Cardmaking - All Occasions - wedding & more

These were the last set of cards we made this morning!!  I always have a quick and easy card for the last one because everyone is getting antsy and ready to get on with their day.
I chose four images from WP Clipart - a wedding cake, a fern, a baby carriage and a bouquet of tulips which created cards appropriate for a wedding or anniversary, a masculine birthday or a sympathy card, the birth of a child and could be customized by colouring the carriage either blue or pink and a get well or spring birthday card.  An embossed background, a seambinding with a simulated bow and a layered image.  I did not add colour to the wedding cake leaving it until I actually use the card so I can customize it to the recipient.  I may consider simply adding some sparkle using a clear Sakura StarDust gel pen instead of adding any colour.
I do so enjoying sharing my enthusiasm for cardmaking with like minded people!!  It blesses so many people, me as I create the card kits and teach the class, the participants as they create the cards and add a bit of themselves as they do and the recipients of these lovely creations.  If the card is resused, it is a blessing yet one more time.  Thrifty Tip:  Use plain paper inserts on the inside of your cards and simply glue them with one little strip of glue on the inside front near the fold.  This allows the insert you have written on to be removed and replaced with a new one and the card reused!!  Here is a tutorial on making envelopes so you can send that refurbished card on its way!!

Therese

Cardmaking - All Occasion cards - Faux Pinwheel

These were fun to do!!  I regularly check out Splitcoast Stampers for cardmaking inspiration.  It is such a wonderful resource for any cardmaker - lots of eye candy!!   You can find a tutorial here and a video here!
I created a template (see below) to simplify creating the pinwheel by providing a center and indicating where all the corners needed to be.   I used 1.25" squares and the pinwheel is about 3.5" across.  Works best with contrasting coordinating papers - I used decorative paper for one set of squares and cardstock for the other.  The background was embossed and I added a layered laser printed greeting.  The layered greeting combines punchies from the SU window punch and their modern label punch.
It was fun to dig through my scraps of decorative paper and come up with some coordinating cardstock for the other set of squares and the background.  I mounted the pinwheel using 3D foam tape and then added the flower punchie in the middle which helps give this element some dimension.
One of the girls commented on how the pinwheel looks very much like a quilt design and she had a friend that would most appreciate one of these cards.  That is one of the benefits of making cards - you can make them to suit those who will be receiving them.
Give this a try!  It is easier than it looks!!  Consider doing one with scraps first to help you understand the process of placing the squares and gluing them to each other.

Therese

Cardmaking - All Occasion - cake & gifts

Another versatile sketch!!  I used digital images created my Michelle Perkett for this set of cards.  She has a variety of images and sentiments as well as an Etsy shop so check out her site!!
The decorative paper on this card is layered with coordinating cardstock.
Thrifty Tip:  use two small rectangles behind your decorative paper instead of a full piece. It will allow you to use smaller pieces (check your scrap bucket) as well as providing less weight to your card.
I embossed the top portion but today some embossed the whole front, some debossed the area instead of embossing and others chose to emboss the bottom half instead of the top - so many options.  The digital image is laser printed, coloured, layered and added to the card front using 3D foam tape.  It was fun to use different embossing folders for each card.  I also added some paper piercing below the decorative paper - adds a bit of texture.
Thrifty Tip : I use a push pin, a strip of plastic canvas and an old mouse pad as my paper piercing tools - works really well for creating evenly spaced holes.
These fun images would certainly be great embellished with some glitter so I may consider adding some before I send them on their way!!

Therese

Cardmaking - All Occasion - bon voyage!

Another great cardmaking class this morning!!  We were making All Occasion Cards this time so I ensured that each card was a bit different by using flexible sketches and a wide variety of colours!!  It is always fun to see the cards once the kits have been assembled at class as each person adds their own flair and creativity to the process.
I love the flexibility of this sketch!  I included anywhere from four to eight strips of cardstock to create the background and then encouraged the participants to consider different placements for their ribbon and greeting and they could even have created a portrait card with these elements.
The little strips were embossed and then glued to the background layer which was then adhered to the card front.  Once the ribbon placement was decided the ends were glued to the inside front of the card using double sided tape.  The greeting was coloured and layered then adhered over the ribbon using 3D foam tape.  The little cardstock diamonds provide a nice little embellishment on these cards!!
I love these little digital greetings which all include little images as well!!  They are from Melohheadz Illustratiing.  She is a prolific artist and has a wide variety of images - check out her site!!  Use the labels on the right hand side to help you find what you are looking for!!  Here are direct links to  Bon Voyage, Giving Thanks, HB Cupcake, Friendship is  images!!
I am finding myself using a lot of digital images lately.  They are always perfectly "stamped" cause they are printed, can be sized to fit your project, take no room to store, can be modified to any colour and if you save them carefully - in a folder with the name of the site in it - you can always find them!!  Lots of benefits!!

Therese