Simple Sympathy cards

 These are pretty simple and basic cards.  

I get requests for sympathy cards so have been making

a lot of them lately.

The top one is over DP (designer paper aka scrapbook paper)

The Spellbinders Filigree die cut was done

in pale pale green.

The phrase is also a Spellbinders die.

The bottom card has a brown textured layer

over the card base.

The die cuts used a Spellbinders.

Elegant Sympathy Card

A very very simple and yet elegant sympathy card.

Black and white is such a striking color combination.

A DP was cut to 5.25 x 4 and layered over black, then attached to 

a plain white A2 card base.

The phrase was computer generated, cut with a

Spellbinders oval and place on another Spellbinders die.

Simple, easy and elegant.

Sympathy

White, beige and tan, a very subdued and elegant card.

The flowers are craft card stock and DP.

The corners were die cut.

Centers of the flowers are a brown Viva Pearl Pen.

The stamped phrase (Stampendous I think)

was cut in a rectangle and the corners rounded.

The beige DP layer under the phrase was

trimmed with a layering ruler and the corners rounded.

Little Card

 The computer generated phrase is available to you free.

Look on the right side of the blog under Ready to Print Freebies.

Papers used are from DCWV Citrus stack and 

Citrus card stock stack.

The little accents are made using a Viva Pearl Pen.

Call To Me

Call To Me

Classy Cards products used

Spellbinders Whimsy embossing folder

Spellbinders Label 29

Cheery Lynn Designs Exotic Butterflies Small

1.  Place a piece of 5.50 x 4.25 inch white card stock in Spellbinders Whimsy embossing folder.

2.  Very lightly “kiss” only the raised portion with a sponge inked with a light brown or tan ink.  In this case I used CTMH Bamboo.  Attach to an A2 plain white card base.  (A2 = 5.50 x 4.25 inches, also called a quarter fold)

3.  Now position Spellbinders Label 29 in the exact center of a 5.50 x 4.25  inch piece of white card stock, tape into place, cut and then emboss with the rubber mat.

4.  Lightly sponge the outer and inner edges of the newly cut frame with

     the same ink used on the embossing folder piece..

5.  Since I like the 3-D effect I have attached cut pieces of flat from a

     paper egg carton to the back the frame.

6.  Attach the frame to the card base.

7.  After lightly sponging your greeting with the same tan or brown ink,

     it too is 3-D’ed with flat piece of egg carton and glued inside the frame

     and over the embossed piece.  In this case the greeting is a scripture

     that I have created in PSP X and cut with a Spellbinders Nesting

     Rectangle.

8.  With plain white paper again, cut one of Cheery Lynn Designs butterflies

     and the angel wings that go under the butterfly.

9.  With that same tan or brown ink heavily sponge the angel wing (liner) and

     lightly sponge the edges of the butterfly.

10.  Position the butterfly “artfully” on the card front.

Notes and comments – the same ink is sponged on all the pieces used in the design.  The design can be made totally in white with no sponging, but for my purposes here the sponging really helps show the layers and embossing.

The embossing with a rubber mat is not a must with the frame, but I find that it is one of those little touches that really adds a classy look the finished product.

Please visit Classy Cards N Such to purchase items shown on this card.  This card and other great designs can be found on the Classy Cards N Such blog.

The scripture is available to all who view my blog for FREE.  Check out the Freebies to Print on the sidebar to the right and just click on the freebie you would like to print.

Playing Washi Tape

 Here are two examples of using Washi Tape.

As you can see there is an embossed layer that

is the first layer on the white card base.

The rectangle that is cover with Washi Tape is

raised over the card using flat pieces of paper egg carton

to create a 3-D effect.  

The phrase is computer generated.
Here is a link to the Word document that will allow
you to save this phrase and print it up to use.

The phrase is also 3-D.

I like both versions of the design.

Using Washi Tape

Washi Tape

Classy Cards products used

Washi Tapes  (all “Trendy” or Washi tapes are found in embellishments)

Spellbinders Matting Basics die cut

Gun Metal Pearls

1.  Begin with a basic white card base.

2.  Cut a piece of white card stock slightly smaller than the card front.

     About 5.25 x 4 inches.

3.  Place Trendy Tape on the piece of card stock at an angle.

     Leave space that is “untaped” at the upper left and lower right corners.

     The ends of the tape can be folder over the edge of the paper or cut off.

4.  A small greeting can be stamped in either of the above corners.

5.  Attach to the card front.

6.  Cut a piece of black card stock the exact same size as the card front, which

     is 5.50 x 4.25 inches.

7.  Using one of the Spellbinders Matting Basics dies create a simple frame.

     Place the die in the center of the black card stock and cut.  The size of the

     die will determine the width of your frame.  The smaller the die the wider

     the frame.

8.  This step can be skipped if so desired.  I like the 3-D effect created by

     attaching flat pieces of egg carton to the back of the frame. 

9.  The frame goes over the Trendy Tape (also known as washi tape) piece

     that is attached to the card front.

