Cards - Butterflies - Charity

Another few cards for I Win charity.

These are the last of the clear butterfly stickers I bought yesterday.

I chose Stampin Up Glorious Grape cardbase in A2 size and added a layer of watercolor background cardstock.  Not sure when I created this but it works well.

Added a strip of gold non shed glitter card stock across the top third.  Mounted the sticker onto the glitter.

I added a SU Small Oval greeting in coordinating colors and added a bit of purple around the edge to tone down the white.  Mounted with 3D foam tape.

Blank white quarter sheet insert.

I used the left over scrap of the watercolor background card stock on this Glorious Grape card base set in the wide or landscape orientation.

I added a non shed gold glitter corner on the right hand side of the watercolor layer adhered with double sided tape.

I mounted the butterfly sticker in the opposite corner.

The banner greeting was perfect for the space left by the shorter background layer.  It is mounted with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert was added.

The final butterflies were warm toned so I turned to my favorite Stampin Up color - Summer Sun.

I dug in the origami paper envelope and found a burnt orange piece, cut it to size and mounted it to the card front.

I chose a scrap of paste paper in blue and cut to 2.5 inch square and mounted the butterfly to it. I added a strip of gold glitter to the bottom.

A SU Modern Label punchie in the same blue paste paper with a Word Window greeting in orange glued to the front.

A white quarter sheet insert was added.

I chose Summer Sun card base again with a bit brighter orange origami paper for this card.

I added a Pacific Point strip of card stock then mounted the butterfly onto it.  I like that the tips of the wings show off their bright colors.

I added a bit of non shed gold glitter card stock on the blue strip.

The greeting is the same blue card stock punched with the SU Modern Label punchie  with an orange Word Window greeting.  Mounted with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert.

Another 4 cards for this charity.

Christmas Cards - Arched Joy

Here are my first Christmas Cards for 2023.  I generally do a Christmas Card Challenge but it did not happen this year.

I used the TH Arched Frame die into which I placed the TH Joy Mover and Shaper die.  Running this combination in the Big Shot with the striped designer paper I got my main element.

I chose a designer paper with a variety of colors which allowed my to use several colors of card stock.  Top left - Handsome Hunter, top right - Tempting Turquoise, bottom left - Kiwi Kiss and bottom right - Island Indigo.

The Joy is visible against the darker card stock.   

I printed the words "to the World" on white card stock in coordinating colors and trimmed them to .75" tall and then cut the left hand end into a banner by hand.  This was mounted to the card with 3D foam tape aligned on the right hand side. 

I added a quarter sheet insert and a white A2 envelope.

Christmas Card Challenge - May - Large Words

The theme for the May Christmas Card Challenge is Large Words.

I chose the Poppy Stamps Magnificent Merry thin die for my large greeting.  I selected a quarter sheet of 110lb white card stock.  First I printed "Christmas" in Night of Navy in the bottom right hand corner.
Then I ran the quarter sheet through my Big Shot aligning the die with the printed word. I pulled the word out of the sheet and made sure I kept the negative spaces in the m&e.
I used a light warm blue chalk above the curve.  I did the same with the negatives spaces from the M and E.
I used a dark warm blue chalk on the "merry" word.  I cut a piece of bond paper for the back.  Added a couple of strips of double sided tape behind the word and returned the darker blue word back into place including the small negative pieces.  I then punched white snowflakes for above the curve and blue ones for below.  I am really happy with this one!

Here's my inspiration card which I found on Splitcoast Stampers.

I worked on improving the process. 

If I kept one piece white and  watercolored the other then it would be easy to just switch them.  The green piece was a companion background to the one on this card. I cut both quarter sheet peices with the Magnificent Merry thin lit making sure I did not lose the negative space pieces in the m and e.

I put scotch tape on the back of the large piece, turned it over and just plunked the die cut into the hole. I put the negative pieces in as well.  The advantages are the colors all match.  In the blue one I had to do the negative pieces separately.  Once the tape was well burnished from the back to ensure the die cut would stay put I trimmed the quarter sheet to leave a tiny border of the warm green card. 

I created the color printed banner greeting, fussy cut to the edge, and adhered it to the card front with 3D foam tape. I adhered a shed free silver glitter star to intersect the "merry" with a bling glue dot.  I used a bit of the Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder crayons on the original background so I just spattered this card with some of the same colors.

Now I have 2 cards that are the opposite of each other. This one spattered with white acrylic paint.

I will certainly use this die again now that I have found this technique.

