Christmas Card Kits #2 - Card #1 - O Holy Night on a scalloped circle, an embossed strip, a ribbon knot and decorative paper

I decided to make as second set of Christmas card kits focusing more on the reason for the season.  

My first set of cards use this cute little image (SU) of baby Jesus and a "o holy night" greeting.  It is the first time I have used it though I have had it for a while.  I love the simplicity of the image.  I stamped the image in blue and then punched it out with a 1 3/8" circle punch (SU).  Next I checked my box for blue themed paper to coordinate.  I found this double sided paper which worked well and punched the scallop circle (SU) from coordinating blue cardstock.  I used a white card and added the decorative paper and then an embossed green strip which I flagged on the bottom.  I added the baby Jesus image using 3D foam tape and thought it still needed something so I made a knot in white ribbon and used double sided tape to adhere to my card.  That was better!!  The kits have a variety of papers and colours but all have a little blue "o holy night".    

You can see below another version of this card in different colours.    I flagged the end of the strip differently and modified the position of the elements on my card front.             Therese   

An all occasion card featuring a pink paper pieced background, a rose and ribbon

This is a very pink all occasion card.  The background is paper pieced using scraps of paper and regular tape.  I thought the triangle piece and the stripes gave interesting direction to the background.  I added a gray ribbon with another little piece tied on with a single knot to simulate a bow to my background before adhering it to my dark pink card front.  The little rose (CLKER) was colour printed, punched and then layered with a dark pink circle and then a green scalloped circle punchie (SU).  I added this layered element to my card using 3D foam tape and added some clear glitter dots in the scallops because it still needed a bit of "something".  That was better!!

Therese
 

Christmas card featuring striped decorative paper, a die cut Christmas tree and a little font greeting

I made up this card from several items on my desk leftover from the development of my sample for this card for my Christmas Card Kits. 

It features a dark red card.  I tore a long strip of decorative paper on the top edge and the cut it in half to create two pieces that fit on my card front.  You can see that both edges are white from the tearing.  After mounting my two pieces leaving an even border. I mounted my little tree which was embossed and sanded which revealed its white core.  I used 3D foam tape to mount it.  The little punchie font greeting (SU - Word Window) was glued in place between the torn edges.   

Another for my stash and to fulfill my commitment to getting my cards ready for sending this year. 

Therese

 

A Minecraft birthday card featuring a square background and black face, a little Minecraft Lego man and a stony birthday greeting

Made this card for my grandson on his birthday!!  He is a Minecraft fan as was his sister when she was that age.  I had a friend request a Minecraft card kit a while back and so I had already developed the pieces I would need for this card.  The grid background is one I found on line and trimmed to the size I needed for my card.  I cut the black pieces as I needed them to create the face.  The little Lego Minecraft guy was downloaded off the internet, sized and printed before being fussy cut.  I applied ink to his edges to ensure that no white showed.  The greeting is another one I found on line.  I sized it and printed it for my card.  I added an orange line to my background after I trimmed it.  I used 3D foam tape to add the black pieces to my background.  I adhered the background to a green card.  I trimmed my greeting to size, flagged the end and then distressed all the edges with my distress tool.  Wanting it a little less crisp I sponged the edges with black ink to just tone it down a bit.  I glued the greeting below the background and then added the little man using 3D foam tape.  He looked like he was walking on air so I added some stippling with a marker to simulate the ground.  I really like how it turned out.  Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a die cut deer and evergreen tree, torn paper and some coordinating fiber

Another all occasion card which would work very well for Christmas or a birthday.  I started with a kraft card and added a kraft and green paper background.  I tore the top off of a brown cardstock rectangle to create a foreground and added it to my card gluing only on the bottom edge to allow me to tuck the tree and deer in behind.  The deer was sent to me by a friend and I embossed it to give it a bit of texture.  I mounted the tree with double sided tape and the deer with 3D foam tape.  The top area needed a bit of "something" so I added some fiber secured on both ends using with a half circle of kraft cardstock.  This way of securing fiber worked quite well and leaves the inside of your card clean.  I tied on another little piece to give my card a bit more texture.  

