Masculine Card - Any Occasion

I started making cards because I couldn't find satisfactory all purpose masculine cards.  It was easy to find flowery images or childish drawings but no real "hard" line masculine themes.  Masculine themed cards, like any others, have rules that need to be observed and followed.  The most obvious two are: color and texture.

Dark color schemes and rough finishes are usually associated with a more masculine look.  To me the perfect combination is "wood" and I use a lot of wood patterned papers for background of masculine cards.  The perfect example is the card below that uses not only K&Company wood patterned paper for the background but also for the highlights.  

I started by stamping some animal images (North Woods) on some very light wood patterned paper in sepia ink, leaving space between them and then colored the images with pencils.  I mounted the stamped images on a strip of dark brown paper; which I trimmed just slightly larger then the stamped strip.  Next I covered a size A2 tan colored cad with a wood patterned paper that I also edged with dark brown ink.  I continued the overlay process by adding the strip of stamped images to the card.  Next I create two "boards" by cutting two strips of a darker wood patterned paper, edged them in dark brown ink and added them to the card.  To take the card one step further into the masculine realm, I added faux nail heads, small black stickers from Stampendous. 

The "boards" ends were cut using a craft knife and have straight edges but these could have been cut with a deckle patterned scissor or die for a rougher look.  What ever the occasion is, the text can be put on the boards.

Making things fit!

As I stated I have over the years used  mostly size A2 cards ( 5 1/2" x 4 1/4") versus the larger more common size A7 card ( 7" x 5"). Often pre-made products are too large for size A2 cards. and my solution is to cut then apart or down and re-assemble them to the size I need. Case in point, this prairie style sticker frame.

I wanted to use the die of the forest for my background ... but it seemed too small and lost. Framing it was the way to go and I had the perfect sticker frame for it, problem it was way too big. So I cut the frame apart and then re-assembled it to fit centrally on the card. Then to bring more emphasis on the die cut I cut up a large pre-made flower die cut and laid it out to add just enough color and curves around the the smaller rectangular die cut. I adhered the "forest" die to a sky background patterned paper as well as added a bear sticker. Layer upon layer was added to literally force the bear to the fore front. 

March 2018 Blog Illustration #1

After I posted my first "new" blog entry, I was asked to include more illustrations to clarify what I was discussing ... so I decided to start posting illustrations (cards) after the fact which will serve two purposes. The first is to as requested clarify the text and the second is to reiterate the contents and meaning of the text. I also have decided to select specific portions of the text to illustrate and repeat in hopes that this will  not only inform but also inspire. Most of my illustrations (cards) will be a combination of stickers and die cut pieces but the ideas work for all medias. So let's begin ... with this first card is to illustrate "composition".

First of all I look at each one of my cards as an individual painting and I treat as such. I also like to lay out my pieces before I actually finalize the card and adhere everything down. Using a size A2 card also provides me with a smaller "canvas" to cover.  So to begin I select an image and in this case I selected a 3D glittered sticker of a pitcher with flowers.  The colors on the image I selected being bright I wanted to soften them by providing a softer background. I started with a strip of texted paper on a green background card; which split the card and then added a white hand punched tag; which I centered on the overall card to re-establish a balance. 

Next I added the 3D glittered sticker of a pitcher with flowers. Off-setting an item is usually associated with a more modern style. Centering an item is usually associated with a more classical style and the image I was using was pretty bold and modern, so I opted for off-setting the sticker. When off-setting an item make sure the off-set is big enough to look like it was planned and part of the overall layout design rather than a misalignment or mistake. Looking at the layout so far, I realized that there was a rather long white "dead" space along the side of the card. To break this up I added a flower at the bottom and a text banner.

Composition is a way of controlling the viewers eyes around the canvas. In this case the weight of the 3D pitcher with flowers, pulls your eyes to the right, then the added flower at the bottom of the pitcher pull your eyes back over to the left, with the tag directly above pulling your eyes back up. 

Simple Basic Design Rules

2018 is a year of changes and new beginnings for me. One of those changes is to get back into using this blog to teach interested parties about card making by posting at least once a month some sort of information or card. This time I'll make the promise stick ... so let's start with some basic design rules.

Yes, just like every where else, there are rules to designing and they fall into three categories: composition, color and pattern. These items will help you in identifying or defining the style and the feeling you want to convey and create.

Composition:

Composition is the organization of your items within a set background area and is usually the first rule to be addressed.

