Card - Birthday - Fabric Collage

A card for a special sister and a special birthday.

I created the fabric collage piece first with strips of fabric, a circle and a heart on a linen base. Mostly running stitch with a bit of seed stitch and cross stitches. Pink and green color scheme. Card base is Sage Shadow.

I adhered a ripped piece of vellum aligned with the bottom. I used double sided tape to adhere the fabric element.

Placed a SU Modern Label with a Word Window greeting in the top right hand corner with 3D foam tape. True Thyme label.

Loving my slow stitching pieces.

Thank You Cards and Gifts - Renovation

I managed to get my small gifts and thank you cards for folks who were involved with the renovation project at my house that started back in September and finished up a couple of weeks ago.

I am still unpacking and will be for the next few weeks.  

I had some great people working and helping during this stressful time of my life and I wanted to let them know how much I appreciated it.

I was up early this morning in my kitchen and I made some caramel popcorn.  I did not get the opportunity to do that this Christmas as I was living in temporary accommodations.  

I check off the things I needed.

1. Recipe
2. Margarine
3. Nuts
4. Popcorn
5. Corn Syrup
6. Brown Sugar
7. Stainless Steel sauce pan
8. Large yellow bowls
9. Popcorn maker and Ultra21
10. Measuring Cups
11. Stirring spoon
12. Brown Sugar

Where's the brown sugar.  After checking my packing list most of my food Tupperware had not been unpacked.  After unloading 3 boxes I found the brown sugar.  I am good to go.

I made 3 bags of caramel popcorn and 6 cards.

It was great to be back in my kitchen doing what I have done for years at Christmas time.  Well, this year there was a 6 week delay but I enjoyed do it.  I expect the recipients will enjoy the popcorn.

Next the thank you cards. 

I decided to use watercolor paper I made a long while ago with a clear embossed black greetings.

The greeting is printed on vellum then heat embossed with clear powder.

I downloaded some free graphics from online.

The card stock is coordinated with the piece of watercolor paper then the vellum is trimmed and held in place with brads

The card stock is Pear Pizzaz in the A2 size.

The card stock is Brilliant Blue with the watercolor paper trimmed to leave a small border.

The greeting is cut to 3.5 inches square and aligned along the right hand side.  Held in place with pink mini brads.

The cards are for the tradesmen that worked on the project, the managers that were involved, the staff at the temporary accommodation, and my insurance agent.

The gifts were delivered and were graciously received.

The card stock is Stampin Up Island Indigo.

The greeting is placed along the bottom edge to soften the pink in the watercolor paper.

Held in place with silver tiny brads.

The card stock is SU Soft Suede.

The greeting was just designed with fonts on my computer.

Ripped the top and bottom edge of the vellum.

Held in place with brown mini brads.

The card stock is SU True Thyme.

The greeting was aligned with the bottom edge and held in place with tiny black brads.

The card stock is SU Elegant Eggplant.

The greeting was aligned with the top edge and held in place with deep purple mini brads. 

Card - Velvet Daisy Paper

I quick card for a belated birthday.

I used an Always Artichoke card base in A2.

I added a piece of velvet daisy paper cut to leave a small border.

I punched a daisy accent from green card stock and then gold foil card stock.  A small daisy vellum flower in the center all held in place with a green mini brad.

I added a white insert and envelope.

It's off in the mail today!

 

Christmas Card Challenge - Watercolor - Aug - Salt Backgrounds

I created a watercolor background for my large Christmas greetings for this month's challenge.

I started with 140lb Arches watercolor paper I purchased from my sister. It had been rolled up so I spritzed it with water and let it relax itself to flatish.

I cut a strip about 6 inches tall and the width of the sheet.  I taped that down to my waterproof work surface.  I used my small watercolor palette I created the other day.  You can follow this link to the post which contains the details. 

I soaked the paper with my spray bottle then I just worked with the greens and blues in my palette. As I moved across I switched from the blues to adding red to create purples. Once I was happy with the colors I misted it again to ensure the whole surface was wet then just added some table salt to the surface.  It then dried for several hours.

I believe this is rough water color paper but is softer than the sheets have I have been using. I was very happy with the pattern produced by the salt.  Once completely dry, I cut it into 4.00 x 5.25 inch sheets.  These will leave a small border of the card base showing.  Since I was not using Stampin Up watercolors it took a bit of evaluation to see which card colors to use.

While the paper dried and searched the internet for some free large greetings I could use. The card above features the one I liked best.  The greetings were sized to be smaller than the watercolor background and printed grey on vellum.  They were then heat embossed with gold powder.  I ripped the edges to provide a more natural edge.

On the right I created some portrait (tall) cards with vellum greetings which also included images. This one is a Christmas tree. For most of  these cards, the vellum is adhered to the watercolor background with tiny gold brads. Then the watercolor layer is adhered to the card base with 3D foam tape squares.

The greeting on the card on the left has been around for a very long time.  It is very classic fonts and makes a great greeting.

The card base on this card is Marina Mist. The brads used on this one are larger sparkly gold star brads. 

I added some vellum adhesive in the opposite corners to keep the vellum close to the watercolor.

 The watercolor background features the transition from green to blue in my original painting.

This watercolor background was the toughest to match to card stock.  I tried Chocolate Chip, Perfect Plum, Sahara Sand and eventually settled on Soft Suede. 

That is the challenge - when I was painting I did not measure the width of the colors so this piece ended up with some muddier colors with the n bright blue on the right hand side.  

This is the other portrait (tall) card where I combined an image and a greeting.

Again, I was not thinking of images at all when I was painting.  I had to trust I could work it out once the watercolor background was dry.

I think this worked out well.

This card features Bermuda Bay for the card base.  Another landscape (wide) layout.

This time tiny gold star brads in all four corners.

I will be adding quarter sheet inserts with a seasonal sentiment to each of these and pairing them with a white A2 envelope.

Another great set of cards for my box.  Ready to give come December st!

These worked out well and the background is worth considering again.

Upcycled Card - HB - Vellum and Glitter

A friend had a card she wanted to upcycle into a new card.

I had to trim the card and the vellum overlay. 

I chose a warm green card in half sheet size to coordinate with the green lettering on the front.

Since the card was glittery double sided tape did nothing to keep the vellum aligned that that they had been separated.  I used tiny gold brads in all four corners to hold everything in place.

I added the sentiment on the inside printed in color.

It is a wonderful sentiment and it is great when we have such friends.

Large Butterfly Card

Since there was one last piece of this designer paper I chose to make up this card.  I had rejected the card for this kit because the card color was too dark for black ribbon. 

In this case, I chose light ribbon, a light sequin and tiny white brad. 

As an alternative, I chose not to cut the lovely designer paper to a square and trimmed it to leave a large border.  It measures 5 inches wide by 3.75 inches tall. 

Again, the large butterfly is Stampin Up Beautiful Butterflies die cut from vellum. The small one cut with the Sizzix Winged Beauties thinlits from same as the card.

Christmas Card Challenge - March - Navy Bethlehem

The June Christmas Card Challenge is Navy Bethlehem.

I chose a navy card.  I cut the Taylor Expressions Bethlehem Border die in gold card stock.  The border does not cut a bottom edge so I could leave a lot of card stock below. I aligned it on the card then I placed a left over wavy card stock from a previous project onto the border to create sand dunes. I adhered these layers to the card front.

I punched a star with the Martha Stewart Bright Star Medium punch.  I adhered it to the card front on the left with Bling Zots. I then added gold sequins across the blue sky with the same Zots.

I stamped the greeting on the white dune in royal blue ink with on of the Lil Inkers Design - Instant Camera - Christmas stamp set.

For this card I adhered the white curvy card stock to the Bethlehem Border die cut then cut both layers at once with the largest smooth circle from the Nestabilities set. I then cut a piece of vellum with the same die. I adhered the vellum behind the gold Bethlehem.

I punched the same star and adhered that on the left hand side.  I punched several more to get the small star in the center.  I glued these around the sky with the Bling Zots.   Stamped the same greeting.

Card Club Kit - Set 4 - Card 2

I chose a warm designer paper in blues, oranges and ivories made by K&Company - On the road stars.  I cut it to 5.25 x 4.00 inches.

I added a ripped strip of blue vellum which folded to the back of the designer paper and taped the ends down. This layer was then adhered to the front of a ginger card.

I added the greeting which was color printed and cut to .5 tall. I adhered it over top of the vellum.

I placed one bronze star and used a push pin to create a hole through star and card front. I spread the prongs on the inside of the card. Repeat for the rest of the stars.  Make sure at least one of the brads captures the greeting.

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.

Christmas Card Challenge - Aug - Copper/Square

This is my card for the Christmas Card blog challenge.  The challenge this month is Copper and Square.  I ensure that I get all my Christmas cards by November 1st.  Will you join me?

I started with the metallic copper card stock. I cut it with the Sizzix Dove die and Stitched Squares Frame.

I selected a medium purple card.

I created a star background which I printed on vellum, embossed with copper powder and trimmed it to leave a small border.

I placed the square on the angle and adhered it to the vellum and centered the dove in the middle.  I then applied adhesive behind the vellum under the same places and placed it on the card front.

I then selected 4 places to add a tiny copper star  brad to ensure all pieces stay in place, in 2 stars at the top and the 2 stars beside the greeting.

You can check this link to see the cards so far and the first post contains all the challenge. Pick the one that inspires you.   If  make a card leave me a comment. 

Joining the summer Christmas Card link up at Merry Monday.

R2Go Christmas Kit - Star of Wonder Copper

I chose this wonderful designer paper of stars by FlairDesigns - Star Bright in warm colors of chocolate, beige, rust, and caramel.  It is cut to 4.00 x 5.25 inches.

I paired it with a warm brown card.

I printed the greeting in Really Rust on vellum and clear embossed it.  I ripped the top and bottom edges. I added a strip of card stock under the words to provide the contrast.  The vellum and strip are held in place with 2 tiny copper brads.

I die cut a copper star with the Sizzix Star & Starburts die and I adhered it over the vellum greeting strip.

Floating Balloons Card

I made this accent for photography project earlier this week.  You can check my Flickr photo stream for more info.  It reminded me of the movie UP.

Now, I could make a card out of it.

The original element was created with 10 balloons made with the Martha Stewart punch.  I chose red, yellow and blue.  I attached them to a quarter sheet of vellum.  The central yellow balloon has red spatters on it.  The first 7 balloons were attached directly to the vellum and the last 3 were adhered with 3D foam tape.  I attached white thread strings to several of them. 

For the card I trimmed the vellum down to about 3 inches wide to allow more of the sky card stock to show.  I placed adhesive behind the balloons.  I chose a Stampin Up Decorative Label greeting in a blue matching the balloons.  This was adhered with 3D foam tape to the card front with the middle points aligned along the edge of the vellum.  I placed some adhesive for the vellum where it would be hidden by the greeting.   This is off to one of my card exchange buddies.

Nativity - Special Card Order

This is a large card which is a half sheet.

I started with the gold starry night vellum which I purchased in 8.5x11 package. I mounted it onto a navy card.  I added 2 gold star brads in the top corners.  I placed adhesive where the stable and snowbanks will be placed.

I chose my new nativity graphic.  I added a gradient background in the stable. I made the stable blue to coordinate with the card color.  I sized and printed it only white card stock and fussy cut around the edge.  It was then adhered to the vellum.

I ripped several layers of white for snowbanks in the front.  I applied Bashful Blue chalk to a couple of them and layered them getting shorter as I moved into the foreground.

I cut a star from sticker paper adhered to white card stock.  I used the Sizzix Star and Starburst die.  The star was adhered above the stable wit 3D foam tape.

I printed the greeting on white card stock and ripped the edges to repeat the edges on the snowbanks.

Copper Silhouette Nativity

This is the card selected by the client.

I used the Silhouette Nativity which I found the nativity on Image Arcade.   I printed it on vellum and embossed it with copper powder.  I trimmed this layer to 3.75"x5.00 inches.

For the next layer I chose an aqua polka dot layer.  The designer paper is by American Crafts - Gardenia - Breezy Garden.  This creates the feeling of stars in the sky or snow falling. It was cut to leave a small border of the teal card showing.

The vellum is held in place with 3 copper brads - 2 round ones at the bottom and one star one in the middle of the star above the manger.

The insert on the inside was customized with scripture chosen by the client.

Decorative Paper - Christmas Cards

I delivered 10 Christmas cards to the gallery today.

I made this card with some of my Christmas colored ink spot decorative paper.  I trimmed it to leave a small border.  I printed the greeting in green onto a 2.5" strip of vellum and gold embossed.  I ripped both edges then folded the edges over and taped them to the back.
This layer was adhered to the front of a red card.

I created a nativity drawing yesterday.  I checked out a few images on line then incorporated several aspects into my drawing.

I created this card with the image.  I printed the nativity, the star and the greeting in black on vellum and gold embossed it.  I chose a subtle watercolor background with blue, green, and purple.  I adhered it to the front of a purple card. The vellum was placed onto the decorative paper.  I used a small amount of vellum adhesive at the base of the stable.  I made a hole with a push pin and then placed a tiny gold star brad in the center of the star.

Some of these cards and these from last year were returned.

R2G Christmas Stack Kit - Set 2

Kits for my class tonight.

I started with the blue and foil starry night designer paper. It is handmade paper.  It was cut to leave a small border of the navy card.
I cut the greeting on the Cricut with the Winter Frolic cartridge at 2.75".  The navy is the same as the card stock as the card and the shadow was cut from vellum.
I adhered these layers together ensuring dry adhesive is only behind the card stock so it does not show through the vellum.  The full greeting was adhered to the card front.
I added a mini silver brad as the dot on the "i" in Silent.