Therese

 

Birthday card featuring an embellished decorative paper background, ribbon and a watercoloured landscape

Birthday cards for family were made up this week!!  For this card I started with a gray card.  The background striped and plaid paper have been in my stash for a while and were just too stark to be used so I decided to embellish them a bit.  I added watercolour in green and blue and then stamped green trees in an all over pattern to the both of them.  I trimmed the striped on and added a piece of plaid one below and added a green ribbon over when they join.  I adhered this large background to my card front.  I sized, printed, trimmed and watercoloured the landscape digital image (CLKER) to coordinate with my background.  I cut a black rectangle to back it and when I came to layer them I decided to offset them instead of layering them symmetrically.  Works - I should do it more often.  I mounted this focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  It is already on its way!!!!

Therese 

 

Christmas card featuring a little gift, a stamped background and decorative paper and a font greeting

This card was created while I was working out samples for this card for my Christmas card kits.  I had all sorts of pieces I tried out and finally once the design was finalized I decided to make up cards with what I had sitting on my desk.  For this card I trimmed the gift from sticker packaging I have hand on hand for a while.  I cut it square (2 1/8") and added a white ribbon from top to bottom and an embossed flower for the bow.  It was not too bad but the ribbon did not go with a lidded box and the embossed flower did not have enough detail for what I was looking for.  I did add a silver flower outline between them and that was much better.  I stamped my maroon card front with a distressed background stamp (SU - Worn) with red ink.  I trimmed the triangle from a red paper with glittery swirls.  The greeting was laser printed and I added texture with my pattern tracing wheel before trimming it to size and flagging the end.  I glued the triangle leaving the  top loose, added my greeting and then glued the top down.  I added the gifts using 3D foam tape to finish off this card.  I have another triangle of this glittery paper so I will probably make one more for my stash.  I have not made cards for myself yet this month.           Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a bubbly dog in a tub, ribbon and a striped background

For this all occasion card I started with an aqua card.  I added a little blue gingham ribbon to my brown striped background before adhering it to by card front. I tied a small length of ribbon to the one on the front which nicely simulates a bow.  The laser printed digital image of a cute little dog in a tub (Kisspng) was trimmed to size, distressed and sponged in brown on all four edges.  I ran my pattern tracing wheel along all four edges to create some paper piercing texture before mounting this focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  I am having fun making cards!!          Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a pink and black paper pieced background, ribbon and a cute kitten image

Another all occasion card to add to my stash.

I started with a dark pink card. I created a paper pieced background using scraps of paper secured with regular tape on the back.  I added a black ribbon before mounting it to my card front.  I tied on another small piece using a single knot to simulate a bow.  The little kitten with the balloon is a digital image which I colour printed (Kisspng), trimmed to size and layered with dark pink before mounting to my card front using 3D foam tape.     Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a blue paper pieced background, ribbon and a cute elephant image

For this all occasion card I started with a green card front and created a paper pieced background using scraps of decorative paper and regular tape to secure them to each other on the back before trimming it to size for my card.  I added a little blue ribbon before mounting the background to my card.  I tied on another little piece using a single knot to simulate a bow.  The little elephants (Pixabay) are laser printed, trimmed, layered with blue decorative paper before being mounted to my card front over the ribbon using 3D foam tape.  Love these cute little elephants!!   Therese
 

Christmas Card Kits - Card #3 - a little gift with a fun bow, some embossed decorative paper and a printed font Merry Christmas greeting

For Card #3 I decided to use this textured maroon cardstock for all the kits.  I trimmed the little square (2 1/8") gifts from sticker packaging which I have had on hand for a while.  I love the colour of them and that they give the appearance of a box with a lid.  Once I made the gift I was on the lookout for a way to make a bow for the top.  I tried quite a few other options until I discovered this little flower outline once placed behind the square looks like a bow!!  I cut them from shiny silver foil cardstock and adhered them to the back using double sided tape.  Perfect gift!!!  I decided on a triangle of green decorative paper as an accent and decided to emboss it as well to add texture.  I created my greetings using several different fonts and printed some in maroon and green.  I started by adding my triangle to my card front and not gluing the top portion.  I trimmed my greeting and flagged the end before mounting it to my card.  After gluing the greeting I glued the top my triangle in place.  I added the little gift to my card front using 3D foam tape.  I really like how this card worked out!!  It is nice to be able to reuse beautiful packaging as well. 

