Hi Friends! Well lemme just tell ya, I have found yet another technique that has me pretty fired up and insprired! I’m so excited to share with you the “Quilt Shadow Block Technique”.
This method is inspired by quilt patterns and creates a breathtaking optical illusion using our Designer Series Paper (DSP). I had an absolute blast making four cards and even a 6″ x 8″ scrapbook page (which I’ll be completing and sharing at a later time).
What You’ll Need:
- Designer Series Paper (DSP) in various patterns
- Cardstock for the base
- Ephemera for quick and easy sentiments (of course, you can use your stamps too)
- Trims and embellishments for decoration
- Embossing folders for added texture (optional, but it sure adds an extra ‘WOW’ factor)
- Basic tools: trimmer, scissors, adhesive
The Process:
- Cutting Your Paper: Start by cutting your Designer Series Paper (DSP) into squares or rectangles. For today’s cards, I used 1″ x 1″ squares, but feel free to experiment with different sizes! Precision is key for this technique, so take your time to cut your pieces accurately. That said, don’t stress about achieving perfection—my pieces aren’t perfect either, and I believe perfection is overrated. Just do your best and enjoy the process. Now that I’ve tried this technique, I’ll definitely take more time to be precise in the future, LOL.
- Creating the Illusion: Arrange your pieces on your cardstock base in a shadow block pattern. This is where the magic happens – the placement creates a stunning optical illusion that’s reminiscent of quilt patterns.
- Adding Details: Once your blocks are in place, it’s time to add the details. I used Stampin’ Up’s new ephemera for quick and easy sentiments. I also added some trims and embellishments to give my cards a bit of extra flair.
- Embossing: To add texture and interest, I used a variety of embossing folders. This step is optional, but I love the dimension it adds to the finished project.
Why I Love This Technique:
This technique is a fantastic way to use up those leftover pieces of DSP that we all have stashed away. It’s also a great excuse to cut into those beautiful papers you’ve been hoarding – because trust me, the end result is worth it!
The Quilt Shadow Block Technique is perfect for cards, but it can also be adapted for scrapbook pages and other paper crafts. It’s versatile, fun, and the results are always impressive.
Try It Yourself!
I highly recommend giving this technique a try. While filming today’s video, I never imagined I’d end up using this technique for a scrapbook page! Now I’m excited to try it with a Christmas theme, different seasons, and various occasions…the possibilities are endless. Consider adding heat embossing, using different papers and textures—the creative potential is limitless. This technique is incredibly versatile. Now, I need to find even more quilting patterns to try out, haha.
Check out my YouTube video where I walk you through the process step-by-step and share some tips and tricks I learned along the way. Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel and leave a comment letting me know how your projects turn out!
This weekend, my hubby and I will be busy planting our garden. I recently found some photos on my computer that showed we planted our veggies last year on June 10th, and we had a wonderful harvest. So, I’m not stressing about planting seeds five days later this year. Even though I’ve been living on the East Coast since 2007, I STILL can’t get used to the seasonal differences compared to my hometown of Comox on the West Coast. The climate has changed so much, with Autumn here in Nova Scotia lasting through November. We don’t seem to get snow until February or March now.
Anyway, on that note, it’s almost 9pm, and my hubby has our bonfire ready for hotdogs, marshmallows, and drinks with our friends. We live out in the country, surrounded by farms, yet we’re only about a 15-minute drive to town. Our home is nestled amongst the forest and river, along with three other houses on our dead-end lane. Over the years, we’ve become a tight-knit community, always looking out for one another, taking care of pets during vacations, and enjoying time together over home-cooked meals and games during the winter months (after hours of plowing and shoveling snow). In the summer and fall, we gather around our firepit for drinks, music, and relaxation. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful neighbors who have become much more than friends to us!
Have a fabulous weekend and HAPPY STAMPING!
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