Floating Strips Technique 3 Ways

This week's Use Your Scraps project was inspired by the latest TGIF Challenges theme, "Popping It Up." 

When I saw the challenge, I immediately thought of the Floating Strips Technique that I'd been wanting to try. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to use up all those narrow cardstock strips that seem to accumulate on my craft desk.

For my first card, I followed the traditional technique after watching a few tutorials online. I paired the floating strips with this month's Stampin' Up! colour challenge colours and added an inlaid die-cut spray of leaves through the centre of the floating circle. 

I absolutely love the finished result—the floating strips create such a striking effect—but I quickly discovered that the inlaid die-cutting made the project quite fiddly.

That got me thinking… could I simplify the design while still keeping the beautiful floating effect?

For my second card, I swapped the intricate inlaid design for a stamped lighthouse image layered over the floating strips. The finished card has a completely different feel, creating a simple masculine design that really shows how versatile this technique can be. 

Thank you Atlantic Hearts Sketch for inspiration in bringing this one together!

By this point I had plenty of leftover strips sitting on my desk, and another question popped into my mind. Most Floating Strips Technique tutorials use window sheet (acetate) to hold the strips together. 

But what if you don't have any? Could the technique still work?

So I decided to experiment.

Inspired by this week's Simon Says Stamps 'Stars and/or Stripes' challenge, I reached for a large star-shaped die, and arranged my leftover strips in rainbow order, securing them temporarily with washi tape before running them through my die-cutting machine. I also created a simple cardstock template using the same die so I could place each strip back into position after die-cutting. 

To my delight, it worked! While it isn't exactly the same as using window sheet, it creates a very similar effect using supplies most cardmakers already have.

I finished the design using the current Global Design Project Sketch challenge as inspiration. 

One of my favourite things about crafting is following an idea to see where it leads. What began as simply trying a new technique quickly turned into three different cards, each exploring a slightly different approach. Along the way, I not only discovered a beautiful design but also found a simpler version and a way to create the look without acetate. That's exactly why I love experimenting—it often leads to ideas I'd never have discovered if I'd stopped after the first card.

Watch the Video

If you'd like to see exactly how these cards came together, along with all the tips and tricks I discovered along the way, be sure to watch this week's video. I'd also love to know which of the three versions is your favourite!

If you've been wanting to try the Floating Strips Technique, I hope these three variations inspire you to give it a go—whether you follow the traditional method or experiment with your own twist.