Feathers for a friend

I have one more card to share using the Four Feathers set. I kept this one on the simple side, but am very proud to say, I finished the inside (single layer) to match.

Not really a lot of instructions needed for this one. The photo is pretty self explanatory. The feathers were all stamped on scrap paper and then die cut and attached to the card as I was too lazy to create masks. The small feather in the front was glued to the card front only at the bottom, the top I adhered using a bit of foam tape for some added dimension.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Recollections white
Stamps: Four Feathers - SU, Gorgeous Grunge - SU, Simply Wonderful - SU
Ink: Cajun Craze, Hello Honey, Tip Top Taupe, Pear Pizzazz - SU
Dies: Feathers Framelits - SU
Misc.: yellow and gold sequins, foam tape/mounting squaresThanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon.

Falling Feathers

My next venture into the Four Feathers stamp set took me down the emboss resist road.
I again chose rich autumn colours.

First I randomly stamped the small feather image onto my white background with Versamark. Then the feathers were embossed with clear embossing powder.
Next I sponged the background with Pear Pizzazz  and Hello Honey. Last step is to stamp the second small feather image randomly in |Cajun Craze. Then use a tissue or baby wipe to remove the excess ink form the embossed areas.

I finish the card with a bit o edge sponginess and a simple wrap of bakers twine. Also couldn't resit a tiny bit of blink so i added a pearl to my sentiment tag. the pearl was coloured with alcohol markers.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Recollections white
Stamps: Four Feathers - SU, Petite Pairs - SU
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Hello Honey, Cajun Craze - SU, Versamark
Punch: Ticket Due - SU
Alcohol marker: Copic YR24 and YR04
Misc.: brown bakers twine, foam mounting squares,m 1 x 1/4" pearl, clear embossing powder.


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Fall Feathers Shaker Card

It's that time of year again. SU has brought out their Holiday Catty and I had the hardest time deciding what to order as there are so many great things to choose from.
I was lucky enough though that for my birthday earlier this month my DH and DD paid for my SU Holiday order. This means I have more wonderful tools coming end of the week than I had thought possible, but it also means in order to justify the purchases I really need to try and use some of the stamp sets I purchased in the last year that are still sitting on my shelf in untouched packages.

The first of these sets is the Four Feathers stamp set and matching dies. I've had this for quite some tie and did indeed pull it off the shelf several times only to find myself uninspired.

I let the beautiful hues of autumn inspire me. Yes, fall has come to Calgary rather quickly. Last week the trees were still green and this week they are changing colour faster than one can enjoy it.

With fall being my inspiration I chose several lovely earthy tones for my cards.

First up is this pretty shaker card that I filled with sequins and micro glass beads.

I sponged my shaker background with several colours before filling it. The shaker opening was cut using both feather dies and accented with a few more stamped and cut feathers.

Supplies used:

Cardstock: Recollections white
Stamps: Four Feathers - SU, Gorgeous Grunge - SU,  Fall Fun - SU
Ink: Hello Honey, Cajun Craze, Tip Top Taupe, Pear Pizzazz - SU
Dies: Feathers Framelits - SU
Misc.: brown bakers twine, micro glass beads, sequins, acetate, foam mounting tape

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon.

Embroidered Autumn cards

If you are anything like me, you have many wonderful tools in your stash that you just had to have when you saw them only you bring them home and not get around to using.
Today I am sharing a set of cards I made with just such a tool.

Several years ago I saw a few scrapbook layouts online that where absolutely beautiful. One of the most striking things about them was these gorgeous embroidered borders. It took me a few days to figure out how they were created when I discovered Bazzill Basics Paper Embroidery templates.
I decided to purchase two sets, as well as a pack of needles. I was overly excited when I found them in the store and brought them home with glee. Unfortunately life got in the way and I didn't get the chance to try them out in the next few weeks. Then came along a few craft room reorganizations and these templates found a home on my wall rack between alphabet stickers and doily packs; where they were fast forgotten,

Last weekend I decided it was high time to give them a try. As I planned on making cards I chose the smaller swirls and leaves set versus the large 12" border set. I chose to go the CAS route as it really highlights the pretty designs.