I used maroon decorative paper on some of them which I embossed with a different embossing folder.  I used green greetings with these cards.  I also found that in some cases the triangle is on the left because of how I cut them with my cutter.  In which case the greeting just needs to be trimmed on the other end instead.  It has really been fun creating these kits and I am sure there are a few who are looking forward to getting to making their Christmas cards as there will be fewer large gatherings this year for Christmas.  

Therese

 

Christmas card kits - Card #2 - a little tree die cut, a square of torn decorative paper and small greeting

For Card #2 I decided to use a square of decorative paper which I tore into two pieces and mounted to my green card front leaving an even border all the way around.  The paper has stripes so I could have torn it the other way and had a bit of a different look.  I mounted the little tree die cut - my own handmade paper - over the gap using 3D foam tape.  It could have been mounted on the right instead.  I added a small laser printed font greeting to the right which was printed on white cardstock and punched with the Word Window Punch (SU).  I simply glued it in place.  Two different papers in this set of cards.  

The other cards in this set feature this other striped paper and you can see that I tore the paper differently on this one which gives the card a different look.  I mounted the little ivory tree which I had previously embossed along with the little font greeting which I trimmed with my Scalloped Oval Punch (SU).  

I am always on the look out for ways of using my tools differently and I was wanting to give my little greetings a bit more interest and I had the punch upside down on my desk and it just occurred to me I could use the punch to give my greetings  a decorative edge.  You can see below that I use the punch upside down and simply insert the little greeting into the slot of the punch. It is easy to align because you can see exactly where it will come down.  I really like how they turned out.   It works best on slim greetings because if they are a bit larger you can detect the curve of the second scallops which I found a bit distracting.    Therese

 

Christmas card kits - Card #1 - Embossed dove, decorative papers and a layered PEACE greeting

 I have been playing with making up some Christmas card kits. I will not be having a class at home due to the restrictions so I thought some card kits would be in order so those who are interested can start on their Christmas cards now and have them ready in time for the Christmas season.  

For Card #1 I am featuring an embossed dove (SX) on a square of white cardstock.  It is layered with a coordinating square of cardstock.  The scalloped oval punchie (SU) is cut from the inside of the square which guarantees that it is exactly the same colour.  To start I have chosen a blue cardstock for this card and a coordinating blue decorative paper which I have adhered to my card front. I adhered my dove to my layer and mounted this focal element to the top portion of my card using 3D foam tape.  I added a blue embossed strip of cardstock trimmed to the width of the paper  just below the image and then I added my layered greeting also using 3D foam tape.  The greeting is a font called NOEL which I designed with a dotted outline and then laser printed before punching out with the large oval punch (SU).  I have a large variety of colours and papers in this kit which is always fun to create!!

This is my second sample.  I usually make this one in class but in this case I just decided to make it up and include it in my post.  I love the wonderful handmade paper on this second card and it works so well with gold and silver!!

Therese

An all occasion card featuring a pieced background, ribbon and a cute little hedge hog image

What a cute little set of hedge hogs!!  I started with a green card, created a background using scraps of decorative paper and regular taper to secure them on the back before trimming to size.  I added a green ribbon before mounting the background to my card.  I trimmed the little colour printed image of the hedge hogs to size, ran my pattern tracing wheel on all four edges and then mounted it to brown carstock.  Once trimmed, I mounted this focal element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  Thinking it still needed " something" I added three little green rhinestones just below the ribbon on the right of the image and that was much better!!!!!  Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a pieced background, fussy cut buttons and fiber

 I am really enjoying creating all occasion cards!!  They are perfect for more than one occasion so make a versatile addition to my stash!!  I will have more than I need!!  Is that even possible??

