Anniversary card featuring a lacy heart die cut, a paper collaged background, layered font greeting and some rhinestones

Have been having fun creating paper collage backgrounds with scraps! I simply adhere the scraps to each other using regular tape on the back and then trim to fit on my card.  For this card I started with a large envelope and created a large yellow card to fit inside.  I created a paper collage background and adhered it to my card front.  I die cut the lacy heart in brown, adhered it to a gold piece of cardstock and then fussy cut all the way around.  I adhered it to my card front and then added a little layered font greeting which I flagged at both ends and layered on orange.  To finish it off I added little brown rhinestones to each heart using white glue in a fine tip applicator then set it aside to dry before pressing.  

Therese

Thinking of you card featuring a tree die cut opening, a paper scrap collage background and a little layered tag greeting

Another Thinking of you card for another friend who had surgery this past week.  

I started with a large brown card which I created to fit in a large envelope from my stash.  I pieced a collage background from green paper scraps simply using regular tape to secure them together on the back before mounting it to my card.  I die cut a tree (SX) from a rectangle of green cardstock, manually embossed the edges with a distressed embossing folder and added a line of piercing using my tracing wheel.  I mounted gold paper behind the opening before mounting this large focal element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

I started with a little laser printed font greeting which I colour washed to coordinate with my card then added two pierced lines using my pattern tracing wheel.  I created a tag by layering two tag shapes in two different green cardstock which I had embossed, added my little greeting and then trimmed the edges of it to the side of the tag.  I punched a hole at the top and added a kraft fiber tie then mounted it to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

Christmas cards featuring stained glass ornaments, decorative paper and an embossed panel

Having committed to getting my Christmas cards made early this year I have already made more than half of what I need but staying at home has facilitated getting farther ahead so I have made this set of cards.  I cut the ornaments and trees from a sheet of beautiful stained glass glitter paper my sister gave me a while back.  I cut a strip off the large sheet and cut the first three ornaments with one of the dies in the Heirloom Ornament die set from Nestibilities.  From what was left of the strip I cut a round one (Nestibilities) and three little triangle trees.  I wanted to layer my elements on black which worked with the round ornament because I have the double set of the Classic Circles ( Nestiblities) so I was able to cut a black layer for it.  The trees were easy as they are just triangles.  For the teardrop ornaments it required a bit more engineering.  I had created myself a tool for practicing and teaching calligraphy at one point in time by whittling down the sides of two pencils and then tying them together so I could easily demonstrate the proper angle and how the flat nib forms the letters.  I went looking for it and found it!!!!!!!!!  I used it to trace the shape of the ornaments onto black cardstock.  I then fussy cut on the second line which was relatively easy.  Pretty happy with how that worked out and will have to keep that in mind for any other custom layers I might need to make.  I then die cut snowflakes to mount in the centers using a Cuttlebug set which I have not used very often but were the perfect size for these ornaments.  I mounted them to the ornaments using tiny black brads and added little white fabric snowflake in between.  Love how they turned out!!  Next, I created toppers for my ornaments.  I used my scallop decorative scissors to trim the edge of a thin strip of bright silver foil and then trimmed them into segments which would be right for each ornament.  I mounted them to my layered ornaments using white glue applied with a fine tip applicator.  For backgrounds I decided on this funky snowflake paper in my stash which was laser printed a while back from a digital wallpaper file.  I decided to add a layer of embossed silver cardstock between them.  I coloured a length of thick white thread using a permanent marker to create the hangers for my ornaments.  I used different embossing folders for all of them and mounted the silver pieces to the backgrounds and then added the ornaments using 3D foam tape, adhered the thread hangers to the back of the background paper using regular tape and then mounted these large elements to coordinating card fronts.  I punched silver foil stars for my trees and mounted them with the silver strip as a backdrop.  I added a small black snowflake and then a white fabric one to one of the trees to make it stand out.  I decided against greetings as they seemed to be balanced without them.  So another few cards to add to the stash!!         Therese

Father's Day front flap card featuring decorative paper, washi tape, a cute little truck and a fun greeting (digital)