I absolutely love how these turned out. So much so, I may not give them away as a gift as originally planned (or I may just have to make a second set for myself).

I am by no means talented at embroidery. In fact I haven't had a needle and floss in my hands sine grade school. But I have to say these were relatively fast and easy.

I used really only two types of stitches, the running stitch and the split stitch. I used dollar store embroidery floss at full thickness (5 threads).

The templates are transparent plastic with a black outline design printed on them and evenly spaces along the lines are small 1/8" holes. You place your cardstock on top of  a piercing mat, then place the template on your card where you like t and using a needle or piercing tool pierce along the designs where the holes are. Then follow the pierced design when you stitch. Really simple.

I think it would actually be rather simple to make these templates. Use some acetate, stamp a scroll, line or flourish design with black StazOn and then use a hand held 1/8" hole punch to evenly spaced punch holes along the design. I'm really itching to try this with the spider web from web wishes.

Here are close ups of my three cards.

Supplies used:

Cardstock: Recollections white, Chocolate Chip - SU

Ink: Chocolate Chip - SU

Stamp: Express Yourself - SU

Misc.: Bazzill template, brown embroidery floss, small pearls, foam mounting squares 

Supplies used:

Cardstock: Recollections white, Cajun Craze - SU

Ink: Tangerine Tango - SU

Stamp: Sincere Salutations - SU

Alcohol Marker: Copic YR04 blended with SU Blendabilities Skintone (light brown)

Misc.: Bazzill template, orange embroidery floss, small pearls, foam mounting squares 

Supplies used:

Cardstock: Recollections white, Bazzil Leapfrog

Ink: Wild Wasabi - SU

Stamp: Whimsical Words - SU

Alcohol Marker: SU Blendabilities Old Olive

Misc.: Bazzill template, green embroidery floss, small pearls, foam mounting squares 

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon.

Hello Teacher

With school just having started this is a great time to welcome new teachers.
With that in mind I made a hello teacher card with the aid of my trusty Curvy Keepsake die.

I needed a nice, large apple for my design but didn't have an apple die. So I decided to use the largest curved shape I had and turn it into an apple. It was really easy with just a little curved trimming at the top and bottom - photo instructions are below.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections white
Stamp: Stampology (note book paper) - Autumn leaves
Punch; 1 3/8" circle (to punch the pocket opening, Bird Builder - SU
Dies: Hello Thinlits - SU, Little Letters - Die-namics, Curvy Keepsake - SU
Embossing folder: Rulers - Tim Holtz
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Crushed Curry, Mossy Meadows, Tangerine Tango, Marina Mist - SU
Misc.: Black marker, white gel pen, foam mounting squares

Punch art instructions below.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon.

Wedding Butterflies

Apologies for the lack of posts this past week. My husband and I were out of town for a wedding.
Long time friends youngest daughter got married. I still can't believe she's old enough to do that. I've know her all her life and it's amazing to see the young woman she's turned into.

When I wrapped her wedding present I thought I'd do something a little special, but it couldn't be too elaborate as it needed to withstand a 10 hour car ride. Butterflies came to mind, as they symbolize change, beauty and a new beginning.

Here is what I came up with.

I grouped several butterflies, of all three sizes, around and on top of my ribbon bow.

Right in the center are the two largest, to form a couple.

The butterflies added a very simple yet elegant touch of something special, and they survived the trip.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Recollections 110 lb white
Dies: Bold Butterflies and Butterfly Thinlits from SU
Misc.: I used a precision plate and dryer sheets to make cutting these delicate design easier. All the butterflies were slightly folded and then I glued the body section to the package with Mono Multi.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon.

Back to School

This week is back to school time for the kids in our city and there's no better time for a little bit of encouragement for the new school year; so I made this simple chalkboard card for my sons.

Supplies used:
Cardstock: Recollections
Patterned paper: We R Memory Keepers 6 x 6 " pad - Antique Chic
Stamp: You've Got This - SU
Ink: White craft ink - SU
Dies: Rectangle - Couture Creations, Stars framelits - SU
Punch: Itty Bitty Accents star - SU
Misc.: roud paper clip, red gingham ribbon, K&CO  Julianne Vintage border

Thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon.