🎨 Technique Tuesday | Stretch Your Cover-Plate!

Hey crafty friends! 👋

Welcome to Technique Tuesday—where we explore a new crafty technique together each week, this space is for YOU! 💖

Today’s featured technique is called “Stretch Your Cover-Plate”. This one’s all about layers, texture, blending, and adding real dimension to your background. And yes—there’s a bee! 🐝

(Originally inspired by the SplitcoastStampers #TLC1041 challenge!)

This technique is all about layering, texture, and giving your die-cuts or embossing folders a whole new vibe. We’re blending, distressing, heat drying, and popping up some beautiful bee-themed goodness.

✂️ What You’ll Learn:

How to create a layered, distressed background with embossing folders
Using ink blending for a rich honey-gold color palette
Adding embossing paste for texture
Crafting a cute little bee with vellum wings 🐝

🧰 Supplies You’ll Need:

Blending brushes
Inks: Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso
Basic White, Basic Black, and Daffodil Delight cardstock
Embossing folder (Honeycomb or your favorite)
Embossing paste + palette knife
Die-cut machine
Sandpaper or foam block
Stampin’ Dimensionals
Your favorite bee stamp or die-cut

📦 Looking for tools? Check my Amazon Craft Tools Page for studio favorites!

This technique is called Stretch Your Cover-Plate (#TLC1041 and that came from the SplitCoastStampers!

🌻 Measurements:

Base Card (Basic White): 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ (scored at 4-1/4″)
Mat #1 (Daffodil Delight): 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″
Mat #2 (Basic Black): 5-3/8″ x 4-1/4″
Mat #3 (Basic White – Textured): 5-3/16″ x 4″
Mat #4 (Basic Black): 4-1/4″ x 2-7/8″
Mat #5 (Basic White): 4-1/8″ x 2-3/4″
Label: Any label shape you prefer (used: Beautiful Butterflies DieCut)

Note: The Honeycomb Embossing Folder and Vellum are RETIRED. Swap with your favorite texture folder or medium!

📌 Supplies:

Die-cutting machine (your choice)
Embossing folder (your choice)
Blending brushes
Inks: Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Pecan Pie, Early Espresso, Tuxedo Black Memento
Background stamp (sketched plaid or similar)
Embossing paste + palette knife
Masking Tape (I used the Purple Tape)
Craft Heat gun
Sandpaper or foam distressing block (or even can use the fine grit nail buffer!)
Green glue (it is actually called the multi-purpose adhesive but I called it the green glue because of the tips)
Seal Adhesives (or your choice)
Stampin' Dimensionals
Foam Strip

🛒 Additional tools not provided by my main craft supplier can be found on my Amazon Storefront – be sure to check there!

🌈 Instructions:

Ink Edges: Distress ink the edges of ALL mats and your label using Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

Ink Blending: With blending brushes, softly blend Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Pecan Pie, and Early Espresso on Mat #3 to your liking.

Texture Time: Emboss Mat #3 (Basic White) using the Honeycomb EF (or alternate EF).

Distress for Depth: Use sandpaper or foam block to gently reveal the white core on Mat #3.

Add Texture Paste: Tape Mat #3 down and apply embossing paste with a palette knife—add thick and thin areas for visual interest. Dry completely with a craft heat gun.

Layer it Up: Adhere Mat #3 to Mat #2 (Basic Black).

Stamp Background: Use your background stamp and favorite ink on Mat #5.

Blend Again: Mute the white of Mat #5 using soft ink blending.

Mount Layers: Attach Mat #5 to Mat #4 (Basic Black).

Pop It Up: Use Stampin' Dimensionals and foam strips to pop Mat #4 up on top of the textured Mat #3.

Bee Time! Stamp the bee body using Daffodil Delight & Crushed Curry. Use Tuxedo Black for stripes and the smiley face.

Wings: Stamp wings on vellum or scrap cardstock. Fussy cut if needed or use the die cut.

Assemble the Bee: Attach wings and head using green glue. Pop the body onto Mat #5 with Dimensionals.

Sentiment Label: Stamp your sentiment in Tuxedo Black on your chosen label shape.

Final Touch: Adhere the label to the front of the textured background. Done!

Note: The Honeycomb Embossing Folder and Vellum are RETIRED. Swap with your favorite texture folder or medium!

🛒 Additional tools not provided by my main craft supplier can be found on my Amazon Storefront – be sure to check there!

📄 Want the PDF Instructions?

Download your FREE tutorial sheet to follow along, print out, or save to your craft binder:

🟣 Download the PDF Tutorial Sheet

You can find everything in the Tutorial Lab here—including supply list and step-by-step instructions.

💬 Let’s Craft Together!

I’d love to see how you use this technique!

Tag me on social: @jeniferbennerstudio

Or leave a comment below if you tried it—I’d bee so happy to see your buzz-worthy creations! 🐝✨

Until next time…

Keep crafting with your hands and your heart. 💖

—Jen