I made this card for my other son in law for Father's Day!!!!! He has been working hard for his family and likes to take bike rides with his kids.  I started with a dark blue panel, added the mottled blue decorative paper (digital) which was in two pieces so I added strip of green washi tape which works to create a horizon line in my background.  I pieces a flap from two pieces of green cardstock and added washi tape to keep them together.  I scored a half in flap at the top and added it to my panel using double sided tape and glue.  The little truck is a download from Beyond the Fringe Crafts which I sized, laser printed and then fussy cut.  I then watercoloured all basic parts of the truck.  I used a clear glitter gel pen on the hubcaps, bumpers, lights, door handle and windows.  I found some die cut stars in my stash that coordinated and arranged them, glued them to each other and then added them to the back of the truck.  Thinking they still needed something I added some details to them using the clear glitter gel pen.  I mounted the truck on the green flap using 3D foam tape and then added the fun little greeting.  It is a digital greeting from Desert Diva which I laser printed, watercoloured, distressed the edges and then mounted with 3D foam tape as well. I do like this little truck and will certainly be using it again!!!          Therese

Front flap card featuring a little truck (digital), an embossed panel and a fun greeting

Father's Day is around the corner and I made this card for one of my son in laws.  He is a great Dad and we appreciate all he does for his family.  He is back at work after being home for a while due to the Covid situation.  I started with a large envelope and made a large black panel card to fit inside.  I added this cool subtle background paper with flash cards on it.  I choose a coordinating piece of brown cardstock and embossed it with a wood grain embossing folder, scored a half inch on one end and then mounted to my card using doubles sided tape and glue on the flap which I glued to the back of my panel.  I downloaded the truck digital from Beyond the Fringe Crafts, sized it and then laser printed it onto white cardstock.  I fussy cut all the way around, watercoloured the body, fenders, the wheels and the side window.  I used a clear glitter gel pen on all the metal and glass surfaces - lights, hubcaps, bumpers, windshield, window and door handle.  I added greenery (TH dies) to the back of the truck before mounting it to the front flap.  I watercoloured the greeting (DesertDiva), distressed the edges, added some ribbon flags and then mounted it to the flap above the truck using 3D foam tape.  Love how it turned out!!!!!  Therese

Christmas Card Kits - Card #2 features an embossed ornament die cut, decorative paper and two decorative coloured strips of cardstock

For Card #2 I put together a few elements including some white embossed ornaments die cuts from my stash.  I added a couple of strips of coordinating cardstock.  One trimmed with the Ribbon punch (SU) and the other trimmed to size and the other simply trimmed.  I did embossed some of them.  These are combined with a layer of decorative paper and coordinating card bases.  Again, these kits are easily assembled requiring only glue.  With a variety of backgrounds and coordinating strips every kit has a variety of cards.  I do love putting together various elements and using versatile sketch to provide some interest in these kits.  

Therese

Anniversary card featuring an embossed background and die cut label and an serendipity heart embellishment

My parent's anniversary is coming up and they will have been married for 66 years!!!!!!  Good on them!!  They are still living independently and are safe and well during this health crisis!  We are all grateful. 
I started with a large envelope and I made a white card to fit inside.  I chose a double sided white core green paper and embossed and sanded it a bit to get some texture on it.  I added a wide white ribbon and then adhered it to my card front.  I tied the remainder to the bottom portion using a single knot to simulate a bow. I rotated the knot on the ribbon to have the knot behind which gives a more elegant look on the front.  I die cut a white core pink layer and embossed it with the Swiss Dot embossing folder.  I sanded the dots and edges for texture and interest.  I dug through my serendipity stash and found this die cut heart that coordinated very nicely.  I tied on some pink fiber and mounted it to the label using 3D foam tape.  I mounted this focal element to my card front overlapping the ribbon. 
Therese

An all occasion card featuring TH wild flower die cut in purple, a strip of serendipity and a layer textured with my tracing wheel

For Mother's Day I created this card for my youngest daughter.  I features a TH wildflowere die cut in dark purple which I layered onto a strip of coordinating serendipity paper which I punched on the bottom using a label punch (SU).  I inserted it from the back so I only punched the edge.  I like the look!!  I added a gray ribbon to finish it off.  I chose a pink layer and tore the bottom edge then ran my tracing wheel all over it to add some texture.  I mounted my serendipity focal element  to it using double sided tape.  Next, I cut a light purple card to fit in a smaller non standard envelope and mounted my large element to it using double sided tape.  After mounting it I decided to add a row of piercings on both sides using my tracing wheel which frames it nicely.    Therese

