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

A set of coordinating cards for a gift featuring sanded white core backgrounds, wildflower die cuts and a bit of lace & thread

I made a set of card to give as a gift to a friend who has been supportive of my cardmaking with donations of envelopes!!  All of the backgrounds were embossed with different embossing folders but all embossed from the same aqua white core cardstock which I sanded to reveal the core.  I used embossed off cuts from the backgrounds to provide a horizontal element on some of the cards. I used organza ribbon, floss and white fiber to embellish some of the others.  All of them have wildflower die cuts in a dark aqua colour which makes them stand out nicely from the backgrounds.  I will not be adding any greetings so they can be used for any occasion.           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

A thank you card and a set of cards put together to create a hostess gift

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I always appreciate having card kits on hand because when you need cards on short notice you don't have to start from scratch to get some cards made.  I made this card for a friend who invited us for dinner and I know that always appreciates handmade cards as she is always blessing those around her with special greetings.  

For my thank you card I dug through the stash on my desk to see what I had that would work together!!  I found the greeting first. I trimmed it's ends and ran the tracing wheel over it to give it some texture.  I found the background and the black card in my little stashes of precut papers on my desk.  Too easy!!  I layered the background onto the front of my black card and decided to add two black brads to my greeting before adhering it to my card using 3D foam tape.    Therese

 The first two cards were made up from card kits from the September cardmaking class.  You can check out the details here and here. 

The one on the right was part of the January cardmaking classs and you can find the details here.  

The second one is also from the September cardmaking class and you can find the details here. 

Small cards as a gift - decorative paper, ribbon and punched greetings

I created these four cards as a gift set for a friend who has loaned me her precious books to read.  They are the Angelic Letter Series by Henry Ripplinger. It has taken months to read them but the story is excellent and lots of good teaching in between.  The last in the series just came out this summer so I will have to see where I can find it!! 

I started with small turquoise envelopes which were gifted to me.  I created white cards to fit inside.  I added a layer of this decorative paper (gift wrap) to them. 

Then I went looking for a greeting I could use.  I found this one which is from a Stampin UP set.  I stamped it a few different colours that coordinated with the paper and then punched them out with a 1.25" circle punch (SU).  I created layers for them using a 1 3/8" punch (SU) in coordinating colours.  I added a little folded ribbon flag to each one before using 3D foam tape to adhere them to the fronts of my cards!!  These are real cute and with that greeting can be used for a variety of occasions!!!  I have really appreciated her generosity knowing that these books are precious to her!!         Therese

Cards as a gift feature serendipity die cuts, stamped backgrounds and embossed focal areas on small cards

 I was gifted some beautiful turquoise envelopes and have been working on finding a way to make cards that fit in them that coordinated as well as worked with their smaller size.  Overnight, I decided that if I created a serendipity collage that coordinated I would be able to die cut my focal elements.  So I made up this serendipity collage background and let it dry.  

 Next, I needed to work out the size of the cards (3.5" x 4 7/8") which I cut from white cardstock.  Wanting to highlight the die cuts I decided to use my Nestibilities circle dies to emboss a circle frame on the front which I have not done in quite a while but I did find my embossing mat and made up well over a dozen little cards.  Once they were embossed I wanted to stamp an all over design to coordinate with the envelopes and the serendipity die cuts.  I chose the Worn (SU) stamp and it took a few goes to get the ink colour right but then it was fairly quick to get them all done.  So the next thing was to get some die cuts which would stand on their own without greetings.  After a perusal of my dies I came up with these - a daisy (SX red), a butterfly(SX black), TH bird (TH), flower with a stem (Sizzlets), butterfly (SU Embosslit), tipsy heart (SX red), layered flower (CB), heart (Sizzlet strip) and bird (paisley on Sizzlet strip). 

