Watercolor - Tree Line

 

I brought home a small watercolor palette from the ReUse Center last week. I saw a video in the last month that the artist makes the practice of doing this tree line with a new palette so she has documented the colors in the palette.  I thought I would give it a try.  Wet on the bottom and dry on top.  Just go along the colors and this is the result.  

I wanted to do something with the art.

I have a set stitched squares dies which makes a nice frame. The large one which I have used on cards was too large for the small strip of 3" tall watercolor paper I had.  I used the middle one. The easiest was to make the watercolor this size of the cut out.  This gives less of a look of framed art.

I debated what color the frame should be.  I used a grey here. Could it be black?

The next challenge was that the card seemed too plain so adding some embossing worked really well. 

On this card I used Stampin Up Summer Sun card base,  a Cuttlebug folder with a diamond pattern for the back ground. Diamond in the Rough folder.

On this card I used SU Daffodil Delight card base with again a grey frame.  I think it works a little better on this card.

The embossing folder is Sizzix Softly Falling.  

I remembered that I had an instant camera die so I dug that out. Sure glad it made the cut during the destashing.  

On this card the white card seemed to white so I brushed it with Very Vanilla chalk.  Forgot to emboss this one.

A dark green die cut works.

With this die I could cut my watercolor strip just under 2.75 inches wide and it fit behind the frame.  I like this better.

On this card, I chose SU Baja Breeze as the card base.

The cool grey for the frame die cut.

I used Quick Dry glue along the back of the die cut and just layed the watercolor on to it.  Hold it down for half a minute and it is well adhered.

Again, I think the card front could have used some texture.

I finally remembered to emboss the card front.

I think this SU Gable Green card base with a Sizzix Tim Holtz Alterations Star embossing folder.

I like the contrast of these colors.

Special Project - Thank You cards

 

I made some thank you cards for the friends and neighbours at Mom & Dad's apartment building.  They have been so good to them.  We planned some treats for them which I will deliver this week.

I started with the watercolor paper which I taped to glass then applied the color to the wet paper.   It was allowed to dry overnight which left it very flat.   I cut the circles with Spellbinder smooth circle thinlets - this one measures 3.25 inches.  I added a length of silver metallic embroidery thread.

I found a few simple images on line - birds, garden and butterflies.  I placed them on my light table and loosely traced them onto the watercolored circles with a black marker.  I added the border all the way around.

I cut pieces of white card stock which measured exactly what I needed then ran them in the BigShot with the Cuttlebug Thanks Words folder.  

I chose a card base that matched the colors in the ornament. I adhered the Thanks layer to the card base then used a black brad to attach the ornament to the card front.  This will allow the receiver to remove it and hanging it in a favorite place.

Exchange Cards - October

I took this card kit from Card Club and adjusted it.

My sister made a similar card here which is my inspiration.

I embossed white rectangles with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and the Devine Swirl embossing folders. I glued them in opposite corners onto the bright green card.

I glued the postage to a piece of vellum then this accent was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Another card kit from Card Club.

I ripped the vellum to separate the vellum greetings.

I attached the vellum to the black card front.  I then adhered the gold foil stickers to a teal card stock then punched them out. 

These were adhered over the edges of the vellum strips.

These cards are headed to my card exchange partners.

Card Club - Sept - Tea Pot

I won this stamp and die set from Paper Sweeties this summer.

I stamped the teapot onto designer card stock by Carta Bella - True Friends - Forever Friends in black ink then cut it out with the die.

I printed the French script background in grey onto the pink card itself.  It's from The Graphics Fairy.

I ripped a piece of white card stock to create my table space then embossed it with the Cuttlebug Diamond in the Rough embossing folder.  I adhered across the bottom of the card in the landscape orientation.

I adhered the teapot onto the card front then placed the small handmade paper flower and flower sequin in the bottom right hand corner of the teapot and held these in place with a tiny white brad.

January Birthday Cards - Belated

I'm getting caught up on my January birthday cards as they are late!!

The winter photo card is for my brother who's birthday is in early January.  This photo was taken near my Mom & Dad's place.  There was a bright sun and frost on the trees.  I love the shadows.  I cut it down from 4x6 to 4x5.25 inches. I mounted it to a black card.  I added the greeting made up of a blue Stampin Up Modern Label punch and a greeting punched with the Word Window.  I layered these together and adhered them to the card front with double sided tape.