10.  On the lower right corner of the frame attach three small gun metal

       pearls.

The Lord Goes Before You

The Lord Goes Before You

Classy Cards products used in this design

Spellbinders Labels 9

Spellbinders Nesting Ovals

Distressed Ink

Viva Pearl Pen

Anja Leaves 2

1.  Cover the plain white card base with a soft colored DP that has no distinct

      pattern.

2.  Position a Spellbinders Label on white card stock.  Tape in place with low

     tack masking tape.  I used Spellbinders Label 9, but any Label die will

     work.

3.  Place a Spellbinders Oval die inside the Label.   Tape in place.  Cut.

4.  Do not remover the tape, but place the soft embossing mat under the dies

     and emboss.  You could also place the frame in an embossing folder for a

     different look.

5.  Turn the frame over and on the back side attach pieces of flat egg carton

     to create a 3-D effect.

6.  The scripture has been computer generated.  Die cut it using the oval die

     that is just enough bigger than the oval aperture to hide the edge of the

     oval.

7.  Sponge the edges of the oval scripture with a Distressed Ink that will

     coordinate with the DP that is covering the card base.  In this case it is

     a purple ink was used.

8.  Attach the frame to the scripture oval.  Center it on the card.

9.  Die cut 2 Anja Leaves and position where desire on frame.

10.  Add several flowers that will coordinate with your DP and sponged ink.

11.  Use a Viva Pearl Pen to put lovely centers in the flowers.

Easy Framed Foliage Card

A very simple framed card that is so easy

to make.  I have used Spellbinders

Matting Basics and Foliage dies.

Above you see how I arrange my dies for the

frame.  I have two examples using the Matting

Basics.  The first is slightly wider and has been

textured in a Spellbinders M-Bossabilities EL-009

Flora embossing folder.

The other frame has been embossed using

the Matting Basics dies themselves.

I leave the low tack painters masking tape

on after die cutting and run it

through the die cut machine again, using

the soft rubber embossing mat.

Once the Spellbinders Foliage leaves have

been cut and embossed I use the flat

portions of paper egg cartons to create

a 3-D look.  You can cut that egg carton

to any size AND you are recycling.  It’s fast,

easy and makes your husband look at you

strangely. (oh dear, what is she up to now?)

The foliage die cut on this card is from

Marianne Designs.

The background is made with Glimmer Mists

and a stencil.

Please visit Classy Cards N Such to purchase these products.

For more great ideas Classy Cards N Such has a blog.

It has fantastic ideas that will spark your creativity.

MacDuff, the Scottie

Our dog is a Scottish Terrier.

His name is MacDuff.  He is a

great little dog with a big voice.

He is also a great watch dog.

Mac Duff will even let me cuddle him on special occasions.

This card began with a white card base that

has the front covered with black card stock.

Now take another piece of white card stock (4. x 5.25 inches).

Punch along the a long edge with EK Successes Doggie Paws

border punch.

I found some Christmas Washi Tape on sale and in plaid.

Oh my, perfect for my Scottie Dog cards.

So place the washi tape on the white card stock with 

the punched edge.

I cut the tape a little long on both sides

and folded it over to the back of the card stock.

It just gives a subtle look that is more finished.

I happened to find some narrow black washi tape, but you 

could use black text weight paper.

This narrow black borders the plaid on either side.

Now place this whole washi taped white piece

with the paw print punched border 

on the card front.

I happen to have a Scottie dog die cut.

so Mr. MacDuff is die cut in black.

I used a black Viva Pearl Pen for his

eye and a silver Viva Pearl Pen for his collar.

I really like how the pearl pens hold their shape

and their shine.  They are also great for embellishing

as pearls and flower centers.

I cut a white oval and then a slightly larger red oval,

layered the white over the red

and centered MacDuff on them .

A 3-D effect was created by gluing the flat

parts of paper egg cartons to the back of the ovals.

Just barely visible in the photo on the

lower right edge of the plaid washi tape

are three "pearls" created with

a black Viva Pearl Pen.

Pretty Posies

I am guest design team member with

Classy Cards N Such 

for the months of July and August.

Pretty Posies

Classy Cards products used

    Bow Easy    Bow Easy tutorial

    Twinkling H2O’s

    Cheery Lynn Designs small exotic butterflies

    Metallic card stock

other products used

   various ribbons

   Memory Box die - Bella Bouquet

   embossing folder with small design

   flat portions from egg carton for 3-d

   Perfect Layers rulers

   white card base

   green card stock

   white card stock

1. Emboss the lower 1/3 of 4 x 5.25 inch piece of white card stock.

2. Place ribbon over divide between plain and embossed.

3. Attach white embossed piece to green card stock.

4. Trim green to narrow border.

5. On the back of the green/white piece attach flat pieces of paper egg carton

    to create a 3-d look.

6. Cut two floral stems, one from white and one from green.

7. Using Twinkling H20’s paint the flowers on both stems.  You will notice

    the paint on the green is several shades darker than that on the white.

