Cards - SC - All Occasion Flowers

 I was brainstorming ideas of what Celebration paper would look like for art in the December show.

I created some decorative paper by blowing liquid acrylic ink on paper with a straw. I used yellow, purple, red, and orange ink.

It did not work out quite the way I thought so I decided to use the paper for card making instead.

The card base is yellow linen card stock in linen finish. 

I chose a piece of dark green white core card stock, ripped in half and adhered the piece to the right hand side trimming it to the card edge with scissors.

I cut the flowers with the QuicKutz Large Flower die from the decorative paper, red, yellow and purple card stock then just swapped out the pieces. The flowers are held together with scotch tape.

I used the red flower with the decorative paper ring and a purple center.  The stem and leaves were cut from the decorative paper. The leaves are from the Sizzix Flower Layers and Leaves die. Stem is just cut with the paper cutter and adhered with QuickDry Adhesive.

A white insert and ds tape with carrier on the flap.

Here I started with a dark purple linen card base measuring 6x12 inches and scored at 5.5" and just short of 1" for the flap.

This time I chose a light green white core card stock on the left.  This flower is mostly decorative paper and is very punchy in color.

Here we have a solid yellow flower with decorative bits in the center ring and the stem and leaves.

The other half of the light green card stock on the right.

Another mostly decorative paper flower with dark green panel.

Super happy with how these turned out.

Cards - All Occasion - Watercolor

Another set of cards while I wait for the drywall mud to dry.

I chose to make some watercolor background paper early this morning. I used liquid mixed media paper.

Once it was dry and flattened I cut it into pieces. This is 4.00 x 5.25 inches. I chose to loosely trace some flowers. I then painted them with watercolor. These are blue.  Once dry again, I outlined in black permanent marker.

I chose a SU Brilliant Blue A2 card base.  I adhered the watercolor with double sided tape, added a white insert and a white envelope.

Ready to press under books overnight.

I drew a meadow and tree with a 4H pencil then watercolored the image. 

The blue horizon line was on the background paper so I had to work with it.

I painted the stems then added the flowers a bit later.

Once all was dry, I outlined a few things with the black permanent maker and added the birds in the sky.

I mounted the watercolor to a SU Groovy Guava A2 card base.  Glued a white quarter sheet insert and pulled a white envelope.

This was the left over piece from the watercolor background I made this morning.

I started by adding a light blue wash across the whole piece to cut down the white spaces.

I then used a plastic doily to create some marks but I was not as successful as I had hoped. My brush was too wet in places.

I then used a bottle cap dipped in the dark blue watercolor to add some circles keeping it to odd numbers. 

Once I added yellow to 2 of the circles then I cut a length of yellow grosgrain ribbon and mounted diagonally across the piece.  Still need something so i went to my brad stash and found this yellow postage stamp brad.  

That was what it needed.  I chose a SU Summer Sun A2 card base, added an insert and an envelope and it will join the others under books overnight.  

Card - Slow Stitching - Daisy

My first card with a slow stitching element.

The background is a slow stitching piece measuring 3.5 x 4.75 inches featuring black, navy and yellow pieces of fabric. The stitching was done with regular sewing thread in a color matching the fabric.

I stitched a daisy on the black slow stitching fabric.  I first cut a piece of organza into a 2.25 inch circle.  I then stitched the flower with golden yellow thread. I added a yellow button in the center.

I then stitched the stem and leaves with a bright green thread with a stem stitch.  

I added ground with thread rows of  running stitches in brown thread.

I then added blades of grass in three different shades of green.

The daisy layer was adhered to the front of a golden yellow card with 2 bands of double sided tape.
 

Cards - Gold Foil Diecut Sheets

I found some gold foil diecut sheets at the ReUse Center last week.  I decided to make all occasion cards with them.

The challenge with these is that attaching them will be tricky because I do not want to go through the card front.

Love the chevron pattern in this sheet.  Some thick and thin lines.

I chose dark brown card stock in 12x12 which I cut down to 8.5 x 11 inches then in half for a couple of  A2 card bases.

I cut 2 Tim Holtz leaves with the Mover and Shapers dies in my cutting tray.  I used the cut off from the the 12x12 so it matched perfectly.

I used my ancient Maple Leaf punch with some metallic gold card stock. 

I ran a length of metallic gold ribbon all the way around the card front taping down the ends where the accent will be.

I used a gold star tiny brad through the leaves then through the card front but not through the ribbon on the inside.  I placed another star brad down at the bottom of the foil sheet.  Added a white quarter sheet liner and white envelope.

As always I try to make some wide and some tall layouts.

With this leafy diecut I chose a red card base, and cut a large flower with the Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die.  The small flower was cut from the gold foil cardstock. 

I placed the dark grey length of cardstock behind the diecut sheet, then made a hole in the center with a push pin.  I added a tiny gold flower sequin, then the smaller gold flower layered onot the larger one through the diecut and through he grey strip.