• An even number of items will create a more symmetrical layout and this is usually associated with a more classical style. An odd number of items will create a looser layout and this is usually associated with a more modern style. The exception is a single item, which can cover both styles.
• Centering an item is usually associated with a more classical style. Off-setting an item is usually associated with a more modern style. When off-setting an item make sure the off-set is big enough to look like it was planned and part of the overall layout rather than like a misalignment or mistake.
• Size creates emphasis. One single large item with a number of smaller items around it makes the larger item take on more importance, whereas if all the items are the same size they all carry the same importance or non-importance.
• Busy backgrounds go better with single large items and bold text. Plain backgrounds go better with several items and smaller text.
• One of the old design adages is “less is more”. Keep that in mind when laying out your work … it is easier to add something than to remove something.

Color:

• Soft monochromatic schemes and pastel color schemes are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look. Dark monochromatic schemes and bright color schemes are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look. Either can be used for children.
• Black and white color schemes (but especially photographs) will look classy and timeless. These can be further enhanced by coloring just a single item within the back and white photograph.
• Sepia color schemes will make just about anything look antiqued, dated and old. The same goes for irregular edges, which when darkened make the item look antiqued.
• Darker backgrounds will make the images appear smaller, while lighter backgrounds will make the images appear larger.
• Larger and darker colored items not only appear closer but also give them a sense of importance or dominance. Smaller and lighter colored items not only appear farther but also give them a look of being faded.

Patterns:

Patterns can be mixed and the standard rule to mix and match patterns is to mix an organic pattern with a geometric pattern of the same color schemes with one being a larger pattern than the other. If the patterns are both the same size they tend to visually fight for dominance and the effect of mix and match is lost. Pattern mix and match also follows all the rules of color noted above.

• Curvaceous, highly detailed and ornate designs are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look. Straight lines, non detailed and simple designs are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.
• Soft materials, such as linens, ribbons etc, are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look. Hard materials, such as wood, metal, etc, are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.
• Organic backgrounds are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look; however trees, leaves and rocks are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look. Geometric backgrounds are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look, with the exceptions of stripes that can go either way. However again, slim and soft colored stripes are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look while wide and bold colored stripes are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look. Dots and circles are usually associated with a more playful style and with children.
• Soft colored patterned backgrounds are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look. Bold colored patterned backgrounds are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.
• Round or oval frames are usually associated with a more classical or feminine look while square or rectangular frames are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.
• Several layers of framing can accentuate an item and usually works better when a single large item is featured.
• Partial corner frames are usually associated with a more modern or masculine look.

These simple basic rules are important in establishing an overall design concept, but are by no mean set in stone. Remember rules are meant to be broken and as such they can be mixed and matched to suit your needs or to express your personal design philosophy.

But most of all remember that making cards should be fun and relaxing and not become a stressful challenge! Also remember that rules are meant to be broken, so enjoy yourselves and create!

Wallet (money holder) cards!

Although everyone enjoys receiving money, checks or gift cards, the store offered money enclosure cards leaves a lot to be desired. To address this a few years ago I created my own wallet (money holder) cards.  These can be made for men, women and kids depending on the papers, embellishments and color schemes used.  The technique is fairly simple and the best template is your own wallet (or someone’s close to you).  Here are examples of a man's and woman's wallet.

Man’s style wallet card:

For the exterior I started with a simple bi-fold black 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card. I embossed two pieces of black paper with an alligator print pattern, cut them to size and adhered them to exterior of card. Next I cut out a ½” x 1” piece of gold paper, attached it to lower right corner of the front panel and added small sticker letters to create the recipient’s initials.

For the inside of the wallet cut a 2 ½” x 7 ½” piece of black paper, fold it up lengthwise ½” from the bottom and attach it across the top of the card (about two and half inches down) to create a money pocket. Next, cut out two more panels from black paper 3 ½” x 4” each. Turn one into a “driver’s license” holder by cutting it out to create a frame to hold a piece of white paper for the message. Cut out a slit 1/8” x 2 ½” about halfway down in the second panel to create a gift card holder. Attach both panels to the inside of the wallet covering the lower portion of the money pocket. Another little gold tag can be added for more initials.

Woman’s style wallet card:

For the exterior I started with a tri-fold 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card made from embossed football pattern 12” x 12” paper. Cut back the top layer to 1 ½” to create the top flap of the wallet. For this wallet I edged the top flap with a die-cut border that I mounted on gold paper first and then cut out.  Women like "bling" so I added four rhinestones. To keep the wallet closed use two small pieces of Velcro.

