Daisy Delight

Hi there,

This is a 6x6 inch card for you.
This came about by playing with some new Tonic Studio Dies combined with a need to use up some of the 6x6 card stock stacks I have.

I began with the daisy background. This is from a set designed for envelope flaps, but I figured it was really a corner that could be used to create a square. I used the insert without a cutting edge, re-positioned the die to make the square,  then cropped it from the card stock using a grid ruler. I rounded the corners with a punch. This was then layered onto a piece of teal card from my stash.

I selected a die from the scalloped stitched square set. I cut this in white, then inked through the die using Tumbled Glass Distress ink. The floral element was layered on top of this.

For the base layer, a piece of teal card was cut to 5-1/2 inch square and layered on to white card measuring 5-3/4 inch square. This was adhered to the base card.
The scalloped square was layered on top of this with foam tape.

I stamped the greeting using Justrite Fancy Sentiments and cut using a smaller scalloped stitched square die. The die-cut was inked with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. It was placed on the card with foam tape.

For the flowers, I stamped out some flowers using the petite petals and flower shop stamp sets from Stampin' Up and cut them out with the coordinating punches. The centres were finished with Cosmic Shimmer Crystal Sparkle PVA glue.


Change the colour, change the sentiment, a card for any occasion.


Happy Crafting.

Retro card revisited

Hi there,

Just a quick blog post for today.

I went ahead and did some variations on the Retro Bro card I posted a few weeks ago. So if you like the look of these cards the materials I used can be found there.

Both are done on 6x6 white card blanks.

For the monochrome version I embossed the background and brought it out with some Black Soot Distress Ink brushed over the top.

With the pastel version I pulled in the fifth colour for the sentiment and chose some soft cream card for the background without the embossing this time.

Nice and simple, and great for using up some scraps.

All for now,

Happy Crafting.

Secret Garden

This was one of those cards that just came together and wasn't planned at all.

I started with the focal element. I have had this Justrite Secret Garden background stamp for a while. I was creating some backgrounds with dark inks over coloured paper, then thought I would try embossing in white. Originally, I intended to use this as it was for a white on white look, but I decided to introduce colour. 

I started with the leaves. I picked out Bundled Sage and Mowed Lawn distress ink pads. I used the lighter colour first and added it to the image using Cut and Dry foam. The darker colour was added to the central lines for some shade and dimension.

For the flowers, I chose Picked Raspberry and Tumbled Glass. I coloured the whole flower with the blue ink, and added the pink to the middle. The colours blended into a lovely purple, (very similar in fact to Dusty Concord).

I thought it looked great considering I was just playing about.

Next I wanted to make it into a topper. I pulled out my Tonic Studios layering rectangles dies. I cut the image down with the largest of the plain edged dies. I ran my Dusty concord ink pad down the edges and then matted it onto some white card that I had "dusted" with ink, (using Ink Duster brushes). I cut the border down to 1/16 inch with my Perfect Layers ruler.

I lay this onto a piece of white card that I had cut with the largest scalloped edge die in the set.

I wanted some interest on my card blank, (A5 in size). I picked out a polka dot embossing folder and ran some white card through, (I used the Grand Calibur). I cut it down so I would have half an inch for matting and layering, then "dusted" again with Dusty Concord Ink. Matted it onto white with 1/16 inch border. Then matted it again on card that I had coloured with my ink, that way it matched perfectly.

 

I attached my topper with foam tape for extra dimension.

Before attaching to the  card blank, I wrapped some ribbon around. This satin-edged organza was just the thing. I tied a bow and added it to the centre with a mini glue dot.

The tag was made by stamping in Dusty Concord using the Lots of Thanks set from Stampin' Up, which I punched out using the Word Window punch. I used the Modern Label punch and some custom coloured card to layer it up. I added this to an oval cut from one of the decorative elements in the Sue Wilson Austrian collection (love it!). I inked through the die with my ink duster brush. I added this to the card with some foam tape.