Once all was held together I adhered the grey strip to the card front with double sided tape. I did add a couple of bling zots behind the foil sheet and the grey card strip to prevent the sheet from pivoting on the brad.

For this card I chose a royal blue card stock. Again,cutting down a 12x12 sheet.

I used my Creative Memories double square punch to create perfectly layered squares.  I added a large flat gold brad onto the square accent.

I added 3D foam tape to adhere the layered squares to the gold foil diecut sheet.  That hid the prongs of the brad.

I then added 3D foam tape on the back of the foil diecut sheet and adhered it to the card front.

The square accent repeats the pattern the diecut which works really well.

This card has a dark green card base and a leafy gold foil diecut.   I layed it in the wide or landscape orientation.

I cut the Tim Holtz Bird on a Branch diecut cut from the left over from the 12x12.

I then cut just the bird from the gold metallic card stock and glued it on top of the green bird.

The gold diecut was adhered to the card front with Quick Dry adhesive with has a very fine tip to apply just a bit of glue on most of the leaves.  Press it down for a minute to have it stay in place.

I then adhered the green bird layer with Bling Zots under the bird and along the branch.  Again, white quarter sheet insert and white envelope.

This card has a black card base cut from the 12x12 sheet.

I used the leftover gold metallic card stock and cut 2 strips which I place behind the gold patterned diecut. 

The small metallic flower sequins were adhered to the die cut with Bling Zots which also adhered it to the strips in places. Several behind the bird helped as well.

Then I placed double sided tape to the back of the gold strips and placed it on the card front.

I had allowed the strips to go over the top and bottom edges of the card so I just trimmed those with scissors.

A great set of cards in a pretty quick hurry.

Card - Japanese Tea

I made this card for the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring and Summer Blog Hop.

I started with the Japanese Tea Set graphic in gorgeous grey and deep red colors.

I trimmed it to 3.75" x 5".   I found a deep red A2 card base and a coordinating grey layer to go with the tea image.

I adhered the grey layer to the card front.

I added 3 red mini brads in the upper left hand corner and the kanji for TEA in the right hand upper corner.

This layer was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I am happy with this card.

This was a prize winner in the blog hop! #794
 

Photo Cards

Using some of my photographs, I created a few all occasion cards for my card box so I can quickly add a greeting and put them in the mail.

 This is a gorgeous red poppy taken at the community garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pink on the right is Summer Wine Nine Bark.

 

 

This is Orange Million Belles in a tiny ceramic pitcher taken on the fence along the trail in the river valley.

These are A2 (4.25x5.5 inch) heavy 110lb card stock.

All Occasion Cards - Canvas Butterfly

I made a set of cards for the family who are grieving the loss of a husband, father, and grandfather.

The colors in the paper allowed me to use several card colors (kraft, royal blue and sage green) to provide some variety in this set of very simple cards. They can be used as needed at this difficult time.
The designer paper was cut to 4" square then ripped leaving a smaller and a larger piece. The piece with the white paper edge was ripped again to remove the white paper edge.  I adhered the pieces to both ends of the card leaving the card color showing in between.
I adhered the canvas butterfly over this space held in place with Zots. The design is versatile in that it works in the wide or tall orientation.

All Occasion Cards Boxed

I made a set of All Occasion cards as a donation for an event being held in September.  It will be used for a prize for a golf tournament.  I used One Sheet Wonder 1 and One Sheet Wonder 2 layouts with 2 different colors to create 12 different cards.

I used a black and white double sided card stock by My Mind`s Eye called Lush Black Floral.  This paper as floral on one side and polka dots on the other. I was able to combine it with almost any color.  I cut the neutral strips from a warm white card stock to .5 inch width. They were adhered over the edge of the DSP in the center of the card. Because the white is a white warm I chose jewel toned card stock in cherry and plum. The flower accent is created with the Stampin Up Blossom Party original die.  I cut the center with a warm white circle.  I chose black for the large flower and the same color as the card for the slimmer one.
I packaged them in my standard 6x6 clear box for a nice presentation.

R2G Occasion Stack Kit - Big Greetings

Another set of Ready 2 Go Card kits.  This time I designed large greetings with Stampin Up digitals.  The layouts are from the One Sheet Wonder that I designed a while back.  You can check it out here.

The greetings were color printed then trimmed right to the edge of the frame. The greetings were cut to 3 inches. It was then layered onto a square of white.  The designer paper is from the Patterns Pack III set.  I chose Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa and Certainly Celery.  Once it was cut it was adhered to the card front based on the layouts.  A .5 inch strip of white was placed over the edge of the DSP.  The greeting is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.  The greetings included are from the So Happy For You stamp set. 

The layouts are very versatile as they can be put together wide or tall.  This kit will put 12 cards into your stash ready for the giving. 