For this card I started with an aqua card.  I found a piece of coordinating paper in my stash, trimmed it to width and then tore it near the top.  I adhered the top piece to my card and then trimmed the bottom piece to fit on my card and adhered it into place.  There was a wide white strip on the bottom edge which seemed to need "something" so I trimmed some scraps of the same paper and added them to the white strip going in the other direction.  Love how it turned out!!  I fussy cut three little buttons which I found in my stash and tied coordinating green fiber in their holes using a long needle.  I mounted them over the torn opening in my background using 3D foam tape.     Therese

An all occasion card featuring a pieced background, an embossed butterfly and ribbon

I have been a little carried away with making all occasion cards.  I am really enjoying playing with all my "stuff"!!

For this card I started with a kraft card and added a paper pieced background which I created using scraps from my stash.  I simply taped them together on the back and trimmed it to size for my card.  I added piece of black ribbon before mounting it to my card front.  I added the butterfly image (Magenta) which is embossed with black embossing powder and then embellished with clear glitter on its wings then die cut round (Nestibilities).  The outer edge was embellished with a black marker and dots were added inside of that line.  The butterfly was mounted over the ribbon using 3D foam tape.  It still needed "something" so I added a folded piece of the same ribbon over the one on the card securing it with double sided tape and then added a glilttery rhinestone embellishment.  That was better!!!

Therese

All occasion card featuring a floral background, a strip of pink flocked paper, stitched border and a watercoloured embossed flower

Still making all occasion cards!!  

I started with an aqua card and added a laser printed floral paper in pinks and aquas.  I trimmed and added a strip of pink flocked paper.  Love the texture!!  I used a eyelet border punch (SU) to create the little yellow strip from cardstock and then stitched it with shiny aqua embroidery floss.  It was trimmed to the same width as the background and mounted with double sided tape over the flocked paper.  The flower (SU) is silver embossed, watercoloured and then fussy cut.  I mounted it to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

 

An all occasion card featuring a stitched floral layer, some paper piercing and a leafy border

The focal element of this card was trimmed from a used card and features some very clever stitching that creates flowers!!  Beautiful!!  I added faux stitching all the way around my trimmed piece using my pattern tracing wheel.  I added a coordinating leafy border in the same colour as my card front and then added another strip of coordinating cardstock to finish off my layer.  I added a line of faux stitching on the right hand side of my card as well before adhering it to my card.  This is a larger than A2 card created to fit an envelope from my stash.         Therese
 

All Occasion card featuring a stamped leaf, torn paper and tracing wheel texture

Still making all occasion cards.  For this one I started with a green card front, added a mottled green decorative paper background and then a strip of torn paper in a lighter green colour which I trimmed to be the same width as the background.  I watercoloured my stamped leaf ( Old Island Stamp Company) and layered it with a large border using another green cardstock.  I ran my tracing wheel on all four edges making wavy lines of paper piercing which adds texture to this layer.  I mounted this focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  

Therese
 

All Occasion Card featuring an embossed apple, ribbon and a decorative paper background

Another all occasion card!!  I started with a red card, added a polka dot red and white background which I had run down all the sides with my pattern tracing wheel to add some texture.  The apple was embossed using an embossing folder (QuikCuts), trimmed to size, and layered with black cardstock.  I added several pieces of coordinating ribbon on the right hand side using double sided tape before using 3D foam tape to mount my focal element to my card front.  Really love the colours on this one!!

Therese 

A baby card featuring a pieced cardstock background, some green raffia and a cute rattle image

We are expecting a new addition to our family which is due very close to Christmas!!  I have prepared some baby items as I usually do for these occasions and we are hoping to send these off to my son and his wife very shortly.  

