Welcome to Week 2 of my weekly cardmaking challenge! I started this challenge to encourage myself to experiment with fresh designs, try different techniques, and move beyond the styles I create most often.
Each week has its own theme, technique, and creative direction. This week’s theme is “Glow Through It”—a reminder to keep shining even when life feels difficult or uncertain.
The Idea Behind This Week’s Challenge
Light has a beautiful way of finding its way through even the smallest opening. That thought inspired this card and its message.
The three decorative arched pieces remind me of illuminated hanging lanterns. Each one holds its own soft color and delicate pattern, representing the light we carry within ourselves.
The message behind the card is simple: we cannot always control what happens around us, but we can choose to hold on to hope, stay true to ourselves, and glow through it.
Creating the Bokeh Background
I wanted the background to feel bright, cheerful, and full of soft light, so I created a bokeh-inspired effect on white cardstock.
Using different-sized circle stencil, I gently blended shades of coral, yellow, and fresh green. I varied the pressure while blending so that some circles appeared stronger while others looked soft and slightly faded.
The overlapping circles create movement and give the impression of glowing lights in the background. They add color and interest while still leaving plenty of clean white space.
Building the Glowing Focal Pieces
For the focal point, I created three lanterns . Combining a few different dies from different sets, I die-cut the the frame from metallic gold cardstock to give them a warm, luminous appearance.
Inside each gold frame, I added a softly colored panel in peach, pale yellow, or muted green. The delicate designs on the panels are vellum embossed with the help of embossing folder to add subtle texture and make each piece feel like a small glowing window.
I positioned the three pieces at different heights and overlapped them slightly to create dimension and an interesting arrangement.
Adding the Hanging Details
Thin gold lines extend from the top of the card to the arched pieces, making them appear as though they are hanging.
These vertical lines also guide the eye toward the focal arrangement and connect the individual pieces. A few small gold embellishments scattered around the bokeh background repeat the metallic finish and add a final touch of shine.
The Perfect Sentiment
I stamped “Glow Through It” beneath the focal arrangement in black ink.
The simple sentiment contrasts beautifully against the white background and completes the meaning of the card. It is an encouraging message for anyone experiencing a difficult season or simply needing a reminder of their own strength and light.
Supplies and Techniques
- White cardstock
- Metallic gold cardstock
- Decorative arch, window, or lantern dies
- Soft coral, yellow, and green inks
- Circle or bokeh stencil
- Blending brushes
- Colored cardstock for the inner panels
- Embossed or patterned details
- Small gold embellishments
- “Glow Through It” sentiment stamp
- Die-cutting machine
- Liquid adhesive and foam adhesive
Final Thoughts
This card is colorful and uplifting while still keeping the design clean and uncluttered. The softly blended bokeh circles suggest light glowing in the background, while the metallic gold focal pieces add warmth and shine.
More importantly, the card carries a message I think we all need sometimes: challenges may surround us, but they do not have to dim our light.
Whatever you may be facing, keep going, keep creating, and glow through it.
Hugs,
Jyoti
Die-cutting Machine Shop at: SB | SC | AM | SSS |
Blush 6*6 Pack Shop at: SSS |
Greenery 6*6 Pack Shop at: SSS |
Neenah 80lb Cardstock Shop at: AM |
Trodat Self Inking Stamping Tool Shop at: AM |
Birch Press Circle Stencil Shop at: AM | SSS |
Gina K Designs SET OF 4 Blending Brushes Shop at: AM | SSS |
Essential Arches Etched Dies Shop at: SB |
