One benefit of being on the AAA Cards design team is that the themes are set a year in advance. This allows me to work without last-minute deadlines – for instance, I’m writing this between Christmas and New Year 2022. It also means that you can get in early with your design so that there is minimal chance of duplicating ideas. On this occasion, one of my teamies had already posted a card using torn edges as a mask, so I have gone on a slightly different tack with my card.

I started by cutting a panel from a card blank that was slightly smaller and tearing a strip out of the upper section. Next, I masked off an area on a second card blank that would be behind the torn section and ink blended the colours to make a coloured background. Stencil a few stars over using contrasting inks. I tried adding some sparkle, but it didn’t look good at all and I ended up scraping it off while still wet. Unmask and stick the torn panel over the top using foam pads. Add the sentiment to finish.

Used for this torn edges panel card

• Stencil: unknown manufacturer – DecoArt?
• Ranger / Tim Holtz Distress Oxides: Seedless Preserves / Ripe Persimmon / Picked Raspberry / Mustard Seed / Festive Berries
• Sentiment: Craftwork Cards clear stamp set [discontinued]
• Ranger Archival Ink: Jet Black
• A6 card blank