A puffin and a versatile sketch from a card kit

I need a card today so I went looking through my card kits to see if I could find one that would be appropriate and found this one with a puffin.  Works!!
The puffin is a digital image from CLKER which I laser printed on white cardstock and then trimmed into a tag using a Sizzix tag die.  After watercolouring the image I add the black seam binding and the laser printed greeting with double sided tape.  I layered the two pieces of decorative paper to my yellow card front and added the black cardstock strip that I embellished with my tracing wheel.  I added the tag using 3D foam tape.
I am really liking having card kits on hand for making up last minute cards!!

Happy Hallowe'en

My two Jack O' Lanterns for this year!!! These were filled with hulless seeds which are soaking

and will be a nice treat after the Trick or Treaters have come and gone!!

Have a wonderful day and safe Trick or Treating to everyone!!

Therese

Thank you card reusing a beautiful rose card front

I am seeing my Mom in the next few days and I wanted to thank her for all the good things she has sent my way in the last few months.  I found this beautiful roses card front in my stash and decided to use it to make a card for her.  I trimmed off the card front and layered it onto green cardstock.  There was a bit more room on the bottom so I trimmed it real close with scallop decorative scissors and pierced each scallop with a push pin.  Adds just a bit of texture and a decorative element to the card.  Next, I glued this large element to a coordinating red card front!!  I really wanted to add another element but in the end I could not decide what it might be so it remained as it was!! 

Therese

Embossed heart background with a chalk greeting for an anniversary card

 I need an anniversary card for the weekend and so went looking in my stash of card kits to see if I had anything appropriate and found this card from my last regular card class.  Just goes to show you how versatile this technique is!!
The hearts were gathered from my heart punchie stash and glued to a quarter sheet of white cardstock then embossed with the lattice embossing folder (SU).  After trimming it to size (4" x 5.25") I added the ribbon onto which I strung the greeting before adhering both ends to the back of the layer using double sided tape.  The greeting was one created for the class using a chalkboard tag set which I downloaded from online.  I added the greeting using a chalkboard font after digitally removing the previous art.  I laser printed it onto white cardstock and trimmed it out of the large sheet and then fussy cut it to leave a slim border.  A small hole punch quickly punched the holes on both ends.  After adhering the greeting I glued the large element to the front of a red card and tied a short length of ribbon with one knot to the length on the front of the card to simulate a bow!!  It always special to celebrate significant anniversaries with special people!!!  Therese

Christmas Card Class #1 - A joyous card embellished with a star

For my last card I wanted a quick and easy one!  I used a decorative font to format JOY and printed it in dark green onto ivory cardstock.  I trimmed the greeting out and used a fine brush to colour in the three letters with red watercolour - love the look!!  I glued it onto my decorative paper (4" x 5.25") which I had glued to a coordinating card front.  The little silver star punchie which I added with 3D foam tape adds just enough interest and texture to this card and finishes it off nicely!!
Used some beautiful and sparkly handmade paper for my second card!         Therese

Christmas Card Class #1 - a peaceful dove

For my second card I wanted to use this beautiful dove die from Spellbinders.  I have had it for a while but have not really used it a lot.  I bought it because it is such a versatile image and certainly would make great Christmas cards.
So I cut out doves from white cardstock and then cut the PEACE (SX) word from the same cardstock using only the one word from this long Sizzlit die (peace, love, joy).  Next, I went looking for backgrounds that would be suitable for these doves.  I found some hand decorated paper I made a while back when I sister was visiting which really worked well.  We had used watercolours and added salt which creates the starburst which simulate stars or snowflakes depending on how you look at it!!  Once my backgrounds were trimmed out I cut coordinating card fronts.  When it came time to combine the doves with the background papers I found that some backgrounds would be best with ivory accents so I cut a few ivory doves and words to go with those backgrounds.
I started assembling my card by gluing my dove to the top portion of my background and then adding the word PEACE to the bottom portion.  I used a fine tip glue applicator for the words which kept the glue where it was supposed to be.  The layout looked a bit sparse but I was really not wanting to detract from the main elements too much so I added some wavy lines with my pattern tracing wheel.  That was much better! Still needed something - I decided to add a small heart at an intersecting point of the lines between my dove and the word.  That was perfect!!
My second card features some burgundy holly gift wrap as a background which works very well too!
Love the simplicity of this card with those beautiful elements which pretty much stand on their own!!

Therese

Christmas Card Class #1 - A wonky tree Christmas card

For our first card for this class I decided to use some supplies I found in my stash - navy rectangles with one torn edge.  I decided to use them to frame a space in which I am featuring a wonky tree.  I have seen several of these over the years and I decided to do some searching on my favorite website for some inspiration - Splitcoast Stampers!!  Always the very best place to get some good ideas!!