Happy Crafting

Bold stripes

Hello Everyone,

I have another more masculine card for you today. The colours have been picked out from the patterned paper. This is from the Spots and Stripes Bold Collection from Papermania.
I have used an 8x8 card blank in white. The patterned paper was cut down to 7-1/2 inch square and matted on to black card stock. I cut a 1/16 inch border with the Perfect Layers ruler. I adhered this to the card base with double-sided tape.

I rummaged through my stash and chose a piece of blue and red card stock.
I cut the blue piece down to 5-1/4 inch square. I layered this onto some black card stock, and cut a 1/16 inch border with the Perfect Layers ruler. I added this to a red piece of card and once again cut a 1/16  border. I added another layer of black. I cut this border to 1/8 inch. I attached this to the card with foam tape.

The sentiment from Tonic Studios was cut from black card stock. I chose Spellbinder Labels 32 to sit the sentiment on. I felt it needed some texture, so I ran it through the Spellbinders "So Trendy" M-bossibility folder. I adhered the sentiment to the Label with Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue.

The corners seemed empty so I found this Tattered Lace "Birdhouse" corner die. I cut them in black card stock and adhered them with Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue. I then attached the label with foam pads. 

Men's cards are so tricky - no flowers, bows or butterflies allowed!

Happy Crafting!

Tie-dye birthday

Hello again,

Today I have a 6x6 card for you.

The inspiration for the colours came from the patterned paper, had this in my stash for a while.

When I make the base layers for a card I start by thinking about how big I want the smallest layer to be. The patterned paper was cut down to 5 inch square. I picked out a piece of blue card stock and stuck the patterned paper to it. I used a Perfect Layers ruler to create a 1/16 inch border.

This was laid onto white card stock. I cut a half inch border around the blue layer. Finally, this was laid over some pink card stock. I cut a 1/16 inch border again. 

The whole thing was then glued to the base card with double sided tape.

I stamped the greeting using Clarity "Happy Words" set. I wasn't sure which colour to go with so I used both, Picked Raspberry and Broken China distress ink.  I liked the effect and went with the same method to stamp the flower from the Stampin'up "Flower Shop".

I selected a layering rectangle die from Tonic Studios to fit the greeting. I cut the next size up in pink and glued them together. I cut the next 2 sizes up in white then blue and glued them together. The pink layer was stuck to the blue layer with foam pads.

I punched out the flowers with the matching punch and shaped them with a ball tool. I used the foliage set from Spellbinders to cut the leaves. I sponged through the die with the same distress inks.

Before gluing everything down, I lay out the pieces to see how they look. I thought it needed something at the bottom. I ended up cutting a border from the California Collection by Sue Wilson in pink card stock and putting that at the bottom.

I added the other elements, raising the greeting panel on to foam pads and using Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue for the flowers and foliage.

Finally, finished with three stamped and punched flowers from the Pretty Petals set from Stampin'up which I positioned in top left corner for balance.

Happy Crafting!

Welcome baby

Hello again everyone. 

Look at this baby card! Love it, made as a commission for a friend to celebrate the arrival of their first nephew.

I started with an 8x8 white card blank.

I pulled some different blue card stock from the stash and  along with this lovely yellow pinstripe paper from Docrafts. 

I matted and layered the pieces for the centre of the card. The smaller portion was raised on foam pads.

The sentiment plate was cut from the California collection from Sue Wilson. The sentiment itself, from Tonic Studios was cut in dark blue. The stork was cut separately in white and layered over the top. I used some Tumbled Glass Distress ink to add colour to the "bundle of joy". 

The sentiment was placed above centre on the base card.

Returning to the California collection, I cut the corner in white card stock and placed as shown.

The flowers were made from the Stampin'up pretty petals and flower shop sets. I used Tumbled Glass and Squeezed  Lemonade distress ink. They were punched out with the matching punches, shaped using a ball tool and then some pearl PVA was added to the smaller flower centres. They were arranged on the card as shown.

The foliage was cut in dark blue using Sue Wilson's faux quilled set. I added some extra flourishes in white.

Hey Presto!

Welcome Baby!

Happy Crafting.

Spin off from Retro Bro

Hello again,

Following on from the "Retro Bro" post, I created this smaller version.