CAS Sympathy card featuring three decorative papers, a die cut sprig and a little font greeting

Needed a sympathy card this week and decided to see if I could do Clean and Simple.  I admire many of the CAS cards I find on the internet but usually I cannot convince myself to leave so much white space. I did find a few that had a little less white space so I took them as inspiration and got started. 
I started with a smaller envelope and made a white card to fit inside.  I had my green scraps on my desk and decided to see if I could find three that coordinated enough to make a card.  I found these three which worked and so I just adhered them to my white card front.  I found the little diecut sprig (TH) in my little stash of leaves and used white glue applied with a fine tip applicator to secure it in place.  The little font greeting punchie (SU - Word Window) I found in my stash and adhered with 3D foam tape.  I am very happy with the result!!  I made a few more which I will be blogging soon!!

Therese

Christmas cards featuring word ornaments and custom decorative backgrounds

A few more Christmas cards!!  I cut the ornaments (SX) and words (TH_SX) while I was at it last time I made cards and so I have decided to get a few more made.  I dug out my box of Christmas paper to see what I had for backgrounds. I found several and made up a few more.  

For the first card, I taped three pieces of this beautiful metallic gift wrap together with regular tape and trimmed it, adhered to a green card front, used gold/green metallic paper to back the ornament and create the topper and added gold cording for the hanger.  

For the second card, I created a background by taping together strips of decorative paper together and trimmed it to size and adhered to a green card, used white pearly paper to back the ornament and create the topper and added white cording for the hanger. 

For the third card, I layered the green paper over some yellow decorative paper and glued this large element to a red card front, used yellow/orange hand decorated watercoloured paper to back the ornament and create the topper and used twine as the hanger.  It needed a  bit of something so I added a twine across the bottom and tied on a short length to simulate a bow and added the little layered stamped greeting (Nestibilities).  That was better!

For the fourth card, I taped layers of decorative paper together, added green/gold metallic paper strips over the joints and trimmed it to size then adhered it to a green card.  I used green/gold metallic paper to back the ornament and create the topper and added a gold embroidery thread for the hanger.  Thinking it needed a bit of something I added a coordinating oval punchie font greeting which I sponged with a bit of red before adhering with 3D foam tape.  

I am really liking the chance to change up the backgrounds on these cards.  I prefer to create one of a kind cards!!!!!!!!!!   Therese

Exchange cards with embossed backgrounds, die cut leaves and laser printed digital greetings

I have made up these two cards for my partners in this month's Card Exchange.  I started with larger envelopes and made ivory cards to fit inside.  I cut two quarter sheets of brown cardstock and embossed them using two different embossing folders - TH swirls, SU wood grain.  I had to trimmed each of them into two pieces to make them long enough for my cards so I chose long greetings from my stash that would bridge the gap.  

For the first card, the greeting is from Beccy's Place.  It is a free digital which I sized and laser printed.  To coordinate with my card elements I colourwashed it a bit with watercolour in green and brown and then watercoloured the flower in a warm yellow.  I adhered my two pieces of brown background to my card leaving the gap in the top section and mounted my greeting over it using double sided tape on each end.  I dug through my little stash of leaf die cuts (TH) and found these that worked with my greeting.  I applied glue on the back and tucked them behind before pressing them down.
For the second card, I used a laser printed font thank you greeting from my stash.  I trimmed both long edges with deckle decorative scissors and then ran my pattern tracing wheel on each edge.  I applied double sided tape on the ends and the middle and adhered it over the gap that was created when I adhered the trimmed background to my large ivory card.  I embossed two of the same leaf die cuts (TH) one in green and one in muted tones (Hammered Botanicals background) with the Swiss Dots embossing folder.  I applied glue to the back of the fronds before applying them to the card front.  I tucked the green one behind the greeting and overlapped the muted one over it.  These sketches are a little CAS for me but I like them.               Therese

