Birthday card featuring an embellished decorative paper background, ribbon and a watercoloured landscape

Birthday cards for family were made up this week!!  For this card I started with a gray card.  The background striped and plaid paper have been in my stash for a while and were just too stark to be used so I decided to embellish them a bit.  I added watercolour in green and blue and then stamped green trees in an all over pattern to the both of them.  I trimmed the striped on and added a piece of plaid one below and added a green ribbon over when they join.  I adhered this large background to my card front.  I sized, printed, trimmed and watercoloured the landscape digital image (CLKER) to coordinate with my background.  I cut a black rectangle to back it and when I came to layer them I decided to offset them instead of layering them symmetrically.  Works - I should do it more often.  I mounted this focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  It is already on its way!!!!

Therese 

 

Christmas card featuring a little gift, a stamped background and decorative paper and a font greeting

This card was created while I was working out samples for this card for my Christmas card kits.  I had all sorts of pieces I tried out and finally once the design was finalized I decided to make up cards with what I had sitting on my desk.  For this card I trimmed the gift from sticker packaging I have hand on hand for a while.  I cut it square (2 1/8") and added a white ribbon from top to bottom and an embossed flower for the bow.  It was not too bad but the ribbon did not go with a lidded box and the embossed flower did not have enough detail for what I was looking for.  I did add a silver flower outline between them and that was much better.  I stamped my maroon card front with a distressed background stamp (SU - Worn) with red ink.  I trimmed the triangle from a red paper with glittery swirls.  The greeting was laser printed and I added texture with my pattern tracing wheel before trimming it to size and flagging the end.  I glued the triangle leaving the  top loose, added my greeting and then glued the top down.  I added the gifts using 3D foam tape to finish off this card.  I have another triangle of this glittery paper so I will probably make one more for my stash.  I have not made cards for myself yet this month.           Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a bubbly dog in a tub, ribbon and a striped background

For this all occasion card I started with an aqua card.  I added a little blue gingham ribbon to my brown striped background before adhering it to by card front. I tied a small length of ribbon to the one on the front which nicely simulates a bow.  The laser printed digital image of a cute little dog in a tub (Kisspng) was trimmed to size, distressed and sponged in brown on all four edges.  I ran my pattern tracing wheel along all four edges to create some paper piercing texture before mounting this focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  I am having fun making cards!!          Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a pink and black paper pieced background, ribbon and a cute kitten image

Another all occasion card to add to my stash.

I started with a dark pink card. I created a paper pieced background using scraps of paper secured with regular tape on the back.  I added a black ribbon before mounting it to my card front.  I tied on another small piece using a single knot to simulate a bow.  The little kitten with the balloon is a digital image which I colour printed (Kisspng), trimmed to size and layered with dark pink before mounting to my card front using 3D foam tape.     Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a blue paper pieced background, ribbon and a cute elephant image

For this all occasion card I started with a green card front and created a paper pieced background using scraps of decorative paper and regular tape to secure them to each other on the back before trimming it to size for my card.  I added a little blue ribbon before mounting the background to my card.  I tied on another little piece using a single knot to simulate a bow.  The little elephants (Pixabay) are laser printed, trimmed, layered with blue decorative paper before being mounted to my card front over the ribbon using 3D foam tape.  Love these cute little elephants!!   Therese
 

Christmas Card Kits - Card #3 - a little gift with a fun bow, some embossed decorative paper and a printed font Merry Christmas greeting

For Card #3 I decided to use this textured maroon cardstock for all the kits.  I trimmed the little square (2 1/8") gifts from sticker packaging which I have had on hand for a while.  I love the colour of them and that they give the appearance of a box with a lid.  Once I made the gift I was on the lookout for a way to make a bow for the top.  I tried quite a few other options until I discovered this little flower outline once placed behind the square looks like a bow!!  I cut them from shiny silver foil cardstock and adhered them to the back using double sided tape.  Perfect gift!!!  I decided on a triangle of green decorative paper as an accent and decided to emboss it as well to add texture.  I created my greetings using several different fonts and printed some in maroon and green.  I started by adding my triangle to my card front and not gluing the top portion.  I trimmed my greeting and flagged the end before mounting it to my card.  After gluing the greeting I glued the top my triangle in place.  I added the little gift to my card front using 3D foam tape.  I really like how this card worked out!!  It is nice to be able to reuse beautiful packaging as well. 

