ways to incorporate windows in to your next card project.

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you've enjoyed this look at window cards and that you've been inspired in some new way! What's your favorite way to use windows? Let me know in the comments below! Maybe we can inspire each other!

Until next time, I hope you have a fabulous day!

XOXO

Copic Colors Used R 20, 22, 00, 11, 32 E 00, 21 YR 24, 27, 29 Y 19, 35 YG 01, 03 T 1 BG 11, 32, 13