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.  

Anniversary card featuring an embossed background and die cut label and an serendipity heart embellishment

My parent's anniversary is coming up and they will have been married for 66 years!!!!!!  Good on them!!  They are still living independently and are safe and well during this health crisis!  We are all grateful. 
I started with a large envelope and I made a white card to fit inside.  I chose a double sided white core green paper and embossed and sanded it a bit to get some texture on it.  I added a wide white ribbon and then adhered it to my card front.  I tied the remainder to the bottom portion using a single knot to simulate a bow. I rotated the knot on the ribbon to have the knot behind which gives a more elegant look on the front.  I die cut a white core pink layer and embossed it with the Swiss Dot embossing folder.  I sanded the dots and edges for texture and interest.  I dug through my serendipity stash and found this die cut heart that coordinated very nicely.  I tied on some pink fiber and mounted it to the label using 3D foam tape.  I mounted this focal element to my card front overlapping the ribbon. 
Therese

Card from a card kit featuring a serendipity heart die cut, some thread and a sanded embossed background

This is the final kit from this class.  I love the serendipity collage paper and this card showcases it very beautifully!!  I die cut the heart from some red serendipity paper and added three little clear rhinestones which I coloured with Sharpie markers so they would coordinate.  I corner rounded the white core cardstock, embossed it with a swirl embossing folder (D'vine swirl - CB) and sanded it to reveal the white core.  The sanding also makes the surface feel very velvety - great texture!!  I wrapped the red thread around the embossed layer and tied it off before adhering it to the red card front.  I mounted the heart using 3D foam tape over the threads!!  Great for Valentine's or an anniversary - hence there is no greeting. 

Therese

Birthday card featuring a sanded embossed layer, a serendipity gift and some fiber

I found this card kit that would work well for a card for my friend so I put it together!!  You can check out the other cards here that I made for my January card class.
The background had already been embossed using white core cardstock and sanded.  The corners had been trimmed as well.  I tied the fiber around the embossed layer leaving the ends where I was going to apply the embellishment and adhered it to my red card front.  The little gift has been created using serendipity paper and had red fiber tied to it to create a gift.  I used 3D foam tape to apply the tape to the front of my card and I was done!!  I love the look of sanded cardstock and it has the most luxurious feel as well.      Therese

Thank you card featuring an emboss background and frame and a colour printed digital greeting

Appreciation for the people and events of our lives is a large part of a good life.

A thank you card for someone special who has blessed us with so much!!

I started with a large envelope and created a white card to fit inside.  I cut two pieces of navy cardstock and embossed them before gluing them on the front of my card.  I added a little strip of pink to echo some of the colour in the focal image.  The image is one I downloaded from KissPng, colour printed on white and trimmed to size.  I distressed the edges as well.  I die cut a square wavy frame  (SX) from silver cardstock and embossed it with the Swiss Dot embossing folder (CB) before adhering it to my card front.  I mounted my image over the opening using 3D foam tape.   Perfect!!!!!!!

Therese

January Cardmaking - die cut openings, thread and some sequins

For our second card I used a card off of Splitcoast Stampers which had openings on the left hand side which had been created using a large floral border die.  I do not own a border die which would be suitable so I decided to use individual dies to create a similar effect.  I used two dies from a Cuttlebug set of four hearts for this card.  I was careful not to have any extra marks on my cardstock as I die cut each individual opening.  Happy with how that worked out!!  I stamped my greeting next and then stamped a script background and a few flourishes to finish off the background.  I tied a green thread from one of the openings to the right hand side of the card and simply let the ends hang.  I used a piece of floral scrapbook paper to cover the back of the openings.  I mounted this large element to the front of a dark brown card.  To finish off the card I added three brown sequins using double sided tape.   For my second card, I used a large star die and them a long reach star punch to create the openings and backed them with gold foil from Ferraro Rocher chocolates.  I added gold embroidery thread and embossed the birthday greeting (SU) in gold.  