I started with the gold metal star ornament.

I cut gold metallic card stock to 4.00x5.25 inches.  This layer was adhered to the front of the black card.
I designed the starry night Bethlehem layer in black with my own drawing.  It was printed on white card stock trimmed to 3.75x5.00 inches.
I put gold metallic thread through the hole in the ornament. I adhered the metal star to the Bethlehem layer with a Zot then pulled the thread to the back of the white layer and taped down the ends. This layer was then adhered to the gold layer on the card front.

I started with the felt ornament.

Using the navy ornament, I created the Peace on Earth greeting layer and printed it on white card stock. It was adhered to the front of a navy card.
I found an earth clip art on line and sized it to 1.75", printed several on vellum and embossed them with silver powder. I punched them with the SU circle punch.
I cut a length of silver metallic ribbon, tied it to the hole of the ornament and trimmed the ends. I placed the earth circle in the center of the navy ornament and created a hole with a 1/16" punch for the dove brad.
I placed the ornament onto the card front, used a push pin to create a hold in the card front to match the one in the ornament.  Pushed the prongs of the brad through all layers and spread them on the inside of the card.

Christmas Cards - Peace On Earth

I added some cards to my Christmas box this week. 
I created this Peace on Earth graphic from several elements.  The large greeting I found on a free vector image site.  I modified it to my needs.  I added a earth to the bottom edge of the vellum. It is a map of North America which I found at Brian Jones Design.  As you can see I`m just using the very top of the image. 
This design was printed on a quarter sheet of vellum in a light grey color which was them embossed with silver powder. It was then trimmed to 3.75x5.00 inches.  
I chose a designer paper with a forest theme with pine trees which was cut to 4.00x5.25 inches.  I picked a pea green textured card.  The designer was adhered to the card front then the vellum was aligned and 2 tiny brads were placed in the bottom corners. 
Then the dove brad was placed above the word of Peace. 

I now have 103 Christmas cards.

Baby Boy - Customized Giraffe Frame

My sister requested a frame for her grandson with the colors grey and yellow.  I had a good quality metal frame in stock so I have put together a frame for her.  I made a similar one for my nephew's baby boy.
The frame is not standard size at 13.75"W x 10"T which meant cutting a custom mat.  I chose a medium grey linen card stock and cut it to size. I measured 1.5" from the edges and penciled in the hole on the back.  I cut it with an x-acto knife and metal edge ruler.  The opening is 10.75W x 7.00 T.
The letters were cut with the Cricut from the same card stock.  The cartridge I selected is Base Camp which provides a basic roman letter.  It is not mono spaced so more calculating had to be done to determine the size of the letters.  I cut the name at 2.25 inches. The date was cut at 1.75 inches.  I chose a piece of yellow card stock that matched the frame nicely and adhered behind the grey mat.  I then adhered the letters and numbers with quick dry adhesive which has a very small pointed applicator which works well for small pieces.
I found the giraffe graphic on CLKER.  I changed the colors to suit this project.  I decided to have a Dad, Mom and baby giraffe.  I placed those to leave room for the heart. I placed a line on the bottom to give the images context. I sized the image based on the space available in the middle and I color printed the central panel on a piece of vellum 4.25x 11 then clear embossed it. I punched the heart from the same card stock and adhered it.  This has adhesive behind it to stick it to the yellow card stock.  The ends were tucked under the grey mat and taped down.
The glass and backer were added and it was placed in the frame. It looks great!!!

I was asked to update the vellum.  This is the final version after a couple of versions.

Christmas Bird House

I'm adding to my Christmas Card Count.

I started with a kraft card in the portrait tall orientation.  I added a strip of off white striped vellum and mounted it offset from the center. I selected the bird house die cut from the vintage K&Company Cardstock and Acetate die cut set.  I used Tombow Acetate Adhesive on the acetate greetings and adhered them below the bird house.

Choo Choo Train Christmas Card

I started with a die cut from a set of Vintage Cardstock & Acetates from K&Company.  I chose a black card to match the color of the engine which I laid in the landscape/wide orientation. I used a piece of off white vellum which worked with the vintage image.  I held it in place with 4 tiny black brads in the four corners. I then adhered the train die cut to the vellum.  I used Tombow Vellum Adhesive on the clear acetate greeting (it's red but scanned black) and adhered it below the train.  I used a thin black marker and added smoke from the chimney by hand.

Submitting to 52 Christmas Card Throwdown - May Stash Challenge - Dies or Punches.