8. One the white stem, cut off the flowers.

9. Matching the white painted flowers to the green flowers that are still

    attached to the stems, offset the loose flowers ever so slightly.  You want

    a narrow “shadow” to show underneath the white painted flowers.

10. Glue stem to card front.  I use a white glue and a toothpick to carefully

      place glue on the back of the stem die.

11.  Use the Bow Easy to make a perfect bow to place on the stem.  Position

       as shown on picture.

12. Using the Cheery Lynn Designs small exotic butterfly die cut with a

      metallic paper, cut a butterfly and if desired cut an Angle Wings liner

      for the butterfly.

13.  Place butterfly on stem. 

 

Memory Box and Spellbinders dies on the Classy Cards N Such website have many dies that will work wonderfully for this particular design.

Using Scrap Ribbon

 Hate to toss those short pieces of ribbon that

are left over after making bows?

Well how about using them on a card front.

Make your bows with the Bow Easy tool.

I love it because it is so easy to get both loops]

perfectly even.

You can find the Bow Easy at Classy Cards N Such.

Here is a very good picture tutorial on the use of the Bow Easy.

With Sympathy

 

A very simple card.

The lacy border is from an EK Success punch.

DCWV made the stack that the DP came from.

A Fancy Tag by Spellbinders frames the phrase.

Some pearls were added for a touch of elegance.

I have a pdf file available using this phrase.

It is ready to print using two columns.

Please click here and it should be available to you.

I would like some feedback on this as I can 

use Word documents or pdf files.

 

Simple Elegance

This is such a simple and yet elegant card.

I positioned a 4.25 x 5.50 inch piece of white

card stock in Spellbinders Framed Labels 18.

After running it through the Wizard it was

attached to a plain white card base.

The computer generated "with sympathy"

was cut with another Spellbinders die

and attached to the label part of the embossing.

Sympathy Cards

 The above card is on a Glimmer Mist base.

The dies cuts are Spellbinders dies.

The phrase is computer generated.

 The pink layer has been textured with an embossing folder.

The two die cuts are from Spellbinders.

I have no idea where I got this black and white paper.

The die cut is Spellbinders.

The pearl accents are from Viva Pearl Pen.

Watercolor Pressed Flower Stamping

 

A very very simple card.

The corners of the card base have been rounded.

An EK Success border punch was used for the

flourish border.

Now we are going to get to the fun part.

I used water soluble oil pastels by Portfolio

to color directly on my stamps.

Then the stamps were lightly misted with water.

I would recommend some experimentation on

scrap paper before you stamp on your "good" paper.

Sometimes I stamped on scrap paper, re-misted and 

then stamped on my good paper.

These Hero Arts flower stamps have been stamped 

on an decorative edged oval post-it note,

the oval was then mounted on a plain white card stock oval.

The leaves and baby's breathe images were separate stamps. 

I used the flat portion of a paper egg carton

glued to the back of the layered flower image

to create a 3-d look.

Basic Black

 These are three cards that a made a while back.

I love the elegance of the black and white or

black and cream.

 You can do a lot with layering and an embossing folders.

A little ribbon and some brads complete the look.

For My Mother

This design is now residing in my mother's room

at Heritage of Bridgeport nursing home.

The gingham flowers are so cheerful.

The gingham is an Impression Obsession stamp.

I went totally crazy the day that I got it and

just stamped lots of colors of gingham.  Just love it!

Gingham Butterfly

After running a piece of 4 x 5.25 inch white card stock

in an embossing folder

through my trusty die cut machine,

it was layered on a bright pink paper.

The butterflies were punched out of various

colors of gingham butterflies.

The butterflies are over Bosscut flourishes.

Shaping of the butterflies was done with

a large stylus.

The body of the butterflies was accented

with pearl white pearl pen.

Cream and Rust Sympathy

This card looks complicated, BUT when you deconstruct

and take it step by step it is simple.

A cream card base is the start.  

Now a cream 4 x 5.25 inch card stock

that is run through an embossing folder

and layered over a rust.  This was

trimmed to a narrow border using layering rulers.

The frame is from two Spellbinders dies.

I place both of these on the card stock at

the same time and tape into place with

low tack masking tape and after

cutting it is embossed using the rubber embossing mats.

The edges of the inside and outside have

been sponged with a rust ink.

On the back side I have created a 3-d

look using the cut up flat pieces of a paper egg carton.

This is then put over a piece of EK Success dp.

The phrase is stamped with VersaMark ink

and embossed with dark green embossing powder,

layered over rust and both have been cut with

Spellbinders Nesting ovals.

This is also raised for a 3-d look with

more flat pieces of paper egg cartons.

Shaped rust flowers and dark green leaves

from Punch Bunch are arranged on the

upper left and lower right corners of the frame.

See, it was easy.  Step by step and you have

a lovely elegant card.

Bronze butterflies are die cut using

Cheery Lynn Designs dies.