Welcome to Lighting Up My Imagination! In today’s tutorial, we’re breaking away from the norm and exploring a creative approach to using lights in cardmaking. Rather than confining the light to an element like a flame or star, I’m showing you how to let it shine anywhere you fancy—even in the most abstract way.

This project is all about experimentation, bold contrasts, and having a bit of fun. Below, you’ll find a photo slideshow displaying the flat lay and illuminated shots of the finished card. After that, dive into the detailed step-by-step instructions, and don’t miss the embedded YouTube video for the full walkthrough. And of course, check out the supplies list at the bottom for everything you need!

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Lighting Up My Imagination!

1. Start by ink blending a background panel using an A2 sheet of Neenah 80lb paper and a selection of green Catherine Pooler inks. Begin with your darkest shade, blending it across opposite corners before applying a brighter green along the edges. Create a dynamic diagonal layout rather than a uniform halo effect.
2. For a striking effect, add a couple of warmer toned greens down the centre. Work back through the colours, focusing on overlapping areas to achieve seamless transitions. Don’t worry if the blend isn’t perfectly smooth—the magic happens once everything is in place.
3. Once satisfied with the colour payoff, add a touch of metallic flair. Splatter some Gold using a thick splatter brush, then fine-tune the details with a very fine brush and an old gift card to flick on a metallic green splatter.
4. Set aside to dry.

Getting The Elements

1. Stamp your adorable monkeys using Versafine Onyx Black for a longer drying time—ideal for heat embossing with Clear Gloss EP. This prevents any smudging from those impatient alcohol markers!
2. Lay down your lightest shade all over, add shadows with a mid tone, then reapply the lightest shade to soften the transitions. Repeat this process for all your stamped images. Die cut or fussy cut and set aside.
3. Die cut your background panel from the ink-blended sheet and additionally cut two layers of a light green card stock for extra depth in the frame. The sentiment piece is also cut from the same light green material, with a contrasting darker green used for the words. Ensure you leave the dot for the exclamation mark unadhered—this will soon become the star of the show.
4. On the unadhered dot, mark an ‘X’ with your craft knife over a self-healing cutting mat. Use your pokey tool to make a perfectly sized hole for the light to shine through.

Lighting Up My Imagination

1. Assemble your card by adhering two layers of the sentiment onto the shadow piece for extra stability. Use a chosen green cardstock behind the frame for a natural blend of colours, reminiscent of varying shades in a leafy canopy.
2. Fit your One Light (from the Combi pack) into position, tacking it with a bit of tape on the battery housing. Secure with Best Ever Foam Tape (or two layers if using standard foam tape) to ensure proper depth and stability.

Final Touches

1. Using Pear Blossom Press gel pens, add white highlights and golden sparkle details near the button. Align the button with the dot on your design—and just like that, the abstract light effect comes to life!

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Lighting Up My Imagination

For a closer look at every detail, watch the full tutorial on YouTube below. The video walks you through each step, allowing you to see the process start-to-finish. Enjoy watching and happy crafting!

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I’m thrilled with how this project turned out and how I was able to push past the usual light placement boundaries. Although my mind still sometimes leans towards designs where the light “makes sense”, today I embraced the abstract. I hope this inspires you to experiment boldly in your own cardmaking. Don’t forget to check the detailed supplies list at the bottom of the post for everything you might need to recreate this design. Until next time, keep lighting up your imagination!

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Please be aware:

As part of my Design Team and Guest Design work I do often receive free products to use, but I only ever recommend products that I genuinely love.

Also, I know how incredibly lucky I am to have these opportunities, but you don’t always NEED the newest products or the ‘full set’.
So please don’t feel that you need everything.
I like to show a variety of brands and products; this way there will be something for everybody to enjoy.

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— SUPPLIES —

Affiliate links are used where available; this is at no cost to yourself and I truly appreciate everyone who chooses to use my links to shop. Thank you

World’s Best Foam Tape Shop at: PBP	One Light (2 pack) Shop at: PBP	Halo Light Combo Shop at: PBP	Kiwi Crush Cardstock (5 pieces) Shop at: HD
Wintergreen Cardstock (5 pieces) Shop at: HD	Greenbean Cardstock (5 pack) Shop at: HD	Chimply the Best Stamp Set Shop at: SBC	Go Wild Frames Die Set Shop at: SBC
Altenew Metallic Watercolor Set Shop at: Alt | SBC | CS US | CS UK	Fab Foilers – Sweet Sentiments Shop at: WOW USA | WOW UK	Copic E18 Shop at: SBP | AMZ	Copic E59 Shop at: SBP | AMZ
Copic E57 Shop at: SBP | AMZ	Copic E25 Shop at: SBP | AMZ | CPD	Copic E15 Shop at: SBP | AMZ	Copic E79 Shop at: SBP | AMZ
Copic E21 Shop at: SBP | AMZ	Copic E11 Shop at: SBP | AMZ	Lime Rickey Shop at: SBCOM | CPD	Green Tea CP Ink Shop at: CPD
Deck The Halls Shop at: SBCOM | CPD	Martini Shop at: SBCOM | CPD

— My Basic Supplies That I Use On Every Project —

Affiliate links are used

MINI MISTI Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Alt | SBP | Trinity	MISTI – Original Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Alt | SBP	Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive Shop at: Scrapbookcom | SBP | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US	Neenah 80lb Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Alt | Craftstash UK
Neenah 110lb Shop at: Alt	Gemini Jr Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK	Tim Holtz Trimmer 8.5inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Trinity	Tim Holtz Scissors 7inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US
Tim Holtz Mini Snips 5inch Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US	Tidy Tray Shop at: Trinity	Pick Up Stick Shop at: Trinity	Reverse Action Tweezers Shop at: Scrapbookcom | SBP
We R Trim & Scoreboard Shop at: Scrapbookcom	Pressure Tool Shop at: Trinity	Mini Trimmer Shop at: Scrapbookcom | Craftstash UK | Craftstash US	9.5 inch Shears Shop at: Craftstash UK | Craftstash US
Bone Folder Shop at: Alt	Self Healing Mat Shop at: Alt | SBC

*Affiliate links are used, where available; this means that I may get a small commission if you purchase using one of these links, at no extra cost at all to yourself. A huge thank you goes to anyone who does purchase using my links, it is so highly appreciated.