This uses a 6x6 white card blank.

I cut a red mat to 5-1/2 inch square, a soft cream mat to 5 inch square and a further red mat to 4-1/2 inch. The final mat was cut from Kraft card to 4-7/16 inch square. I lay these together on the base card using double-sided tape.

Using the Sizzix hexagon thinlits dies, I cut a suitably sized shape in soft cream. I lettered this onto some pale blue card and used Perfect Layers rulers to make a  1/16 inch border. I attached this to the card as shown using foam tape. I deliberately opted to have the edges overhang the mats on the card base.

From scraps of red, blue, yellow and brown card, I cut the smallest hexagon from the Sizzix dies. These were laid onto the card with foam squares in a honeycomb pattern.

To finish, I cut the sentiment from Tonic Studios in black card. I stuck this down using Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue.

Lots of colour but not theme specific for those guys who don't like sport or boats!

I am also considering using pastel feminine colours, or maybe even monochrome.

Happy Crafting!

Retro Bro

Hi Everyone,

A more manly card this time. 

This is on a Kraft 8x8 card blank. 

The base is layered with soft cream and Kraft card measuring 7-1/2, 7-3/8 and 6-7/8 respectively.

The hexagonal topper was created using Sizzix dies. I chose the size that best fit the sentiment I wanted to use. I cut this in Kraft card, then cut the next size down in red. I wanted a soft cream border so I used Perfect Layers to create a 1/16 inch border. I created the "patchwork" effect by cutting 6 of the smallest hexagons and arranging as shown.

The sentiment from Tonic Studios was cut in black and adhered to the topper.

Next I cut strips of scrap card and created the banners. I included some of the "retro prints" designer series paper from Stampin'up. I arranged these on the base card as shown, then lay the hexagonal topper over the joins with foam tape. 

I added the "brother" sentiment die from Tonic Studios.

Finishing touches were added with Picket Fence distress marker.

Hope you all like it.

Happy crafting.

Hollywood Birthday

Hi Everyone,

I was really pleased with how this turned out and wanted to share with you.

I used a 8x8 white card blank. I used the  colour from the patterned paper for inspiration here. This is from the 6x6 DCWV Floral Prints designer stack. I used Victorian velvet distress ink to "custom colour" some white cardstock for matting and layering. Perfect Layers rulers help get a professional finish. I then matted this onto some white cardstock and set this to one side.

On the card base, I cut some olive cardstock from Papermania to 7-1/2 inch square and matted onto some more Victorian velvet custom coloured card using Perfect Layers again. This was placed in the centre of the card, followed by the patterned paper piece.

Using the same olive cardstock, I used Sue Wilson's California Collection Die "Hollywood" for the centre piece. From the same collection I used the largest die from the Layers B and a smaller one for the sentiment. The sentiment was stamped using a combination of stamps to get the phrase I wanted. I layered all these elements together and placed them in the centre of the card.

The flower were created using Stampin' Up Flower Shop and matching Pansy punch, and the Pretty Petals stamps and punch set. I shaped them with a ball tool and finished them off with Pastel Pink PVA glue "pearl" from Cosmic Shimmer. Allow to dry.

The leaves were cut from Spellbinder Foliage set. I inked through the die with Evergreen Bough distress ink.

I arranged the flowers and glued them into place with Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue. I added some extra tiny flowers which were punched with Papermania Mini Punch and again finished with a "pearl" in the centre.

Hope you like this as much as I do.

Happy Crafting.

Teal Twist

A 6x6 scallop edged card in cream this time.

I started with a 5-3/4 inch square of craft card, layered with a 5-1/2 inch square of teal card, then a 5-3/8 inch square of cream card.

I then cut a 4-1/2 inch square piece of teal card and layered a 4-7/16 inch square piece of craft card on top. This was added to the card toward the top left corner.

I cut the sentiment in cream card and positioned it over to the left.

Using Sue Wilson's faux quilled leaves die set, I cut 2 sets of leaves. Then I cut layers using Spellbinders bloom die D-lites. I finished them off with a mini flower punch in teal and a Cosmic Shimmer ivory PVA glue "pearl". 

