ThePowerOfACard: Vellum

Showing posts with label Vellum. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Fun With Vellum

When I was thinking of a title for this video, I thought of Big Bang Theory and Amy and Sheldon's Fun With Flags. While I probably won't make you laugh as much as they did, I do hope you will learn some fun ways to incorporate vellum into your card making repertoire. I will be showing you seven different ways to use vellum, plus a bunch of tips and techniques along the way.

I've been a fan of vellum for a long time and was disappointed when it was discontinued by Stampin' Up!. When it returned (👏🏻 and jump for joy!), it was now in a 12" x 12" size. I love how thick it is - sturdy enough for all of the ways I'm going to show you how to use it. I know my video is a bit longer than normal, but I do hope you'll watch all of it and learn some fun ways you can use vellum in your cards too.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Melon Mambo 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" scored at 4-1/4" and a scrap strip; Vellum Specialty Paper 3" x 5-3/4" (cut into 3" x 4-1/4" and 3" x 1-1/2"); Basic White (2) 4" x 5-1/4", 3" x 4-1/4" and a scrap strip, Granny Apple Green 2-15/16" x 4-3/16", Adhesive Sheet 3" x 4-1/4"
Stamps: Fragrant Layers and Paradise Garden
Inks: Memento Black, Melon Mambo, Granny Apple Green
Embossing Folder: Paradise Garden Hybrid
Watercolor Pencils: Assortment 1 and 2
Other: Basics Embossing Powder and Embossing Buddy
Adhesive and Tools, including the Blender Pens and Heat Tool

1. Stained Glass

I have two different ways to do stained glass, and two different ways to attach this to your card. Let's start out by folding your card base and creasing the fold with a Bone Folder. Emboss one of the large white rectangles with the embossing folder and attach to the front of the card with glue.

Use the Embossing Buddy on the large piece of vellum to remove any static, then stamp the large floral image with Memento Black ink. Since the ink stays wet longer on vellum, you can sprinkle it with the clear embossing powder and it will stick just as if you had used Versamark! Use the Heat Tool to melt the powder and when done, you'll see it looks like a medium gray color rather than black. I love that you can get this softer look by using Memento Black ink! Of course, if you want black, just use the Black embossing powder.

For this first sample, I decided to use Watercolor Pencils. These are so versatile because there are lots of colors and they can be blended together to get even more colors. When you use them, make sure you have a good point and color on the back side (non-embossed side) of the vellum. You don't have to be perfect, or even fill in the petals or leaves completely. Next, use the Blender Pen to blend the pencil marks and smooth out the color. Make sure to make marks on a scrap paper to remove the color from the pen tip before switching to the next color.

There are several ways I like to adhere my vellum. The first way is to use Adhesive Sheets. Use a piece the same size as the vellum. I peel off part of the backing and adhere it a bit at a time. Then peel off another section of the backing and press it down. This way, it's a little easier to manage than having a large sticky piece to add! Next peel off the rest of the backing and add this to the white rectangle of the same size. I wasn't thinking right when I was filming and did my trimming too early!). After the vellum is adhered, trim this down to be 2-3/4" x 4". Glue this to the Granny Apple Green piece and add Dimensionals to the back. Then add it the card front at an angle.

Stamp the small sentiment in Granny Apple Green on the small strip of white and trim as desired. Mat this with the Melon Mambo strip and trim. Add this with a Mini Dimensional and glue as shown. Stamp the large sentiment in Melon Mambo on the remaining piece of white and add to the inside. For the small flower and leaves, I colored them and fussy cut them out. To add them to the inside panel, I used my fine tip glue bottle to add a little glue and then spread it around with the tip. You could also use my trick of a silicon mat and trimmed pastry brush to apply uniform glue. To finish the envelope, stamp another flower/leaves and color with the pencils.

My second card utilized Stampin' Blends to color the flowers. I started with the Flowers Flair background stamp set and embossed the vellum with black embossing powder. After coloring the flowers, you will see they are more vibrant than the pencils, and that the brush strokes show up a bit more. I used an adhesive sheet to add the vellum to the white panel, then tied some Strawberry Slush Faux Linen Ribbon around it before adding it to my Blueberry Bushel cardstock with Dimensionals. The sentiment is from Beautiful Motifs. I used the background stamp to add a light Smoky Slate design on the inside and envelope too. As a tip, the Stampin' Positioner (available to order in May) makes using a large background stamp super easy!