Christmas card featuring a handmade tag, decorative paper and ribbon

This card was part of my day of making cards.  I have had this tag with my Christmas ornaments because it was made by a friend out east for our yearly Gift Tag Exchange.  Unfortunately, I have had to cull ornaments from by boxes as the Christmas trees are getting smaller so I decided that I would feature it on a card instead.  I combined it with this very neutral scrapbook paper which I was gifted with a while back.  The pattern is in the paper and works very well to highlight the tag.  I trimmed the paper to size, adhered it to a red card front and then added the handmade tag which features a snowbank, birch trees and a little cardinal - all die cuts.  I had to shorten the ribbon a little so it would fit on the card.  It brings back good memories of all of us making cards together in those days!!

Therese

Cards from card kits featuring watercoloured wildflower die cuts, lace and a thread

 

I have been working on getting the extra card kits on my desk made up into cards.  These are the last two from the January cardmaking class.  I used four flowers on the first one because I glued the first one not quite where it needed to be so I simply added an extra one to balance things out.  I had a spare in my stash of wildflower die cuts.   I used different ties - green fiber on one and green crochet thread on the other.  I really love these cards and left them without greetings in order to increase their versatility.    Therese

Exchange cards featuring resist backgrounds, die cut butterflies, wood grain tags and a bit of lace

I have had this paper in my background stash for quite a while and I believe it is gift wrap from a long ago special gift!!!  I have since cut it up into 4" x 5.25" pieces so I can have handy backgrounds for my cardmaking.  I discovered that the printing very nicely resists watercolour so I stamped on them and then added watercolour to give them a bit of interest.  Next I added a strip of handmade pattern paper washi tape and then adhered them to kraft cards. The wood grain tags were cut from the remnants of our Christmas crackers which our daughter included in our box of gifts.  I embossed them with a wood grain embossing folder and then sponged them with a bit of brown ink to highlight the texture.  I added a little bit of lace, a brown fabric tie at the top and then a butterfly die cut (TH-SX) which I embellished with clear glitter on the body and the wings.  I mounted the tags to my cards using 3D foam tape.  They are off to my Card Exchange partners in this week's mail!!

Therese

Sympathy card from a kit - embossed resist background, embossed vellum, sequins with brads and a tiny greeting

Needing a couple more sympathy cards!  I made this one up from a card kit from my January class.  It features an embossed butterfly (SU) background which was created using very neutral and pale scrapbook paper, silver embossing powder and watercolour.  It was fun to play with resists again!!  I trimmed the background to fit on a green card and created the focal element by layering a turquoise oval (Nestibilities) with a little white butterfly punchie (SU), an embossed vellum oval which was cut just a bit smaller and green and turquoise sequins on the front and tiny silver brads to keep on the layers together.  I mounted this large element to my card front using 3D foam tape and then added a cute embellished colour printed greeting.  I used scalloped decorative scissors to cut the top edge, added paper piercing with a push pin and then added an embossed line using my score tool.  I used double sided tape on the left hand side which adhered to the oval and 3D foam tape to the right hand side which adhered to the card front.    Therese

Sympathy card featuring wild flower die cuts, a bit of lace and a stamped greeting

My uncle passed away just before Christmas and his celebration of life is coming up so I have made up this card for the family. 
I started with the TH wildflower die cut from black cardstock and found a soft gray background in my stash.  I stamped it with a script stamp (SU) in light green.  Next, I added the greeting in black ink.  I tied a short length of green raffia to a length of lace and adhered it just below the greeting securing both ends to the back of background using double sided tape before adhering this large layer to a coordinating green card front. I applied white glue to the back of my wildflower die cut where the flowers are and tucked it in behind the lace. 
It is always good when families get together!! Looking forward to seeing some I have not seen in decades!!