This card is for my sister who celebrated her day this week.  I chose a yellow card.  I adhered a Happy Birthday embossed layer created with the Cuttlebug folder. This was adhered to the card front. I punched a large daisy from the same card stock.  I punched a black one to layer behind.  I punched a 1/2 inch black circle to provide a background for my yellow brad.  I added a bee to the flower.  The bee was a button from which I removed the shank with my cutting pliers.  I held it in place with a Bling Zot.

Card Club - Jan - Felt Buttons

This is a cute and playful card.
I selected 2 felt buttons in 2 sizes, the large in teal and smaller in green.  I tied them together with white shimmery fiber.  I then added a Zot in the back.  I selected a dark teal card.  I cut my white layer to 4.00" x 5.25" and then embossed it with the Cuttlebug A2 Happy Birthday folder.  I glued the greeting embossed layer to the card front then adhered the felt button accent in the top left hand corner.











Some kits have the pink and purple version of buttons as well as the Cuttlebug A2 Thanks Words folder.

Card Club - November - Cute Snowman

I started with the felt snowman sticker.  I chose the royal blue card to match his scarf.  I cut a piece of white to 4.00 x 5.25 inches and embossed it with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.  I created the greeting tag in the red and royal blue colors and colored printed it.  I trimmed it with scissors to the border and punched a hole at the top to hang it.  I wrapped a piece of red string around the embossed layer several times and knotted it.  I then added the tag and tied a bow.  I removed the release paper from the snowman sticker and adhered it to the card front in the bottom left hand corner.

He sure is cute!!

25th Wedding Anniversary Card

Here's the card I made for the happy couple celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary.

I started with a grey card which supports the silver theme.  I then embossed a white layer with the Cuttlebug DeVine Swirl folder.  Trimmed the piece to leave a small border.  I added a greeting that I used in this class.  It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.  I punched the 2 hearts from silver foil adhesive with the Stampin Up Sweetheart punch.  The numbers 25 was cut with the GoGoBoots sizzlet set.  These were adhered to the card front above the sentiment.

More Cards from Decorative Paper

Here`s a card made with acrylic paint paper in purple and pink.  It was just brushed onto heavy weight paper with a paint brush.  I tried to mix the colors where they intersected.  It`s bright paper.
I selected a purple card that coordinated.  I cut the piece of decorative paper to leave a small border of card color.  I printed the black small letters onto a quarter sheet of white card stock with registration marks to align when I die cut.  Once, printed I aligned the marks with the edges of the Sizzix Happy Phrase die and cut the word Happy.  I trimmed the white greeting layer to 3.75 x 5.25 inches and used a corner punch on all corners to add a bit of interest.  I glued the decorative paper to the card and then applied 3D foam tape to quite few areas on the greeting to keep the pieces in place.  The middle pieces in the H the middle piece in the Y.  I then added the holes for the a and the ps with 3D foam tape as well.  It`s a bit tedious but I like the effect.  I added 3 purple sequins in the top right hand corner for a bit of bling.  These are held in place with Zots.

I made a couple of baby cards with a onesie cut with the Cricut machine and the Wrap It Up cartridge.  I cut them at 2.25 inches from white card stock. I cut the acrylic paint paste paper to leave a small border of navy card.  I added a piece of white lace into which I strung a piece of dark blue 1/8 inche satin ribbon.  The ends were tucked behind the decorative paper and taped down.  This layer was then adhered to the card front.  I added a shorter piece of ribbon in the bottom right hand corner tied in a knot onto the piece in the lace.  I added a knot bow onto the onesie which is held in place with a Zot. 

I made a similar card with pink acrylic paint paper. This time I chose the landscape orientation to change it up a bit.  I cut a piece of white card stock and embossed it with the De`vine Swirls folder from Cuttlebug.  I added a piece of link pink satin ribbon wrapped over it with the ends taped to the back.  This layer was then adhered to the card front. I added a shorter length of the same ribbon and tied it in a knot on the longer piece and trimmed the ends.  I added a knot bow again to the onesie.

