My Art - All Occasions class - border punchie

One of the girls who comes to Card Club brought this idea several months back. It uses the SU scallop border punch to create an embellishment for cardmaking. I expect you could use any border punch!! I cut a 2.75" square of cardstock and centered and punched each side to create a decorative slot!! Each was decorated differently - I stamped a coffee cup with bleach on the brown one, embossed flowers in silver on the pink one, silver embossed candles on the blue one and added layered punchies with a bard to the yellow one. It creates a frame that can be filled with just about anything.
I added a rectangle of embossed cardstock into the slots and a rectangle of scrapbook paper to the front of the card before all the other elements were added. Again, a greeting can be added on the lower right when the time comes to send out the card.
I always enjoy finding news ways of using the tools I already have!! Not sure where the technique originated but thanks to all those who create and share which inspires the rest of us to get at making art!!!

Therese

My Art - All Occasions class - Be happy

These are quick and easy "Be Happy" cards!! Cut the cardstock to 4.25" x 11" to make it easier to emboss it with the Swiss Dot embossing folder in my Cuttlebug. The "Be Happy" is stamped and then punched with a 1" punch, layered onto a 1.25" punchie, onto a 1 3/8" punchie onto a scallop punchie!! I applied double sided tape to the inside front of the card to hold the ribbon in place which is just below the embossed design on the card front. A greeting could easily be added to the lower right hand of the card.

Very versatile design!! The embellishment could be situated anywhere on the ribbon - I happen to like the left hand side.

Therese

My Art - All Occasions class - Glitter paper

These were such fun to create!! I had wanted to use my glitter glues but when I dug them out they had dried somewhat and were quite thick and would not squeeze out nicely. I decided that I would make my own glitter paper with them so I dug out some fabric paint, acrylic paint and inks and got about making my own decorative paper. I used a foam tray as a palette and loaded on a variety of mediums as well as a blob of glitter to use on each sheet. I started with white cardstock and used a wet brush to help loosen my paints and make them more transparent. I just started painting on colour using the most vibrant first and toning down with the lighter colours. Along the way I added the glitter glue which also benefited from the extra water to help them spread nicely. Made several sheets of each colour. It can be a bit messy so it worth making a few extra sheets while you have all the tools and paints out. It is hard to see in the scans - these are shiny and glittery!!
Once they were dry I cut the 8.5"x11" sheets into quarters and embossed them with different embossing folders using my Cuttlebug. The embellishments are all different - round sequins on a string on the blue one, punched daisies with a brad on the turquoise one, punchies and a brad on the black one and punchies and a large sequin star with a brad on the red one!! Greetings can easily be layered onto these cards for any occasion. I thought that the black one would be good for a teenager who likes music!! The sequins on the blue one reminds me of jewelry or patio lights!!
I did forget to scan these before I used them as I have in the past to create my own digital art resources! Always good to have your own graphics to use when creating digitally!!
I hope these will provide you with inspiration to create your own decorative paper!!

Therese

My Art - All Occasions class - Manhattan flower

Using my newly acquired Manhattan Flower (SU)embossing folder I created some embossed cardstock. Trimmed them to the edge of the rose pattern then trimmed them to fit evenly on the card front. I used silver foil on the black one. The foil is an acquired craft material - the result of a chocolate treat!! I just glued the foil to cardstock, cut to quarter sheet size and embossed it!! The greetings are colour printed to coordinate with the card. I tied a short piece of ribbon into the knot of the longer piece which creates the same effect as a double knot.

THRIFTY TIP: To use up short pieces of ribbon just add them in the knot of another piece to create tails. They do not have to be the same ribbon or the same colour. I save my small pieces in ziplocs and look there first when I am looking for ribbon. You can use a piece as short as 2.5 inches!!

Therese

My Art - All Occasions class - alcohol inks

My Cards, Cards, Cards - All Occasions class was this past weekend! It was a great morning with some very creative and interested participants! It was so fun to prepare the kits for this class. We made twenty cards and all are different because that is really what works best for those who are participating!!
I created the alcohol ink backgrounds using glossy white cardstock, alcohol and reinkers. Mostly they were SU classic pad reinkers! I love this technique!! Always get such vibrant and interesting results. I did quarter sheets (4.25"x5.5") then stamped them with the flourish stamp in black Staz ON. The stamp is from a SeeD set called Bella Flora. I trimmed them to evenly fit on the card front and added a ribbon at the top that is tied in a square knot. You can just stamp on a greeting that suits the occasion when you are ready to use them.

Therese

My Art - graduation card

It is the time of year for graduations!! I made this card for my nephew who is graduating from high school. It is simple and elegant. I used textured cardstock, silver foil cardstock, a decorative brad and a handmade silver tassle. The greeting is embossed with silver embossing powder!!

Graduation is a turning point in life and a time to realize the dreams for your own life. May we all, no matter what we are graduating from, be willing to use the power of our thoughts, words and actions to create what we want in our life.

Therese

My Art - invitations

This is a prototype for an invitation to a recommitment ceremony for a friend of mine !! I love the photograph!! They were married over Niagara Falls last year and will be celebrating with their families this summer!! She came over last week and we kicked around a few ideas and this started to gel so we made up a few of the pieces and finally put this prototype together as a sample. She was off to shop for embellishments and I printed and prepared the pieces!!

The words in the final are all under the photo and are actually a quote that they both appreciate about great love!!

Blessings to you, girl! I know you will enjoy your celebration of love and life with your family and many years with your new husband!

Celebrate all that is good in your life!!

Therese

My Art - May cardmaking - dragonfly

These were inspired by the card I made for my friend's birthday. I changed the format to landscape and added the dots instead of a greeting to make the card more versatile.

Check out the awesome dragoflies by clicking on the photo for a closer look!!

I learned that double sided tape is not a good option for the sewing machine if you are going to be using it a lot without checking on the needle!! It gums up the needle and it eventually refuses to work properly!! I am wondering if glue stick would have been a better option?? Maybe though I originally went with tape because I thought it would be better. Lesson learned!! I will bring a spare needle to class the next time so I we can have everyone take advantage of using it for adding some cool texture to their card!!

I see that I have been on a bit of an embossing kick!! Do love those for some quick texture to any card!!

Enjoy playing!!

Therese

My Art - May Cardmaking - clear embellishment

I have wanted to try this for a while - a card with a clear embellishment!! Fun!!
I created my embellishments using packaging from my latest stamp set, Sizzix dies and my Cuttlebug!! I cut the shapes and then ran them through my CB using the Swiss dots embossing folder!!
I would like to play with these some more. I think I will try alcohol inks on them next time and see if that works though having them clear is cool too!!

Therese

My Art - May cardmaking - Flourishes

This card features stickers!! Always a quick way to get started on a card is to use a sticker and go with it!! These I have had around for quite a while and am not sure where I purchased them. I layered three of them onto 1 3/8" punchies then onto small scallops (scallop nestibility). I stamped the card edges with a new stamp from a set I purchased a few weeks ago. Made for a very old world looking card that will work for a lot of occasions - maybe even a male birthday with a different greeting. I distressed the edge of the brown rectangle to keep with the old world feeling!
You can check out my sister's blog for a different take on a card created around a sticker!!

Therese

My Art - May cardmaking - Manhattan flower

Love this embossing folder!! It was on backorder for a few weeks and I picked it up last week and just knew I wanted to make a card with it. Some people have made some awesome cards with this one!!
Very quick and easy card!! Used white cardstock in the SU Manhattan flower embossing folder and then trimmed it to the edge of the rose design. Trimmed it to fit on the card front with a border all the way around!! Yes, this embossing folder is larger than the front of a A2 sized card!! Added an organza ribbon below and the card is done!!
This one would be great for a wedding/anniversary or even a graduation!!
You can check out Catherine's blog on May 6 she posted a card she created with her embossing folder. She is my awesome SU demo!!

Looking forward to more cards with this one!!

Therese

My Art - friend's birthday card

My good friend turned 61 last Friday and here is the card I made for her!! I am sure she had a grand day with her family and friends!!

Embossed the top part with the Floral Motif embossing folder (CB) and added a couple layers below that. Used the SU scallop punch on the pink and then punched 1/16" holes in each scallop and tore the blue layer. Glued them together and sewed them (no thread) to create texture and interest. Added a greeting below that!!

The dragongly is a new to me technique. Heated Pearls!! Very easy to do with a few supplies. Apply white glue to black glossy cardstock with a brush - used a silicone one - and just pounce it around. Add some mica powder ( Pearl ex or Perfect Pearls, etc) and pounce it around to distribute. Once the whole sheet is covered heat with a heat gun. The glue will bubble and dry into an awesome looking decorative paper!!! I used 1-2 tbsp of glue on an 8.5" x 11" cardstock and about 1/2 tsp of Pearl Ex. Totally fun, quick and easy!!

I cut the dragonflies with a Sizzix die in my Cuttlebug. I cut the bodies from some black handmade paper, trimmed them and glued them over the decorative paper in the center to give the dragonfly more definition!!

Totally happy with the way this card and this technique worked out. If you are wanting some black glossy cardstock I have some for sale here:

www.tmalakrsc.blogspot.com

I am sure you could use any glossy paper and maybe even any regular cardstock though it might take a bit more glue because some of it would absorb into the paper. Try it!! I found instructions for the technique on line at

www.splitcoaststampers.com

Have fun!!

Therese

My Art - baby thank you cards

Babies!! Created a set of these for a first time Mom who is due very soon and will be moving soon. It is always nice to have cards on hand to send as gifts arrive. I made these teal because I did not know whether she was having a girl or a boy!!

Used the Swiss dot embossing folder (CB) on the top portion of the long narrow card that fits in a #8 envelope. Trimmed the bottom section with the SU scallop border punch. The sentiment is stamped in seaglass and embossed with pearl embossing powder - gives a nice subtle sheen!! Added to the card front with green crystal brads. Teal ribbon tied in a square knot with the ends trimmed.