R2G Card Kit - HMP Flower Trio

I started with the HMP Flowers.  I choose a coordinating color for the card.  I added a designer paper piece to which I glued a silver scallop border die cut made with Die-namics die.  The greeting was color printed and cut with a QuicKutz oval die. I rubbed the edges with teal ink pad. I opened the card flat and evenly spaced the flowers below the scallop border. I added the small silver flowers and used a push pin to create the hole for the brads through the card front.  Placed the brads and pressed the prongs apart on the inside of the card.

R2G Card Kits - Die Cut Flower

Here's another Ready 2 Go card kit.  This one includes die cut flowers.  I chose yellow and pink card stock for the card layer in these kits, of course to coordinate with the colors in the flowers.  I added Cuttlebug embossed frame layers in white.  The pink cards have the Rebecca Frame and the yellow have the Scroll Frame.  The die cut flower is mounted on the centre of the card with 3D Foam tape.  Great cards for any occasion where a handwritten note is needed.  You can check my other R2G card kits here.

All Occasion Stack Class - Birdies

 I've used these birdie post it notes before.  They are so darn cute.  I found this designer paper which has both the blue and cranberry colors.  I cut the larger piece 4"x3.75" and the smaller piece 4"x 1.5". I taped them together on the back then wrapped the twill tape over the joint and tape the ends to the back.  This layer was then glued to the card front.  I glued the SU! small leaves die cut on the card front.  I glued the bird on top of the leaves.  The wing was cut on the Cricut with the Straight From the Nest Cartridge then embossed with either the Cuttlebug Devine Swirl or the SU! Finial Press folder. The wing is glued to the bird aligning the wing to the body. Making a hole in the eye with a push pins I added a white mini brad for the eye. This was a versatile design which allowed to make wide or tall cards and a couple of color options.

All Occasion Stack Class - Large Flowers

I started with large silk flowers in a couple of colors - pink and magenta. I found coordinating designer paper and then matching card stock.  I cut a Tim Holtz Ornamental die cut from it then glued that on the card front.  I chose a satin ribbon which I cut to length to cover across the card and tape both ends to the inside of the card. I set aside the short piece leftover.  I place the largest flower on my card front and made a hole in the card front with a push pin through the centre of the flower.  I then took the 2 small yellow daisy flowers in made holes in their centre with the push pin. I placed the tiny white brad through the small yellow flowers, then the white medium flower then the 2 larger flowers. This accent was then placed on the card front in the hole I made earlier.  Turn the card over and spread the prongs on the inside of the card.  I tied the short end of ribbon I saved earlier onto the ribbon on the card and trimmed the ends.

All Occasion Stack Class - Masculine Embossed

I selected white core card stock for this set of cards.  I embossed the green ones with a Cuttlebug folder from the Give a Hoot Set.  Once embossed I used a sand sponge to sand the color off the high parts to have the white show through.  I wrapped black gross grain ribbon around this layer and taped it to the back.  This layer was then adhered to the card front.  I added white Tim Holtz mover and shaper leaf die cuts above the ribbon.
On the rust colored cards I used the Cuttlebug Diamond Plate folder and once again sanded the card stock.  Be sure to set up a space to catch the dust.  The gears were cut on the Cricut with the Robotz cartridge.  These are held in place with black brads.

All Occasion Stack Class - Floral Toile Ovals

I have my class today making all occasion cards.  For this card I started with designer paper in the form of mat pad by K&C Company.  I has striped and floral toile mat in coordinating colors.  Here I have selected an olive color and matched it with Old Olive card stock.  I cut the striped paper to leave a small border all around. I added a piece of ivory gross grain ribbon placed about 2/3 down the card.  I put a slit in the card fold and pulled the ribbon end through and taped it down on the card inside.  I cut the scalloped oval in the solid card stock with SB nestabilities dies.  I selected the matching smooth oval nestabilities die to cut the floral toile paper.  These were layered together then mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape.  

Card - Flourish Paper

I was inspired by St. Patrick's Day coming and decided to work with green. The card is Astroparche - Natural which has a green tinge to it. I cut a rectangular piece of Anna Griffin flourish paper to cover the card front. I cut a strip of coordinating striped paper and placed it across the card in the bottom third I added a length of Spring Moss gross grain ribbon through a slot in the fold which was taped to the inside of the card. I created my small flower with the Stampin Up! Tri-flower punch with the flourish paper and a solid card stock. These were layered with the dark one beneath the light one. I added a small button with a Zot. Then used a Zot to attached the flower accent to the card front.

Card Kits - Bright Squares

This card is similar to one I did for Card Club.
I punched 1.5" squares and corner rounded 2 corners. I color printed the greeting and line. The squares are then mounted with the pointy corners to the centre to create a graphic element next to the greeting. I have provided a variety of greetings to suit several occasions.