It was fun to use a card as inspiration and make it my own using the tools I have on hand.  This sketch is quite versatile as it can be changed up with colour, dies and greetings to accommodate a variety of occasions.    Therese

January Cardmaking - sanded background, thread and a 3D embellishment

Its is time to get back to making cards with friends!!

I started with this fun card that features a sanded background.  I embossed dark peach white core cardstock with the happy birthday embossing folder and then sanded it to reveal the core and give it a wonderful texture as well.  I corner rounded all four corners before wrapping a length of crochet thread around this layer several times and then tying and double knotting the ends over all the wraps to make a focal point.  I cut the ends short so they would be covered by my 3D embellishment.  I glued the wrapped background to a green card front before mounting my little gift embellishment with 3D foam tape.  The little gift was created using a rectangle of serendipity collage to which I tied a length of green crochet thread double knotting it at the top and adding a little bow.  I love how it turned out!!!!   I used aqua white core cardstock for my second card along with brown crochet thread and a serendipity heart in that coordinates.  I added three rhinestones to the heart for a little extra bling.  With no greeting this card can be used for Valentine's, an anniversary or a birthday card for someone you love.  

 A very versatile sketch which can be adapted for any occasion by varying the colour, embossing folder and the 3D embellishment.    Therese

Large birthday card that features a butterfly die cut, ribbon and splashes of glitter

I am working on January birthdays and this one is for my youngest sister!! 
I started with peach envelope and created an off white card to fit in it.  I had a used card sitting on my desk that I was inspired to use.  I featured this large die cut opening of a butterfly.  The original card had a string of butterflies mounted in the opening which I removed and strung onto my patio screen and I have enjoyed it for several years there especially in the summer when the breeze was blowing.  I decided to trim one of the large butterflies from the string to use on this card.  I trimmed the panel to fit on my card, added a ribbon across the top and a little laser printed punchie greeting (SU) which I watercolour to coordinate.  I watercoloured the card front in blue to create a background for my butterfly and embossed with D'vine Swirl (CB) embossing folder.  Unfortunately, I was not paying enough attention and it also embossed the outside edge.  I did run a bone folder over the embossing in an effort to remove it.  It worked a bit but I liked this card enough to just forge ahead and make it happen.  I glued my large panel to my embellished card front.  I glued the string to the back and added 3D foam tape before positioning it in the opening over the embossed space.  Love it!!  I added dots of pink glitter glue to coordinate with the antennae and set it aside to dry. I am really pleased with how it turned out!!!!!!!!!  Therese

Large Christmas cards that feature beautiful gift wrap, luxurious ribbon and a layered ornament

I am working on another batch of large Christmas cards using gift wrap that arrived wrapped around our gift this season.  I love this one with its kraft background and the red and gold ornaments.  For these two cards started with the red envelopes and created red cards to fit.  I trimmed the "good" part of the gift wrap and and then cut panels that would fit on my card fronts with a bit of a border all the way around.  I trimmed and mounted lengths of this beautiful gold ribbon which was wrapped around a gift a few years ago and tucked the ends to the inside of the card and secured them with double sided tape.  I found the two ornament die cuts (SX) in my stash along with the Santa die cuts which were leftover from a previous project had been trimmed from used Christmas cards.  I embossed the ornaments with the Swiss Dot embossing folder (CB), gold embossed the top section using gold embossing powder and mounted the Santa images centered on the round part.  I used coordinating crochet thread to create a hanger and secured the ends inside the card using another piece of double sided tape and used 3D foam tape to secure the ornaments to my card front.   The layered greetings were created using items from my stash - stamped Noel (Quietfire Designs) oval punchies which I layered onto red scalloped oval punchies (SU).  I mounted these just to the right of the focal elements and overlapping the ribbon using 3D foam tape.  Really happy with the way these turned out!!!

