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