Exchange cards featuring a side flap, decorative paper and laser printed digital greetings

I have made these two cards for my Card Exchange partners for our June Swap.  I have created a flap on the left hand side instead of the top like the front flap cards have made recently.  For the first one, I choose a large envelope and created a panel card with a flap to fit inside.  I simply scored on the left hand side and folded the flap to the front.  I added a piece of light gray cardstock to the flap by butting it up and then adhering it in place using regular tape on the front.  Next, I  added a narrower strip of black cardstock which I punched with my scallop border punch (SU) before adhering it to the light gray piece.  I added two pieces of floral paper  - one to the full inside panel and the other to the front of the side flap which covers the tape I used to secure the pieces to each other.  I punched 1/16" holes in all the scallops on the edge.  I found this little greeting in my stash (Desert Diva) which is digital and I laser printed it on white cardstock after sizing it.  I added a black layer to it and then a coordinating yellow one.  I distressed the edges using my distress tool.  I used double sided tape to adhere the left hand portion of the greeting to the flap.  I added a white bond insert to the back side of the flap for the handwritten message.  

For my second card, I choose a large envelope and created a dark gray panel to fit inside.  I added a piece of floral paper which left a small margin all the way around.  I created a flap for the left hand edge using a light gray cardstock, scored the left hand edge and adhered the little flap to the back of the panel.  I added another piece of floral paper to my flap and then a strip of yellow cardstock which I punched with an eyelet border punch (SU) and then added several embossed lines with my score tool and then passed my pattern tracing wheel to add a row of pierced holes to the left hand edge.  I mounted it overlapping the edge of my light gray flap which finished it off nicely.  Next, I found this greeting in my stash which I created with a Chalk Writing font and laser printed.  I layered it with light gray and dark gray cardstock and then added to my flap using 3D foam tape.  Again, I added a small piece of white bond to the back of the flap for any handwritten message.  

It was fun to change up the flap on these cards.  I really like the look of this floral paper with the gray and yellow cardstock and monochromatic greetings.  

An all occasion card featuring TH wild flower die cut in purple, a strip of serendipity and a layer textured with my tracing wheel

For Mother's Day I created this card for my youngest daughter.  I features a TH wildflowere die cut in dark purple which I layered onto a strip of coordinating serendipity paper which I punched on the bottom using a label punch (SU).  I inserted it from the back so I only punched the edge.  I like the look!!  I added a gray ribbon to finish it off.  I chose a pink layer and tore the bottom edge then ran my tracing wheel all over it to add some texture.  I mounted my serendipity focal element  to it using double sided tape.  Next, I cut a light purple card to fit in a smaller non standard envelope and mounted my large element to it using double sided tape.  After mounting it I decided to add a row of piercings on both sides using my tracing wheel which frames it nicely.    Therese

Birthday card from a kit featuring a stamped floral motif with embossed layers, a layered greeting and colour printed background paper

I really modified the components of this card kit which is from my September cardmaking class.  I trimmed out the circle to make a long sort of tag shape.  I trimmed the stamped image and then used the bottom edge of the tag to trace the curve on the back of the image then fussy cut it to coordinate.  Once trimmed I used an embossing folder and manually embossed around the little floral stamped element.  I layered the image onto the tag and punched two holes at the top and used the ribbon to make an innie-outie bow then added a bit of colour with markers and added a bit of glitter using my clear glitter gel pen.   I mounted the colour printed background to my green card, adhered the finished tag to the front on the left and then added the little layered greeting (font greeting with Window Punch - Modern Label Punch  - SU) to the card using 3D foam tape overlapping the tag.  I am really making interesting cards with these kits.  I would not likely think of this sketch if I was starting from scratch to make a card.  It is fun to be stretching my creativity with these card kits!! 

Therese 

Sympathy card featuring a sanded white core background, a strip of vellum with an embossed greeting and a glittery butterfly

For this sympathy card, I started with a piece of white core paper which I embossed and sanded very slightly.  I glued this to a layer of coordinating cardstock.  I tore a strip of vellum and embossed the greeting near the bottom edge.  I punched a hole in the background before adding the vellum strip securing the ends to the back of the layer.  I had the vellum intersect the opening just a little.  I glued my large element to the front of a large white card and added the butterfly with 3D foam tape. 

