John 3:16 Cross Card created by DT Member Erin Short

Today I am sharing a project I created for the MayMay Made It Design Team. I adore this "Risen" stamp set! And, even though this card looks complex, it is SO easy to make! Watch the complete process video 

I started with a card base made with Brutus Monroe cardstock in Alabaster. This cardstock is AMAZING and extremely HEAVY! I cut a piece lengthwise at the 4-1/4" mark and then folded it in half to make a top-folding A2 card. 

For the background panel, I wanted to use a piece of Wood Effect patterned paper by Moda Scrap. There's a white, weathered-looking design that would have been perfect for the look I wanted. But, then, I spotted the front cover sheet of the paper pack. The same white, weathered pattern was featured on the front, but it had been faded a little. So I used that instead.

I trimmed a portion of the cover sheet to fit a 4" x 5-1/4" panel. Since I didn't have a "distress tool", I carefully dragged the edge of my scissors against the edge of the paper panel to "distress" the paper a little. Then, I ran the panel through a Darice text cross embossing folder. Using a blending tool, I lightly dabbed the embossed text with Distress Oxide Ink in Frayed Burlap.

With the remaining piece of Alabaster cardstock, I stamped the "John 3:16" cross-shaped verse stamp (from Risen stamp set)  using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Then, I gently tore the edges of the stamped image. For this technique, it is important to tear TOWARD YOU, which leaves a nice-looking "distressed" edge. Using a blending tool, I inked the edges of the torn cross shape with Distress Oxide Ink in Frayed Burlap.

Before I adhered the cross to the panel, I thought about the final look of the project. If I wanted anything else to go on the background, I needed to do it then. So, I used a variety of Distress Inks for some controlled spatter on the background. This technique is EASY and fun! Just push the ink pad directly on your craft mat (or a regular plastic kitchen container). Spray the ink with water, then use a small paintbrush to spatter a few drops on the background. Dab the drops with a paper towel. I used Distress Ink in Black Soot and Distress Oxide Ink in Iced Spruce and Seedless Preserves. Then, I found a piece of twine from my stash and wrapped it around the panel a few times, tying a simple knot before adhering the cross to the top with foam tape.

Keep in mind, though, that any time you wrap twine, ribbon or cord around a card panel with the thought of ADHERING DOWN that card panel, you will have to be mindful that the twine will create a "bump" in the panel. So, you will have to "level" the back of the card either with a few scrap pieces of cardstock or foam tape. In other words, adhere foam tape or scrap cardstock to the back of the panel everywhere EXCEPT where the twine is. Once it can lay flat on your table, then you can adhere the panel down to the card base with no problem.

For a final touch, I inked the entire outside edge of the card with Black Soot Distress Ink. That's IT! 

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