Christmas card - embossed decorative paper and ornament die cut, oval image and greeting with gold ribbon

For this Christmas card I started with the little oval image of an angel which I die cut (Nestibilities) from the back of a used Christmas card.  I sponged the edge in green and then mounted it to an embossed and sponged kraft ornament die cut (SX).  Really like how that worked out.  I found a piece of coordinating scrapbook paper which had subtle music notes on the top.  I used a musical embossing folder to enhance them and then sponged the area with brown and green ink.  I added gold ribbon to the neck of the ornament and a short piece to the back ground paper using double sided tape to secure the ends.  I adhered the background to a green card front.  I mounted the ornament over the end of the gold ribbon using 3D foam tape.  I sponged the edges of a little oval greeting (SU) which was stamped using a NOEL stamp from Quietfire before punching.  I mounted the greeting to a scalloped oval (SU) punched from the same green as the card.  I mounted this element to my card using 3D foam tape.              Therese

Christmas cards - embossed border, layered snowflakes and some bling

A friend called me tonight wondering if it might be possible to get a few Christmas card kits because she was short five!!  Being in the process of getting kits made up for my class I went looking for a few extra supplies and assured her I could get five kits made up for her.  I used what I had on my desk and made up some new snowflake embellishments which were a bit quicker than the ones I have planned for later.  I used a silver brad, added a blue sequin, a white snowflake punchie (MS) then a larger blue snowflake punch (MS) to finish off my 3D embellishment.  In my snowflake stash I found some of the smaller snowflakes which were just the right size to offset the larger one. I did not have enough for the five kits so I die cut a few extra.  I added bling to their centers and used my clear glitter gel pen to highlight the arms.  The blue layer was embossed with the swirl embossing folder and then it was adhered to a white card front.  The oval was die cut from colour printed decorative paper (Nestibilities) and adhered in the center of the embossed design.  I mounted the large snowflake element using double sided tape and then used 3D foam tape to adhere the small ones.  I like the way these turned out!  Maybe I will be changing my design for the class!!    Therese

Giving Tree tags

These tags are for our Giving Tree!!  I die cut the red circle using my Nestibilities dies and then

I cut a hole at the top using my Cropadile.  Added yarn for the hanger and the bow.  We will be able to staple our gift request to them.  

Therese

Christmas cards - large joy with watercolour over a variety of backgrounds

I developed this JOY greeting last year for my Christmas card class.  I had a few leftover in colours that were not quite what I needed when I printed them last year.  So this time around I went looking for supplies that would complement these greetings.  I found this very deep eggplant/brown colour of lightweight cardstock that worked very well with the darker ones and I found that I had recently purchased a package of green cardstock that coordinated perfectly with the green ones.  So, next would be to find a layer that would go in between that worked with both of them.
For the dark ones, I used the dark cardstock and cut two layers 4" x 5.25" one for each of them. For the first one I wrapped a single strand of gold metallic embroidery thread around it in both directions and used tape to secure the ends on the back.  I mounted this layer to an ivory card front.  I used gold shimmery watercolour to fill in the JOY to coordinate and used my distress tool on its edges.  Next, I layered the JOY over a gold layer and then distressed its edges as well.  I mounted the JOY to the gold layer and mounted them to the front of my card using 3D foam tape.  I like this one a lot!!
For the other one, I coloured the JOY to coordinate with my card front and added a green ribbon before mounting my JOY using 3D foam tape.  I added a little gold star punchie which I found in my stash using 3D foam tape to finish it off. 
The green one at the top is very similar.  I used metallic gift wrap for the layer, watercoloured the JOY to coordinate with the red berries in the paper, distressed the edges and mounted it with 3D foam tape and finished it off with a silver start punchie. 
For the second green one, I watercoloured the joy in red.  I embossed a white quarter sheet using a poinsettia embossing folder (SU), trimmed it to size and mounted it to a green card front.  I added a length of red ribbon to which I had tied a short piece using a single knot to simulate a bow secure the ends to the inside of the card using double sided tape.  I mounted the JOY using 3D foam tape over the ribbon.  Happy to have found supplies in my stash to complement these two colours so I will be able to use the printed JOYs.  I have quite a few more images so at some point there will be more cards made with them.            Therese