Therese

Mother's Day card featuring an embossed frame, a little blue bird and a beribboned greeting

I made this card for my Mom for Mother's Day!  I am again using my stash of large envelopes so I found one that would suit and made a white card to fit.  Blue is her favorite colour so I chose a background paper that featured blue prominently though not boldly and trimmed a piece that would leave a small border all the way around.  I added an embossed frame made from silver cardstock.  I love how well it goes with the paper!!  After adhering it in place I created the little blue bird using the SU bird punch.  I punched the bird and the wing from blue cardstock, added a beak with a black marker and filled it in with yellow gel pen then added a tiny black brad to create its eye.  I embossed the wing and sponged it a bit to highlight the embossing and added to my bird using 3D foam tape.  The branch I found in my stash and watercoloured it green. I used white glue from a fine tip applicator to adhere it into place in the frame and then added my little bird.  I added blue ribbon to my little greeting tag (Desert Diva) which I laser printed, trimmed and sponged with blue.  I adhered it to my card using 3D foam tape.  Pretty happy with how it turned out.  Therese

Birthday card featuring a photo, a layered greeting and some ribbon

For this stash card I started with the photo of the zebra which I trimmed from a photo calendar that my sister gave DH last year for Christmas.  She is a photographer and puts together several photo calendars every year for sale and we are always blessed with one each every Christmas.  Making cards with the images gives them another life and reduces waste. 
The photo was trimmed to be just less than 4" and I then glued it to a black layer which fit on an A2 card with a bit of a border all the way around.  I added a strip of green scrapbook paper below the photo and put a length of black ribbon over where they met.  I dug through my stash of laser printed greetings and found this round one (Netty's Cards) that would work perfectly so I layered it onto a black scallop circle (Nestibilities) and added a embossed green circle to the middle and attached them with a large black eyelet which I set with my Cropadile.  I layered the large element to a kraft card front and then used 3D foam tape to adhere the greeting to the front.       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

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

Sympathy card that features a small font greeting, a poppy image and a tag

This sympathy card features a wax resist background with some stamped green flourishes (SU) which I made up a while back.  I tore the paper, punched a hole as far up as I could from the bottom using my Modern Label punch (SU) and then adhered the two pieces to the front of a gray green card.  The laser printed digital poppy image is from Calico Collage and was layered onto a gray green cardstock.  The end of the rectangle was not even so I inserted the one end into one of my Deco Label Thinlits and just cut far enough to trim the edge of it to create a tag!  Nice to be able to use tools in a variety of ways!  I punched a hole in the rounded end and tied on a short end of red fiber.  I mounted this focal element to the front of my card over the gap in the decorative paper using 3D foam tape and I also mounted a small font greeting in the opening that I punched which I sponged just a little to softened the edges.    Therese

Praying for you card that reuses a card panel

Always good to have a few of these on hand as well!!  This card features a panel from a commercial card to which I added a length of white seam binding.  I punched an opening (SU Modern Label) in the top right before adhering it to my purple card in which I added a small laser printed greeting in purple punched with the Word Window punch from SU.  I love the shimmer on this card and it's soft and subtle colour scheme.   These are always quick and easy because the large element is ready to go once it is trimmed.      Therese

September cardmaking - Birds, hexagons and birch tree embossing for great birthday cards

 It is time to get back to our regular activities and so I hosted three ladies for card making last night!!  I love creating the kits and having the ladies add their own creativity to end up with cards that are not the same!!
We started with some serendipity hexagons!! The hexagon die (SX) is a new to me die which my sister was liquidating from her extras and I was happy to add to my tools!!  Hexagons have been around for quite a while and they are so fun to create with!!  Everyone took some time last night to play with theirs and they all came up with a layout that they were happy with.  We added a circle greeting that was just the right size as well.  I features stamped words (SU), a flower sequin held in place with a brad.  We just mounted them with foam tape.  You can see that the right hand edge was embossed with a birch tree embossing folder (SU) which works so well with the little birdie die cut.  The little bird die is from Impression Obsession.  I die cut it from coordinating cardstock, watercoloured the wings to coordinate gluing them to the birds and glued the whole element in place using white glue in a fine tip applicator (repurposed paint bottle).  I am happy with both of my cards!!           Therese

Mother's Day cards created reusing card fronts

Mother's Day is coming and I am preparing a few cards for my stash.  I decided to see how many I could make reusing old card front which have been donated to me.  

For the first card I trimmed out a floral element then gold embossed a greeting on the lower left, added a pink foil layer and glued this large element to a light blue green card.  I added a beautiful pink silk ribbon gluing the ends to the inside of the card and tied on a short length with a single knot to simulate a bow.  I slit the spine of my card to insert my ribbon before gluing.  

For the right hand card, I pretty much repeated the process.  I trimmed the beautiful rose image, silver embossed a greeting, added a silk ribbon with a simulated bow and glued this large element to a coordinating red card front.  