I started with a white card as I would be using it to simulate a snowbank.  

Next, I dug through my stash of decorative papers and found several that would nicely simulate a blue or night sky.  I trimmed out rectangles that were about 4" x 5 1/4".  They did not have to be precise but I needed them large enough so the navy strips would cover their sides.  I tore a wavy strip off the bottom edge which once glued to the white card front would create my snowbank.  I glued the sky paper to the front of the white card lining up the top edge of the paper with the top of the card.  When I placed the navy strips over the decorative paper they seems too flat so I decided to embellish them with embossing.  I chose to do it by hand so as to not ruin the beautiful torn edges on these pieces.  Before gluing the strips into place I realized that I would have to make sure that there was enough room for my wonky tree in the space between them.  

So, I dug out my stash of Christmas papers and cut all sorts of triangles - not necessarily the same size or even from side to side.  It was quite easy to trim them by hand with a large pair of scissors that easily spanned the lengths I needed.  I started putting them in piles that somewhat coordinated and balanced the greens, reds and blues. With a bit of experimenting I figured I needed 4-5 triangles to make my tree tall enough for this card.  I dug through my brown scrap bin and found some small pieces of brown cardstock to create trunks for my wonky trees.  After trying out one of my trees on my card front I realized that I needed a star as well so I dug out some yellow cardstock and punched a few stars.  

With all the pieces I needed I auditioned one of my trees in the space between my navy strips and it was perfect.  Some others will require trimming.  So I glued down my trunk and then adhered four triangles to create my tree and finished it off with a little yellow star!  I am pretty happy with how this card worked out.  Next, I found some little round greetings in my stash so I layered them on coordinating cardstock and added them to my card front using 3D foam tape.  I am playing around with adding stitching to the triangles or dots to the outside of them.  Not sure, so for now it will remain as it is!!

Therese

Rural farm scene for this quick and easy Christmas card

For my class tonight one of my participants ordered a set of cards with this barn scene which I used last year.  Her DH is in the agricultural business and it makes the most appropriate card!! 

I colour printed the barn image (Pixabay) on white cardstock several to a page and trimmed the images apart to 4" x 5.25".  I wrapped some coordinating nubby blue fiber around this large element several times and secured the ends on the back with tape.  I glued this element to a black card front and then adhered my laser printed oval punchie greeting over the fiber using 3D foam tape.  It makes cards that come together quickly and look great!!!

Therese

A fisherman on the lake on this large card

My last large card for this session!!  I have six in all to give my sister when I see her later this week.  

Again, a dark brown card front on which I glued some geometric scrapbook paper leaving an even border all the way around.  I watercoloured the image of this fisherman (Great Canadian Stamp Company), trimmed it a bit and adhered it to a coppery metallic cardstock which I trimmed to leave a large margin on the right which I textured with my tracing wheel.  I added several piece of ribbon to in the top right hand corner using double sided tape and then adhered the whole element to my embellished card front.  Love the colours on this one!!

Therese

A funky fabric postcard featuring a pink leaf

I created this fabric postcard for a birthday swap on my fabric postcard group.  I started with a portion of a fabric collage which I created a while back using a variety of strips I purchased at a thrift store.  I had perused my inspiration folder earlier in the day and found one that had a large leaf so decided to make that my theme.  I was having difficulty envisioning anything that seemed reasonable so I went back to the folder to see what had inspired me and I could not find the image I had checked out earlier so I was left to go back to creating without any further input.  I eventually chose this pink solid and floral that coordinated to create my leaf by stitching two small pieces together to create the center line.  I used a pencil to draw the leaf before cutting it out and then I laid it onto my collage.  I thought it needed a bit of a stem but pink seemed out of whack so I chose two pieces of green from my small bits stash.  I layered them and slipped them underneath the leaf before I added stitching.  I used dark green thread for the stitching passing over the perimeter several times.  Next, I did the center line and all the veins several times.  To finish off the postcard I cut a piece of batting and an ivory cotton backer, pinned them together and stitched all the way around the edge and then filled in between the edge and the leaf in an all over pattern.  I dug through the baggie of strips (the same ones I used for the collage) to see if had something that would work for the binding.  I found this great fabric with a greenish background and some flowers some of which worked with the pink leaf so I applied fusible webbing to the back of several strips to create my binding.  It was easy enough to trim the strips to the length I needed and then fuse them one at a time to the postcard.  I started with doing the front left hand side and next I fused the strip to the back.  I repeated this three more times to finish all the sides.  I stitch twice all the way around using pink thread.  I like this binding method.  After a bit of checking it out I decided that I needed to add some yellow green thread to the leaf to help it fit in better with the whole postcard so I dug through my thread stash, found what I needed and added the stitching.  That helped to make it all work together.  I dug through my little stash of inkjet printed quotes and chose this one about focusing on what you want to add to my postcard.  The whole fabric sheet was fusible before it was printed so I simply needed to trim it out and adhere it to my card.  I decided to add stitch just for fun!!!
Mine does not seem to be a beautiful as the one I recollect seeing in my inspiration folder.  I am not sure what I am missing but I expect it has to do with my colour choice.  I did audition LOTS of fabrics before I chose the pink but maybe I should have kept trying.  I am happy with how it turned out but next time I think I will have to create more contrast between the background and the leaf for the whole design to be more effective.  It is always a learning experience!!!!
It will be off to my partner in time for it to arrive for her birthday!!              Therese