Christmas cards - embossed focal elements featuring ornaments and snowmen

I was searching my stash for something else when I came across these supplies from a Christmas card class two years ago.  I decided to make use of the ones which were already embossed - the ornaments and the snowmen (SX).  The ornaments were layered onto the little printed layers and then I added ribbon/ fiber in between.  I trimmed the bottom of all of them with the scallop decorative scissors and paper pierced each scallop with a push pin.  For these two I used the fall snow embossing folder to emboss the white layer for the first one and the torn vellum layer to the blue one.  I adhered the white layer to a white card front and them mounted the ornament layer using 3D foam tape.  For the blue one I mounted the vellum to the texture card front using double sided tape where the image would cover it.  I mounted the ornament focal element with 3D foam tape over that.

For these two I used a metallic gift wrap layer on the left hand one and colour printed digital scrapbook paper (SU) for the one on the right. Both were mounted to red card bases.  The one on the left was embossed with a little tree (SX).  I have quite a few more little layers so I will be using those up if I need more cards for this upcoming holiday season.  

These last four feature scrapbook backgrounds and the one on the left has an added velvet ribbon beneath the image which is covering a joint in the paper.  Fiber used on all of these. 

Therese

Christmas cards - large images with small greetings and an embossed layer

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A few more Christmas cards for my stash!!  These are both large images - the Santa (Cre8ive Hands) was laser printed and watercoloured after trimming to size and the cute Christmas tree (KISSPNG) with the font greeting was colour printed.  I distressed the edges of both images.  I added several loops of white fiber to the red embossed layer (SU) of the Santa one and mounted that layer to a green card front.  I added the Santa image using 3D foam tape over the fiber and then added a layered punchie greeting.  The font greeting was laser printed and punched using the Word Window from StampinUP.  It was layered onto a green punchie from the Modern Label from StampinUP as well.  I mounted the greeting with 3D foam tape on the right hand side and just double sided tape on the left where it overlapped the image.  I like the look of the shimmery paint on Santa's coat!!

For the second one, I added gold ribbon after mounting my red embossed layer (SU) adhering the ends to the inside of the card.  I tied a short length with a single knot to the one on the front to simulate a bow.  The image was mounted to the card front using 3D foam tape to finish off the card.  These were made several hours apart and I was not aware I had used the same colour scheme!!

Therese

Christmas cards - laser printed images and a bit of sponging

I printed these images a while back and they have been sitting in my stash.  They would not work for my original plan of sponging a narrow band from top to bottom and so now I had to invent a way to use them.  I decided to just layer them onto cardstock because they worked best that way.   Though I did add several layers of sponging to the nativity one and that worked very well.  I used a torn piece of paper as a mask to add some texture.  I started by sponging the yellow incorporating the star and the stable and then sponged the blues and violets around that.  All the images are from KISSPNG and I added font greetings.  They are much more CAS than I usually do but I do like all the designs so maybe at some point I will revisit the concept of the sponging of a narrow band of colour over an image and greeting.  Therese

Christmas cards - laser printing, sponging and some embellishments

I printed these layers when I was creating these cards and these cards and these cards.  I always try to incorporate Christmas cards into whatever card sketches or techniques I am working with at any given time.  It helps keep Christmas cards in my thought process through the year.  

For the first one, the greeting (Desert Diva) and the poinsettia (Beccy's Place) were combined in layout program (Corel Draw) and laser printed on white cardstock.  Once trimmed to 4" x 5.25" I sponged the edges in green and watercoloured the poinsettia and the large W of the greeting.  I added a yellow ribbon tying a small piece to the main one to simulate a bow and adhered this large element to a red card front.  

For the second one, I sponged the tree in yellow and then added blue all the way around the silhouette image (CLKER).  I used a clear glitter gel pen to add stars in the sky and to colour in the snow on the greeting (Desert Diva).  The space in between needed a bit of something so I added a short piece of red cardstock which I embossed and flagged at both ends.  I mounted two little branch punchies (MS) below a diamond brad to finish it off.  That was definitely better!!  I mounted this layer to yellow cardstock to help the yellow of the image to pop and then adhered this large element to a dark greeting card front.  