For the inside of the wallet create two pockets from strips of paper for the money and gift card pockets: the money pocket is a 2 ½” x 7 ½” piece paper, folded up lengthwise ½” from the bottom, while the gift card pocket is a 1 ½” x 4 ½” piece paper also folded up lengthwise ½” from the bottom. These are attached to the center portion of the wallet. On the lower portion create a “driver’s license” holder section lined with white paper for the message.

Both these cards will hold standard US currency, standard personal checks and standard sized gift cards.  Although there is a lot of layout and cutting involved, the end results are well worth it.  These are, of course, just two possibilities, I am sure you can all come up with your own ideas and designs. Think of all the fun you can have for kids! The nice thing about these wallet cards is they can be “re-gifted” by simply taking out the white inset on the inside of the card and replacing it with a new one (as well as the money, check or gift card of course!). 

Mirror Stamping.

A number of people have asked me about the articles I wrote over the years ... especially those about stamping techniques. I decided to repeat some here on my blog. The technique/article I want to start with is the one on "mirror' stamping.

Like the name implies, the idea is to create the illusion that the image is “mirrored” or “reflected”. The important part to the technique is to remember that when objects are “mirrored” or “reflected” they appear reversed, upside down and lighter. Although it sounds complicated it’s very do-able with the right tools and all you need is a sheet of rubber available at most home improvement store’s plumbing department. Actually you can also purchase a rubber stamp with no image that is used for this purpose; however, I found the size and the cost prohibitive. I would also recommend using a stamp positioning tool (I use a Stamp-a-ma-jig) unless you feel confident enough with your visual alignment skills.  To demonstrate the technique I chose two simple cards: one with a single mirrored image and a second with two mirrored images. There are, of course, many more ways to use this technique.

Lighthouse Card (single mirrored image)

Step 1: Lay the rubber pad down flat on your work surface and stamp the lighthouse (Inkadinkado) in grey ink aligning the bottom of the stamp with the bottom of the rubber pad.  I used grey to keep the mirrored lighthouse lighter than the direct stamped lighthouse.

Step 2: Lay the background paper over the stamped lighthouse face down (making sure that there is enough room for the rest of the stamping) and rub the back of the paper to transfer the inked lighthouse.  Peal back the paper carefully so as not to smear the ink, set it aside and let the ink dry completely before continuing.

Step 3: While the ink is drying clean the rubber pad with soap and water or with the same product you use to clean your rubber stamps.

Step 4: When the ink is dry, turn the paper around so that the stamped lighthouse is upside down and using a position tool direct stamp the lighthouse in black ink slightly overlapping the bottom edges and again set aside and let the ink dry.

Step 5: When the ink has dried, color the design.

To finish the lighthouse card, I trimmed the stamped panel so that the water line is centered on the card; I then edged the stamped panel with light blue ink and mounted the finished panel on a dark blue paper; which I trimmed 1/8” larger than the stamped panel and mounted them on a white card.  The text I used is a sticker, but obviously a stamped text can be used as well. 

Deer at Rest Card (double mirrored image)

Step 1: Lay the rubber pad down flat on your work surface and stamp the deer (Stampin’ Up!) with brown ink on the rubber pad aligning the bottom of the stamp with the bottom of the rubber pad.

Step 2: Lay the background paper over the stamped deer face down (making sure that there is enough room for the rest of the stamping) and rub the back of the paper to transfer the inked lighthouse.  Peal back the paper carefully so as not to smear the ink, set it aside and let the ink dry completely before continuing.

Step 3: While the ink is drying clean the rubber pad with soap and water or with the same product you use to clean your rubber stamps.

Step 4: Lay the background paper face up on your work surface (the deer should be upside down) and lightly draw a pencil line extending to the left from the bottom of the deer image (which is now the top).  Make a small pencil mark above the pencil line marking where the deer image ends on the left side.

Step 5: Place the tree image (Stampin’ Up!) stamp face up on your work surface and align one edge of the rubber pad along the stamp’s edge and mark the length of the image with two pencil marks.  Transfer/extend the marks so that they are visible on the back side of the rubber pad.

Step 6: Lay the rubber pad down flat on your work surface with the marked edge on the bottom and stamp the tree image in brown ink between the pencil marks along the edge of the rubber pad.