Therese

Thank you card featuring gift wrap, die cut gears, handmade washi tape and a little punchie greeting

After the holidays I always send cards to those who have blessed us with gifts over the season!  I got started with this card.  I started with a burnt orange card, added the kraft and black background (gift wrap from England) and then layered on three gears die cuts (TH-SX) in ivory, kraft and black.  I added a length of handmade washi tape from my stash (clothes pattern paper and double sided tape) over the bottom edge of all of them to give me a horizontal element to anchor my greeting.  The greeting ( laser printed punchie - Modern Label Punch - SU) I found in my stash, sponged the edges and added dots using a sharpie marker. I adhered it to my card using 3D foam tape.    I love the look of that washi tape and it is so easy to do.  Click on the link to go to the tutorial.    It is amazing how long supplies last - our trip to London was over a decade ago!!!            Therese

Christmas cards featuring embossed foil gift wrap backgrounds, little greetings and vellum or fiber

 These are the last two cards I was able to make from the one piece of gift wrap salvaged from the Community Dinner we attended with our friends and neighbours. 
For this first card, I embossed the layered giftwrap/paper combo with the ornaments.  The bottom seemed plain in comparison so I added some dots to it by manually embossing them in place.  After gluing this layer to the front of my green card I added a length of red fiber to the top above the ornaments adhering the ends to the inside with double sided tape and then tied on a short piece to simulate a bow.  Next, I  added a little stamped punchie greeting over the fiber using 3D foam tape on the back.  I sponged and added dots with a gel pen to embellish the little greeting. 
For my other card, I embossed the layer background with snowflakes, added a strip of vellum before adhering it to my green card.  I added a layered snowflake embellishment (large silver, small silver foil, tiny red) over the vellum and tucked a small font greeting to the left of the vellum and snowflake.    Therese

Christmas cards from foil gift wrap from the season

 A few more cards from the gift wrap I collected at the Community Christmas dinner!!  Thanks to my neighbour who very carefully unwrapping her gift so I could have the paper!!  For these two cards I glued the gift wrap to scrap paper and then embossed them with two different snowflake embossing folders before trimming them to fit on my red cards!!
For the first one, I coloured the JOY in light blue shimmery watercolour, distressed the edge and adhered it to the front of the card using 3D foam tape.  I die cut two leafy branches (TH- SX) from silver foil cardstock and mounted one above and the other below which very nicely yielded a wreath shape.  Love the way the paper looks embossed and the little branches looking like a wreath!!
For the second card, I coloured the JOY using a pink/red shimmery watercolour, ran the pattern tracing wheel around the edges and mounted it to my card front using 3D foam tape.  I added a little silver foil star punchie using 3D foam tape as well.  Really happy with these two!  Therese

Christmas cards featuring a little truck with a tree, sponged & stamped background and torn snowbanks

 A few Christmas cards with these cute little trucks!!  I cut these a while back when I visited my sister.  It is a stamp and die set (SU) so I stamped and embossed them in black and the die cut them.  I made a lot of different colours but my favorites are the red and yellow ones.  The four backgrounds are blue scrapbook papers I found in my stash.  I cut them to 4" x 5.25" and then sponged several lines of blue using a torn paper strip which makes a mountain range.  Next, I sponged a row of green which makes a sort of horizon line.  Finally, I stamped a row of pine trees in green.  Always so effective!!  I embossed all the trees using the Manhattan Flower embossing folder which gave them all really neat texture.  I sponged the edges of the lighter coloured ones.  The little trucks were all embellished with glitter gel pen on the window, door handle, lights, bumper, running boards and hubcaps.  The wheels were coloured black with Sharpies and the fenders were watercoloured to coordinate.  For the first one, I added torn snowbanks at the bottom, added my truck using 3D foam tape in the center and double sided tape behind the wheels to give it a bit of dimension.  I added the tree the same way in the back of the truck.  I added a layered oval greeting (SU - punches) featuring a font greeting and glued this large element to the front of  a black card.  To finish it off I added some dots of iridescent glitter glue to the sky and let it dry.  For the second cards I followed the same procedure (oops! missed the tires - I will fix that) and stamped the greeting on the snow bank instead and left the sky as it was.  Glued to a blue card. 

 This card features a stamped greeting on the snowbank and iridescent sparkles in the sky created with glitter glue. 
The fourth card has manually embossed dots in the sky which I sanded to give them their white appearance.  I love this effect!!!!  On this one the greeting was stamped and embossed with silver embossing powder. 
Really happy with these cards!

Therese