2. Dry Embossing

When you dry emboss vellum, you get white edges so it looks two tone. For this sample, I used the Lazy Daisy 3D embossing folder. With the texture, I just used Seal to attach it to the Daffodil Delight base and you can't even see it. The labels are from the Nested Essentials dies and the sentiments are from Nature's Symphony stamp set. The Misty Moonlight Checkered Trim adds the final touch.

3. Card Base

Trim the vellum to be 4-1/4" x 11" and score at 5-1/2". I then cut out a large rectangle from the Product of the Month Painted Illusions Designer Series Paper (DSP) with the Perennial Postage dies and added it to the card front with a little bit of Seal in the corners. Depending on the pattern on the reverse side, or if you see the adhesive too much, you could add another piece of white the same size to cover it on the inside flap. I used a smaller die to cut out white postage label, then added a rectangle of white that I colored with blending brushes to coordinate with the DSP. The sentiment is from the Greenery Lane stamp set and the ribbon is Darling Duckling Faux Linen.

4. Alcohol Backgrounds Using Blends

I must forewarn you - this can get addicting! For the first sample, I added swipes of color diagonally down the vellum. Then I spritzed it with 91% rubbing alcohol to activate the ink. I blew on it to move the colors around. You will get different looks each time you try this technique as the alcohol spritzing is unpredictable! I used glue to adhere the vellum and spread it around with the trimmed silicon pastry brush. The sentiment is from Paradise Garden (fussy cut) and the gems are the 2025-2027 In Color Flat Pearls.

The second sample used Secret Sea and Cloud Cover Stampin' Blends where I covered the entire piece of vellum. Then I used a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol and dabbed it on the colored vellum to activate the ink. My Happy Birthday is from a retired set of dies (Cloud Cover and Secret Sea cardstock) and the inside sentiment is from The Right Words. I love how this masculine card turned out! I mentioned this video which shows a lot more of the process of using Blends and alcohol to make backgrounds - it's an old one but I think you'll find it helpful.

5. Soften a Busy Background

I love showcasing our DSP, but sometimes, you just need a little buffer between the paper and your sentiment or design element. In this card, I used the Florals in Bloom DSP. The outside sentiment is from the Thoughtful Moments Hybrid embossing folder. The layer of vellum between the "love you" and the paper is just enough to set off the words. The lovely ribbon is Berry Burst Shiny Ribbon (my new fav!) and the card base is Secret Sea. My inside sentiment is from the Paradise Garden set. I added a few Natural Matte Dots for the finishing touch.

6. Floral or Greenery Elements

When you are making floral or botanical cards, you don't always want to have them in the color they are in nature. Vellum is the perfect solution! My first sample features paper from the Splash of Sparkles Specialty DPS pack in Timid Tiger and Bubble Bath. I used the Springtime Scenes bundle and making the leaves out of vellum kept the color scheme while adding texture and interest around my cluster of flowers.

https://ThePowerOfACard.blogspot.com Karen Sliwinski ©Stampin’ Up!

For the second card, I used vellum for parts of the flowers and the leaves (Petals of Beauty bundle). My card base is Petal Pink and the Poppy Parade Two Tone cardstock, folded over on the corner, makes the perfect backdrop for those pretty flowers (base is from the Garden Poetry DSP). The centers are the Moody Palette Glossy Dots. The sentiment is embossed in white and comes from the 2026 Virtual Cardmaking Retreat stamp set. I also used the Paradise Garden stamp set for my interior sentiment.

7. Embossed Sentiments

Lastly is this sample where I embossed my sentiment (Paradise Garden again 😉) with white on a strip of vellum. I wrapped a strip of Strawberry Slush Faux Linen ribbon around a rectangle of Mixed Up Patterns DSP, then wrapped the vellum just a little below it and adhered it to the back side. Even though there isn't any adhesive holding the sentiment down on the front, it is secure enough to stay in place due to being held down on the back. After adding this panel to a piece of white, I popped it up on the card base. The vellum leaf is from Nature's Symphony dies and I adhered it with rolled up Mini Glue Dots.