Step 7: Carefully rotate the rubber pad and align the edge of the stamped portion of the rubber mat to the underside of the line you drew and aligning the right pencil mark on the back of the rubber pad to the left one at the end of the deer, lay down the rubber pad and rub the back to transfer the image to the paper.  If everything worked out you should have a continuous image.

Step 8: When the ink is dry, turn the paper around so that the stamped deer and tree is upside down and using a position tool direct stamp the deer and tree in brown ink slightly overlapping the bottom edges and again set aside and let the ink dry.

Step 9: When the ink has dried, color the design.

To finish the deer card, I trimmed the stamped panel so that the water line is centered on the card; I then edged the stamped panel with brown ink and mounted the panel on a white card.

Regal Deer

The second masculine themed card for the New Year is actually one I made a while ago and uses a couple of several different media. Mixing media is something I enjoy ... or maybe it's just that a card does not seem finished to me unless it has at least one sticker on it. 

I started by making a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" card from chocolate brown paper. Next I stamped a deer image and tree from Stampin' Up! in dark brown ink (Staz-on) on a piece of wood grained patterned paper (K & Company/E.K. Success. After the stamped image dried, I cut the stamped paper down to a 5" x 5" square; which I added to the center of the card. Next I edged the stamped panel with a leafy laser cut sticker border (Mrs. Grossman's) and then edged the panel again with a mirrored copper colored line sticker (Mrs. Grossman's).

This image looks very regal, majestic but mostly masculine and is suitable to be used for a number of occasions.

2017 New Year Resolution

Once again it's time to start a New Year ... and with fewer distractions calling on me, it will be my year to concentrate on my blog an my Face Book page! I will try to continue my masculine themed cards but also want to intermingle feminine and children themed cards. Okay, so enough chit chat and let's get started. The card I will begin 2017 with is a multi layer masculine card.

The card uses a number of items that re-enforces the masculine theme, from the blue monochromatic color scheme, the wood patterned paper, the wood plank look with nail heads and image. I started by adhering a piece of white wood grain patterned paper (My Mind's Eye) on a piece of card stock to make a more rigid background. Next I stamped a seascape with a lighthouse (Inkadinkado) in a dark blue ink (Staz-on) on background. Before using a ruler and craft knife to cut the stamped image into strips of various width, I lightly colored the image with pencils. Then using a deckle edge scissor (Fiskar) I trimmed each strip to a different length. I edged each piece with the same dark blue ink and added a small sticker (Stampendous) in black in each corner to simulate nail heads. I adhered the stamped panels with raised adhesive dots on a blue background card (Die Cut with a View) across which I ran horizontal stripe made with blue tape (Washi). I edged the card with more dark blue ink. The text is computer generated and could reflect numerous occasions or themes. 

That's it for the first 2017 blog!

Steampunk type masculine cards.

These three cards use steampunk jewelry ... nothing new for me, I did feminine cards a few years ago using jewelry.

The first card can be used for any "love" related occasions because it holds the key to one's heart. I started with a simple size A2 card and then ran some wood patterned tape edged with copper tape. The image was stamped in sepia ink and then colored with  metallic water color. The key was silver and I colored it with permanent dark brown ink and it was surrounded by gold color rhinestones.

The second card started with an embossed clock pattern on silver paper with a stamped clock panel added at the bottom. At the top I added a sticker tag with a sticker text. The watches are again from the steampunk jewelry counter ... I added a silver chain sticker to each and the some black rhinestones.

The third card is just a fun nautical themed car starting with a white A2 card covered with a wood patterned paper. Next I create a "pirates" map by stamping a nautical image of a ship and compass; which I over stamped with a distress pattern before I embossed it with a world map image. To finish my pirate map I die cut the stamped panel with a parchment die, edged the entire panel with black ink. To finish the card I added a anchor with chain also from the steampunk jewelry aisle- note that the chain is only fastened at either end to allow some movement. Finally I added half pearl rhinestones to simulate bubbles. 

There you have my version of "steampunk" masculine cards.

Father's Day

With Father's Day rapidly approaching masculine cards are always in demand, especially ones that show a father's relationship to his family/children. This year I decided to stick to a favorite subject of mine: scenery cards.

The first card is a landscape with deer made with nothing but die cut images: from the backgrounds trees, to the rolling hills, to the birch trees and even the deer family.