For the center card it was a bit more complicated.  Once I had trimmed out the floral image there remained some writing on the top right hand side so I created a "patch" that coordinated, layered them and punched both layers at the same time.  Next, I positioned my patch in the opening and taped it into place on the back.  I added a small silk flower over the area and secured it with a rhinestone brad.  Next, I wanted to add a ribbon down the right hand side so I removed the flower/brad and ran the ribbon between the tines of the brad and reassembled the embellishment.  I glued the ends of the organza ribbon to the back of the layer and tied on a short length to simulate a bow.  Like how that worked out!!  I had no greetings that would fit in the open spaces so chose to punch a hole and mount a small sponged greeting to the back instead.  I added dots all the way around using a silver gel pen.  I glued this large element to a coordinating light blue green card front.  

Some times reusing a card front takes more time than creating from scratch but it is nice to be able to reuse those beautiful images.  

Therese

Ornament Christmas cards

My first Christmas cards for this year!!  I usually make them monthly but for some reason I have not managed that so far this year. I am committing to getting on track though because I know it is great to have all of my cards ready at the end of the year!!
I have had this sheet of glitter paper sitting since last fall when I made these cards.  Some time after that I printed off these ornaments (CLKER) thinking they would go well together and there they sat until yesterday.  I watercoloured the ornaments blue, fussy cut them once they were dry, used silver gel pen on the tops and added iridescent blue Stickles to them.  I laid them out and let them dry overnight.  In the meantime, I cut my glittery paper into four and used a set of the Cookie Cutter letter dies to cut out Joy on the lower right hand corner.  This is one of the sets my daughter lent me last week.  Next, I embossed them with the D'vine Swirl (CB) embossing folder.   For the fifth card I punched the greeting with my letter punches into a dark blue cardstock layer and embossed it with the Swiss Dots (CB) embossing folder.  I punched a hole at the top of the ornaments and added a hanger - using white vintage seam binding for the white cards and silver gray organza for the dark card.  I adhered the ornaments to the front of the cards using 3D foam tape and glued the ends to the back of the layers using double sided tape.  Next, I glued these layers to the card fronts.  Unfortunately, on the dark card I was a little too enthusiastic with my sponging when I did the edge of the card and the greeting was no longer looked as crisp as I wanted it to be so I backed it with a piece of white cardstock which was more what I was looking for.
That makes five for this year.  I will have to count up the few I have left over from last year and start a running total!!  Have you started your Christmas cards??  If you are needing some inspiration my sister, Sylvia, is running a year long monthly Christmas Card challenge which can provide some framework for getting them done regularly.

Therese

Christmas Tag printables!!

Wrapped gifts earlier today and I could not find my stash of gift tags!!  It is possible that the collection ended up in my serendipity bucket!!  Anyway, after reading about printables on this blog, I decided to see what I could find to just print!!  LOTS of choices out there!!  These ones coordinated the best with my gift wrapped gifts so I printed them (on cardstock) directly from the website - "control P" and I got a window from which I could print the file!!!  Too easy!  I trimmed around them and punched a hole and they were ready to go!!  Here is a link directly to the blog post on Caroline Johansson's blog.
The gifts are wrapped!!

Therese

4x4 art card!

For a swap on one of my groups I needed an alcohol ink background so I played a bit and ended up with a few.  I created these cards as well as these while I was playing.
I decided to doodle some funky flowers for my 4x4 art card.  I love the bright colours of this background and thought the funky flowers would show it off nicely.  I started by tracing the shape of the button on the background and doodled my flowers from there using fine tipped Sharpies in several different colours. I used black to create the stems and the border as well as a couple of layers on my flowers.  The buttons are colour printed and punched out - I like the way they look so real!!  I punched the holes out, sewed in some coordinating thread and used half inch glue dots to attach them to the center of my flowers!!  I am loving the contrast between my plain paper buttons and the bright glossy background.  If you are interested in making some 4x4 art cards I would recommend checking out Joggles art card video!! This one will be on its way to my partner in the next couple of days!!

Therese

Magical greetings with serendipity paper

I made these two cards for my monthly card exchange!!  I was working on these serendipities a few weeks ago and because they were still on my desk I chose to use them for these cards.  I cut them with the largest labels framelit (SU) of the set and punched a slot (SU) on one side.  I found two pieces of coordinating cardstock for the backgrounds and embossed them with a swirl embossing folder (TH).  I added coordinating grosgrain ribbon to the left hand one and white vintage seam binding to the right hand one.  I glued the ends to the back of the embossed layers with double sided tape before I adhered them to white card fronts. I laser printed the digital greetings which I downloaded from Pink Cat Studio and embellished them with gel pens.  I die cut them with circle Nesties, layered them over a coordinating scallop circle (Nesties) and added them to the cards using 3D foam tape.
Serendipity is a wonderful technique for using up scraps.  I should use it more often!!  It might be a good "Art Every Day" project for me because I always have scraps sitting around on my desk.  You can check out my other projects using this technique by clicking HERE!

