Four cards today, made with a couple of pieces of MIntay by Carola Birdsong paper. This is my favourite paper so far this year, and I did these cards for a lesson I taught at paper flourish. Lots of lovely fussy cutting, a little bit of rhinestone bling, and some layering and inking of edges with frayed Burlap distress ink pad. I have not had time to be bored in retirement yet! Last weekend was the three day craft fair, and I sold many cards, caught up with lots of friends and customers, and thoroughly enjoyed myself! the rest of this week has been busy packing away the craft fair things, and I have some new papers from graphic 45 ( Lost in paradise) which I have been fussy cutting..gorgeous papers!Til next time…..
Tag: ideas for homemade card ideas
Special Age birthday cards
This week I took a break from all things tidying, and preparing for the craft fair to sit down and create. I had the perfect papers ( a small 6″ paper pad from kaisercraft called With Love) and some new numbers dies from Uniquely Creative to make some very special birthday cards. I took this photo, couldn’t wait for Nathan to snap these as I want to take them to the fair with me. Just going back to the paper pad – it’s an unusual one for Kaisercraft as a lot of the papers are foiled and as you can see I didn’t add too much more to the cards..a little lace, ribbon and my numbers all die cut with either foil or glitter card. Til Next time…..
All about butterflies!
Today’s two cards have one thing in common – Butterflies! The top card has layers of black and white patterned paper, with the focus on the top piece of paper which is covered in butterflies. I fussy cut a couple of extra butterflies to pop on top for a bit of dimension. The papers are from Stampin up, but I am not sure if they are still available.The second card is a really simple card, a layer of patterned paper, an embossed piece of white cardstock, and then the butterfly die cut. The dies are all one piece, with the finer die stuck on top of the thicker die to make a shadow effect. It is a Stampin up die called Butterfly Beauty, and brilliant for quick makes. I just added some bling to the centre of the butterflies. Til tomorrow….
AB Studio card..
Todays card is made with a piece of AB Studio paper I picked up because I loved the bird! He was fussy cut as was some greenery from the page and the card was added to from there. Some lace, a metal finding cut in half and slipped in under one of the frames I made, and some Scrapeniac chipboard which I painted with Prima alchemy paints.My edged were distressed, and inked with frayed burlap distress ink. Just a quick post today, as I am busy preparing for the 3 day yearly craft fair I attend in June which is only a few weeks away now..Til next time…
Cards in Boxes..
I have enjoyed making quite a few cards that fitted more comfortably into a box rather than an envelope. My photographer Nathan has chosen to photograph these ones in their box, so you may not see the full 3D’ness of them, but trust me they needed a box! the top card is made with Mintay Birdsong papers. I taught a class using this range of papers this week, it is gorgeous, and I am now tempted to again get my papers out and make some more cards with this range. I have used one of my handmade frames, and some lace, flowers and metal embellishment . The bottom card is Prima Georgia Blues, and there is a lot of gold foil on this range of papers which explains the flash on the photo..poor Nathan must have been blinded with that! You can see why this one needed a box – lots of lovely fabric and paper flowers, lace and emphemera. I hope you are all having a safe and happy Easter break, til next time…..
Kaisercraft Full Bloom lesson cards..
On todays post are three cards I made for a lesson I taught at paper Flourish.We did lots of fussy cutting( of course!), a little bit of layering and added some rhinestones for a bit of bling. I haven’t done much crafting for myself since I got back from my cruise, I have been busily creating card classes for the next couple of months. I am nearly caught up and looking forward to using some of the new supplies I have been collecting. til tomorrow….
Meerkats!
I am back from my cruise, which went really well, and I met many new and keen crafters in my classes – we had great fun! The weather was terrific and the seas were calm – always a bonus. Now it is back home, and back to work, and of course back to my craft room, where all my projects at the moment are for upcoming classes. Meanwhile today’s cards are 2 very quick cards I put together for my son and my nephews birthdays. they are both fans of meerkats so when I saw this stamp set from Art impressions I knew straight away it would be perfect for them, this year and probably for quite a few years to come, used in different ways. I only lightly coloured the meerkat in the forefront of the card this time, just with a little bit of distress ink, and I hand drew the frame around the stamped background image. Til tomorrow…..
Mens cards
I have trouble making mens cards. I think it’s because with female cards, flowers, butterflies, and birds are universal, whereas with men there isn’t a universal fit. Not all men like football, or fishing etc, so when I saw these tool dies from kaisercraft I thought I could make a few mens cards with them. These cards were actually in a class I taught. We did some embossing with kaisercraft embossing folders to add a little texture, and I also used a cogs die on the lower card. I designed the card on the top left to look like a tool box. It is just a basic stepper card, with strips of cardstock to represent the drawers. I got back from my cruise on Thursday, and yesterday was spent grocery shopping and washing clothes. After beautiful weather on the cruise and calm seas I have come back to the middle of an extreme heatwave and it is a shock to the system! My classes on board the ship were well attended and I met many lovely ladies, and gentlemen! I havent yet ventured into the craft room, but by tomorrow I will be creating again – I have itchy fingers! Til tomorrow….
Prima lavender Frost..1 and 2..
So many beautiful paper collections, so little crafting time! Today’s cards are made with Prima lavender frost range. Starting with the lower card,I layered up paper from the 6″ paper pad, and a printed vellum piece ( which was in a pack of the flowers that were released with the collection), a journaling card from the 3 x 4 lavender frost journaling cards,some fussy cutting from papers, and various flowers and leaf die cuts. The resin frame was a seven paper Dolls frame. For the top card I cut some banners from leftover strips,and added a metal finding,and in this case the frame was one I made with a mold and some no more gaps filler from the hardware shop! I just ran over it with some Nuvo Fresh Copper mousse on my finger.
Mintay 7th heaven..
Have you all seen Mintay Paper collections? they are gorgeous and I am lucky enough to work in a craft store that stocks them…needless to say when they arrive (it’s like Christmas at work when boxes of stock arrive!) I am beside myself and always end up taking one of everything home! The collection I have used here is called 7th heaven, and we did an all day class at work with them last november, and this is one of the cards I made with my leftovers. A hint of lace, a metal piece cut in half and just peeking out from the oval die cut, and lots of lovely fussy cutting and flowers. Once made I realised this card was not going to fit in an envelope, so I sat down with my ruler and worked out measurements to make a box. I cut a window in the box and backed it with acetate so that I can still see the pretty card! I have made quite a few of these cards in boxes now, and really love the idea of giving them when I am giving cash or a gift voucher for a birthday. I am so glad to say that mum and I brought dad home from hospital yesterday after 2 weeks of worry, a little more frail, but in good spirits and he will build himself back up now that he is home. Thank you all for your wishes and concern. Til tomorrow…..
Helens Card Designs 