OWH Bunny Hop

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Bunny Hop!

If you're here for the Hop and came from Holley's Hobbies, you're in the right place.  If you want to go back to the beginning, hop back to the Stars & Stamps blog.

This group makes blank greeting cards to send to our deployed heroes to send to their families and friends.  Most cards are welcome as long as we follow a few simple rules, which can be found HERE.

We have to make our cards much earlier than most folks normally do, so we have deadlines for getting cards to our shippers so they can make it to our heroes and back home again.  The deadline for Easter cards is March 18th and the deadline for Mother's Day cards is March 31st.

Now, lets get on with what I have to share with you today.

 One of my recent goals is to use the supplies I have on hand.  Many years ago, I bought a lot of metal stencils to use with a light box and stylus.  When the embossing folders were invented, I stopped using them and they have been sitting in a 3-ring binder for years.  I discovered a way to use them with my Big Shot and I'll share that with you.  I don't have the sandwich information for other machines, since this is the only one I own.



Creating a card with metal stencil & Big Shot
Click on photo to make it larger.



  1. Choose a metal stencil from storage folder.
  2. Select sandwich for Big Shot from Multipurpose Platform.
  3. Arrange sandwich onto platform.
  4. Run sandwich through Big Shot.
  5. Check embossed image on cardstock.
  6. Trim edges to remove embossed stencil edges from
      cardstock.
  7. Round the corners from embossed cardstock image.
  8. Place metal stencil on top of embossed cardstock and
      color image with chalk.  I used Pebbles Chalks with the
      applicator (clip & cotton balls) that come with each color
      set.  There are several brands and many colors of chalk
      available.
  9. Remove stencil and check chalked image.
      Add chalk to edges to soften the image.
10. Erase any chalk that you don't like.
      I love my electric eraser for this.
11. Spray chalked image with fixative.
      Do this outside to avoid the fumes.
12. Cut frame and round corners from chosen cardstock.
13. Stamp a sentiment onto base card.
14. Adhere layers onto base card with strong adhesive.
15. Admire finished card.

Since this blog hop is to show both Easter and Spring cards, I made several others with my collection of metal stencils.

 

This scanned card looks different, but is the same card in the tutorial.  The scanner shows a truer color, but photos are good for showing texture and gloss.

Now, a challenge for you.  Look in your crafting space for something that you used to use to make cards and learn to make something beautiful with it.  You'll be amazed how rewarding it can be.  Have fun!

Now, hop on over to She Stamps by Cheryl.