For the baby card, I started with a gray card front, added an embossed (D"vine Swirl - CB) paper pieced cardstock background.  I used greens, yellow and grays then just barely highlighted the embossing with a beige ink pad.  I added a green raffia across it and then tied on another short piece to simulate a bow.  I mounted this large element to my gray card front.  I watercoloured the rattle image (Crea8tive Hands) in green and yellow adding some clear glitter highlights.  I added faux stitching to the edges of the image using my pattern tracing wheel before mounting it to a light green cardstock rectangle.  I used 3D foam to adhere this focal element to my card.  For my greeting I started with a font greeting oval punchie from my stash, sponged its edges with green ink then mounted it to a light green scalloped oval (SU).  To finish it off I added clear glitter dots to the scallops!!   Therese

 

Baby card featuring a pink rattle, a paper pieced background, some ribbon and rhinestones

We have a new baby girl in our extended family.  All is well and they are now both home.  New babies are the best!!

I started with a large pink envelope and created a pink card to fit inside.  I paper pieced a pink background and then added pink ribbon over the joints before securing it to my pink card.  I trimmed the little rattle (laser printed digital image from Pixabay) to which I added a little font greeting, layered it with bright green to coordinate with the middle paper and then created a large backer for it.  The backer was embossed with lines around the image using my score tool, trimmed with scallop decorative scissor and all the scallops were pierced with a push pin to add texture.  The bottom border was embellished with some pink rhinetonres.  I mounted this large focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  

Therese
 

Get well card featuring a watering can, a sanded and embossed background and some seambinding

I made this card for my sister in law who had her appendix removed last week!!  She is home and healing but it is always a slow recovery when you get your appendix removed.  

I started with a blue green card, added a watercoloured watering can with flowers.  This image is from image swaps a long while back and was stamped on a hexagon.  I trimmed the edges to make the image sit straight, distressed the edges and added some paper piercing using my pattern tracing wheel.  I embossed a brown white core background and sanded it to reveal the white core then added a little eyelet punched border punch to the bottom.  I fussy cut a chalkboard greeting, punched a hole and slipped it onto a length of green seam binding.  I added the seam binding to my background using double sided tape to secure the ends to the back.  I tied on another short piece using a single knot to simulate a bow and used 3D foam tape to secure my greeting to the card front.  

Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a watercoloured background, a watercoloured floral image and some ribbon and raffia

This card was created from parts rescued from a used card.  I trimmed off a portion of the card including the watercoloured background, a deep pink and white layer.  I added a green raffia across the bottom and tied on a piece of burgundy organza ribbon to simulate a bow.  I mounted this layer to a tan card.  From a different portion of the card I rescued the floral image mounted to the distressed edged rectangle.  I watercoloured the flowers and mounted it to my card using 3D foam tape.  It is so much fun giving these beautiful elements a new life!!

Therese
 

All Occasion card featuring rose (digital) with texture provided by scoring, embossing, tracing wheel and paper piercing

I need a few all occasion cards so I decided to make a few more than I need so I can have some on hand.  

I will be using some envelopes that are just a smidge smaller than A2.  

For this first card I started with a white card and added a purple decorative paper background.  I trimmed a white strip, flagged the end and embossed it before adding to my card.  The rose is one of my hand drawn doodles which I laser printed and trimmed to size before watercolouring.  I distressed the edge and using my pattern tracing wheel to paper pierce a line on all four edges.  I layered my rose to a coordinating purple cardstock, added two embossed lines using my scoring tool and then trimmed the edge with scalloped decorative scissors.  I used a push pin to pierce all the scallops before mounting my focal element to the front of my card using 3D foam tape.  I am glad to be back to cardmaking!! Therese

 

An all occasion card featuring a an embossed layer with leaf die cut openings filled with decorative waxed paper and some seam binding

This card was created using a card front trimmed from a used handmade card that features some openings filled iwth waxed decorative paper.  I embossed the layer with a leaf embossing folder, added some green seam binding and then adhered this layer to a red card.  Another wonderful all occasion card!