For several of them I used silver cardstock to coordinate.  For the butterflies I used silver cord to make their antenna and I added fun bling to the flower with a stem and the larger heart.  The paisley so easily makes a little bird by adding a tiny black brad, a black cardstock beak and some legs just drawn in with a black marker.  I added two little green branches (MS) to the layered flower.  
I am super happy with how they all turned out and I will be packaging these cute little cards up to pass back to the person who gifted me the envelopes.            Therese

A set of birdie cards with decorative paper, embossed elements and a punched bird

I have been on a roll and made another set of cards!  This set features a little bird.  

I started with the ovals which are all blue so they would simulate sky for the birds.  They are very similar to this floral set which I made a few days ago.   I dug through my stash and found coordinating decorative paper and cardstock.  I punched the bird (SU) to coordinate and gave it a wing of a different colour.  I embossed the oval and the wing with the same embossing folder and then sponged the edges of the bird and the oval to just soften the edge and give them a bit of dimension.  Next, I assembled the bird.  I added a tiny black brad to create an eye and used a black marker to make a bead and then watercoloured it so the two would contrast.  I glued the embossed wing to the bird and it was complete.  I glued the decorative paper to the card front and then added the oval.  The branches were cut from brown cardstock scraps using the tree die by Tim Holtz.  I just trimmed the pieces until  I was happy with the look of my branch.  I used double sided tape to adhere the branch to my card front and added my little bird using 3D foam tape.  The bird can face either way so it just depending on which side I sponged and it was not a conscious decision.  These were fun to make and work really well for many occasions as they do not have greetings either. 

Therese

Cards for a set - decorative paper, large circles and layered butterflies

My sister's father in law passed away last week and I know that those times are often overwhelming in a family so I made up some cards which can be used as they see fit after the memorial.  

They feature decorative paper that has been torn, an embossed circle of cardstock and a layered butterfly (TH).  After I decided on the sketch I simply dug through my stash to find decorative paper which I cut to size, coordinating card and cardstock circles that coordinated as well.  I tore the paper and adhered it to my card front and then attached the embossed circles.  I found coordinating cardstock and decorative paper scraps from which I cut the small layered butterflies (TH - small butterfly thinlets).  I watercoloured  the bodies just a little bit in black to give them a bit of contrast.  This is a versatile sketch in that you can rip the paper horizontally or vertically and you can also layout your elements in either orientation as well.   Very happy with all the cards and I am sure they will be appreciated!!

Therese

Embossing, die cuts and silk flowers make for a beautiful birthday card

Cards are always a great hostess gift so I am putting together a few to bring along to a summer BBQ!!  I started with a gray card which I embossed with a very organic and stylized embossing folder.  I embossed the blue label die cut (SX) with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and punched a slot (SU) on each end for the ribbon.  I slipped the ribbon in both sides and then adhered the label to the front of the card and the ends of the ribbon to the inside front with double sided tape.  Next I added a black oval (Nestibilities) which I highlighted with a clear glitter gel pen.  The focal element is a laser printed digital greeting (font words - Bird's Cards frame) punched with a large oval punch (SU) and adhered to the inside of an opening in a decorative label die cut (SX).  These layered so nicely!!!  I added two layered silk flower embellishments to finish off my card!!  The colours matched perfectly!!!             Therese

Reused some images from a photo calendar to make a set of cards

 Made up a set of cards for a friend using photos from 4" x 6" photo calendars from my sister, Sylvia.
She is a photographer and produces several photo calendars every year.  She offers them for sale on her blog and also has several locations where she sells them as well.  DH and I are blessed every year to get one each for Christmas.  I love using the images from the expired calendars for making cards.  I used nature and tea related images from several of her calendars in this set of cards.  


