All occasion card featuring a dragonfly, some pearly and clear dimensional paint and a little gold cording

 For this all occasion card I started with a dragonfly digital image from CLKER which I laser printed onto white cardstock and trimmed out of the letter sized sheet.  I watercoloured the sky and then the dragonfly using pearly paint so it would shimmer.  I tied the tiny gold to the right of the image and then layered it onto a green/gold metallic paper.  I left a bit of a border on the bottom which I trimmed with wavy scissors.  I paper pierced the wavy edge and then added a line of scoring above it using my Score tool.  I mounted my focal element to the front of a speckled navy card. I added clear dimensional paint to the wings of the dragonfly and left it to dry overnight.  It has turned out wonderfully!!         Therese

All occasion card featuring a butterfly, sanded background and ribbon

Love how this one turned out!  I printed the butterfly digital from CLKER onto white cardstock and trimmed it out of the letter sized sheet.  I created the background by taping four pieces of cardstock with white/coloured cores together, embossing them with a swirly embossing folder (SX) and then sanding to reveal the texture.  I added a rainbow organza ribbon with a tiny white one overlaid and adhered their ends to the inside of the card using double sided tape.  I mounted it to a green card front. I watercoloured the laser printed butterfly in colours that coordinated with the background.  I distressed the edges, layered it with a gold/green metallic paper and then mounted it to my card front using 3D foam tape.           Therese

All occasion card featuring a beautiful butterfly, an embossed background and an embellished border

For this card I started with the butterfly image which I downloaded from Pixabay.  Once trimmed from the letter sized sheet of white cardstock I distressed its edges and then added a line of paper piercing using my pattern tracing wheel.  To highlight the yellow in the wings I layered it onto a light yellow piece of cardstock leaving a bit extra on the bottom for embellishing.  I punched it with the scallop border punch (SU), punched 1/16" holes in each one and then added two lines of embossing using my scoring tool  I really like all the texture on this piece.  I embossed a weathered brown cardstock with a swirly background, added a small strip of aqua over it and mounted this large element to an aqua card.  I mounted the large butterfly element over the strip using 3D foam tape to finish off my card.  Love the colours of this one!!  Appropriate for sympathy, get well, thinking of you or just as a note card to a friend!             Therese

Any occasion card featuring a beautiful red poppy with several layers and some ribbon

I found this image in my stash and thought it would make a perfect all occasion card!!  It is from Calico Collage.  After trimming, I layered it onto black cardstock and then added a silver metallic layer behind it.  I added two pieces of ribbon to a red card front - one black satin overlaid over a white gros-grain one.  Their ends are flagged and the other are adhered to the inside of my card using double sided tape.  It will work wonderfully as a birthday, sympathy or thinking of you card!! 

Therese

"You are awesome" card featuring a unicorn, an embossed background, ribbon and some clear glitter

This card features another unicorn image from Pixabay.  I love his magical body!!  I sized it, added one of the greetings I created with fonts and then printed it on white cardstock. After trimming out the image I added clear glitter with a gel pen to the stars on its rump and added a border all the way around the edge.  I added three little pieces of flagged ribbon securing them with double sided tape on the back of the image.  I found this weathered brown cardstock in my stash and decided it would work with this little unicorn.  I embossed it with a swirly background (D"vine Swirl - CB) and mounted it to a light aqua card.  I mounted my unicorn image over the embossed background using 3D foam tape to finish off my card.             Therese

" You are Awesome" card featuring a cute little unicorn, a custom font greeting, some ribbon and a sanded white core background

I was creating card components this week and I managed to create two different "You are Awesome" greetings by combining fonts.  This one features a font with open lettering which for this card I coloured in with a light pink and then added clear glitter using a gel pen.  I am really happy with both of my greetings and I will be making more using these fonts.  The unicorn was downloaded from Pixabay.  I sized the image, added the fun greeting and colour printed it onto white cardstock.  Once trimmed from the letter sized sheet, I coloured the open letters and added a border of clear glitter.  I created an embossed and sanded background using three different scraps of white core card stock.  I embossed them with three different polka dot backgrounds, sanded them and mounted them to a lavendar card front.  I added coordinating ribbon to my unicorn image before mounting it to my card using 3D foam tape.  I love that he is winking!!!