I arranged the flowers in the bottom right corner, and embellished with the leaves behind.

I finished with a teal sentiment tag and cream "thank you" die from Spellbinders.

Nice and simple - I really liked the colour combo.

Happy crafting.

Just Peachy

Sorry the photo is a bit dull, but hope you like it. 

My favourite card size again, 8x8 in white.

I selected some peach card stock from my stash and cut a large mat.

I then cut 4 large tonic corner dies and layered them over the peach mat to make a frame.

Next I matted a piece of 6x6 patterned paper onto more peach card. This was layered onto the card with foam pads. I cut another piece of the same patterned paper down to 5x5, matted in onto peach card. This was layered onto the card with foam pads.

I then cut a scalloped oval in white and ink through the die with Dried Marigold distress ink. I cut another plain oval in the patterned paper, inked the edges and layered it on the scallop. I cut the Tonic "MUM" sentiment in white and inked through the die. 

Using the Claritystamp Letterbox kit, I created the "TO BE" text and cut it out.

I stuck the sentiment to the oval with Cosmic Shimmer dries clear glue, then layered the whole thing on to the card with foam tape.

I cut the foliage in plain white card using a Tattered Lace die. The flowers were cut from Centura Pearl using Sue Wilson's quilled flower collection. The smaller flowers were punched out in peach card stock.

I built up the flowers and arranged them on the card finishing the centres with Cosmic Shimmer Pearl PVA glue.

To finish I cut a bow using a Memory Box die.

Mono Magic

Materials:

White card stock

Black card stock

Crafts Too flourish die

Spellbinders Scalloped Borders

Labels 25 / Majestic Elements

Oval die

Blooms die

Perfect Layers tools 

Fiskars small blossom punch   Papermania mini flower punch

Sentiment die of your choice.

I started by cutting the borders. First, just the edge on white card stock. Then with the insert on black and white card. I then trimmed the card down so the borders fitted across and then"squared" it off. I made sure there was a small border for matting and layering, I like to use Perfect Layers tools to help get an even border. (hope that makes sense?)

I layered these together then matted on to black and then white card. This essentially makes a square topper. Lay this centrally on to a large black mat. I was using an 8x8 card blank, so my mat was 1/4 inch smaller.

Next cut labels 25 majestic elements in black card. I used foam to raise this element for more interest. 

Cut an oval that fits your chosen sentiment. Layer this and use foam to mount it to the card.

 

Next I made up the flowers. I used a die D-lite, (my favourite), but choose whatever you like. This time I cut the largest two in white and the smallest in black. 

For the centres, I combined two mini punches and finished it off with a black cosmic Shimmer PVA glue "pearl". Of course you can use what you have. 

Instead of leaves, I decided to use some flourishes for a different look.

Stand back and admire. 

Try it with different colour combo classics. I was thinking chocolate and pink, or maybe navy and cream. 

p.s Sorry about the photo, was not in the best place to take it, so it looks a bit on the yellow side.

Happy Crafting!

Spring Greens

Green isn't everyone's cup of tea, however, I had loads of green cardstock and wanted to use it. Of course, you can substitute for your favourite colour to suit your project.

The card base is 8x8 in cream from Papermania/DoCrafts. I used Hint of Sliver Centura Pearl for the next layer, 7 3/4 inch square. Dark green mirror board, (which may be from Creata), cut to 7 11/16 inches square.

I embossed an A4 sheet of smooth white 160 gsm card with an Embossilicious, (Crafters Companion), and cut it down to 7 7/16.
I rubbed over the top with an Evergreen Bough Distress Inkpad, (direct to paper) to pop the leaves, then used an Ink Duster and Bundled Sage Distress Ink around the edges.

Next the die-cutting. (I use a Grand Calibur).