The second card is a landscape with a colorful pheasant taking flight made with nothing but stickers. The twist is that the scenery is seen through an opening in an embossed tree design with the pheasant overlapping the connection.

As always, these are simple easy cards to make because you don't want to be making cards when you can be spending time with dad!

Easter 2016

I wanted to make a really special card for some one very special - hope it worked!

I started be making a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" white card for the background. I then cut a piece of 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" piece of white paper; which I mounted on a piece of mirrored gold paper and trimmed. I added a piece of patterned paper to the center of the card. Before I attached the panel to the card I cut a 4" circle using a Spellbinder die. Next I cut a ring from  more mirrored paper (again using Spellbinder dies) and attached to the front of the panel. The card front is raised from the background to allow the 3D flowered rabbit and egg to be flush with the card front. Next I added the 3D lilac branches overlapping the one edge of the opening. Finally I added a gold text to the background. 

Happy Easter to every one!

Old and New flowered card!

Over the years I've collected a lot of products, especially since when I like something I tend to buy extra for the future knowing that most companies quickly discontinue or retire lines. What is really nice is when old products can be matched to new products. I recently found some great 3D glittered flower stickers that reminded me of an old line of papers and coordinating stickers from around 10 years ago. Since I had the old, I had to buy the new and here's what I came up with.

The background paper is a wonderful old embossed paper in pastel colors from K&Company (I believe it dates from before K&Company merged with E.K Success. The 12" x 12" paper actually highlighted various different spring flowers with some geometric patterns intertwined and luckily I had saved the portion with the daffodils. The 3D stickers are from a new collection from Michael's Recollections. To combine the two, I started with a size A2 white card to which I added a piece of orange paper and then a piece of the embossed daffodil paper. To this I added the 3D glittered daffodil sticker. As always I cut apart the larger sticker and re-assembled it better fit the card and the background. Before doing the final adhering, I placed a gold edged sticker tag from Martha Stewart to hold text (which will be selected and added in the future). 

Something different for Easter

I had gotten a die for birch tree before Christmas having some great ideas for Christmas cards and then ended up not using it. Instead I decided to use it to create a background for a couple of Easter cards.

For the first card I used a Basic Grey patterned paper for the birch trees which I mounted on a simple blue background. I colored in some of the details on the trees with a brown pencil to add depth. I added a K&Company dove sticker to which I added a small branch. Perfect representation of Easter. 

For the second card I used a different patterned paper and again colored in some of the details but this time using a grey pencil. For the background I used a beautiful sky design from Cosmo Cricket called Chicken Little. The look was very spiritual, so I added a glittered Peace sticker text from K&Company.

I will be using this die again ... but I'm thinking that can make it more adaptable by cutting out some of the center trees next time I do.

Multi Layered Die Cut Christmas Card

I have been wanting to really go crazy with some of my dies but had not found the right reason ... and then came Christmas. I love using deer in my Christmas cards (remember last year silver and gold glittered dies or the sticker deer card), so this year I decided to just use layer upon layer of die cut images to create a Christmas nature scene and here it is.

This is how the card came together. Starting with a square white piece of paper out of which I die cut a circular opening in the center. Next I used a Swiss dot embossing folder on the paper to create the illusion of falling snow. I then layered a deer die-cut from Memory Box and a birch tree die-cut from Impression Obsessions.  I used 1/8" thick raised adhesive squares for the deer, trees and snow bank (cut free handed from another piece of white paper). I added the embossed paper using 1/4" raised adhesive squares to create the snowy background. Next I made a circular frame using two circle dies from Spellbinders. Merry Christmas!

Mrs. Grossman's Altered Christmas Sticker Cards

As every one knows by now, my favorite stickers are usually from Mrs. Grossman's and I especially love the laser cut ones. Unfortunately the colors they come in doesn't always match my idea ... so I color the stickers and voila ... a new look!

Holy Family:

The sticker comes bright red and quite frankly that didn't suit my idea of an appropriate color for the holy family. So I colored the entire sticker with a black marker and then layered the sticker on white paper, then black and finally mounted the whole panel on a white card. To add just enough sparkle I added a gold star sticker.

The Skaters:

This sticker comes in bright green (the remnants of the original color can be seen in the skaters and the trees) but again, it wasn't right for me. So I colored the edges of the ornament in gold and the sky and ice in silver. I added holy stickers and text to accentuate the green and then framed the whole image with gold lines.