Therese

"You are awesome" card featuring a colour printed cute little bear, rhinestones and thread

I so love this little bear and his balloon!!  It is an image from LaPetiteFemme on Pixabay!  I added the "You are awesome" font greeting I created then colour printed it onto white cardstock, trimmed it out of the letter sized sheet and mounted it to piece of black cardstock.  When trimming,  I left a large margin on the right hand side, punched the edge with the scallop border punch (SU), added clear rhinestones to each scallop and then added white cording between them and the image.  I mounted this large element to a red card front.    Therese

"You are Awesome" card featuring a kitty digital background, a font greeting and some ribbon and stitching

I am making cards for my stash and started with this one!! I played for a while this week with creating some digital stamps for cardmaking.  This one was created using a cat image from a background I downloaded from Pixabay  After some manipulation I made copies, sized them a bit differently and then copied six rows to make a full background of kittens.  I moved one of them up a bit so it was very noticeable so I would be able to colour it later.  I created the greeting from some fonts and added it to my background.  It was printed on white cardstock and trimmed from the letter sized sheet.  After watercolouring the cute little cat, I added three little ribbon snippets in coordinating colours at the top and used my sewing machine to add brown stitching all the way around.  I mounted this large image to a layer of orange to coordinate with the little cat and then mounted this layer to a brown card.  I will probably redo the background in order to more randomly distribute the cats but I am very happy with how this card turned out!!             Therese

Cards from card kits featuring watercoloured wildflower die cuts, lace and a thread

 

I have been working on getting the extra card kits on my desk made up into cards.  These are the last two from the January cardmaking class.  I used four flowers on the first one because I glued the first one not quite where it needed to be so I simply added an extra one to balance things out.  I had a spare in my stash of wildflower die cuts.   I used different ties - green fiber on one and green crochet thread on the other.  I really love these cards and left them without greetings in order to increase their versatility.    Therese

Cards for a gift - sanded embossed backgrounds, die cut flowers and leaves and ribbon

 I have my final physio appointment tomorrow and the physiotherapist and his team have been the very best so I have prepared a few cards to show my appreciation for their professionalism, kindness and caring. 
I went with a tried and true technique which I have enjoyed many times - embossed and sanded white core cardstock for the back grounds and die cut leaves and wildflowers (TH) for the focal elements.  I found my stash of white core cardstock so I had a few more colours to choose from.  Some of these are also card backs which are colour on one side and white on the other which also works for this technique and a good way to reuse cards.  I embossed and sanded the backgrounds, added a coordinating ribbon, tied on a little piece of cording and then adhered the flowers and leaves by adding white glue dots to the back and tucking them in behind.  Very happy with these cards and happy to be at the end of weekly appointments though I expect I will have to continue my exercise routine for a good while yet to get by shoulders strong enough for the rest of my life!!  Well worth doing all around.         Therese

Cards as a gift featuring Tim Holtz wildflower diecuts, embossed and sanded white core backgrounds and some lace & fiber

Another set of card which I made as a gift to support a friend who had been generous with cardmaking supplies for me.  These fit in smaller envelopes and feature embossed backgrounds made from white core aqua cardstock which I sanded to reveal the core colour.  I love the velvety feel of these backgrounds as well.  I added lace/organza ribbon across these background before mounting them to the white cards.  Some are tied with coordinating floss.  I die cut white flowers using the Tim Holtz wildflower dies.  I like the subtle contrast of the white flowers on the sanded backgrounds.  I got a chance to use a variety of embossing folders in order to make all the card a little different.  

Therese

January Cardmaking - an all occasion card featuring a serendipity leaf mounted to an embossed strip tied with a little bit of fiber

For our second card for cardmaking this month I decided to feature some serendipity paper.  I make some when I have a bit of time so I wanted to feature a few of the new pieces.