Christmas Card - Magnificient Merry

Another attempt with a large greeting on Christmas cards.  I started with this background that I did a week ago and it did not work out for what I wanted so it was set aside.  Today, I decided that maybe I could work it for my monthly challenge.

I started with a bright green piece of card stock. I ran holes into it with a sewing tracing wheel.  I then used Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder Crayons to highlight the shapes I had created with the dotted lines.

I added an ornament punchie made with the Stampin Up Ornament Punch and warm green designer paper.  I added a warm white hanger (credit unknown) and a warm pearl card stock snowflake punchie.  I added a string which I chalked a bit to make it warm green. I taped the ends to the back of the background layer.   I put a bit of 3D foam tape behind the ornament.  I adhered the background to the front of a Kiwi Kiss card base.

I cut the Magnificient Merry thin lit from deep red card stock. I then adhered the "merry" to the card front and traced the edges with a Sakura Stardust Clear gel marker.  It was adhered to the card front with Scotch quick dry adhesive.  I placed it loosely aligning it with the lines on the background.  I color printed the "Christmas" banner and chalked it with warm green. It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I then spattered it with white acrylic paint which had been warmed up with a bit of green watercolor which was used on the original background.  Turned out okay!  Check back on May 1st to see the design I used for the May Christmas Card Challenge.

Colored Pencil Birthday Card

This is a large birthday card for a friend who recently moved to be with family.

I did pencil crayon piece a little while ago.

I trimmed the coloring book page to leave an even border when placed onto a large half sheet card.

I chose a warm green card and folded  the letter 8.5 x 11 inch piece in half.

I added a blue layer of card stock to repeat the blue in the artwork on the front.

I added a large banner greeting above the art work with 3D foam tape.

Christmas Card Challenge - April - Holy Family

The theme for my April Christmas Card Challenge is Holy Family. 

I chose a ivory card base and the designer paper is by Provo Craft - Stone Washed Denim Suede cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches and adhered to the card front.

I chose my Penny Black Manger Die to cut the family from ivory pearl card stock. 

I cut the navy ornament from textured linen card stock with the one of the Spellbinder 2011 Heirloom Ornament Nestabilities dies. I punched a hole at the top with a 1/8" hole punch. Added a length of ivory thread. 

I used tape runner on the back to of the family to adhere it to the center of the ornament.  The ornament was adhered with double sided tape.  I added a bit under the greeting to keep the threads in place.

The banner greeting was color printed in navy then fussy cut with scissors.  It was adhered to the card front with three small pieces of 3D foam tape.  A seasonal insert quarter sheet insert was added and I have 6 more cards in the box. Yeah!

Farewell Card - Painted Blooms

A card for the lady who started the Welcome to my Kitchen fellowship group.  Nine of us met at her house in the fall of 2015 and brain stormed the mission, the activities, and division of responsibilities. It has been a huge success.

We have been going strong for nearly 5 years which means it is meeting a need.  I took charge of the group in 2016 when she needed more time to spend with her elderly mother.

This card is half sheet size so there is enough room for all the sentiments our ladies want to share.

I started with a 8.5 x 11 sheet of Stampin Up Soft Sky card stock which was folded in half.

I chose a sheet of the SU Painted Blooms designer paper - cut to 5.25 x 8.25 inches and adhered to the card front.

I placed a white paper doily in the bottom left hand corner, glued it down and trimmed it to the edge of the card.

I added a grosgrain ribbon in Rose Red wrapped around the card front along the fold and knotted.  Trimmed the ends.    I placed a circle of the same card stock over the doily and trimmed it again to the card edges.   I printed a sentiment banner in Wild Wasabi and Rose Red which I fussy cut to the border.  It was adhered to the card front tucking the left hand end under the ribbon.

Exchange Cards

I made a couple of cards for my exchange buddies today.

I chose some backgrounds I made a while back which I cut to leave a small border.  I adhered it to a warm green card base.

I cut some teal card stock using the Memory Box Row of Poppies die.  I adhered them to the decorative paper layer with double sided tape on the base and quick dry glue behind the poppies.

I ripped a piece of brown card stock and adhered it to the card front aligned along the bottom.

I added a circle greeting in the top right hand corner adhered with 3D foam tape.

Similar layout with different supplies.

I cut the poppies from teal again.

I chose a brighter piece of decorative paper and a bluer green card base and cut it as before.

A ripped piece of brown card stock for the dirt.

I inked a clear stamp with a marker and stamped the sentiment on a white banner which was adhered with 3D foam tape.

These are off to my exchange buddies.

