Merry Christmas 2012

I continued  my theme of red, cardinals and use of scraps with some of my personal cards.

This card started with a left over K&Company/E.K. Success holiday die-cut .... a round cut out featuring a cardinal on a spray of flowers with a simple but appropriate text. The only way to make this image stand out was to make it the central feature of a square card, so I did. I layered a piece of antique gold paper from The Paper Company on a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" white card over which I layered a piece of music sheet patterned paper from My Mind's Eye Signature Christmas pad. Using Spellbinders cricle dies I cut out the image and then cut out a piece of antique gold paper slightly larger to frame the image and centered them on the card. To add some depth I used a couple of 3D holy leaf stickers from K&Company/E.K. Success and then using a red Stickle from Ranger I highlighted the ribbon and some of the berries.

 

Merry Christmas.

Christmas left overs

Every year I use the Holiday season to go through my left overs from years past and see whether or not I get inspired and can do something with them. This year I got lucky.

I started with a small piece of Graphics 45; which I cut using a deckle edged scissor from Fiskars. To that I added a smaller piece foiled texted paper from Basic Grey. I  embellished the papers with a K&Company 3D glittered ornament sticker and a 3D Design Studio texted sticker.

Christmas Inspiration

Each year I'm flattered because I'm asked to post cards early for inspiration and as examples. Making cards is second nature to me and I'm only to happy to share my ideas. For each Holiday I try to pick several theme images and do several different cards using these images. For Christmas this year I wanted to use a lot of red: so I picked cardinals.

The  first card uses an old green rhinestone 3D frame and a very intricate 3D cardinal sticker with flowers and text. Just two stickers simply layered can look very beautiful.

The second card has several stickers and a simple strip of red paper layered together to create the final image. I started with the epoxy Christmas ornament sticker to which I added a second sprig of ivy at the top. I connected the ornament to the top of the card using a strip of red paper. Then I added a cardinal sticker over the top of all of them. The text is a gold sticker that I colored with a red marker.

The third card, like the second one, has several stickers and a simple strip of red paper layered together to create the final image and the basic design is the same as before as well. Start with a wreath and then use a strip of red paper to connect it to the top of the card.  To add to the 3D effect I added several small epoxy flower stickers to the wreath. I finished the design with another cardinal sticker and red colored text.

Simple is sometimes better and a bright splash of contrast can work wonder to draw the eye to the image ... which nature always provides perfect examples of, in this case: the cardinal!

Golden Wreath

While shopping I saw a beautiful card of a gold wreath ... for $8.00! I knew I could do something very similar for a whole lot less.

The card is a shimmering white paper from Bazzill Basics. The wreath is made up of three layers: The first layer is a circle made up of gold leaf sequins from Darice, the second layer is made up of gold foil paper from Hot off the Press that I punched with a pine branch hand punch from Mc Gill and the final layer are the golden faux gems stickers from Stampendous. I added a gold bow from Anna Griffin to complete the wreath and a gold text from Richard Marks to complete the card.

 

The papers, the bow, the faux gem stickers and the punch I already had. The sequins and the text sticker I had to buy. Even if I had to buy everything ... and yes that would have cost maybe more than the original card, I could make at least four (maybe even five) cards with the supplies. Plus I can also add "I made it myself!" and that's priceless.

Thanksgiving sunshine!

This year for Thanksgiving I decided to send out sunshine in the form of cards with sunflower images. Both cards were made with the same stickers: 3D vellum sunflowers from Jolee's Boutique/E.K. Success and glittered rub - on green flourishes from E.K. Success, what changes are the backgrounds.

 

The first card uses a simple dark brown panel cut out with a deckle edge scissor from Fiskars on a tan colored card. The second cards uses an embossed frame image from Tim Holtz/Sizzix in chocolate brown mounted with the center having been cut out using a Spellbinder oval die.on a simple white card.

Hopefully these will brighten the day of whoever receives them!