I selected the masculine decorative paper I had used earlier and paired it up with a bright green card which worked well.  I printed a leaf trio graphic which I designed myself in brown on ivory card stock.  I layered it with the same card stock as the card.  I added an accent strip across the bottom 1/3 of the card.  I laid a piece of gold card stock onto a strip of the card green card stock. The decorative paper does have gold accent which don`t show up well in the photo. Trimmed the ends to the card edges.  I mounted the leaf accent with 3D foam tape over the accent strip.

I made a wedding card with some simple decorative paper.  I used Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze - Sugar Cane is the color.  I spattered it onto white card stock with a spatter tool.  I keep some of the glaze in it`s original consistency then for the larger dots I thinned it with water and spattered again.  Once dry and ironed flat I printed a black frame onto it.  I cut the wedding couple with the Cricut and the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge.  It was cut at 4 inches with the silhouette option.  I cut it from brushed gold card stock which matched well the Glimmer Glaze.  I placed 2 small heart punchies in the top right hand corner to balance the couple in the frame.  I glued the decorative layer to the front of a black card.  Really happy with this one!

I started with this blue purple acrylic paper.  I paired it with a turquoise card.  I trimmed the decorative paper to leave a small border.  I cut the Memory Box Thanks die from the decorative paper then glued a piece of purple card stock behind it and glued the holes back into the a and k. I adhered the decorative paper to the card front. I cut a border of ovals from the same purple card stock with a thin die that I bought second hand so I don't know the maker.  Do you? Leave me a comment. I tied a bow from white seam binding around the 2 ovals in the center of the border.  I then adhered the border to the top third of the card.

R2G Card Kit - Gold Tags

I started with the gold ornament tags.  I found blue cards that coordinated well.  I chose a pale yellow layer which I embossed with the Cuttlebug Victoria folder.  It was cut to leave a small border.  I wrapped a seam binding in warm dark blue from top to bottom and taped the ends to the back.  The embossed layer was then adhered to the card front.  The large gold ornament tag was then adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.  A quick card in soft warm colors. 

Card Club - Oct - Flower Sticker

I used Dimensional Epoxy Stickers on this set of cards. I matched the card stock to the flower color.  I added a green layer of olive card stock which was embossed with the Cuttlebug Acanthus embossing folder designed by Anna Griffin.  This was adhered to the card front.  I then cut a Tim Holtz label with the Stylized Labels die from butter yellow card stock.  I color printed greetings in dark green on the same card stock as the card. These were punched out with the Stampin Up Modern Label punch.  The flower was placed on the left hand side and the greeting was on the right extending passed the edge of the label.  The label was adhered with 3D foam tape.
The set of stickers  included orange, purple, and pink flowers.

2BGreen - Recycled Cards

Here's another set of 2BGreen Cards which are a line of cards I created to use the cards I've been given from friends who just could not throw away the cards they had received.  They just need a bit of something to make them useful again.






I was fortunate to find the color of card stock I needed to match the images. The one above I added purple buttons.  The oval flowers was die cut with TM Holtz oval mover and shaper then mounted on white layer embossed with the Cuttlebug Oval frame embossing folder. Oval was mounted with 3D foam tape.

These are great images I'm glad they will be enjoyed by another person.

Card - Grad Cap

I made this card for someone at work.  We know someone who attended her convocation recently.

I chose the university colors - red,black and gold.  I started with a red card. Then cut a piece of gold card stock and embossed it with the Cuttlebug Typeset embossing folder.  I layered that to a piece of black card stock.  I added a gold splattered strip over the join on the right hand side.  I created a gradation cap with a piece of black, layered with gold, layered again with black.  I added a bit of texture on the small black with my score pal.  I created a tassel with gold thread.  It is held in place with a large black brad.  The cap is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Card Club - Feb - Thanks

This card features a small piece of Serendipity Paper which is a paper technique which I've known about for a long time and my sister uses often. I find it a bit unstructured for me, but then I found Maryanne's post which was just what I wanted. Check a bit later for all the details.

The serendipity paper was trimmed to 3.5"x 2.75" and then layered onto white card stock. I embossed it with the Cuttlebug Birds and Swirls embossing folder. I trapped the left hand ends of the white grosgrain ribbon under the serendipity rectangle when I glued it down.  I taped the right hand ends to the inside of the card.