Therese

A baby card that features embossed circles, a cute stamped greeting and a scalloped border

For this baby card I used a green card front and then adhered a background which I created by combining a piece of scrapbook paper with a scalloped punched & paper pierced border in a coordinating colour.  I also embellished it with a run through using my tracing wheel to give it a bit of texture.  I auditioned a variety of circle punchies until I was happy with them and then embossed them all with the Swiss Dot embossing folder (CB) before gluing them in place one at a time to ensure their correct placment.  Next I mounted with 3D foam tape my stamped greeting which I embellished with gel pen and iridescent glitter glue on the scallops.  I finished off my card by adding some colourful and coordinating sequins using glue dots.  Love the circle theme and colour scheme.              Therese

September Cardmaking - quick and easy cards with laser printed digital images, some sponging and embossing

This is a great go to design if you need cards in a hurry!  I print four images in the center of four quarter sheets on a letter sized piece of white cardstock and then trim them apart.  I use the Swirl Frame embossing folder (CB) and emboss around the printed image.  I have hand cut oval stencils which just fit inside of the embossed frame which I use to mask the outside edge while I sponge the inside of the oval.  It is fun to mix colours and create dimension and texture.  I used a torn piece of paper to create the horizon line of trees behind the car.  Once the sponging is done, I trim the outside of the quarter sheet to the edge of the embossing and mount this large element to a coordinating card front. I did add a bit of watercolour to the bouquet and the car to give them a more realistic look.  I did sponge a bit of yellow in the center of the flowers to give some contrast.  I usually leave these without greetings and I continue to find new images which work well with this technique.  The dandelion flowers are from CLKER, the car is from Arthur's Clip art and the little bouquet is from Beary Wishes.  I expect there are other embossed frames I could use to create a similar look but for now this one works really well.  This was our last card last night.  I always try to make it an easy one and this one qualified perfectly!!

Therese

Some fun cards that feature washi tape, sequins and a die cut greeting

A couple more of these quick and easy cards that feature some washi tape which I made myself!!  You can check out the tutorial under TUTORIALS under my header. 
For the card on the left I decided to see if I could use a landscape format instead of portrait which I what I have used on all the other ones I made.  I think it worked out well!  The three washi tapes on this card were created using tissue paper and double sided tape!!  I used my foam stamp with green Distress ink to do a watercolour background, added three strips of washi tape and then used a hammer to manually emboss the edges using the Swiss Dots embossing folder (CB).  I mounted this background to a green card, added the watercoloured die cut greeting and a few sequins to finish it off!!  The greeting is a combination of fonts - one image font for the little bird and a regular one for the words.  These greetings were fun to make!! 
Pretty much ditto for the right hand card!  I used a warm linen Distress ink with a bit of green for the background, a swirl embossing folder for embossing the edges, a handmade washi tape with two commercial ones and then added the watercoloured die cut greeting and some sequins to finish up my card.  The greeting on this one is also made up of two fonts - one image font for the cup and a regular one for the words.  The left hand strip of washi tape was made using a piece of stamped sewing pattern tissue and some double sided tape. 
I hope you will consider giving this a try!  So much fun and you probably have the supplies on hand!!

Therese

Embossing, washi tape and a large greeting die cut

A couple more washi tape cards to send off for my February card exchange!!  

I am really loving these cards!!!  You can check out a few more here.

For the left hand card I added four strips of washi tape to my white background layer.  The yellow, red and green are handmade by me using tissue paper and double sided tape.  Check out the tutorial here.  The blue one is a commercial washi tape.  After adding the tape I used a hammer and star embossing folder to emboss some stars all the way around then glued it to a red card front.   I used gel pens and watercolour to colour my laser printed large greeting.  The rainbow stars is an image from an image font to which I added a font greeting and then digitally inserted both of these elements into a double border frame which I cut with the smallest Deco Label thinlit.  I mounted the greeting to my card and finished it off with three colourful sequins.  

Pretty much "Ditto" for the card on the right.  The greeting is laser printed and die cut with the Deco Label thinlit and coloured with watercolour and gel pen on the frame.  The "hello" is from an image font.  I used a hammer and the Swiss Dot (CB) embossing folder to add texture to the outside of my background after adding the three strips of washi tape.  All three of these washi tapes were handmade by me using tissue paper and double sided tape.  Check out the tutorial on my Tutorial Page (click on the link at the top of this page) So much fun!!  You really should try it!! I added my greeting with 3D foam tape and finished off my card by added three sequins.  

