4 Ways: Clear Card Elements
Hello! Today I am sharing 4 ways to incorporate clear elements on your cards. I also am sharing with you my favorite clear (acetate) products… I tested many!
[All supplies are linked in the text below… and to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you.]
Acetate (or transparent/clear pieces) are fun to add to cards and allow you to get new looks from products you may already have. Today I share four techniques… and talk about my three favorite acetate products: Hero Arts Acetate Clear Cards, Hero Arts Acetate Sheets, and Judikins Embossable Window Plastic.
#1: Clear Card with Stamping
My first example is a clear card with simple stamping. When making a transparent card, I highly recommend Hero Arts Acetate Clear Cards. These cards come with white insert and envelopes… and are are very thick and have a nice fold. I have used them for years! (See below for video examples.)
I feel the best ink for stamping on acetate is Black Staz-On Ink. And the best part? If you mess up, you can completely erase the ink with an rubbing alcohol! (To clean Staz-On off of your stamps, I recommend Hero Arts Ultra Clean.) For my clear card, I stamped the “yay happy mail” sentiment from the Mama Elephant Scripty Birthday Stamp Set.
To see how I assembled the card, be sure to watch the video! I used the fantastic Mama Elephant The Dog’s Woof Stamp Set. Isn’t it the cutest!?
#2: COLORING ON ACETATE
My second idea for using acetate creatively is to add coloring. For this example, I used another acetate product I recommend – Hero Arts Acetate Sheets,. This is inexpensive, crystal clear, and perfect for windows or shaker cards. (You can also use recycled clear packaging or transparency. However, this is thicker. Any acetate should work.)
I started by stamping a flower and the word “lovely” from the Mama Elephant Pretty Lovely Stamp Set with Black Staz-On Ink on a Hero Arts Acetate Sheet. Once it was dry, I colored it with Copic Markers. (You can also use Sharpies.) The results? Looks like stained glass!
I added the acetate piece behind a die cut window with foam adhesive. I like how it “floats” on the card. This is a great way to use acetate!
#3: Heat EMBOSSING ON ACETATE
It is also impressive to heat emboss on acetate. However, most acetates will warp significantly when heated. Therefore, I recommend the Judikins Embossable Window Plastic. This acetate is heat resistant and great for heat embossing!
I couldn’t share acetate ideas without making a shaker card! Inside the shaker window, I stamped and colored the cutie elephant from the Mama Elephant Fly With Me Stamp Set. I also white heat embossed “big hugs” on a piece of Judikins Embossable Window Plastic. After creating a unique window with a Lil Inker Designs Fringe Scalloped Rectangle Die, I formed the shaker card with lots of Lucy’s Cards Rainbow Bright Jewels inside. I *love* the look of the floating white sentiment!
#4: TEXTURED ACETATE
One of the most impressive cardmaking techniques I know of is using embossing folders on acetate. The folder creates texture on the acetate… and makes it white. I recommend using the thick-and-strong-and-high-quality Hero Arts Acetate Clear Cards. However, you can test it with any acetate you may have.
For this card, I used the Tim Holtz Tiny Dots Embossing Folder to add texture to the front of a Hero Arts Acetate Clear Card. I added a cute little doggie made with the new Mama Elephant Dog Dies. This set can be used in many ways!
I added a collar with a sentiment from the Mama Elephant Girlfriends Stamp Set… and a little silver “tag” with a Mama Elephant Iconic Letter “F” for “Foxy.”
Be sure to watch the video to see how I included a place to write a message on the inside. This card didn’t take long to make… I may need to make more.
RELATED VIDEOS
Here are a few videos with other clear element cards:
- Clear Panel Card
- Shaker Card (using similar product)
- Stained Glass Window Card
- Window Techniques
SUPPLIES
Want to find the products I used? I have listed them below. (Compensated affiliate links used at no cost to you. Thank you! Affiliate and product disclosure can be found here. All products were personally purchased except those from Mama Elephant or with asterisk. As always, this post was NOT paid for or sponsored.) Click on the icons below each product picture to go to a favorite store.
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