I used maroon decorative paper on some of them which I embossed with a different embossing folder.  I used green greetings with these cards.  I also found that in some cases the triangle is on the left because of how I cut them with my cutter.  In which case the greeting just needs to be trimmed on the other end instead.  It has really been fun creating these kits and I am sure there are a few who are looking forward to getting to making their Christmas cards as there will be fewer large gatherings this year for Christmas.  

Therese

 

Christmas card kits - Card #2 - a little tree die cut, a square of torn decorative paper and small greeting

For Card #2 I decided to use a square of decorative paper which I tore into two pieces and mounted to my green card front leaving an even border all the way around.  The paper has stripes so I could have torn it the other way and had a bit of a different look.  I mounted the little tree die cut - my own handmade paper - over the gap using 3D foam tape.  It could have been mounted on the right instead.  I added a small laser printed font greeting to the right which was printed on white cardstock and punched with the Word Window Punch (SU).  I simply glued it in place.  Two different papers in this set of cards.  

The other cards in this set feature this other striped paper and you can see that I tore the paper differently on this one which gives the card a different look.  I mounted the little ivory tree which I had previously embossed along with the little font greeting which I trimmed with my Scalloped Oval Punch (SU).  

I am always on the look out for ways of using my tools differently and I was wanting to give my little greetings a bit more interest and I had the punch upside down on my desk and it just occurred to me I could use the punch to give my greetings  a decorative edge.  You can see below that I use the punch upside down and simply insert the little greeting into the slot of the punch. It is easy to align because you can see exactly where it will come down.  I really like how they turned out.   It works best on slim greetings because if they are a bit larger you can detect the curve of the second scallops which I found a bit distracting.    Therese

 

Christmas card kits - Card #1 - Embossed dove, decorative papers and a layered PEACE greeting

 I have been playing with making up some Christmas card kits. I will not be having a class at home due to the restrictions so I thought some card kits would be in order so those who are interested can start on their Christmas cards now and have them ready in time for the Christmas season.  

For Card #1 I am featuring an embossed dove (SX) on a square of white cardstock.  It is layered with a coordinating square of cardstock.  The scalloped oval punchie (SU) is cut from the inside of the square which guarantees that it is exactly the same colour.  To start I have chosen a blue cardstock for this card and a coordinating blue decorative paper which I have adhered to my card front. I adhered my dove to my layer and mounted this focal element to the top portion of my card using 3D foam tape.  I added a blue embossed strip of cardstock trimmed to the width of the paper  just below the image and then I added my layered greeting also using 3D foam tape.  The greeting is a font called NOEL which I designed with a dotted outline and then laser printed before punching out with the large oval punch (SU).  I have a large variety of colours and papers in this kit which is always fun to create!!

This is my second sample.  I usually make this one in class but in this case I just decided to make it up and include it in my post.  I love the wonderful handmade paper on this second card and it works so well with gold and silver!!

Therese

An all occasion card featuring a pieced background, ribbon and a cute little hedge hog image

What a cute little set of hedge hogs!!  I started with a green card, created a background using scraps of decorative paper and regular taper to secure them on the back before trimming to size.  I added a green ribbon before mounting the background to my card.  I trimmed the little colour printed image of the hedge hogs to size, ran my pattern tracing wheel on all four edges and then mounted it to brown carstock.  Once trimmed, I mounted this focal element to my card front using 3D foam tape.  Thinking it still needed " something" I added three little green rhinestones just below the ribbon on the right of the image and that was much better!!!!!  Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a pieced background, fussy cut buttons and fiber

 I am really enjoying creating all occasion cards!!  They are perfect for more than one occasion so make a versatile addition to my stash!!  I will have more than I need!!  Is that even possible??