Therese

 

Two card featuring panels from a handmade card with flowers and a stamped floral border

For these two cards I started by trimming a handmade card with several folds into panels.  For the first, card I used three panels which I layered on to a stamped background (Worn - SU) which I create a while back using green ink on white paper.  I adhered my background onto my pink card front then added my three panels.  I added a dark green seam binding which coordinated nicely and tied on a short piece to simulate a bow.  A great all occasion card.  

For my second card, I used the fourth panel and added a score line and the same seam binding treatment.  The bee has been highlighted with clear dimensional paint.  Another great all occasion card.  These are both headed to my card box!!

Therese
 

Two cards featuring reused card fronts with butterflies and delicate fabric flowers

I have been making cards again and started with a stack of cards that were donated to me by a friend for reusing in my card making.  There were two the same so I made these two cards.  I created a pink card and trimmed the original card front to just fit on my card and adhered it into place.  Done!!

For my second card, I created a pink card in a different colour and trimmed the other card so that it removed the greeting and I added a trimmed piece back onto the right hand side which I had trimmed with a strip punched with the eyelet border punch (SU).  I added a pink ribbon over where they join and glued this large layer to the front of my pink card.  I will be adding these to my stash!!

Therese

All occasion cards featuring pieced decorative paper backgrounds, layered focal elements and some blingy touches

 These are my Card Exchange cards for October.  I used large cards and made blue green cards to fit inside.  The one on the left has a pieced background created with some striped coordinating paper.  I simply used regular tape to adhere the pieces to each other on the back.  I added a pink ribbon, a layer butterfly focal element and some faux stitching.  Thinking it still needed something I added six little pink rhinestones and that was much better!!  The butterfly was assembled with double sided tape and butterflies from my stash.  

For my second card I added an orange polka dot paper to my card and then layered on two pieces of coordinating pennant paper adding a gold orange handmade paper in the gap.  I die cut a large circle from the scrap of polka dot paper and watercoloured it to reduce the contrast between the dots and the background.  I die cut green circle and punched a leaf from the middle of it before embossing it with the Swiss Dot (CB) embossing folder.  I layered the two and then added a leaf punchie which I found in my stash.  The leaf is a punchie that was embossed with a leaf embossing folder before being embellished with gold embossing powder and watercolour.  

They are headed to my exchange partners in tomorrow's mail!!

Therese

Sympathy card featuring velvet ribbon, a layered butterfly and greeting

This sympathy card is going to a member of our congregation who suddenly lost her husband recently.  They are no doubt grieving the loss immensely.  

I started with a large envelope and made an ivory card to fit inside.  I added a layer of hand decorated paper and then a coordinating blue velvet ribbon on the left hand side.  I cut the butterfly wings from the scraps of the decorative paper, the solid butterfly (SX) from a coordinating cardstock which I watercoloured to give it texture and the body from silver foil cardstock.  I glued the body in place on the solid butterfly and then added the wings gluing them only next to the body so they would be free.  I adhered the butterfly to my card front using 3D foam tape overlapping its wing over the ribbon.  I punched a coordinating laser printed greeting, a larger oval and then a scalloped oval (SU) from blue and layered them after sponging their edges.  I adhered it to my card using 3D foam tape.  

I hope they find solace in each other and peace as they grieve their loss.  Never easy!!   Therese

 

Anniversary card featuring a layered heart and greeting with beautiful red ribbon

Our son has been married for a year!!  Time flies!!  I started with a red card and added an embossed (heart embossing folder - CB) which I rubbed with a gold pigment pad and then added gold embossing powder.  It was too thick so I used a brush to lighten it up before I heated it.  I like the way it turned out.  I added a red ribbon and then mounted it to my red card.  I added a layered heart - gold die cut (SU) and a red heart punchie (SU) which I embellished with dots around the edges using a gold gel pen.  I mounted it over the ribbon using 3D foam tape.  I used gold embossing powder on the oval greeting as well before mounting it to a red scalloped punchie (SU).  I embellished the scallops with the gold gel pen as well.  I mounted the greeting just tucked under the heart. To finish off my card I tied a short length of the ribbon using a single knot to the one on my card to simulate a bow.    Therese

Thinking of you featuring a silver embossed flower and greeting with butterfly sticker and some ribbon

My friend has surgery last week and she is home recovering!!  I wanted her to know I am thinking of her as she heals her body and gets back up to speed with her regular life.  I stamped the little flower image and embossed it with silver embossing powder.  I added the little butterfly sticker and the little dots too! I watercoloured the flowers to coordinate.  I trimmed the white, flagged the end and added a piece of orange ribbon to the top.  I mounted this layer to an orange piece and trimmed it to even around the white one.  I cut an orange card to fit in an envelope from my stash and then added the paste paper background that coordinated perfectly with the butterfly.  Love it when it works out so well!!  To finish off I tied a little bit of orange thread to my ribbon to echo the colour of the flowers.  It is off in tomorrow's mail!!

Therese

 

Birthday card featuring a watercoloured laser printed digital landscrap, a paper collage background and a little font greeting

For this birthday card I created a green card to fit inside a large envelope from my stash.  I created another scrap paper collage background with blue paper scraps to create my water and sky.  I added a bit of water colour to my sky to soften the floral pattern.  I added a strip of green to lower the horizon line of my focal element - a canoe on a lake (CLKER).  The image is a digital one which I laser printed and trimmed to size.  I stamped some trees after placing a paper mask to protect the water and canoe area.  Next, I  watercoloured the image, layered it with a black cardstock rectangle and mounted it to my card using 3D foam tape. I flagged and layered my little font greeting and then mounted it to my card front using 3D foam tape on one end and double sided on the other.  

Therese

Birthday card featuring letter scrapbook paper, ribbon and a greeting with a paper button

My youngest granddaugther is so looking forward to school so I added bold letters to her birthday card!!  I decided to try the slimline card style using a #8 envelope which are common and available locally.  I created a yellow card to fit inside.  The scrapbook paper was a strip of letters so I cut it in two and stacked them.  I added a yellow ribbon over where they join and secured the ends to the back before adding it to my yellow card front.  I found a coordinating greeting in my stash, sponged its edges and added a little brown paper button (CB die cut) with gold string tied to it.  I mounted the greeting over the ribbon and then tied a short piece of ribbon to the one on the card to simulate a bow.  

Slow Stitching - my next project

Here are the pieces to my next slow stitching project.  We are expecting another grandchild and this slow stitching project will be creating a little panel that will be part of the baby quilt I am making for its arrival.  The little oval shapes were hand cut around plastic templates - one a little larger than the other. I will reveal what they are once I get started!!  It is a busy time with harvesting of my garden so it may take a day or two to get started!!

Therese
 

Slow Stitching - completed house panel

 This is the completed house panel.  I am still deciding if I would like to add trees, shrubs or flowers before I call it done.  So it will sit for a bit until I decide.  In the meantime, I have another slow stitching panel that I will be starting on soon!!  More details coming!

Therese

Sewing projects - a cute pencil case and another small quilt

I have a little girl with a birthday coming up so I made her a pencil case with glittery butterfly fabric!  I combined it with black fabric and added a black zipper on the front.  It is the first time that I successfully added tabs on the end of my zipper which makes a neater finish.  I added some new pencils and some funky pencil crayons that have multi coloured leads!  She is going to school this year and taking the bus with her siblings.  She has been waiting a long time for this year!!  

I finished another small quilt top which I worked on more than a month ago.  I added a polyester blanket for batting and a dark green polyester cotton backer which I also used to create the binding.  I like using this technique because it is fool proof!!  I managed my corners better this time around as well so I am improving!!  It measures 35" x 46".  It will be headed to the Linus Project when they are accepting quilts again.  