A large card that features ribbon and a large gold embossed nautical image

Another large card for my sister!!  I started with a dark brown card front and layered on a piece of red distressed paper to which I had added a brown scalloped border (SU) on the right hand side.  I pierced the scallops and ran my tracing wheel up the side a few times.  Love that thing!!  I added two lengths of dark red gros grain ribbon adhering them with double sided tape.  I added my watercoloured gold embossed nautical themed image over them then added a little birthday punchie which I had embellished with coordinating watercolour.  

Worked out really well!!

Therese

A watercoloured leaf over a fun background created with squares

Another large card for my sister!!  I used the same leaf image (from a swap way back) which I used on my last card.  I created this fun background using 1.5" squares of decorative paper glued to a large red card. I cut several to get started and then cut a few more.  I laid my triangle square on my card edge and glued down the first full row using a scrap of cardstock as a spacer in between them.  Next, I laid the spacer below the row, added another square and then placed my square on the bottom and set another row in place.   I continued in this fashion until I had placed all the squares I could.  All the squares that were outside of this area I place by eye using my little spacer to align them and trimming those who overlapped the edge of the card.  In some cases I was able to reuse the scraps I cut off to fill in some of the areas that needed partial squares.  Really like the look of it!!  I added some tiny strips of green, red and yellow cardstock in between in a few areas to help develop a colour scheme for my leaf.  I watercoloured my leaf, glued it to a square of green cardstock and ran my tracing wheel over the four sides.  I added short ribbon flags to each side - top on the right, bottom on the left then adhered this focal element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  This was a fun card and I will be making some of these fun square backgrounds again!!
Therese

A cute punchie snowman with a tutorial

I wanted a snowman on a project I am working on and decided to see if I could build one using punchie shapes.  There are a lot of tutorials out there for making all sorts of punchie creations so after reviewing several I came up with this design.  I am really happy with how he turned out and he is pretty cute!!

Here is what I used:

1 - 1 3/4" circle punchie in white cardstock

1 - 1 1/4" circle punchie in white cardstock

1 - triangle of orange cardstock 1/8" x 5/8"

2 - brown cardstock snowflake pieces for arms

1 - 6" blue yarn for a scarf

You will also need scissors, a fine tip glue applicator and a black fine tipped Sharpie marker.

The first step is to cut a small sliver off the 1 1/4" circle (SU)  - the head - like in the photo above. 

Next, apply a slight bit of glue to the straight edge you just cut and overlap it over the 1 3/4" circle  (SU) - the body - with even angles on both sides.  If you wish to have a wonky snowman or have it looking in a certain direction you would adjust these angles.  

Next, you glue the nose in the middle of the head and draw in the mouth with the marker being careful not to go too low so it will not be covered by the scarf.  Your mouth can be a line or coould be rough circles if you are wanting to simulate lumps of coal.  

Next, add two circles for the eyes just above the nose.  If you are not sure about the placement of these features start by using a pencil which allows you to erase and redraw if necessary.  Once you are happy you can simply overwrite them with the black marker.  

Next, glue your arms on.  These were created by punching a large snowflake (SU) from brown cardstock and trimming all the arms apart.  You could just as easily trim arms from brown cardstock by hand or use a branch or tree die cut to get the shapes you need.  You could also consider not adding arms at all!!

Lastly, you just need to tie on your scarf.   I just wrapped the yarn around the neck of the snowman and tied it off with one knot then applied a tiny bit of glue under the chin to keep the scarf in place.  You certainly could use ribbon or cut a scarf out of cardstock if you wish.  

It was fun to get creative with punchies and thanks to everyone who has posted their punchie creations which have been very informative and inspirational for this project.  

Therese

Sympathy card that features handmade paper background and focal element

I made up this sympathy card from a card kit I had in my stash.  I started with an ivory card and added some deep yellow handmade paper with natural inclusions which was torn to size.  I added a green border near the top (SX).  I added a bit of detail to the brown handmade paper leaf die cut (TH) using watercolour and tie some twine to the stem.  I glued it in place over the border and then added a flagged greeting with a little yellow maple leaf punchie. 
It is always a sad time when family members pass away.  We wish the family healing!!