I find that I always make changes when I am using previously prepared supplies!!  Always see new possibilities when I revisit them.           Therese

Christmas card - snowman, glitter gel pen and some manual embossing

Have been working on my Christmas card stash and here is my first card!!  This was a stamped image I found in my stash and it was already watercoloured as well.  I trimmed the image to 4" x 5.25" (A2), manually embossed the outer edges with a falling snow embossing folder (SU) and mounted it to a blue card front.  I added some clear glitter gel pen to the star and its path and mounted a small Merry Christmas greeting below the image to finish it off!! 

Therese

Masterboard cards - two more!!

These are the next two cards I made with my masterboard.  Again, the colours are very much warmer than what is showing in this photo.  

I cut a strip from my masterboard and die cut two labels (SX) from it.  I cut two oval layers from orange cardstock - one is from white core cardstock so you can see the white when I sanded it.  I highlighted the one from regular cardstock by sponging on orange ink.  I die cut (SX) two flowers from coordinating teal cardstock and mounted light yellow in behind for the centers.  I layered the ovals on the labels then added the flowers using 3D foam tape.  Next, I cut a sheet of ivory cardstock in two and embossed manually the outer edges - one innie  - the other outie.  I added embossed strips of green and teal with flagged ends and then mounted my focal elements.  These are identical cards but I have laid the right one over to make it a landscape card and it gives it a bit of a different look.  I purposefully resisted putting greetings on these so they can be used for any occasion.  I will be sending these to my Card Exchange partners this month.  I am a bit late but life happens!!!  

Therese

Reusable Bento bag for gift wrapping

My daughter found this idea in a book about bags which she took from the library.  After a bit of research on line I found this pattern and it is called a Bento Bag which was used my orientals to carry their lunch to work.  It is a super easy project once you work out which edge gets sewn to which other side.  
You can use a rectangle ( 3 x 1), two triangles or three squares to create them so you can truly use whatever you have in your fabric stash to get started!!  Check out this site. 

I made this one out of non raveling fabric and it is housing my grandson's birthday gift but for sure you can use any fabric, line it or not, and can be made any size.  I think it would be the greatest thing to making reusable gift wrapping for the upcoming holiday season!!  Made in any or neutral colours the bags can be used year round to store and or carry any number of items - a casserole to the potluck, your items for a day at the beach, all the thread spools in your sewing box, etc.   
So consider reusable packaging this Christmas and save the planet the paper that will be going to the garbage - recycle bin this year!!  
Even if you just make one this year!!!

Therese

Thank you card - a reused card front layered with silver cardstock

This card is for my neighbour which took care of our house while we were away.  I reused a card front from a card I received a while back trimming it to fit on an A2 sized card.  I layered it onto silver  cardstock and then onto a coordinating pink card.  The dark areas are metallic silver so they coordinate very well.  Always great to make a card make another go around!!

Therese

Thank you cards using my masterboard, an embossed layer and a die cut greeting

Here are the first four cards I made with my masterboard.  They are a bit off colour - they are in reality much warmer in colour.  

I cut off a strip of about 3.5" and drew hearts on the back by hand.  I cut them out and then used an embossing marker to add details to the hearts which I embossed with gold embossing powder.  I really like how well that process worked.  I embossed four quarter sheets of ivory cardstock and cut up two sheets of coordinating cardstock to make the cards.  I glued the embossed layers to the card fronts and then adhered my hearts.  I die cut the word Thanks (SX) from black cardstock scraps and then used my fine line white glue applicator to add the words to my cards.  Super happy with these cards!!  They will soon be on their way across the country to family and friends who we reconnected with on our trip east week before last.  

Therese

Another sympathy card - floral image, vellum greeting and a brad

My sister's mother in law passed last week and because of a prior commitment I was not able to attend the funeral this weekend.  I have prepared this card for her and her family. 
I reused a floral image from a commercial card which I trimmed to fit onto a green A2 sized card.  I found a coordinating vellum greeting in my stash which I folded to the back and secured with double sided tape.  I flagged the left hand edge and secured it with a little gold brad.  I glued this large element to my green card.  A quick and easy card that will be sent off today!! 