Therese

Slow Stitching - last buildings on my house panel

This is the last structure on my house panel.  I chose two different blocks of fabric and stitched them up to look like apartment buildings.  It worked very well that they had squares on them.  I have three roofs which indicates that there is a building hiding behind the two that you can see in the fore ground.  All the roofs were done with running stitch each with a bit of a different pattern and texture.  I added Xs in the outer edges of the red building, outlined the windows in navy and then added french knots in between the windows as ornamentation on the building.  I stitched the door as a double door and later went in and added white stitching to some of the vertical and horizontal lines of the building.  I added a little peak in the roof line with white thread and added a little french knot in navy to repeat the ornamentation I had added to the building.  

For the brown building I stitched all the way around then added the little triangles just below the roof line in beige.  I added the four pane windows in navy along with the french knots as ornamentation also in navy.  The door's perimeter was stitched in navy and I used off white thread to add the line in the center to make it a double door.  I also added off white thread to several of the vertical and horizontal lines in the building to add texture and properly secure the pieces to the background.  

A totally fun project and it is good to have a large panel to build a quilt around.   Love how the background looks so much like clouds in the sky.  

Therese

 

Christmas cards featuring embossed backgrounds, a decorative paper strip and watercoloured ornament with ribbon flags

Two more cards featuring embossed snowflake backgrounds!!  I mounted them to red card fronts and added the trimmed strips of decorative paper featuring little gifts I cut from the 12" x 12" sheets I have been using for the last while to make cards.  The ornament images are from Get Drawing.com.  I laser printed the digital images, trimmed them to size, watercoloured and embellished the ornaments with clear glitter, added faux stitching with a black permanent marker and ribbon flags before mounting them to my card fronts using 3D foam tape.  I have manged to get 15 cards made with those two sheets of decorative paper and  have only little tiny scraps left over!!  It has been fun making these cards!!  

Therese

Slow Stitching - fifth little house on my panel

 After a few more searches on line I decided to make a house with interesting perspective - you can see both the side and front of the house.  It was a bit tricky to get all the layers laying down properly so they all met up and did not create jogs in the wrong places. I tacked everything down with small pieces of fusible web once I was happy with how they all were placed.  It sure made it easier to do the stitching because everything stayed where it was positioned.  I ran stitching all the way around the roof and then did one row of running stitch on the inside perimeter.  For the front peak I started on the outside and kept going all the way around until I finished off in the middle.  For the front I added french knots on each polka dot in navy thread.  LOTS of texture there though it does now show very much.  I stitched the door in blue and added a handle and windows in yellow.  I stitched a diamond window above the door in navy and then framed it in yellow.  On the side of the house I added running stitches between all the dots so this piece has a lot of texture as well.  I gave the wide window three panels using brown thread and then added highlights in yellow. The chimney was done in rows of running stitch from the top to the bottom.  It was done first so I was able to add a couple rows below the roof line which will help keep everything secure.  

Therese

Christmas cards featuring decorative paper with stripes, watercoloured Santa image with ribbon flags and faux stitching

 A couple more cards that feature decorative paper from two 12" x 12" sheets I have used for making cards in the last little while.  The backgrounds were trimmed from the sheets and mounted to coordinating  red card fronts. These ones feature cute little Santas from Get Drawing.com.  I laser printed the digital images, watercoloured them, added faux stitching with a black permanent marker along with some ribbon flags and then mounted them my card fronts using 3D foam tape.    Therese

Slow Stitching - fourth little house on my panel

For my fourth house I ended up overlapping two plaid pieces to form the body of the house.  I tried a different roof line and like how that worked.  I ran three rows of running stitch around the perimeter of the roof and body of the house. I used black thread on the roof and red & yellow on the house.  I stitched the outer borders of the windows and then added mullions as well.  I stitched the door in red and added a black handle.  I added a few more rows of yellow on the rows of the plaid and a row of black just under the eaves.  I like how this one is situated into the landscape.  

Therese