For this card I started with an aqua card.  I found a piece of coordinating paper in my stash, trimmed it to width and then tore it near the top.  I adhered the top piece to my card and then trimmed the bottom piece to fit on my card and adhered it into place.  There was a wide white strip on the bottom edge which seemed to need "something" so I trimmed some scraps of the same paper and added them to the white strip going in the other direction.  Love how it turned out!!  I fussy cut three little buttons which I found in my stash and tied coordinating green fiber in their holes using a long needle.  I mounted them over the torn opening in my background using 3D foam tape.     Therese

An all occasion card featuring a pieced background, an embossed butterfly and ribbon

I have been a little carried away with making all occasion cards.  I am really enjoying playing with all my "stuff"!!

For this card I started with a kraft card and added a paper pieced background which I created using scraps from my stash.  I simply taped them together on the back and trimmed it to size for my card.  I added piece of black ribbon before mounting it to my card front.  I added the butterfly image (Magenta) which is embossed with black embossing powder and then embellished with clear glitter on its wings then die cut round (Nestibilities).  The outer edge was embellished with a black marker and dots were added inside of that line.  The butterfly was mounted over the ribbon using 3D foam tape.  It still needed "something" so I added a folded piece of the same ribbon over the one on the card securing it with double sided tape and then added a glilttery rhinestone embellishment.  That was better!!!

Therese

All occasion card featuring a floral background, a strip of pink flocked paper, stitched border and a watercoloured embossed flower

Still making all occasion cards!!  

I started with an aqua card and added a laser printed floral paper in pinks and aquas.  I trimmed and added a strip of pink flocked paper.  Love the texture!!  I used a eyelet border punch (SU) to create the little yellow strip from cardstock and then stitched it with shiny aqua embroidery floss.  It was trimmed to the same width as the background and mounted with double sided tape over the flocked paper.  The flower (SU) is silver embossed, watercoloured and then fussy cut.  I mounted it to my card front using 3D foam tape.  

Therese

 

An all occasion card featuring a stitched floral layer, some paper piercing and a leafy border

The focal element of this card was trimmed from a used card and features some very clever stitching that creates flowers!!  Beautiful!!  I added faux stitching all the way around my trimmed piece using my pattern tracing wheel.  I added a coordinating leafy border in the same colour as my card front and then added another strip of coordinating cardstock to finish off my layer.  I added a line of faux stitching on the right hand side of my card as well before adhering it to my card.  This is a larger than A2 card created to fit an envelope from my stash.         Therese
 

All Occasion card featuring a stamped leaf, torn paper and tracing wheel texture

Still making all occasion cards.  For this one I started with a green card front, added a mottled green decorative paper background and then a strip of torn paper in a lighter green colour which I trimmed to be the same width as the background.  I watercoloured my stamped leaf ( Old Island Stamp Company) and layered it with a large border using another green cardstock.  I ran my tracing wheel on all four edges making wavy lines of paper piercing which adds texture to this layer.  I mounted this focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  

Therese
 

All Occasion Card featuring an embossed apple, ribbon and a decorative paper background

Another all occasion card!!  I started with a red card, added a polka dot red and white background which I had run down all the sides with my pattern tracing wheel to add some texture.  The apple was embossed using an embossing folder (QuikCuts), trimmed to size, and layered with black cardstock.  I added several pieces of coordinating ribbon on the right hand side using double sided tape before using 3D foam tape to mount my focal element to my card front.  Really love the colours on this one!!

