3-2-1 Recipe Guidelines


Don't be a scaredy cat by letting this frighten you away. We suggest you take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with our new Guidelines for our 3-2-1 Recipe Challenges. Most important is the content for Things 1, 2, and 3 and understanding our new concept. This 3-2-1 Guideline Page is a work in process as we go forward with challenges. 

Thing 1 Trouble Maker
will always require a 3-2-1 Recipe, but the ingredients may vary with each new challenge. You can customize and enhance the ingredients to fit any theme or occasion unless the theme is otherwise specified.  You may use more than the ingredients stipulated but you MUST include at least the required minimum of each ingredient for successful results and a chance in our random drawing. 

You can stop here to be eligible for a chance in our random drawing and consider using Thing 3's optional twist.
    AND/OR 
While planning your 3-2-1 Recipe ingredients, you may want to consider using Thing 2's bi-weekly sketch challenge at our Sister Challenge, 'Try a Sketch on Tuesday' (TSOT). This is optional, not mandatory, but encourages the combining of challenges, which applies to all future challenges.  In Thing 2's clipart, we have circled the current sketch, and we are offering TWO additional chances in our random drawing when you combine their sketch with our 3-2-1 Recipe.  


Thing 3 Twisted Sister 
will provide you with an optional twist, sometimes related to an Alternate Challenge requirement. If you choose to include the optional twist in your Thing 1 project, you will earn another chance in our random drawing, with or without using the TSOT sketch.  


Thing 2 Double Trouble 
if you have used the TSOT sketch with our 3-2-1 Recipe, you are eligible for TWO additional chances in our random drawing.  The current sketch can be found in the clipart in Thing 2's hand (circled), however, click HERE for additional sketch detail.  

When you link your project please include TSOT's name and link next to the Double Trouble link in your post so you will be eligible for another chance in our random drawing.  The same rule will apply if we have listed an alternate challenge alert (*see below). 

Guidelines of TSOT Sketch:  You are free to change the orientation of the sketch by rotating or flipping it, changing it from landscape to portrait, or vice versa, or using its mirror image. You may modify shapes using other shapes (ovals for squares, circles for triangles, flowers in place of a circle, etc.) as long as the basic sketch is visible in your project. 
 
Note: If a certain shape is specified in the 3-2-1 Recipe ingredients, that shape must be used. The TSOT Guidelines permit modification or substitution of shapes with other images or shapes, but the 3-2-1 Recipe will prevail when challenges are combined. 
 
*Alternate Challenge Alert: Periodically, we will offer an Alternate. That means... if our Thing 1 requirement meets the requirement of the Alternate Challenge, this will be another challenge where you are free to link. Sometimes this may require Thing 3's optional twist as well. The same will apply when linking to the TSOT sketch above. 


KITCHEN ICONS FOR OUR 3-2-1 RECIPE INGREDIENTS 
Introducing "Ingredient Icons". These are primarily for use with the clipart but give you the ingredient's purpose and what crafting materials are acceptable. Experienced crafters may not require this level of detail, but at times it will be a great reference for clarifying the ingredients in our challenges. These are general icons; but the ingredient may specify specific requirement and takes priority over the general ingredient. 

THIS IS CONTINUAL WORK IN PROCESS AS WE 
EXPAND OTHER INGREDIENTS IN OUR RECIPES

These general ingredients Icons are used for our Thing 1's 3-2-1 Recipe, but the ingredients in the recipe may be more specific and must be used in your project. 

The 1-quantity ingredient will generally be an image, sentiment, or shape. Other 1-quantity ingredients that may be used:  
  • Card style: Slimline, Fun Fold, Shaped, Shaker, Aperture, Scene, etc.  
  • Create a Scene 
  • Personally Created Background, i.e., Foil, Pattern Stamping, Ink Blending, Embossing, Stenciling, Gel Plate, Distressing, Bokeh, Watercolor, Dies, etc. 