Therese

Masterboard fun!! - Watercolour background, stamping and a bit of direct to paper with a ink pad

There is talk on Splitcoast Stampers about using masterboards to make up cards and it is a technique I have used in the past but is a really fun one.  I decided to give it a go.  I used a sheet of decorative paper I made a while back that was "OK" but could use a bit of a lift.  I cut an organic shape from some stamp leftover which I used to stamp all over it in teal.  I cleaned the stamp and did it again using orange.  I added olive green circles using the end of a foam tube and yellow dots using the other end which is a nice circle (soft foam "bullets").  I used Antique Linen direct to the paper to fill in the remaining white areas.  Pretty happy with the results I decided to back it with bond paper as it was only bond paper to begin with.  I just glued scrap paper to the back until it was covered. It gave it enough body to be able to die cut it properly.  I am off to make some cards!!  

Therese

Sympathy card - reused butterfly image, embossed layer and a little fiber

My aunt passed away week before last and the funeral was last week.  I had intended to go but was sidetracked with the flu and am now just getting this card out. 
I used a new embossing folder that I bought while I was away.  It is part of a Recollection set - two embossing folders and a small set of clear stamps (Christmas).  Unfortunately, the folder cut the cardstock in a few places which was a bit disappointing.  I repaired from the back and cut the opening out with a Nestibilities Classic Circle die which did the job perfectly.  I put the layer back in the embossing folder to reset the round frame.  Next time, I will cut the circle first and then emboss and will not need to repeat the process.  I tied on a little piece of white fiber between the opening and the right hand edge and mounted a butterfly image in the back of the layer nicely highlighting the butterfly.  I taped it into place before gluing this large layer to a coordinating card front.  I added a small greeting - laser printed Word Window (SU) punchie!!            Therese

Birthday cards with ribbon, embossed cardstock and 3D embellishements

Birthday cards for some special women!!  One of the groups I belong to has decided to send birthday cards to all of our members in 2019 so I volunteered to get cards ready.  I have made all the card kits and we are getting together tonight to put them together which doubles the blessing!!

All the cards are different and I have varied the greetings - round, label, rounded square and square.  All of the 3D embellishments are prepared and the sponging has been done so we will be simply assembling them but I have provided the supplies with enough flexibility that each person making them will be able to add their own creativity to the process!!

So these cards have a coloured cardstock base with a coordinating decorative paper background.  A strip of embossed cardstock and a piece of gros grain ribbon.  The greetings were laser printed, trimmed and sponged a coordinating colour.  A wide variety of 3D embellishments - layered punchies and die cuts, sequins and some fun glittered elements to add a bit of bling!!  

Getting a handmade birthday card in your mail box is always a treat in this digital age!!'

Therese

Baby elephants for this purple and yellow baby card

I have made quite a few baby cards!!  Maybe more than I needed but there it is - sometimes I get on a roll and just have so many ideas!!  This one features the little elephants (Pixabay) with yellow balloons this time.  I layered them onto purple and then over the yellow ribbon which I laid over my purple background/yellow card front combination.  I finished simply by just tying a short piece of the same ribbon to the one on the front using a single knot to simulate a bow.  No greeting really necessary on this one and it could be used a child's birthday as well. 

Therese

A beautiful daisy image from a used card featured on this monochromatic card

For the focal element on this card I die cut this white daisy image from the front of a used card.  I wanted it to stand out so I kept the rest of the card very neutral.  I mounted the daisy to an ivory embossed layer and trimmed it to the edge.  I mounted this large element to an ivory card front.  Finished it off with a little punchie greeting!! Quick and easy!!  Therese

Cute little elephants with pink balloons for a quick and easy card

A quick and easy baby card!! I embossed a white quarter sheet, trimmed it to the edge of the embossing and added a length of pink ribbon.  I mounted it to a white card front and then mounted my large colour printed image of elephants (Pixabay) https://pixabay.com/en/with distressed edges over the ribbon using double sided tape.  I tied a short piece of the same ribbon to the one on the front using a single knot to simulate a bow to finish off my card.  Love these cards!!

