Hi everyone, do you wonder how to create a beautiful one layer focal point that directly draws the eye where you want it? Are you intimidated by one layer focal points? Well, today, I’m going to share how easy it is to create a one layer focal point card that will make your followers go WOW!
One layer cards are actually much easier than they seem. I admit that I used to be intimidated by them, but now I actually love to create focal points using only one layer! It’s a challenge and fun! Let me share my tips and tricks with you!
Card 1
Card #1 above was easy! I heat embossed the Beautiful Magnolia stamp designed by Alex Syberia for Maker Forte onto A2 sized white cardstock.
Next, I colored it with Copic markers in B91, B95, B97, and B99. I went back in with colored pencils to add shadow and depth. Then, I did some ink blending around the flower with Altenew inks in Misty Morning, Cloudy Sky, Nimbus, and Dark Night. The key to building the focal point is to keep the center area surrounding the flower light in color and move to darker colors as you go further out. See how the flowers pop in the photo below?
But I didn’t stop there! I added more detail by stenciling over the outer area of the card with the Stepped Cubes stencil. Can you see it? It’s very subtle, but those subtle details change your card from average to WOW!
Card 2
Next, let’s work on a similar example as above, but with different colors.
For this one layer beauty, I used the Gorgeous Gardenia stamp and built my focal point by stamping a flower, masking it, and then stamping another flower and leaves until I was happy with the layout. Next, I colored the flowers and leaves with Copic markers in B24, B29, B69, G21, G94, G99, R81, R83, R85, R35, R37, and R39. Then I went back in with colored pencils to add shadow and depth.
Next, it was time to build around the focal point by ink blending the same way as I had done in card #1. Only this time, I used Altenew inks in Butternut, Pumpkin Pie, Yellow Ochre, and Sicilian Amber. And I went over the edges with the Stepped Cubes stencil to add interest and texture. The lighter ink color surrounding the flowers gives off a glow and helps your focal point jump off the page!
Card 3
My 3rd card uses a different technique to create a one layer focal point.
TIP: Think outside the box when creating one layer focal point cards! The options are endless! Look to sketches for design ideas!
The first step with this card was to create a rectangle by masking off the edges with purple tape. Next, I added a layer of ink with Altenew ink in Mountain Mist. Then secured my stencil and added Volcano Lake ink. Finally, I offset the stencil slightly and added Lagoon… This gave a shadow effect that looks so cool!
Once that was finished, I added Color Hive clear embossing ink over the area and brushed Asteroid Kaleidoscope powder over it. This added a translucent shine that’s so beautiful!
Next, I removed the purple tape and added Krylon spray over the card to set the kaleidoscope powder so that it won’t rub off. Now I was ready to heat emboss the flower from the Hugs stamp over the rectangle focal point. I finished with a sentiment, and I was done! Here is a close up of the details. Details make all the difference in your cards!
I hope that you walked away today with inspiration to create your own one layer focal point cards. The benefits of this style are that the cards are thinner, so mailing is easier. But they still look complex and beautiful for your recipient!
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