Star Birthday Card

I made a special card for someone who celebrates a birthday early in the year. 

A friend requested a special card and I know the recipient`s favorite color is purple.

I started with a deep purple card base. I added a layer of gold card stock. I then added designer paper pieces which had been splattered with gold acrylic paint. The designer paper is by Scrap Ease - Fleur de Lis - Amethyst. 

I added stars cut with the Stampin Up Star Framelits larger one in deep purple and smaller one in the same gold card stock as the background.  These were adhered together and adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I added a banner of the gold card stock on the bottom piece of designer paper and added a white ribbon and a white greeting.

Birthday Cards - Trio Squares

I made a couple of birthday cards.

I chose designer paper by Blue Fern Studios - Paisley and Vine - Bohemian.  Love the rich colors in this paper.  I punched 3 large squares from the designer paper with my Creative Memories Double Square Punch.

I cut a strip of deep teal green card stock and adhered it to the deep red card base on the left hand side. 

I adhered the squares along the teal strip with 3D foam tape. 

I added the strip banner greeting in deep red.  I adhered it aligned on the left edge with the bottom square and cut the flag end by hand with scissors.  I have added a piece of 3D foam tape at the end of the banner greeting.

As you can see the card layout can be modified to the landscape (wide) or the portrait (tall) orientation. 

On this second card, I placed the greeting on the teal card stock strip and added a teal mini brad on the left hand side.

I added a piece of chocolate grosgrain ribbon under the 3 punched squares.  The ends are taped to the inside of the card.

I added a blank insert.

Card Club Kit - Set 4 - Card 4

I assembled the flower accent ahead of time. A tiny pink brad with a silver sequin then 4 handmade paper flowers smallest to biggest. Glue the flower accent to the silver square then layer onto the black square.

Glue the square accent to the top of the pink card.

Trim the banner greeting close to the border with scissors. Cut the 3D foam piece in half. Add them to the back of the banner greeting. Adhere it to below the flower accent.

Christmas Card - Red Velvet Poinsettia

I treated this flower die cut as a poinsettia.  This is the Sizzix - Bigz Die and Embossing Folder - Flower#2 combo.  The flower was cut from gorgeous red velvet paper from Recollections at Michaels then embossed.  I added a gold fabric snowflake in the center which is all held together with a mini brad in shiny gold.  I used a 1/16th inch punch to make adding the brad real easy.

I chose a white card to go with the white line in the designer paper by Bazzill Basic Paper - Holiday Style - Stitched Green.  It was cut 5 x 8 inches to leave a good border of the card color showing.

The large banner greeting was created with color printing the words in coordinating colors in the card.  It was trimmed to 1.5 inches tall the then both ends were flagged with the Stampin Up Banner Triple punch.  Works very well. It was adhered with double sided tape.

The poinsettia was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

The insert was a half sheet with a coordinating sentiment.

Christmas Card - Embossed Snowman

I am doing card making as an activity at a staff Christmas party tonight.  I designed some large cards which are half of an 8.5 x 11 piece of card stock.  I used a coordinated set of dies and embossing folders from Sizzix.  The elements are a great size for these large cards.

Here's the Sizzix Bigz Die with Bonus Textured Impressions - Snowman and Hat by Beth Reames.  I did not use the hat.  The snowman was cut from white card stock then embossed with the coordinating folder.

I chose a warm blue card and scored it down the middle. I added a piece of Mince Pie - Christmas Magic by Fancy Pants Designer paper which leaves a nice border of the card color.

I added a red thread scarf and a red round snap in the center of the snowflake on the lower ball of his body.   He was adhered to the top portion of the card with 3D foam tape.

I color printed the several greetings onto 5.5 x 8.5 inch piece of white card stock then cut them down to 1.5 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide.  Each was then placed in the Stampin Up Banner Triple Punch to put the flag on both ends.  It was adhered to the bottom of the card with double sided tape.

The banner punch does 1.00, 1.50, and 2.00 inches wide banners.  Works really well.

Card Club - November - Felt Tree

I started with the small white felt trees which were left over from this Christmas Card Club kit.

I added this swirly night sky designer paper onto a dark navy blue card base.

I ripped a snowbank which was adhered to the bottom of the card.

The tree is held in place with a tiny silver star brad.  The silver star sequin at the top of the tree is held in place with a silver tiny round brad.

The banner greeting was color printed and and trimmed close to the border.  It is adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Here's the alternative color for this card kit.

It works beautifully as well.

Christmas Card Challenge - Nov - Navy Square

This is my card for the Christmas Card Challenge this month.  I have chosen Navy and Square for this card.