Whew! That was a lot of ways to use vellum! Were any of these new to you? If so, which one will you try? And which card was your favorite? I love so many of them - thanks for watching!

Karen

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Product List

Fragrant Layers Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[167150]

$24.00

Paradise Garden Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

[167114]

$24.00

Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[115320]

$14.00

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[166780]

$14.00

Granny Apple Green 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146990]

$14.00

Vellum 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Specialty Paper

[167099]

$10.00

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

[132708]

$8.00

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147051]

$9.00

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Pad

[147095]

$9.00

Embossing Additions Tool Kit

[159971]

$27.00

Basics Embossing Powders

[155554]

$18.00

Watercolor Pencils Assortment 1

[161700]

$18.00

Watercolor Pencils Assortment 2

[149014]

$14.00

Blender Pens

[102845]

$14.00

Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder

[167120]

$44.00

Adhesive Sheets

[152334]

$11.50

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

$6.00

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

$4.25

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

$4.25

Heat Tool (Us And Canada)

[129053]

$32.00

Paper Trimmer

[152392]

$28.00

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Vellum Techniques for Card Makers

Vellum is an a wonderful paper to use when making your cards! I love the vellum from Stampin' Up! because it's heavyweight, which makes it ideal for some of the techniques I'm going to show you in my video. I have eight different ways to use vellum on your cards! That also means lots of sample cards to show you! I'm going to make a simple card so that I have enough time to show you all eight techniques. I also have some tips on adhering vellum.

Gather your supplies:

Cardstock: Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; Basic White 4 x 5-1/4", 2-1/2" x 4", 1/2" x 4"; Crumb Cake 4" x 5-1/4"; Perennial Lavender DSP 2" x 5-1/4", 1" x 3"; Vellum 3-1/2" square
Stamp Bundle: Painted Lavender
Stamp: Perennial Postage
Die: Stylish Shapes
Punch: Banners Pick a Punch
Ink: Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia, Gorgeous Grape
Ribbon: Baker's Twine Essentials (white) 8"
Other: Basics 3D Embossing Folder, Purple Fine Shimmer Gems
Adhesive and Tools

Technique 1 - Simple Shapes as Layers

Layers of vellum are wonderful because they allow you to see what's beneath it, while providing a little separation for your other design elements. To begin building our feature card, start by stamping the lavender flowers on the medium sized piece of white. Stamp with both Highland Heather and Fresh Freesia and use the second stamping of each for the interior panel. Stamp two sets of little flowers in Gorgeous Grape, as well as the butterflies. While the Gorgeous Grape ink pad is still out, stamp the sentiments for the front on the small strip of white, and the inside sentiment over the stamped-off flowers on the large white panel. Cut out the flowers, butterflies and vellum circle on the Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine.

Before attaching the Crumb Cake layer to the card front, emboss it with the Basics 3D embossing folder. Add the floral strip vertically down the center of this panel. Layer the two bunches of lavender on the vellum and sprinkle with the additional little flowers. Attach a white bow to the bottom the bouquet with Mini Glue Dots. To attach the vellum to the DSP, apply adhesive underneath the flowers so it won't show through. Add the butterflies (with just glue, or Mini Dimensionals). Use the punch to flag the ends of the sentiment strip and the small piece of DSP. Adhere the strip to the DSP, then pop up the combo with Dimensionals. Add a few Purple Gems to both ends of the sentiment.

The next example features the Zany Zoo Bundle and Zoo Crew DSP. I colored the raccoon with Blends and popped him up on a rectangle of vellum. This is a very simple card (although it looks pretty impressive!) that would be great for making multiples. The next one is a swap card I received from Cindy Westerink. It uses the Everyday Details Dies, the Notes of Nature Bundle, Nature's Sweetness DSP, the Basics 3D Embossing folder and Iridescent Foil Gems. It is essentially the same layout, but with additional strips of DSP.

This technique is further enhanced when you use patterned vellum. The Vellum Basics pack has vellum with three different patterns - polka dots, stripes and leaves. This next card uses the leaf pattern as the layering shape, along with the Perennial Postage Bundle, Paper Butterfly Accents, Perennial Lavender DSP, ribbon (Real Red and Burlap Combo) and more of the Purple Fine Shimmer Gems.