• Spellbinders Foliage in green textured cardstock from Papermania,
• Spellbinders Labels 25 in Centura Pearl Hint of Silver, (Crafters Companion),
• Spellbinders Majestic Labels 25 in dark green mirror card,
• Spellbinders Moroccan accents, (corners and small flower centres) in Centura Pearl,
• Tonic Everyday Sentiments set 2, Birthday Wishes in green mirror board,
• Memory Box Petal Party in Centura Pearl,
• Spellbinders Die D-lites Blooms One, Medium and Large in Centura Pearl, the smallest  in Papermania green textured cardstock
• Heartfelt Creations Layered Scallop Posy, (small single flower only) in Centura Pearl.

Assembling the card.
I positioned the corners first.
Next layer up the labels 25 and add the sentiment. I adhered mine to the card base with foam for more dimension.
Layer up the flowers, I like to shape mine with a ball tool first. Finish with centre punched from dark green mirror board with a 1cm Papermania Mini Punch. Add a Cosmic Shimmer Spring Green PVA glue "pearl". Allow to dry.
I also used the glue to accent the Majestic Label.
Position the flowers and foliage as desired. Odd numbers in groups always look more natural.

I hope you like it!

Happy Crafting!
 
 

With Love die cut combo

It was only after completing this card, I realised I had used 4 different manufacturers of dies.

Materials Used:

White C5 card blank.

Kraft card stock.

White card stock.

Cream card stock.

Brown mirror card.

Blooms 4 Spellbinder D-lite die.

With Love sentiment die from Tonic.

Foliage dies from Crafts Too.

Double Delights "Adore" die from Tattered Lace. 

Gathered twigs distress ink pad.

Tiny flower punch from Papermania.

Cosmic Shimmer pearl PVA glue.

Inkduster brush or cut and dry foam.

Method:

Trim a piece of kraft card appox. 1/16 inch smaller than the card blank. 

Cut 2 Double Delights in white card stock. Attach to the Kraft card stock at the top and bottom. It just fits on (... More luck than judgement). Attach to base card.

Using Blooms 4, cut the largest and smallest die in brown mirri 6 times. Cut the medium size die 6 times in cream card stock. 

Shape the petals with a bone folder and layer up the flowers with wet glue. 

Punch out 6 cream and 6 brown mirri tiny flowers. 

Add cream punch-outs to the centres of the layered flowers. Finish with a pearl PVA glue bead. If you prefer, use an embellishment from your stash. 

Add a pearl to the brown punch-outs to make seperate tiny flowers to decorate the card. Leave to dry.

Cut foliage in Kraft card stock. I did 2 of each. You may want more or less. 

Lightly brush over with Gathered Twigs distress ink.

Cut With Love sentiment die in cream card stock and emboss. 

Lightly brush with ink.

Arrange the foliage and flowers to your taste. 

Add the sentiment to the centre.

I also added a couple of butterflies, (optional).

Try it with other colour combinations to suit your taste.

Happy Crafting

Multicoloured butterfly

Materials used:
Picked Raspberry distress ink pad
Shabby Shutters distress ink pad
Dusty Concord distress ink pad
Black Soot distress ink pad
Clear embossing powder
Gold embossing powder
Perfect Medium embossing ink pad
Swirl stamp (mine was from IndigoBlu)
Butterfly die (mine was from Crafty Ann)

Method:
Saw Sue Wilson demo this on Create and Craft.

Randomly, ink some white card stock with coloured distress inks using cut and dry foam. Use small "blotches" of colour, make it as crazy as you want. Use colours to suit your taste.
Dry thoroughly with a heat gun, and use an anti-static bag before next step.
Stamp the swirl using perfect medium. Pour over gold embossing powder, remove excess with a paintbrush if necessary. Heat set with a heat tool.
Using the same swirl, stamp again with perfect medium filling in the gaps. This time use clear embossing powder. Tap off excess and heat set.
Now the scary bit. Rub the black soot ink pad directly over the top of your beautiful work. Panic not. Use a piece of kitchen paper to rub ink off the embossed areas.
Hey presto!
For the butterfly, I created another piece of random coloured card and die cut a butterfly. I also cut one in gold mirror too to layer up the butterfly, but this is optional. Adhere it to the card where you think it looks best.
Finally, mat and layer, mount on to a card blank. Add a sentiment as desired. I used petite labels from Spellbinders D-lites range, with sentiment stamp from Claritystamps.