INGREDIENT ICONS 

CARDSTOCK / VELLUM 



COLORS: This icon represents colors from the Color Wheel. 
The designated number of colors must be used, but additional colors can be used to enhance your project. Shades, hues, tints, and tones of the same color are considered essentially alike and do not count as separate colors.

NEUTRALS: When the ingredients indicate a certain number of colors, or choice of colors, neutrals are "free" and, therefore, not to be counted as one of the colors unless specified otherwise in ingredient description. Neutrals are typically white, ivory, black, gray, tan, brown, beige, and Kraft. 

We will provide other unique color ingredients such as: 
1.  Rainbow Colors (Traditional ROYGBIV, Pastel, Neon, etc).
2.  Shades of One color (Monochromatic) 
3.  Neutrals Only  

Color(s) can be taken from patterned papers, cardstock, inks, digital images, stickers, ephemera, and/or hand-drawn images. 


COLORING TOOL (MIXED MEDIA):  
Coloring can be done with crayons, colored pencils, watercolors, paint, chalk, markers, brush pens, and inks.  


can consist of steel dies cut with manual or electric machines, svg files using Cricut, Silhouette and other cutting machines,  Ephemeral packs and Sticker Sheets of themed pre-cut images,  Stamp and Die Sets, and punches. These are all acceptable dies unless the recipe has more specific die-cut requirements.  
Fussy-cut will be under a different category and not acceptable as dies and die-cuts. 


EMBELLISHMENTS:
This includes items like sequins, gems, dots, glitter, buttons, or small die-cut shapes like flowers, used to add texture and visual appeal to the card. Embellishing refers to the creative process of adding decorative elements, enhancements, or finishing touches to handmade cards to make them more visually appealing and personalized.  

FUSSY-CUT : 
Fussy cutting is a technique that involves hand-cutting around a stamped image or greeting, a printed digital image or greeting, or cutting elements out of patterned paper. 


IMAGE: An image can be stamped, digital, die-cut, or hand-drawn Image fussy-cut from patterned papers, as well as stickers or ephemera unless the image description is more specific in the challenge ingredients. 

We are a challenge for hand-crafted items. While digital images and elements are permitted, the project result may be a hybrid creation but it must be a physical hand-held, paper-crafted item that a person would typically place in an envelope. 

This clipart image will be used for our SomeThing, AnyThing, EveryThing Challenge where in the ingredients will be the choice of the Entrant for the 3 and 2 quantity ingredients. Same rules, you MUST include at least the required minimum of each 3 and 2 ingredient for successful results and a chance in our random drawing. But you may use more than the ingredients stipulated to enhance the recipe.  



LAYERS:  Your card base does NOT count as a layer, but cardstock panels, patterned paper, specialty papers, burlap, cheesecloth, doilies, die cuts, sentiments, you name it... can be used and counted as a layer. 



PAPERS - DESIGNER/PATTERNED 
In addition to regular patterned papers, you can use digital papers, provided they are printed on paper and used on a physical hand-held, paper-crafted item that a person would typically place in an envelope. 



PAPERS - SPECIALTY:   
Specialty papers include glitter paper, metallic, embossed, foiled, patterned foil, Vellum etc. In addition to regular patterned papers, you can use digital papers, provided they are printed and used on a physical hand-held, paper-crafted item that a person would typically place in an envelope. 



RIBBONS / BOWS 
This category includes ribbons, bows, string, twine, jute, thread, leather strips, gimp, cord, etc. Images depicting these items can also be included, and they can be taken from patterned papers, cardstock, digital or stamped images, stickers, ephemera, and/or hand-drawn images unless otherwise noted. 


SCENE:  Create your own scene, as simple or complex as you like.  You are free to use stencils, dies, hand-drawn elements, stamps, paper, anything in your stash to create your scene. 