Therese

Birthday card - hand decorated background

Was cruising Splitcoast Stampers for some inspiration the other day and found several with hand decorated backgrounds so I dug out this painted background and thought I would embellish it a bit for my card.  I lightly brushed white acrylic paint through an all over circle stencil using a foam brush to add dots which I liked very much. One person had cut up her background into three pieces so I decided to do that as well.  I first punched out the flowers and then used scissors to cut a line through the holes.  I really like how it turned out!!  I punched out "BIRTHDAY" on the bottom edge of the bottom piece and punched "HAPPY" out of black cardstock and glued it above the holes.  I glued all three pieces to a layer of black cardstock and then mounted that to my green card front!!  I added shimmery white punchies to the inside of the flowers.  Pretty good!!  It still needed a "bit of something" so I added the little dots using a fine tip Sharpie marker and three little black butterfly punchies which I attached with tiny black brads.  That was much better!!
It is amazing that creating it such a multileveled process!!  I can certainly see me using more techniques for adding more dimension to my own hand decorated papers!!

Therese

Bright birthday card!!

Here is the card I made for my sister, Sylvia, for her birthday!!  It is vibrant with colour and that is how she likes them!!
I started with a bright piece of decorative paper which I made last fall.  I was playing with water based markers and coffee filters in an effort to find a fun craft to make with my grandchildren. I had scribbled the markers all over the coffee filter and spritzed it with water to see how much the colours would bleed into each other.  It worked nicely but the coffee filter was soaked so I used several sheets of glossy photo paper to remove the excess and this is what they looked like once they were dry!!  LOVED THEM!!
I cut the decorative paper to size, combined two framelits (one label - one oval) with painters tape and cut the aperture in the top of the decorative paper.  I used a letter punch set to punch "birthday" at the bottom of it and added "happy" over it by hand using a black fine tip sharpie.  I added a wide teal ribbon between the two and I tied a shorter piece to it to simulate a bow.  I glued the whole element to a bright green card front.  For my other element I added a large white silk flower and small turquoise one to the center of the oval and attached them with a small black brad.  I coloured the small one, which was originally white, with ink from a teal stamp pad.  The colour matches perfectly. I glued it, nicely centered, into the opening.  It still needed a bit of something so I added dots on the inside of the frame and the letter openings with a black sharpie.  That was better!!
Unfortunately, I will not be able to be with her on her birthday this year so we will be making plans to get together later.
Therese

Another sponged silhouette card

Another sponged card!!  I have made a few of these lately.  You can check out the other ones here, here and here.  I love that I can create texture and lots of colour just using a sponge and ink pads.  The skyline is a digital image from CLKER and I laser printed it onto white cardstock. I punched a hole is scrap paper and used the hole to create the sun, masked it off with the punchie when I started creating the sky.  I used a variety of ripped paper masks to create the texture in the sky.  I layered my coloured image onto purple and green adding a greeting between them.  I punched my blue layer using the chevron punch (SU) and then embossed the rest of it using a herringbone embossing folder.  I layered all of my elements onto a yellow card front.   The first of the cards I will be needing for June!!

Therese

60th Anniversary Card

My parents will have been married sixty years this coming week!!  We will be celebrating with family and friends this weekend.  Sixty years is a long time so I made them a very special card!!
I started with a large envelope and made a white card base that would fit in it.  I embossed two quarters sheets white cardstock, rubbed them lightly with a white pigment ink pad and embossed them with clear embossing powder.  It gives the raised areas a bit of lustre without adding colour.  I layered them on my card front and stitched them down using my sewing machine and white thread.
I added a double punched scallop border (SU) which I embellished with rhinestones and two layers of vintage white seam binding which I laid over the place where the two layers overlapped.  I added two embossed hearts and a punched greeting which I backed with vellum and adhered to the front of my card using 3D foam tape.
My Mom has been a sewer all of her life.  She made all of our clothes when we were little and most of our clothing well into high school - even our winter coats!! She has tackled a wide variety of projects for others as well, including a deer skin jacket - beautiful!!  She mostly sews for herself and my Dad now, tackles small projects and does a lot of quilting in the winter months.  They live independently and will soon be both over eighty.  I am looking forward to seeing them and letting them know how much I appreciate them!!

Therese