 I trimmed the images from the 4" x 6" calendar pages and layered them onto coordinating card stock which I had embossed on the bottom edge using border embossing folders.  After adhering the photo to the layer I added a length of ribbon adhering the ends to the back of the background using double sided tape.  I glued these large elements to the front of white cards.  These are just a slight bit smaller than A2 cards and are perfect for notecards.  I left them without greetings to make useful for any and all occasions!!                 Therese

Card kit - Lighthouse with a wavy border

On the weekend I needed a little gift for a gift exchange so I put together a few cards from my stash and added a few that I made up from kits that are sitting on my desk from previous classes. 
This one is from this class and very similar to one that I made that day.  The light house is a digital image from ClipartPal.  I laser printed several on a sheet, trimmed them out and then die cut the tops using a Sizzix tag die.  I watercoloured the image and added a laser printed greeting which was distressed on the edge and a short piece of navy seam binding in the hole.  I layered two pieces of decorative paper to my blue card front and then layered on a navy strip which I had cut with wavy decorative scissors, pierced and that added a few lines with my tracing wheel. 
Glad to have a few card kits on hand because it makes getting cards ready quick and easy!!

Therese

Birthday Card Set - birds of a feather scrapbooking element on some great polka dot decorative paper

My second last card for this large set of cards!!  To find out why and how I created these cards you can check out this post.
For this card, I started with a blue green card to which I added this very cool polka dot background paper which I got from my sister as we were playing with making #8 cards.  I added a blue green strip near the center to cover up some fold lines.  My sister, Sylvia, also gave me this large focal element which was part of a large scrapbooking paper which featured some great saying and beautiful doodly art before it was all the rage.  I watercoloured the image and glued it to the front of my card overlapping the little strip.  All that was needed after that was a little greeting which in this case was a watercoloured oval punchie with a laser printed greeting over a scalloped oval punchie (SU).  It was adhered to the card using double sided tape.

Therese

Birthday Card Set - Soft and subtle dragonfly die cut card

We are nearing the end of this card set!!  Only a few more to go!!  If you want to know why and how I made these cards you can check out this post.

For this card I started with a kraft card front and added  crackled decorative paper in a coordinating colour.  I created a textured strip to put across the lower portion by first stamping a crackle stamp in brown on brown cardstock then embossing with a textured embossing folder.  To add a bit of dimension I also touched it here and there with a brown ink pad to create some contrast.  I glued the strip to my card front and then layered on a decorative label punchie greeting which was embellished with shimmer watercolours just like the dragonfly.  The dragonfly got the same treatment as the ones on these cards.  Another pass through the Big Shot in the original die along with the embossing mat to highlight the embossed areas, a bit of shimmer watercolour applied with a small brush and then a small piece of double sided tape behind the body section before being applied to the card front.  I used a coordinating fine tipped marker to make a dotted line for the flight path and this card was done!!

Therese

Birthday Card Set - a few flowers and another shimmery dragonfly

You can check out this post to find the details of why and how I have been creating this set of cards.

I started with a pink card and added the pink striped decorative paper.  I added a strip of brown across the lower portion and added a laser printed greeting which had been embellished with watercolour.  The dragonfly is left over from making these cards so I put the dragonfly back into the die and passed it through the Big Shot a couple of times to make sure it was embossed sufficiently to show all the detail.  With it still in the die I applied shinnery watercolours to the various sections to coordinate with my background.  I popped it out of the die, added a short piece of double side tape just behind its body and positioned on my card front.  That leaves the wings and tail free which helps give it some dimension.  I used a marker and created a dotted line to create its flight path and my card was finished!!

Therese

Birthday Card Set - a dragonfly background with a stamped floral background

I made a set of birthday cards for a family event recently!!  You can check out this post for the details!
For this card I started with a kraft colour card.  I layered on an orange mulberry decorative paper, added a deep red strip at the bottom then added a trimmed laser printed greeting and a little maple leaf punchie as an accent.  Next, I coloured my dragonfly using shimmer watercolours. I reinserted it into the die, ran it through the Big Shot with the embossing mat to better define the areas and then applied coordinating watercolours using a fine brush.  Once it was dry, I used a small piece of double sided tape behind its body to adhere it to my card front.  The leaves the wings and tail free which adds a bit of dimension.  I added a dotted flight path with a coordinating fine tip marker.  It was still needing a bit of something some I dug out a small flower stamp and added a few in the upper left hand corner and a few more in the lower right hand corner.  To keep them subtle I had to stamp off three times before stamping each one.  I created a border on a white scrap which I can use on a future card.  The addition of the flowers was just what was needed!!!
The dragonfly was a left over from making these cards!!