Therese

Two kids birthday cards with a small note card

The striped background paper on the first card and the dark blue background on the second card were a complete notecard in their previous life!!  I used the striped piece as a background for my large Happy die cut (SX).  I added "birthday" using a laser printed transparency which I trimmed added just below my die cut gluing the ends to the back of the layer.  I embossed a small rectangle with the D'vine swirl embossing folder and added a length of green mesh which I tied with silver embroidery thread which transformed it into a gift.  I used 3D foam tape to adhere it to my card front just below the greeting.  Really happy with how well this card came together.  Wanting to not waste the "hole" from the die cut,  I backed it with piece of embossed yellow cardstock and was sure to glue the "holes" which fell out of the "A" and the two "P"s  in their proper place by using my sample die cut which I store in the sleeve of the die.  I border punched the bottom edge with a scallop border punch (SU) and then punched tiny holes in each scallop. I cut the right hand side with a slot border punch and inserted a red gros grain ribbon leaving a portion hanging below the edge which I flagged.  The other end went over the top and was glued to the back.  I added a layer of green dotted scrapbook paper which I had ripped on the bottom to the front of a blue card and mounted my large focal element to the top portion of my card.  I added a little laser printed greeting below the die cut to complete my greeting and a little yellow star to finish off my card.    A very effective reuse of a card which transformed it into two new ones!!              Therese

Exchange cards - fun Christmas trees!!

I needed a couple of cards for my card exchange this month and being as I am sort in Christmas card mode I made them with that theme!!  I perused my card inspiration file and found one I have been wanting to try for a while which features a quarter sheet of decorative paper layered on a coordinating card and a focal element made of the same cardstock featuring a die cut opening and a greeting.  I found one sheet of this 12"x 12" decorative paper in my stash and decided to use it to make six cards - two for my exchange and a few for my Christmas card stash which has suffered a lack of input in the last few months.  Here are the first three I put together.  I was very happy to find cardstock that coordinated so nicely with it.  I cut the decorative paper to 4" x 5.25" which I layered onto my card fronts.  Next, I cut the front layers to 3 5/8" x 4 7/8" and die cut this little tree out of them.  As you can see there are quite a few options of how that can be done.  I stamped my little greeting (SU) in dark green and I manually embossed them with the Swiss Dot embossing folder (CB) and hammer to ensure that my greeting did not get embossed.  My inspiration piece had rhinestones included in the greeting and I was hoping to do the same but I did not have any small enough so I used a clear glitter gel pen instead to add a bit of sparkle.  I may consider adding glitter glue on the next ones.  I adhered  this layer to the front of my card using 3D foam tape to add depth to the opening. The decorative paper could have had a small pattern which would have worked a bit better but I am happy with how they worked out!!  To are off to my partners in tomorrows' mail.  

Therese

September Cardmaking - embossed backgrounds with laser printed digital images and font greetings

 It is that time of year again!!  We are back to our post summer routines and for me that means back to regularly cardmaking sessions with my group.  It was fun to have a few new people to join us this time around!!
We started with a fairly versatile sketch - a pieced embossed background, some ribbon/fiber and a layered focal element which featured digital images from Cre8tive Hands along with greetings created with interesting fonts. 
For this card I embossed four silver foil rectangles with the Swiss Dots (CB) embossing folder and glued them leaving an even margin all the way around onto a gray card front.  I added a length of red ribbon and tied on a short piece with a single knot to simulate a bow before adding my focal element with 3D foam tape.  My focal element features a cute little nativity image from Cre8tive Hands to which I added a font greeting before laser printing onto white cardstock. I watercoloured my image and layered it onto black before adding it to my card front.  Because I chose a smaller image size I have the ability to make these cards portrait or landscape regardless of the orientation of my image.  For some of the kits I embossed the rectangles with different embossing folders and varied the colours to provide a multicoloured background.  With a bit more work the rectangles could have been made different sizes which would have given the background a more abstract look. 
Really happy with how this card turned out!!  Love the image at Cre8tive Hands as well!!  You can see below a couple more cards I made up at class.  I have a couple Christmas ones so I can add them to my stash as I have been remiss in keeping my commitment of making them monthly.  I will have to recommit and catch up!!