SENTIMENT:
  Sometimes referred to as a greeting, salutation, or message, the sentiment image can be stamped, digital, die-cut, hand-drawn, as well as stickers or ephemera unless the sentiment description is more specific in the challenge ingredients. 



SHAPES
Geometric shapes include squares, rectangles, circles, ovals, triangles, hexagons, octagons, etc.  Other shapes include hearts, banners, arrows, stars, etc. This icon will be used for shapes of your choice; however, if the shape description is specific to the 3-2-1 ingredients, that shape must be used in your project.                  


WASHI TAPE
Good news! You may use Washi tape to your heart's content, provided your project adheres to the 3-2-1 Recipe. There are various ways to use Washi tape, and it is available in several sizes and many patterns, colors, and designs.



TECHNIQUES 

OFF or ON THE EDGE 
Going "Off the Edge" refers to a technique where a design element, like an image, shape, or sentiment, extends beyond the edge of the card, meaning it is partially cut or stamped so that a part of it appears to be "hanging off" the card's border, creating a visually interesting effect.
OR
Going "On the Edge" means that a design element is positioned very close to or extends up to the immediate edge of the card, often with no visible border, creating a more seamless and visually impactful look. It essentially describes a design that goes nearly or completely to the very edge of the card. 



DIE CUTTING TOOLS  


STENCILING: 
Stenciling is the application of ink or another medium, like texture paste, through a stencil. You can layer stenciled patterns or combine different stencils for unique backgrounds that complement your card's theme. 

Stand-alone stencils have one repetitive pattern design. All you need is your favorite stencil, some ink or embossing paste, and you’re good to go. You can combine stand-alone stencils to achieve interesting patterns. 

If you don't have stencils, they can be made with dies, a paper trimmer or even scissors, just like you did a snowflake as a child. 


Layered stencils are usually available as a set.  The beauty of two-pack or three-pack layered stencils is that you can choose to use just one or all stencils in the set. The designs you create will definitely be unique. 

Mask stencils are very handy when adding dimension to your design. They are designed as a stencil and stamp set. When completed, the second image will appear to be behind the first. 
For instructions and ideas, visit Tips for Using Stencils HERE and go to the 20-minute mark for this particular stencil and stamp set.



PERSONAL STAMPED BACKGROUND: 


FUN-FOLD CARDS:  
Cascade Card tutorial 
10-15 Minute Tutorials for Easy Fun Fold Cards
The Easiest Fun Fold Card - Jackie Bolhuis
A Fancy Fold Card in 5 Minutes - Connie Stewart
A Fun Flap Card in minutes - Connie Stewart
A Double Flap Fun Fold - Connie Stewart
Check out this Fun Fold with Belly Band - Connie Stewart
Side Fun Fold Card - Mary Deatherage
Crossover Pointy Card or Triple Point


EMBOSSING: 
Heat embossing is the most common type of embossing in cardmaking. It involves the use of embossing powders and a heat source, typically an "embossing heat gun"

Dry embossing, also known as pressure embossing or texturizing, involves running embossing folders with cardstock and/or paper through an embossing machine to apply a design using pressure. 


PAPER PIECING:
is a creative and artistic technique used to enhance card designs by layering and assembling small pieces of paper or cardstock to create intricate patterns, images, or designs. This technique offers cardmakers a way to add depth, and intricate patterns to their handmade cards, resulting in beautifully detailed and visually striking creations. Paper piecing allows for extensive customization, enabling cardmakers to experiment with various colors and textures.


FOILING: 
A decorative technique that adds a touch of elegance and shine to handmade cards. It involves applying a thin layer of metallic or holographic foil to specific areas of the card design, creating a stunning and reflective effect. Foiling can be used to highlight sentiments, embellishments, patterns, or entire card backgrounds, and it's a popular choice for creating cards with a luxurious and sophisticated appearance. 

Several methods of adding foil are available, but special attachments for digital die-cutting machines, foiling pens, or machines specifically designed for hot foiling are also available.


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