Therese

A floral oval in an embossed swirl frame

For this card I started by die cutting the yellow rose image from a panel from a used card.  I added a little vellum greeting which coordinated perfectly.  I folded the ends over the edge and adhered them in place with double sided tape.  I chose a quarter sheet of green cardstock and embossed the Swirl Oval (CB) and then trimmed it to the edge of the embossing.  I mounted it to a yellow card front and then mounted my yellow rose focal element to finish it off!!  Love it!!

Therese

Baby elephants with balloons make the perfect baby card!!

I love this image from Pixabay for baby cards!!  I started with a blue textured card front and added a soft blue floral background.  I added a length of white ribbon securing the ends to the inside of the card.  The image was colour printed, trimmed and layered onto yellow cardstock before being mounted to my card front using 3D foam tape.  I tied a short piece of ribbon using one knot to the one on the front to simulate a bow.  The greeting is stamped (SU) in blue.  I embellished with a yellow marker and then added some clear glitter using a gel pen.  I added a few dots of glitter to the star in the scallops as well.  I used a mask to sponge the center area to coordinate.  I mounted the greeting using a piece of double side tape on one edge and 3D foam tape on the right hand side so it would work with the image. 

Therese

Paste paper background, ribbon and a die cut focal element that features two little mice

The focal element on this card features two little mice with a piece of birthday cake which was die cut from the front of a used card.  They are pretty cute!!  I die cut an opening in the green paste paper background (made by me a while back), added a length of gray ribbon from the opening to the right hand edge securing the ends on the back  and mounted a piece of embossed yellow cardstock in behind the opening.  I mounted my little mouse die cut into the opening which highlights it perfectly!!  I tied a short piece of the same ribbon to the one on the front with one knot to simulate a bow.  I found a coordinating greeting in my stash, sponged the edges and mounted it below the ribbon on the right hand side.    Love how the paste paper looks like grass and you can see this little scene in the middle of it!!            Therese

Reused a card front for the panel on this card and added a little layered greeting

This card's main panel is from a used card and features a nice garden path with a gate.  I trimmed the panel, layered it onto purple and then mounted it to a green card front.  I added a simple layered punchie greeting which coordinates perfectly!!  The punches are from SU  - Modern Label and Word Window with a colour printed font greeting.  This one was quick and easy!!

Therese

Another star baby card that features die cuts and punchies with a central punched greeting

Still making cards for my stash and here is another baby one that features stars!!  I started with a pink card and added the scrapbook paper background.  I found stars that were the perfect colour in my little star stash bin!!!  So I took them apart a little and used some of them independently and others still layered.  This die cuts all the stars at once so I simply kept some together by putting tape on the back and removed some so they could be used separately.  I just laid them out until I was happy and glued them into place.  The single stars where adhered with white glue which I applied with fine tip applicator.  Once they were all in place I added my little greeting punchie which was sponged on the inside with a mask and on the outside edge.  With all of those in place I thought it still needed something so I dug out my little star bucket and found the other stars which coordinated in colour and gave two more size of stars.  I just moved them around until I was happy and used white glue to adhere them into place.  That was better!!  Wanting to add a little bling to my card I used my clear glitter gel pen and added some dots on the two central stars and the swirls (Clipart Panda) of the greeting.  Again, a bit of a creative stretch but really happy with the results.        Therese

A floral focal element, a white paper doily and a little laser printed greeting

For this elegant card I die cut the flower from the front of a used card using a circle Nestibility circle die.  The image went off the edge of the card so I only got a partial circle.  I mounted it to a little paper lace doily I had sitting on my desk.  It fit so perfectly!!  I embossed the two right hand corners of my black card with a floral embossing folder (SU) before adding my embellished daisy image.  I positioned the image on the edge of my card and only applied glue to the central part which leaves the nice delicate edge free.  I was tempted to trim the doily to the edge of the card but instead decided to just fold it over and glue it down.  Gives a very nice touch to the back of the card.  I added a little laser printed greeting which I layered onto silver cardstock before adding to my card front.  After another look at it I could maybe have made this one an anniversary or wedding card.    Therese