I started by die cutting the focal elements from the serendipity paper and embellishing them a bit if they needed a bit of something.  For instance, I tied a kraft cord to the stem of my leaves (TH SX) on my cards.  I adhered my background to a coordinating card front before mounting my strip of embossed cardstock.  On the first, I flagged one end, on the second I flagged both ends.  I used my tracing wheel on all the edges on the first one and only the sides on my second one.  I tied a length of coordinating fiber to the top of the strip finishing it with a couple of knots.  I adhered my leaves over the strips using 3D foam tape.  My second on has a layered greeting and I left my first one without a greeting to increase its versatility.           Therese

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Cards from card kits featuring embossed rectangles, layered silk flower embellishments and little greetings

 I am in the process of cleaning up my craft room and preparing for my class at the end of the month so I started with seeing if I could refurbish the card kits I had sitting on my desk.  I remember now that I have tried that in the past and was not successful so I just made them up and will have them on hand for giving as hostess gifts or for the next mortgage fundraiser. 
These were all from the same card kits from the September card class.  I used the corner rounder on some of the corners and embossed them all to give them texture.  The focal elements are layered silk flowers with sequins and a brad to hold them together.  After adhering my decorative paper to the front of my cards I added the embossed rectangles in a variety of configurations.  I added the silk flower embellishments with 3D foam tape and finished two of them off with little laser printed font greetings.  I left one without a greeting because it makes the card more versatile!  Therese

Cards as a gift made up from card kits

 A friend of mine is having a significant birthday in a bit and I made her a few cards.  I made these from card kits I have in my stash!! 
#1 - Embossed and sanded background with a serendipity heart and a bit of fiber.  Check out the other ones here.
#2 - a stamped image encased in a folded circle like a cathedral window quilt with a greeting tag.  I have included a couple of greetings so she can customize the card.  You can check the other ones out here.
#3 - decorative paper with an opening filled with a glittery flower.  You can find the other ones here.

#4 - decorative paper, some embossed rectangles and a layered silk flower embellishment.  You can find the others here.   Therese

May Cardmaking - felted wool acorns with hand stitching and some torn decorative paper

I had used this card sketch for my last All Occasion Class which these ladies did not attend.  You can check out the cards here.  I cut these little acorns from felted wool and added some handstitching to give them a bit of definition.  The kits included rectangles or squares which gave them several options for lay outs.  For this one I tore a square of decorative paper and mounted the two pieces for a coordinating piece of  cardstock. I glued that to a coordinating card front.  The little acorns were glued in the gap and one was added to the bottom section.  I provided little greetings but chose not to put one on this card.  I may add an appropriate one when I decide where it will be going!! 
This was a our last card - always a quick and easy one!! 
We will be taking the summer off and get back to cardmaking in September. 

Therese

All Occasion Cardmaking Class - decorative paper, embellished paper flowers and some bling

For our last card we went with quick and easy!!  The kits had one piece of decorative paper which could be adhered to the cardstock layer as one piece either at the top or bottom leaving enough room for the embellished paper flowers to be adhered into place.  I chose to tear my piece for the first one in a curvy line which allowed enough space in between to add my flowers.  I added the final flower at the top along with a little colour printed greeting which coordinated with the paper before adhering to my coordinating card front.  For the one on the right I cut the decorative paper in two, adhered them to the layer and glued this large layer to my coordinating card front then added my little flower embellishments.  The last flower was added over the end of my flagged greeting.  The paper flowers were wedding paper confetti which I jazzed up with little blingy flowers from my local dollar store.  These were sold on a sheet just like the rhinestones. They are very brilliant and catch the light very nicely.  They add a special touch to these cards.  This card sketch could easily be made up without a greeting which would make them more versatile.  A great way to finish off our afternoon.  The ladies were happy with their cards and we all had a relaxing afternoon. 