Woodland Christmas;

I went to town altering this sticker! I started by coloring the entire bright red sticker with a gold marker. Then I added the gold sticker to a white piece of paper, down cut it to size and edged the smaller panel with gold lines. Next I took white snow flake stickers and colored them gold as well. I mounted the square panel to a glittering white card using raised adhesive dots. Then I added the gold colored snowflakes to the background. Next I added the red hearts and the gold mirrored dove to the center panel. To finish the card I added the gold text.

All the added stickers are, of course, from Mrs. Grossman's.

Thanksgiving 2015

Before I could start my Thanksgiving cards someone posted some beautiful photographs from their drive along a fall forest filled with fiery colors and bright sunshine. I decided that I would try to recreate the effect for one of my cards ... and here it is.

To create the idea of the great outdoors I started with a light tan card covered with a panel of wooden patterned paper (My Mind's Eye) which I edged the panel with both brown and black ink before before attaching it to the card. by stamping a waterfall image (Inkadinkado) in black ink on white paper which I colored using a combination of regular water colors and metallic water colors. I die cut the stamped image using a deckled oval theme (Spellbinders) and then edged the panel with more black ink to emphasize the colors and b rightness within. I attache the stamped panel to the card. To completed the fiery fall look I added some gold rub-on vines (Little Bit) and some glittered 3D leaf stickers (Paper House). Thank you Mother Nature for your daily beauty and inspiration.

Halloween 2015

This year for Halloween I wanted to use a haunted tree image (the scariest part of the original Disney Snow White movie) so here we go again, same theme 3 media! 

Card #1 - Stamped

Bees Wax sun with cloud and Inkadinkado/EK Success tree stamps in black ink on good old Basic Grey paper, edged with black ink and Tim Holtz background on the bottom. I colored the moon using white water color and the eyes using yellow with silver faux gems. 

Card #2 - Rub-ons

American Tradition glittered Halloween tree with moon rub-on blue painted weathered paper (my favorite patterned paper of late) die cut with the Sizzix (now retired) parchment die and then edged with black ink. The text is computer generated.

Card #3 - Embossed

Using a Tim Holtz embossing folder I dry embossed a piece of back paper; which I then highlighted using a white ink pad. Cut out the embossed panel, mounted that on a piece of white paper, more cutting and then mounted on a black card. As a final touch I added a 3D glittered white pumpkin from Jolee's Boutique/EK Success.

These are all easy and quick because who wants to waste time making cards when there's candy to eat!

Happy 1st Day of Autumn

Here's a simple card I made to celebrate the first day of Autumn. OK so it's a flower card maybe not the most masculine card I could have made (not everyone is perfect) but it has many masculine touches.

I started with the color selections; I wanted to really highlight the colors in the 3D glittered sticker from Recollections/Michael's flowers. I chose an ivory and orange (bold and somewhat masculine). Although it's hard to see in this scan, there are subtle touches of gold glitter on the flowers, so gold became my highlight colors as well. The die cut frame (Spellbinders Fleur de Lys) is edged with gold ink and the orange panel is framed with a thin gold line sticker from Mrs. Grossman. I also added a couple of gold sticker flourishes around the flower to balance the overall center of the card.

I for one am looking forward to the cooler weather and the fiery colors Autumn brings!

Thanksgiving Inspiration

I try to challenge myself by selecting one single appropriate image for each Holiday and then making the most out of it by reproducing it with stickers, stamps and die cuts. This year my Thanksgiving inspiration was a shaft of wheat. Here are my three versions (as published in the November/December 2015 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts magazine).

The first card was made using a 3D sticker.

The second card was made using a stamp.

The third card was made using a die.

These are simple cards to  make ... they need to be with the Holidays being busy already without having to spend hours making cards to go along with them!

Layered Masculine Card

I enjoy using 3D stickers on my cards ... but I also enjoy creating my own 3D images using stamps. Case in point my square deer card.

I started by stamping a deer image with trees from Serendipity Stamps twice in brown ink on Cosmo Cricket Chicken Little patterned paper (to me it's the best sky background). I color both image with pencil and then cut out one of the deer images and one of the trees. The second one is cut into a 4"x4" square panel on which I add the cut out images with thin raised adhesive dots. This panel I add to a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square chocolate brown card. Next I cut a square frame using Spellbinders dies to match the exterior size of my stamped panel from a light brown piece of paper; which I them add to the card using raised adhesive dots.