You are Timeless

Hello and welcome, sweet friends! I'm thrilled to be here today sharing this soft, floral card! If you stopped by the other day, you would have seen the butterfly sympathy cards I made for The Greetery. I had one lone butterfly left and she just seemed so lonely sitting there by herself. I decided to put her to good use on today's card! 

The background was created exactly like my HOME card I posted the other day. I fell in love with that background and I'm now convinced no other background will ever compare! ha ha! I cut an A2 panel of white cardstock and then used the Show Your Stripes Stencil Collection. I used Pixie Spray because the stencil has a tendency of moving while stenciling and I wanted the lines to be crisp. I used the stencil on the front side and then flipped it around to the other side to create the diagonal plaid. Once I have used the Pixie Spray, I find that it leaves a residue on the cardstock, but if I rub an adhesive remover eraser over the top, it cleans it right up!

Once that was done, I die cut the frame piece using the Reflections: John 1 Die and added it over the stenciled panel using foam squares. I used quite a few because I wanted it to be nice and sturdy without any drooping areas.

I adore this clock; I used the Clock Hot Foil Plate using Champagne foil on Sweet Blush cardstock. I used a Spellbinders Nesting Circle Die to cut it out. I added it to the center of the background panel using foam squares.

 I loved the bow and the flowers look from the HOME card I posted last week so I decided to recreate it, but with die cut flowers rather than stamped ones. I like both looks for different reasons! The flowers are all from the Into the Blooms: Wild Wood Die and are cut from white cardstock and then colored with blender brushes and dye ink. I arranged them around the clock using foam squares and liquid glue.

The sentiment was stamped using the It's Time Stamp Set using black ink. The finishing touch is the beautiful butterfly just begging for her time to shine! (pun intended?) ha ha! The entire panel is added to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue! I had so much fun creating this card! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Wisteria Sympathy}

 

Hello and welcome! I’m happy to be here today sharing a pair of sympathy cards; I mentioned last month I needed to make welcome to the neighborhood cards, but somehow, I’m ALWAYS needing sympathy cards. The others got pushed to the back-burner and here I am with this floral pair! Now, this design could work well for almost any sentiment, so if you’d like to make somethings similar, just swap out the sentiments to suit your needs!

To begin, I used the beautiful BotaniCuts Wisteria Die and cut everything twice from white cardstock. I wasn’t actually planning on making two cards at this point, but rather cutting enough pieces to be able to arrange them as I wanted. I used finger sponge daubers and distress oxide inks to color all of the pieces. I used the placement guide included in the wisteria die to get them adhered correctly using liquid glue.

I used the Jumbo Curiosity: Butterfly Die and Stencil and cut 4 butterflies; I like options and this allowed me to try out a few different combinations. I only ended up using 3 of the 4 so now I have an extra for another project; maybe those welcome cards! (wink!) I gave them a spritz of shimmer spray as well as the wisteria flowers. I used a fine tip journaling pen to add some of the black details to the butterfly wings.

I kept one background white with a bit of tumbled glass distress oxide ink blending in the center and then worked my way out for a soft feel. The second background was created using the Seed Catalog Background Stamp and speckled egg distress oxide ink. I rounded the corners on both panels for a soft look.

I used liquid glue to attach the greenery portion on both backgrounds. I attached the wisteria pieces using small foam squares. The butterflies are attached with liquid glue only to the butterfly thorax and abdomen portions so I could bend the wings for realism.

For the sentiments, I die cut the pieces using the Comfort and Joy Die and then stamped the images using the Comfort and Joy Stamp Set. I have used this particular sentiment set in the past for a series of sympathy cards; I love that it transcends beyond Christmas and holiday projects! I used foam squares to attach them to the backgrounds. For the white background, I was able to stamp the ‘sending’ image directly on the panel and then placed the rest of the sentiment underneath.

I attached each of the background panels to top-folding A2 card bases using liquid glue. I DID round the corners of the bases before attaching, though. A trio of sparkling clear sequins finishes off the pair! I will probably add an inside greeting before they get filed away. I have decided it’s better to take that step BEFORE you need the card, because sympathy cards are rarely predicted! Thanks for fluttering by!

Love Story

The wedding invitations are still arriving at a rapid pace which means my wedding card stash is dwindling!  My arm didn't need to be twisted very hard to spend a crafternoon creating the pair! I actually have enough of everything leftover to make another one, but with a Spring Moss book and lighter pink flowers instead. ****EDITED***** I made the third card and added it to the bottom of this post! 

To begin, I created all of the flowers; I did this so I could choose which colors of book covers would look best with the flowers. I die cut all of the pieces included in the Into the Blooms: Anemone Die from white cardstock, with the exception of the flower centers; those are cut from gold cardstock. I cut everything three times and then got to work adding the color using dye ink and blender brushes. 

The pink for these flowers is Pink Passion from Stampin' Up!....I love the bright, cheery saturated look! I also die cut two different styles of daisies included in the Into the Blooms: Daisies and two flower centers. Each Daisy is stacked with two die cuts for a fuller bloom and then I added the centers. Once that was done, I used my stylus and a foam mat to give them their shape.

The inspiration for the flowers was from a beautiful cluster of flowers I saw, so I added some bluebells from the Honey Cuts: Wildflower Die. I didn't add any on the other card, so I still have two beautiful stems of bluebells waiting for another project. Once I had all of the flowers cut and colored, I got to work on the tiny books.

The main body of each of the books was die cut using the Have a Spine: Short Story Die; gold for the pages and corner details. This card uses Lemon Tart cardstock for the cover and Spring Moss for the spine. The cute heart lock is from Have a Spine: Lock and Key Die and is also cut from gold cardstock.

All of the sentiments are from the Bookish Frames: Romance Edition Stamp + Stencil. I also used the beautiful Nordic Hearts die for each of the two covers. It's the perfect size for the Love Story sentiment, which is heat embossed in gold.

For the background of this card, I used the Elegant Notes Stationery Kit to do the stenciling on an A2 white card base. I also used the beautiful Fall Harvest Hot Foil Plate over the top....I'm combining two of my most recent favorite background products! ha ha! I layered all of the elements over the top using foam squares and liquid glue. Also, I forgot to mention...both of the cards were made so they can open and there are additional sentiments on the inside.

I feel like I'm in a "background rut" so I decided to switch up the background for the other card. I absolutely love the On the Border: From the Heart Die and I haven't used it for quite a while. I die cut it from white and then glued it to an A2 panel of white cardstock. 

I added all of the elements using foam squares and liquid glue. You can see here how I have the cover of the book slightly overlapping the larger flower. I'm hoping this will allow the recipient to realize they can open the book and see the inside greeting.

I didn't make this card a full as the other because I didn't want to hide the detail of the background.

Both of the cards got a slight spritz of shimmer spray.

I had so much fun creating the pair and they will be perfect for the upcoming weddings this month! Thanks for fluttering by!

****I took the time to create the third card so this is a LONG "P.S."! ha ha!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I made enough of everything to create three cards. I ran out of time, but when I was cleaning my desk, I decided to just quickly put the final one together.

This particular book doesn't open because I messed up on  some of the stamping and I wasn't in the mood to do any more die cutting! ha ha! I don't think that really takes away from the overall look, but maybe some of the charm!

I was supposed to be doing other work, so I created a quick background with an old Cuttlebug embossing folder. I'm so glad embossing folders are back in style, or did they ever go out? I just feel like there's been a resurgence of popularity, which makes me so happy! I cut a panel of white cardstock measuring 4 by 5 1/4  inches and then ran it through my machine. I layered it onto a top-folding A2 card base using foam squares.

I tried a different arrangement with the flowers and I really like how it turned out. I had a few of the small flowers leftover from a previous project that I'll be sharing next week. I added them to the book to create some balance in the design. The larger flowers are colored with Sweet Blush ink  and then I added some ink splatter for added detail and interest.

I dissected the bluebells to add them here and there.

For those of you who stop by regularly, you probably have noticed that I love to add adhesive gems to the centers of the anemones. I didn't add any to the first two cards, but decided to add some on this card. I just love how they look sparkling with the gold.  I may go back and add some to the other two cards.

I gave the card a light spritz of shimmer spray....I've been going overboard with the shimmer spray lately so I decided to hold back a little! ha ha!

I had so much fun creating this trio of cards and I can't wait to use them for the upcoming weddings! Thanks for fluttering by again! (wink)

 

Home is the Nicest Place to Be

I've been having the best time creating cards that have been on my mental "to-make"  list! When I set out to make this particular card, I didn't necessarily have a theme in mind since I was just using some leftover pieces from another project.  I knew I would be using the bow and the flowers and foliage (with the exception of the corners). The colors could work nicely for all kinds of different themes and my first inclination was baby, but as the creative juices started flowing, this is what I ended up with!

I can't seem to stop making plaid backgrounds using the  Show Your Stripes Stencil Collection! I simply use it on the front side and then I flip the stencil over and stencil it again on the backside. Since this particular stencil has a diagonal stripe, it gives the plaid a unique look. I did end up by using Pixie Spray on the stencil so I could get crisp lines. I used an adhesive eraser all over the panel to remove any residue.

I used the beautiful Reflections: John 1 Die for the border piece. I layered it over the top of the plaid stencil panel, using foam squares. I also die cut the smallest oval included in the Love to Layer: Ovals Die from Papertrey Ink and attached it using foam squares. As I mentioned earlier, I already had the flowers, leaves, and bow left over from another project, so I simply attached them to the top of the oval. It was at this point that I decided I might try putting a house on there and of course I fell right in love!

The house die is from the Bring Home the Holidays Die and is cut from white cardstock with some Aqua Mist ink blended over the top. I was looking through my stash to try and find something that said welcome to the neighborhood and I happened upon the Larger Thank Life Die and coordinating stamp set. I just loved how the crisp white word looked at the bottom.

I heat embossed one of the companion sentiments and added it to the bottom. The die also includes a few little hearts, so I added some color with a blender brush and added one to the top of the house. I used the corner decor, stamp, set and coordinating. Die to gussy up two of the corners. Each one got a heart as well to continue with the theme. As you can see, I also decorated an envelope. I usually hand deliver welcome to the neighborhood cards, so this one has a little bit more detail than I usually do. 

I had an extra house so I decided to add it to the inside of the card with another sentiment stamped in gold ink. This was a really fun card to make even though I didn’t know what I was going to be creating when I started out! Thanks for fluttering by! 

 

From Tiny Acorns

I'm so happy to be here today sharing three back-to-school cards/gift card holders using a potpourri of products! My crafty session started out because I wanted to make the cute backpack card, but then I just couldn't seem to stop!

To begin, I die cut all of the pieces three times using the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Accessories Die from white cardstock and then I did all of the stamping. I like having options and I figured I may as well make more than enough, especially while I have all of the images lined up in the MISTI. Because I had so many pieces, I was able to make the three cards for today with a few pieces leftover.

I did all of the stamping using the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Accessories Stamp Set. Once that was done, I got to work on the backpack itself. I used the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Die and cut the main backpack shape from Mint Julep cardstock, the front pocket from a prized scrap of Aqua Mist cardstock and the side pockets are cut from Vintage Cream as well as the loop at the top. The straps are also cut from Aqua Mist, but when it was all said and done, I should have just used Mint Julep.

I'm planning on sliding a gift card down in the slot on the backpack, so I did assemble this like you do for the gift card holder. If you're not planning on using it that way, you can just glue and stick to your heart's content! ha ha! I cut the zipper pulls from silver cardstock for added realism and attached them with foam squares.

I had fun arranging all of the elements in the pockets and at the top. 

Make sure to stamp the pattern on the front pocket if you're going to; I forgot and had to do it when it was already assembled and let's just say, there are some strategically placed school supplies to cover some problem areas! ha ha!

My favorite thing is the cute paint set; I added some Ranger Glossy Accents to each of the colors. I let it dry and then added an extra coat for maximum glossy-goodness! The background papers were pulled from the hoard of SU! pattern papers I’ve had for years! I'm so glad they got put to good use! I added a few LEAVES for that traditional back-to-school feeling.

As you can see, my second card takes us to a land lost in time! I simply ADORE the Teach and Inspire Stamp Set (retired sadly) and I don’t think anything will ever compare! This is hands-down my FAVORITE school-themed stamp set of all time! To begin, I did the stenciling on an A2 panel of white cardstock using the stencils that are included in the  Elegant Notes Stationery Kit. I know I have been using these quite a bit lately, but I'm just loving them. I'm sure it's just a phase, as I’m guessing you all can understand! ha ha!

I stamped the "Looking forward to a wonderful year" sentiment at the bottom of the panel using black ink. The vintage chalkboard was created by stamping the sentiment onto a piece of Stormy Sea cardstock using Versamark ink and then heat set with white detail embossing powder. I added a frame that is cut from Kraft cardstock to create the faux chalkboard. I added it to the center of the stenciled panel at a jaunty angle using foam squares.

From there, I had fun adding all of the stamped elements here and there until I was satisfied with the arrangement. As you can see, the paint pan got the same glossy treatment....insert heart eyes!

This card also got a few more leaves; I have been resisting autumn coming, but these leaves just felt too-perfect!

I added the entire panel to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. Once that was done, I used a Post-It Note to cover up the sentiment at the bottom and the chalkboard sentiment and added some black ink splatter; just a light splatter for added detail and interest.

Continuing with the theme is the last card for today. This sentiment is probably my favorite in the set and was the inspiration for the entire card. I didn't want to use the tree image included in the set, but I remembered I have quite a few different acorn dies in my collection and I got to  work!

To begin, I used the Just Notes Die and cut the torn notebook paper piece from Vintage Cream cardstock. I stamped the sentiment using Vintage Photo distress ink. I added some Antique Linen distress oxide ink and a touch of vintage photo ink as well. The paper clip is also from the same die set and I cut it from silver cardstock.

I created another vintage chalkboard, but added some white paint splatter to the Stormy Sea cardstock before I added the frame. My daughter is just the cutest; she said, you should have used black cardstock to make it look like a chalkboard. I kindly explained to her that it WAS supposed to be a chalkboard, just one from the olden days! She said, "I've never seen a chalkboard like that except for at our old church building." I replied with, you mean the one that was built forever ago? LOL! So, hopefully those of you who are of my same vintage will know it is SUPPOSED to be a chalkboard! ha ha!

All of the foliage and acorns are from the Curio: Autumn Findings Die and are cut from white cardstock and then colored with blender brushes and dye ink.

The cute little bee is leftover from another project and then I just had fun adding in the stamped images. I was sure glad I made so many of each thing so I could pick and choose!

I had so much fun working on all three of these cards! I still have quite a few back-t0-school ideas I want to try, but I'm not sure if I'll have time! fingers crossed.....thanks for fluttering by!