Therese

Custom card for a couple celebrating 65 years of marriage!

A friend asked me to make up a card for her Mom & Dad's 65 anniversary that included green and trees!!  Blue sapphire is the stone for 65 years so I incorporated that into my design as well.  I started with a large ivory card and added a layer of blue, brown and green decorative paper which incorporates musical notes.  I cut a middle panel which I embossed with a tree (Darice) on the top portion and stamped with a greeting in green on the bottom using my stampin jig to get it in just the right place.  In between I scored a couple of lines using my scoring tool from the back and added little squares with rhinestones in between.  I used one clear, two light blue and two darker blue rhinestones to bring in the "blue sapphire" theme.  The squares were cut from the bottom of the same page of decorative paper so coordinated sufficiently.  I trimmed the two little birds from a die cut that included a branch, wings and hearts.  I left their legs on and did not like the look so I trimmed them off and glued on the wings.  I set them in the tree both looking to the center.  I glued one of the little hearts into the crotch of the tree.  I wanted them to be subtle and am very happy with how it turned out!!!  I glued this focal central panel to my card front to finish off my card.  I have been brainstorming this card for a couple of weeks.  Sometimes it just takes that long for an idea to coalesce sufficiently to be able to create it!! 
Sixty five years of marriage is an achievement and I wish them every good thing as they celebrate their lives together. 

Therese

A beautiful leaf with coordinating papers and raffia

I will be seeing my sister in a few weeks and I decided to get a few cards made for her.  She came two years ago to spend some time and we made cards.  She decided to leave her supplies and I would continue to make cards for her.  I have made quite a few but no where near the amount that would use the supplies she left here.  So a few more for her!!
I started by gluing the decorative papers to the red card front - red gingham and red distressed.  I added a strip of red paper and overlaid a brown one overlapping where the papers met.  I watercoloured the leaf image and added some specks of paint by striking the wet paint brush on my finger.  I glued it to the green and then trimmed the bottom off long using decorative scissors.  I used a tracing wheel to add texture to the bottom area as well as the borders of the image.  Really like those subtle stitch like lines!!  I added a piece of yellow organza ribbon to the card front, added green raffia over that and then overlaid my focal element over it using 3D foam tape to adhere it.  Fun to be making large cards again!!!!
Therese

Cards from kits that feature embossing and Cre8tive Hands digital images

A couple more cards made up from card kits from last week's class .  They sure are quick and easy!!
The digital images are from Cre8tive Hands - she has some very cute and versatile images.  I glued the four embossed rectangles to the card fronts and added some fiber, watercoloured and layered the images then adhered them over the fiber using 3D foam tape. 

Therese

Exchange cards that feature white embossing and watercolour

I made up a couple of kits from my last class for my exchange cards for this month.  These are so fun because the design emerges when you apply colour!!  The design is embossed on watercolour paper using white embossing powder so the design is very subtle until you add watercolour.  The gift and teapot stamps have been in my stash for a long while and it had been quite a while since I had actually used a rubber stamp as I am much more likely these days to use digital stamps in my cardmaking.  I also stamped the greetings onto my label die cuts (Spellbinders) using a Versafine Black stamp pad.  I wrapped the fiber around my background and incorporated the greeting label just before tying it off.  These large focal elements were glued to the front of a black card which really highlights the colours nicely!!  

So these are off to my card exchange partners in today's mail!!!

Therese

A couple of fall leaves cards

I created both of these backgrounds will I was preparing for my last cardmaking class but I found it difficult to incorporate the large greetings so I had left them aside.  These smaller greetings work much better so I have two more cards to add to my stash. 
The backgrounds are created by gluing die cuts (TH) and punchies to a white quarter sheet of cardstock and then passing it through the Big Kick using the Lattice embossing folder (SU) which has a very tight pattern and incorporates the shapes into the cardstock and giving  them a fun quilted look. 

Therese

Another fun watercoloured card

I made this card with a kit I made up for my last cardmaking class.  It features white embossing on watercolour paper and the design emerges as colour is applied!  I started with yellow watercolour all over avoiding some parts of the presents as I went along.  Next I added blue to the inside of the presents and discovered that the bottom edge of the design is not closed so the colour ran into the yellow a bit.  Next, I added just a wee bit of red to the heart bows on the top of the presents.  A fun design using a stamp I have had for ages!!  I coloured the greeting with the same colours as the main element though I watered them down some so as to not compete with the front.  I wrapped the fiber all the way around and then incorporated my label greeting in on my last wrap before tying it off with a double knot.  The greeting was stamped with black ink (SU). I glued this large element to a black card front.  Love the bright colours!!

Therese