A fun robot with a colourful background and some ribbon

For one of my grandson's whose birthday is in early November!! He loves bright colours and this robot will do the trick for a cool image for his card!!
I started with a deep red card and added the decorative paper after cutting it in two.  I watercoloured the robot (Cre8tive Hands), layered it onto purple and added this cool layered flagged ribbon accent to it before adhering it to my card over the gap in the decorative paper.  I layered a small font greeting onto a punched label (SU) and mounted it overlapping the image and to the right.  I am sure he will have a fun day!!!           Therese

Two little birds with a piece of birthday cake, some gold embroidery thread and a little tag greeting

I have been having fun creating cards for my stash!!  This card features a little oval image which I punched from a used card front.  You can see another card I made with it here.  I layered the little oval over a green scalloped punchie (SU) and then pondered how I might highlight this very little focal element.  Taking a lesson from the CAS creators I decided to go very clean - a white embossed layer (CB- D'vine Swirl) layered onto a white card front.  I wanted a bit of something to add texture but it had to be fairly light so it would not overwhelm my image so I used gold embroidery thread.  It worked perfectly.  I added a piece of double sided tape below where I was going to position my oval, slid the little tag greeting (SU) onto the thread and wound my length around my hand then laid it over the tape.  I rearranged a little bit until I was happy and then pressed all the pieces into the tape where they overlapped.  I used 3D foam tape to adhered my focal over the loops of gold thread.  Love it!!  I added a little piece of double sided tape to the back of my tag to keep it in place.  I am glad that I stretched a bit of this one because I really like it and gives me the courage to create more of these when I have a wonderful little focal element to create with!!            Therese

A monochromatic baby card with a hand cut corrugated cardboard star with some twine over a polka dot background

I continue to create cards for my stash!!  This one is also a creative stretch in that is very monochromatic.   I used a brown card front and mounted a piece of colour printed polka dot paper to it which I had sponged around the edges to soften it a bit.  I applied some double sided tape in the area I wanted to position my star and applied a length of twine which I had wound onto my hand which gave me some nice rounded loops.  I rearranged them a bit and then just pressed them into the tape to keep them in place.  I sponged the edges of my hand cut star.  I had cut a bunch of these for a project and while back and it the last one from my stash.  I applied tape to the back of the star and mounted it over the twine.  I really like the look of it!!  I sponged the circle greeting in the center and on the outside edge before mounting it to the center of my star.  Super happy with the way this one worked out!!

Therese

This card features a reused card panel, a floral focal element, some texture from a tracing wheel and some ribbon

Another card for my stash!!
For this card I reused a card front with a small rose image.  I die cut the rose image out of the panel using two Nestibilities circle dies nested in each other  It produced a circle element, a ring and a large opening in the panel.  FUN!!!  I layered the rose image onto a white scalloped circle (SU) and pierced each scallop with a push pin.  I mounted the panel with the opening onto a green layer, punched the right hand side with the eyelet border punch (SU) and added a couple rows of texture in between using my tracing wheel.  The panel looked a bit plain so I added some tracing wheel lines on it as well.  Much better!!  I added a length of ribbon which coordinated with the little flower next to the rose and adhered both ends to the back of the layer.  I tied a short length to it using one knot to simulate a bow.  I mounted this large element to a pink card front, adhered my focal element into the opening and mounted my little laser printed greeting using 3D foam tape just above the ribbon on the right hand side.   Therese

Birthday card features a farm scene, some ribbon and a bit of embossing

For this card I started with the image from my stash (CLKER) which I watercoloured.  I really like how it turned out!!  I layered it onto red cardstock, embossed the bottom edge with a distressed line embossing folder and added two short pieces of red gros grain ribbon which I adhered to the back using double sided tape.  Because this was a double sided ribbon and the other side was not complimentary I had to cut the piece in two so I could use both red sides.  I ripped a coordinating piece of colour printed decorative paper in two and mounted the pieces onto a brown card front  before adding my large focal element with 3D foam tape.  The laser printed font greeting I found in my stash and sponged its edges before mounting it to my card below my image using 3D foam tape.  Lots of fun texture on this one!!          Therese