I chose a navy card.  I created a vellum greeting layer with a frame where the greeting is placed at the bottom of frame replacing the line. I printed it then embossed with gold powder.  It was trimmed to leave a small border of navy.

I cut the holy family with the Penny Black Manger thin die from gold card stock.

The frame was cut from white card stock with the Stitched Square Frames by Die-Namics.  I adhered the frame on the diagonal to the vellum then placed adhesive behind the frame on the back of the vellum to ensure that the adhesive does not show through the vellum.  The vellum was then adhered to the card front.

I then placed the gold holy family die cut in the center of the diamond square and attached it with a tiny gold star brad in the center of the star of the die. I have over 100 cards in my box so I am ready to start addressing.

I have posted an alternative with a clear vellum and banner greeting which was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

R2Go Christmas Card Kit - Penguin Ear Muffs

I started with a navy card and a navy, blue, white and glitter square accent featuring a skating penguin with red glitter ear muffs. 

I printed a square to frame the penguin accent layer.  I adhered the accent square to the frame.  This layer was adhered to the card front aligned to the top of the card leaving an even border on 3 sides.

I color printed 2 greetings. I selected my banner greeting then trimmed with scissors. I cut a piece of 3D foam tape in half and placed a piece on each end of the greeting.  I then adhered the greeting below the accent layer

I adhered a quarter sheet insert on the inside of the card on the right hand side.

Christmas Card Challenge - February - Red / Hearts

The theme for my blog Christmas Card Challenge for February is Red and Hearts.

I chose an Always Artichoke card base which has some texture.  The glitter designer paper is from Sweet Dreams Holiday Avenue by My Mind`s Eye.  It was trimmed to leave a small border.  I cut a length of blue seam binding and placed it just left of center and taped the ends to the back of the designer paper.

I cut a large heart from red velvet paper with the Sizzix Hearts#2 thin lits. I cut some warm white card stock with the next size down.  I cut one from the smallest size, placed onto the white one and used a push pin to create a pierced heart shape.

I used a red crystal brad to hold the heart element onto the card front.

I designed the greeting and color printed it onto warm white card stock.   I fussy cut the greeting banner and adhered it to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

Card Club - January - Hot Pink

Today is the first Card Club for 2017.  I have a small but loyal group of participants.  I am very grateful to be able to teach regularly.

This card is using the cut outs from this set of cards.  I chose to change the orientation and trim off bits off the sides of the die cut.  I found in my stash the perfect pink acrylic circle stickers which fit well in the half circle part of the die cut.
I chose a hot pink card and added a layer of soft yellow striped designer which was cut to leave a small border.
I punched a large daisy from dark brown espresso card stock and placed it in the center of the half circle then mounted the sticker over the center.  The die cut was then adhered to the card front.
I designed the banner greeting to incorporate the dark brown color of the daisy punch and the hot pink.  It was color printed then fussy cut along the border and mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop - Warm Coffee Pot

Another card for the 2016 Coffee Lovers Cardmaker's Winter Blog Hop.

I found this great image of a coffee pot with a hot steaming cup of Java.  I love the colors in this card - burgundy, espresso brown, and caramel.  Once printed, I cut the coffee image with the Sizzix Squares frame-lits.
I then chose an espresso piece of card stock and cut a layer just a small bit larger. 
This burgundy card complemented the image nicely. 
I chose a piece of caramel seam binding and taped a piece just left of center and taped the ends to the inside of the card.  I cut a shorter piece of the ribbon and tied it onto the piece on the card.  I trimmed the ends with scissors. 
I created my greeting with a banner, printed and then fussy cut around the border.  The coffee and the sentiment were adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape. 

Submitting to the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Winter Blog Hop. 

Four Squares on Tangerine Tango

I started with a Stampin Up Always Artichoke card base. I placed some leaves from the Blossoms Abound digital set in Always Artichoke to create a subtle layer on the card above and below the accent square. I used this decorative card stock which is non SU but matches perfectly. 
I created a central accent with 4 squares. I punched the 1.25" squares from the decorative c/s aligning the tangerine element in the center.  I punched the 1.5" squares from the coordinating solid card stock which matches Pool Party.  I adhered these squares onto a piece of SU Tangerine Tango and trimmed it leaving an even border.
I stamped the greeting from the Sweet Essentials stamp set in Always Artichoke onto a strip of Tango Tangerine. I flagged both ends with the SU Banner Triple Punch. It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

Submitting to the challenge at SU TGIF - 55 - Sketch