Therese

Flower die cuts combined with handmade paper for great cards

I found these card kits sitting in my craft room when I was preparing for my last class and decided I should make them up and add them to my stash.   They have been sitting since March when I prepped them for this class.  It was fun to have the freedom to make them up a bit differently because time has passed and I did not have the original idea so clearly imprinted in my head.  I positioned the flowers differently and even made one a portrait card and used lace on it!!  No idea where the ribbon went - it was not in the envelope so I had to invent something new.  I sponged the off white lace with green ink to get it to coordinate but I like the look of it.  It was fun to see the decorative paper centers for the flowers as well.  So much has happened since then - so many other cards and projects created!!              Therese

Cardmaking - March - handmade paper, flowers and ribbon

We got together again this week and made cards!!  It is always great to have your friends over for a visit and do something creative while you are catching up!!!  

This was our first card of the evening!!  I decided to see if I could include my own handmade paper into a card for this month!!  I dug out the couple of boxes and was quickly convinced that it would be easy enough to feature handmade paper on a card.  I had forgotten how many beautiful papers I had created over the years!!  

I tore the papers to size and found coordinating card fronts.  I added a ribbon - after I glued my handmade paper to my card on the first one ( was a little distracted ) and to the handmade paper layer in the case of the green one.  I had to make sure that I positioned it low enough so I could center my focal element over it.  For the red card, I die cut a flower (SX TH Tattered Flowers) from red cardstock, embossed it with Swiss Dots (CB) and added a circle punchie cut from decorative paper.  I glued it over the ribbon and added a layered punchie greeting (SU) on the lower right.  I had a small piece of ribbon left over so I tied it to the length on the front with one knot to simulate a bow.  

For the green card, I cut a poinsettia (Spellbinders) from three different red cardstock and embossed them before gluing them to each other. I added a small yellow circle in the center.  I cut a few green "leaves" using the largest poinsettia die which I added around the edges after I glued my assembled flower to my card front.  I added a layered punchie greeting to the lower right.  

I have not made any Christmas cards yet this month so I can now count ONE towards my goal of making six for this month!!  

Therese

Thinking of you with a little tulip

 I am making cards for my stash.  I have started selling cards as a fundraiser and am always adding to my stash to stay ahead of sales.
I started with a purple card and added a white embossed background (D'Vine Swirl CB) to which I had tied some rainbow fiber which coordinated with my watercoloured tulip image (Melonheadz).  I layered the coloured image with pink and green cardstock that coordinated and border punched the right hand side.  I added it to my card front along with my layered laser printed punchie greeting using 3D foam tape.                Therese

A very floral anniversary card

I always like to include hearts on my anniversary cards and I thought this cute heart flower image from Black Berry Jelly would do the job nicely!! I used a card kit from this class and made a few modifications.   I trimmed the sides off the label and embossed it with a swirl embossing folder (CB) then added a short piece of white gros grain across the center of it adhering the ends to the back using double sided tape.  The background is hand drawn.  I first made some round flower circles with watercolour crayons on white cardstock in several colours, added yellow in their centers and added green leaves in between to fill in.   I used a wet paintbrush to spread the colour.  Once it was dry, I used a fine tip Sharpie and added definition to the flowers and centers.  I added some swirls and some dots in between to fill in the design.  Really fun to do and always effective!!  Check out my tutorial here.  I glued this background to a pink card and then adhered the label to the top portion of it.  I watercoloured the laser printed image which I had cut with oval Nestibilities and then layered it over one just a bit bigger in blue.  I punched the layer for my greeting out of the oval before gluing them together which gives me a perfectly coordinated layer.  I used 3D foam tape to adhere my oval focal element to my card front over the ribbon.  I layered the greeting punchie (Su_) Word Window) onto the Modern Label punchie (SU) and adhered it to my card front using 3D foam tape.

Therese