Quick and easy yet elegant cards for any occasion!!

Therese

FYI - cardstock for sale

Hey! I returned from Ohio last week with cardstock for sale! You can check it all out here:

http://www.tmalakrsc.blogspot.com/

The supply for some of the colours are low already!!

If you are interested please just send me an email
bmalakatcogecodotca

Therese

My Art - April Cardmaking - punchies

Another card that used supplies that I had sitting around!! I used 1/2", 3/4" and 1.25" punches to punch out the circles from my folder of green scraps!! It was fun to dig through the pile and find greens that coordinated to create these punchy little accents. I used a 1 3/8" punch to create the square for mounting the circle accents. These were then mounted onto a 3 3/8" square. It makes a very striking feature on this card. These could be made in any colour - just pick your scrapbucket and start punching!! I added an INNIE - OUTIE bow at the bottom. These are easy to create and make a bow with small amount of ribbon.

Thrifty tip - INNIE - OUTIE - punch two holes about 1/4" apart for narrow, light ribbon (about 1/2" for wider thicker ribbon). Cut about 4" of ribbon and put the ends through from the front - one end in each hole. Cross them over on the back and bring them back to the front in the opposite hole. Trim the ends!! Quick & easy and frugal on ribbon!!

Therese

My Art - April Cardmaking - punchie openings

This card uses another item that has been sitting for quite a while! This is part of a sheet of circle punch outs that SU used to sell. It was tricky because I had to punch a hole inside a hole to get the border on the inside. The green layer is the SU cardstock left over. Worked it out!! I used the 1.25" punch to repunch the green, a 1 1/8" to punch the blue below it. The decorative paper is gift wrap bought at Christmas from Michaels maybe a year ago. The star is from a SEE D Christmas set. The ribbon is actually seam binding which I have had in my stash for quite a while as well but I like the texture and the lightness of it - ties very nicely!! Stamped a greeting!!
Do you have something in your stash that needs to be used up to make room for new stuff?? I challenge you to use up one thing that has been around for quite a while!!

Therese

My Art - April cardmaking - foil flower

A simple card that uses foil tops from applesauce and yogurt!! Those little foils can be used in your card making in so many ways!! I cut the scalloped shape with my Cuttelbug and a Nestabilities die and then passed them through the Cuttlebug again using a silicone mat (SU) and a Fiskars texture plate!! Worked so well!!!! Also used an embossing folder (CB) to emboss the background paper. The flower is created from sequins. These were donated to me by my sister when she was visiting. The multi pack had one one kind she wanted so left the others to use as I saw fit! The ovals had a hole at one end so I threaded five of them onto a brad to create a flower!! The greeting is colour printed.
Try to find ways of creatively reusing some of the items that you would normally recycle or throw out!! It will leave you more money to spend on art supplies or rubber!!

Therese

My Art - April cardmaking - butterflies

Fun cards at cardmaking last night!! I cased these from Toni's blog!! I loved the idea of having the clear acetate in the middle of the card!! I made the lavendar one as a sample using my SU scallop border punch but found when assembling that there was little margin for error on attaching the acetate so opted to use decorative scissors instead at the class because it allowed for more room. Very happy with the way these ones worked out. There were some really beautiful butterflies created!!
I sandwiched the acetate - stamped with StazON in black with a butterfly quote - between the cardstock and the decorative paper which makes a nice neat finish. Used double sided tape to attach to cardstock. The butterflies were embossed with metalic embossing powder and were either watercoloured or finished with colour pencils. I did both of these with watercolours. Added just a quarter sheet insert so that the clear strip would be very evident on the card front.
April features Earth Day so I was trying to find ways of being green - using what I have instead of starting with new. The acetate on these cards were cut offs left over from the glitter card I made for Christmas.

Therese

My Art - Altered book page with ATC

Did a numbers mingle on one of my groups a while back and just had time today to get that layout finished! Each person made an ATC which they sent off to another member of the group and then we had to create an altered book page incorporating the ATC we received. It is a fun way to create which is sometime outside our comfort zone!!
I gessoed my pages to begin with and then added some stamped swirls in pink. Glued down some pink tissue paper strips - one on each side then added some white acrylic paint to tone down the contrast. Added some more pink swirls on top of that. Used coloured pencils - were the closest in colour to the ATC to write the TWO and Sharpies to add the dots and the "then there were" to the left hand page. Attached the ATC to the right hand page with double sided tape. Like the way it turned out!!

Therese

My art - tea themed card

For our monthly exchange I created this tea themed card using Angelina fibers! These fibers are very sparkly which does not clearly show up on the scan of this card. I used purples and golds and stamped the teapot in black. The fibers melt into each other to highlight the stamp used. The girls bought their fibers at Stamp Fest several years ago from Class Acts.
I added a flower embellishment to the top and a tag with a tea quote at the bottom.

StampFest will be happening in Bancroft, ON again this year on July 18th!! You can check out their site by clicking Stamp Fest above. There will be demos, prizes and make and takes!!

Therese