The greetings were printed a long time ago when I was trying to use up left over ink in the tricolor ink cartridge once one of the colors ran out.  I now have a separate ink tanks in my printer. I punched them with the Stampin Up Decorative Label punch.  Then it was adhered to the card front with 3D tape placed on the right hand side of the label so that it did not add additional thickness over the serendipity.  Notice that I rubbed the embossing with a brown ink pad which I think helped the look of the card.  I may have to do the blue one too!!  Live and learn right.

Christmas Thanks Yous

As my tradition, I made these cards from gift wrap which held one of my gifts this year!  I think this makes them more personal to the recipient.

I glued the paper to bond paper to give it enough stiffness to cut with my Creative Memories oval cutter.  I then cut the snowman out.  I selected black card stock.  I then embossed a piece of red card stock with the Cuttlebug Winter Snowflake large embossing folder.  I trimmed it to leave a small border and added satin green ribbon. The ribbon was cut to allow the ends to be brought to the back and taped down.  I then mounted the snowman oval over top with 3D foam tape.



On the card on the right I used caramel card stock with the same elements as the first.  I moved the ribbon joint to the left hand side.

It's important to remember to say Thank You to those you remembered you this year, whatever form that takes. Do it!

Cards - Christmas for Girls

Here's another card for the girl at work.  Same sketch as previous but in a monochromatic color scheme.  I cut the Tim Holtz Cabinet die from Figgy Pudding by Basic Grey.  I selected a warm grey card.  I embossed the vellum with the Cuttlebug Victorian folder.  I placed white silk poinsettias in 2 different sizes and a small white silk in the centre and held them all in place with a pewter flower brad. I wrapped the white organza around the two layers and tied a knot on the left.  Punched the green color printed greeting with the Stampin Up! Artisan Label punch and added a small bling rhinestone above the Merry.  Punched another from silver card stock and cut it in half width wise and offset the onto the back of the greeting.

Christmas Stack Class - Snowflake

 I started with the snowflake vellum sticker. Both cards are black.  I cut the labels with the Stampin Up Deco Labels Collection Framelits Dies.  On the card on the left, the largest is designer paper is Love Letters by Little Yellow Bicycle. The next layer is a gray card stock and then the smallest is Ruby Red.  I added the vellum snowflake sticker to it. I cut the vellum to background to 4.00" x 5.25" then embossed it with the Cuttlebug Joy & Cheer embossing folder. The vellum background is tacked to the card where the label will later cover. The labels are layered with the snowflake being on top, placed on the background, a push pin is used to create a hole in the center.  I placed the tiny black brad through the hole, turned the card over and press the prongs apart.   The card on the right hand side has K&Company Smitten Marbled Flat paper with turquoise and hot pink layers.

Challenge - Color Combo - Green Black Peach

I created this card for the challenge at CST which is a color combo.  I chose Peach, Green, Black from the 6 options.
I started with a green card onto which I added a black layer leaving a small border.  I chose a peach colored layer which I embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. I found a piece of warm colored leaves designer paper which I cut down to 2.5" wide and then I flagged the bottom end.  This was glued to the embossed layer.  I cut a CB oval ribbon slider in the same card stock as the card.  I added a 1" circle greeting which was stamped with Versafine Onyx ink with a small clear stamp then punched out.  I ran the slider onto a piece of 3/8" black grosgrain ribbon which I wrapped around the peach layer and taped the ends to the back. 

Upcycled - Peach Roses

I created a set of 4 cards by upcycling a large card.  I die cut the flowers with a Spellbinder smooth oval die and then cut a scallop oval to match from the coordinating green card stock.  I selected some peach card stock and embossed it with the Big Shot and the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.  I added a piece of white seam binding across the centre and taped both ends to the back, leaving a bit of slack to allow me to tie the short piece on with a knot.  I mounted the oval rose accent with 3D foam tape.

Challenge - Vintage Christmas

I made this card for the June Christmas All Year Round Card Challenge which is Vintage.  I found this image of girl with snow falling down at the Old Design Shoppe.  The colors were less traditional with subdued greens, teal and rose pink.  I put it on a muted green card. I embossed a pink layer with a Cuttlebug snow folder from the Winter Set which does the top left hand side.  I printed the vintage card on white and ripped the edges.  I daubered the edges with Tim Holtz Antique Linen.  I added 3 coordinating buttons in the bottom left hand corner held in place with Zots.