Technique 2 - Alcohol Markers (Stampin' Blends) and Alcohol

For this technique, I recommend using 91% alcohol, as the lower strength versions don't yield the same results. I give a quick demo in this video where I do two variations - the first uses two shades of color and a paint brush to dab alcohol on the color splotches, and the second one has a single color and fine spritzes of alcohol from a paintbrush or toothbrush. I made a video on this technique a few years ago (Blends + Vellum + Alcohol = Spectacular!) - please watch it to see more detail on this incredibly fun technique. (By the way, the glass mat is a wonderful surface for this technique - you can get it by joining my team this month!)

My first sample card is so stinking cute! I used the Cutest Cows Bundle on top of a background of sky and grass. I used two shades of blues (Azure Afternoon and Tahitian Tide) for the sky and dark/light Granny Apple Green for the grass. Once the vellum was dry, I stamped grass blades on top. You do need to give this a long time to dry because vellum isn't porous like paper and the ink stays wet way longer than you're used to. The Black & White Gingham ribbon is the perfect addition to this scene.

The next card was made with the Paper Florist Dies. The textures you get with the paintbrush blending method look fabulous for the petals. The leaves were made with the splatter method. The circle is from Stylish Shapes, the background was embossed with the Timber 3D embossing folder and the sentiment is from So Sincere. The final touch was the addition of the Adhesive-Backed Cork Rounds.

Technique 3 - Die Cut Intricate Pieces

This is particularly great for greenery. It is amazing how the simple addition of a vellum sprig or two will enhance your card! The Pebbled Path card uses Nature's Sweetness DSP, Notes of Nature, Gorgeously Made Dies, Baker's Twine Essentials and the 2023-2025 In-Color Dots. The second card was one I featured a few months ago in a video where I sandwiched a layer of vellum cut with the Gorgeous Garden dies. The sentiment is from Go To Greetings.

Technique 4 - Dry Embossing

When you use an embossing folder on vellum (here is where you will really appreciate the weight of SU vellum), the result is almost two-tone. You'll get white areas in the de-bossed sections - very cool indeed! I used the Basics 3D embossing folder and paired it with the Thoughtful Expressions Bundle, Basic White Herringbone Ribbon and the 2023-2025 In-Color Dots.

Technique 5 - Punched Shapes

We have quite a few punches that lend themselves to vellum - examples include Ladybug Builder, Bough, Dragonflies, Country Bouquet and the Bee Builder that I used in this card. I also used the Bee My Valentine stamp set, Bee Mine DSP, Tailor Made Tags and the Black & White Gingham ribbon.

Technique 6 - Heat Embossing

Heat embossing is always magical, but I am particularly fond of it on vellum. You will notice that the embossing powder melts faster on vellum than cardstock. I love the flowers and sentiment (from Sentimental Park stamp set) embossed in white (Basics Stampin' Emboss Powder) over the Masterfully Made DSP. I cut the vellum longer than the DSP layer so I could wrap it around the back and attach it. I also dabbed a little bit of glue under the letters and a few flowers to help it stay flat to the card.

Technique 7 - Stained Glass

For this technique, stamp on the vellum with Stazon ink. Then color on the reverse side with either Blends or Watercolor Pencils. The first sample was one I made several years ago. I stamped the flowers from Nature's Harvest (retired) and colored with a white pencil yielding a stunning focal point for the card. The sentiment is from Encircled in Friendship, also retired.

I used this technique for the tiger (Jungle Pals, one of the Sale-a-Bration free sets) and colored with light/dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends. For the jungle leaves, I simply colored the vellum with Old Olive Blends before cutting out with the Jungle Pals Dies.

Technique 8 - Watercolor

You might be surprised by this one, but it will work! I used my Water Painter to add streaks of blue sky across the top of my vellum panel. The vellum will curl, so you don't want to do a lot of coloring this way. For my easel card, it was easy to secure the colored vellum behind the opening cut with the Nested Essentials Dies to eliminate the curling. I also used sentiments from Zany Zoo and Trusty Tools.

Have fun experimenting with vellum! Which technique will you try first? Which one is new to you? I'd love to hear from you on both questions.

Karen

ThePowerOfACard@gmail.com

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