Therese

All Occasion Cardmaking Class - a decorative paper background, an embossed strip with some ribbon and a glitter embellishment

For our second card we made these beautiful cards!!  I started by positioning our embossed strip over our decorative paper rectangle and punching a 1.75" hole which trimmed our strip and made an opening in the background paper.  We had the option to trim our strips with decorative scissors on both long edges.  I chose to do only one of mine.  We added ribbon to our strip by applying double sided tape to the back and adding a length of ribbon then trimming the excess which we tied to the length on the front with a single knot to simulate a bow.   This large element was then adhered to our coordinating card front.  I did provide laser printed birthday greeting if they wished to have a greeting.  I did not use a greeting on my green one and did add one to the purple card by flagging one end and slipping the other just below my ribbon keeping it in place using double sided tape.  To finish off our cards we added our glittery embellishments - a daisy or a butterfly - using 3D foam tape. 
Therese

All Occasion Cardmaking Class - Paper strips, a 3D embellishment and some embossing

I taught a cardmaking stack class today!  I had two wonderful ladies join me and we had a fun creative afternoon making cards!!  These are the first cards we made. 
We first sorted our little paper strips into an order that pleased us and then we applied a piece of double sided tape across our cardstock rectangle and positioned the ends of our strips on it to keep them all nicely in place.  Next, we adhered our embossed strips of cardstock over the ends.  We glued this large layer to coordinating card fronts and added our 3D embellishments over the embossed strips using 3D foam tape.  To finish off our cards, we snipped the bottoms.  I cut mine on the diagonal but others were cut with decorative scissors both diagonally and even with the card bottom. I love how others always find their own way of making their cards unique!!!  The embellishment on the right is a heart punched from serendipity paper layered onto a die cut heart cut from gold cardstock.  The butterfly on the right is very similar - a punched butterfly layered onto another cut from gold vellum and tied with gold string which gives it antennae.  The middle embellishment is a die cut flower with each petal manually embossed with a small part of an embossing folder.  I added an orange circle punchie and a textured center made from gold hot glue.  This was a sample I made in preparation for my class earlier this week. You can check out the cards here.  I added two sponged leaf punchies to finish it off.  These are very similar to the one of the cards I created for my March Cardmaking class.  To allow cards to be used for a variety of occasions we did not add any greetings.     Therese 

Special Card class - simply elegant cards with an embossed layer and ribbon that are quick and easy to make

For our last card I made kits that came together fairly quickly.  Though these were quick to make the cards are simply elegant and can be used for a variety of occasions.  The one on the right uses a tree embossing folder (SX) with a quarter sheet of white cardstock which was trimmed after embossing to leave a small border all the way around.  The one on the left uses a floral embossing folder (SU - Manhattan Flower) which I trimmed down to the edge of the embossed flower which reveals more of the card front for a very different look.  I added organza ribbons that coordinated with the card fronts.  We adhered the ribbon to the back of the embossed layer and trimmed off the excess which we tied to the front using one knot to simulate a bow.  I ended up with two black and white ones.  These are always elegant made up in in dark regal colours like cranberry, navy, forest or spruce green, etc.  Again, without greetings these cards can be used for a variety of occasions from weddings to funerals!!              Therese

Special Card class - arty magnets, laser printed greetings and some ribbon and embossing

These cards feature some arty magnets which I found at a thrift store a while back.  There were nine of them so they suited this class perfectly!!!!  I invented some appropriate greetings for the magnets and printed them on white cardstock and them trimmed down.  We used a corner rounder on the corners of these layers to mimic the rounded corners on the magnets then added our magnets with a small piece of double sided tape.  It makes a fun card to have a little gift included as well.  Next we worked on our ribbon.  The ribbon was positioned between the magnet and greeting and attached to the back using double side tape and the excess was trimmed off and tied to the front with a single knot to simulate a bow.  We trimmed our ends neatly.  Next we embossed our large background layers before adhering them to the front of our coordinating cards.  I chose to corner punch this layer as well on the red card which worked very nicely.  I used Swiss Dots on the red card and the SU dots one on the purple card.  To finish our cards we simply attached our magnet layers to our card fronts using 3D foam tape.  What fun cards!!  With the arty magnets it was great to be able to add appropriate greetings which could be used for different situations which come up with friends and family.  

Therese