Therese

Birthday Card Set - a subtle colour palette and a cute tulip

Another birthday card for my set!  To see why and how I am creating these cards you can check this post!!
For this card I started with a blue green card front.  I added a gray strip across the bottom and layered on a layered oval greeting (SU).  I cut a piece of beautiful decorative paper and added it just above the greeting.  I watercoloured the tulip image ( Melonheadz)  in soft coordinating colours, layered it onto a rectangle of gray cardstock and mounted it to my card front using 3D foam tape.  I usually like this image in very bright colours but it works equally well in soft toned down colours.

Therese

Birthday Card Set - a leaf and acorn with a happy dotted background

Another card for the set!!  You can check here to see why I am making this card set and how I am making my card fronts.
For this card I started with a blue green card front.  I had this piece of dotted paper with a piece of dark blue cardstock on the one end from a previous creative project which fit perfectly on my card!!  I watercoloured the laser printed leaf/acorn image (Meljens), layered it onto deep yellow and mounted it on the top portion of this layer.  I added a laser printed vellum greeting below it folding the ends to the back and adhering with double sided tape.  I glued this large element to my card front leaving an even border all the way around.  A nice card for anyone with a fall birthday!!

Therese

Card sets packaged in clear Ferraro Rocher boxes!!

My card sets packaged and ready to go!!!  I have used clear Ferraro Rocher chocolate boxes (30) which accommodate the cards and envelopes perfectly!!  I have printed a sheet with info that also includes an image of all the cards for the birthday ones and also includes the inside verse for the Christmas ones!! I put the sheet on the bottom of the box with the images and text visible from the bottom and sides and placed the cards inside of the paper. Works really well!!   I taped the sides closed to resist the boxes being opened.  

So when you have a hankering for a sweet treat consider choosing the 30 pack of Ferraro Rocher chocolates!!  You can enjoy the yummy insides, save the gold foil and the medallions for your cardmaking and reuse the box to make a card gift for the holidays!!  Practically no waste!!!

Therese

Birthday Card Set - a bold floral wreath on a soft floral background

Birthday cards for a gift!!  You can check here to see why and how I am making this card set.
For this card I started with a dark pink card front and added this piece of decorative paper which came from the same sheet as several of the others I made for this set.  I watercoloured the wreath (Melonheadz), added a coordinating greeting and watercoloured the edges.  I added a coordinating ribbon to hide where they join.  I glued this focal element to my card front using 3D foam tape to give it a bit of dimension.

Therese

Birthday Card Set - Birthday card with a flourish

I am working on a set of cards as a prize for a family event.  They will be packaged in a clear plastic Ferrro Rocher chocolate box we received at Christmas in which they fit perfectly!!!  I always thought chocolate and cardmaking were supportive activities.  So this the first of many that will be included in this prize so you can check in and see the others as they are posted.

I am using #8 envelopes (6 1/2" x 3 5/8") for this project which are readily available locally.  In an effort to destash I am using large sheets of cardstock from Strathmore pads I bought years ago.  They have to be retrofitted a bit but it does allow me to use the scrap I cut off the end to finish off the cards I cut out of the sheet.  My cards are 6.25" x 3 3/8".

For this card I layered three strips of coordinating decorative paper on the front and added a die cut flourish (SX) which I cut from dark brown cardstock.  I cut the bottom portion of the flourish off and rearranged it to work better with my slim card which also allowed me to nestle my laser printed oval greeting (SU) (Birds Cards) within it.   I added just a hint of colour around the greeting to help it blend in using a large brush with very little brown watercolour.  

Therese