Therese 

A baby card featuring a pieced cardstock background, some green raffia and a cute rattle image

We are expecting a new addition to our family which is due very close to Christmas!!  I have prepared some baby items as I usually do for these occasions and we are hoping to send these off to my son and his wife very shortly.  

For the baby card, I started with a gray card front, added an embossed (D"vine Swirl - CB) paper pieced cardstock background.  I used greens, yellow and grays then just barely highlighted the embossing with a beige ink pad.  I added a green raffia across it and then tied on another short piece to simulate a bow.  I mounted this large element to my gray card front.  I watercoloured the rattle image (Crea8tive Hands) in green and yellow adding some clear glitter highlights.  I added faux stitching to the edges of the image using my pattern tracing wheel before mounting it to a light green cardstock rectangle.  I used 3D foam to adhere this focal element to my card.  For my greeting I started with a font greeting oval punchie from my stash, sponged its edges with green ink then mounted it to a light green scalloped oval (SU).  To finish it off I added clear glitter dots to the scallops!!   Therese

 

Baby card featuring a pink rattle, a paper pieced background, some ribbon and rhinestones

We have a new baby girl in our extended family.  All is well and they are now both home.  New babies are the best!!

I started with a large pink envelope and created a pink card to fit inside.  I paper pieced a pink background and then added pink ribbon over the joints before securing it to my pink card.  I trimmed the little rattle (laser printed digital image from Pixabay) to which I added a little font greeting, layered it with bright green to coordinate with the middle paper and then created a large backer for it.  The backer was embossed with lines around the image using my score tool, trimmed with scallop decorative scissor and all the scallops were pierced with a push pin to add texture.  The bottom border was embellished with some pink rhinetonres.  I mounted this large focal element to my card using 3D foam tape.  

Therese
 

Get well card featuring a watering can, a sanded and embossed background and some seambinding

I made this card for my sister in law who had her appendix removed last week!!  She is home and healing but it is always a slow recovery when you get your appendix removed.  

I started with a blue green card, added a watercoloured watering can with flowers.  This image is from image swaps a long while back and was stamped on a hexagon.  I trimmed the edges to make the image sit straight, distressed the edges and added some paper piercing using my pattern tracing wheel.  I embossed a brown white core background and sanded it to reveal the white core then added a little eyelet punched border punch to the bottom.  I fussy cut a chalkboard greeting, punched a hole and slipped it onto a length of green seam binding.  I added the seam binding to my background using double sided tape to secure the ends to the back.  I tied on another short piece using a single knot to simulate a bow and used 3D foam tape to secure my greeting to the card front.  

Therese
 

An all occasion card featuring a watercoloured background, a watercoloured floral image and some ribbon and raffia

This card was created from parts rescued from a used card.  I trimmed off a portion of the card including the watercoloured background, a deep pink and white layer.  I added a green raffia across the bottom and tied on a piece of burgundy organza ribbon to simulate a bow.  I mounted this layer to a tan card.  From a different portion of the card I rescued the floral image mounted to the distressed edged rectangle.  I watercoloured the flowers and mounted it to my card using 3D foam tape.  It is so much fun giving these beautiful elements a new life!!

Therese
 

All Occasion card featuring rose (digital) with texture provided by scoring, embossing, tracing wheel and paper piercing

I need a few all occasion cards so I decided to make a few more than I need so I can have some on hand.  

I will be using some envelopes that are just a smidge smaller than A2.  

For this first card I started with a white card and added a purple decorative paper background.  I trimmed a white strip, flagged the end and embossed it before adding to my card.  The rose is one of my hand drawn doodles which I laser printed and trimmed to size before watercolouring.  I distressed the edge and using my pattern tracing wheel to paper pierce a line on all four edges.  I layered my rose to a coordinating purple cardstock, added two embossed lines using my scoring tool and then trimmed the edge with scalloped decorative scissors.  I used a push pin to pierce all the scallops before mounting my focal element to the front of my card using 3D foam tape.  I am glad to be back to cardmaking!! Therese