An envelope pocket

We recently went to an engagement party and as we had already sent a card when we first heard of the engagement, I just wanted to make a simple gift card to go with the present.  I thought an envelope pocket might be the thing, but after stuffing around with various ideas, stamps, inks and frames this turned out to be not so simple.  Firstly I wanted this shape and as I didn't have the dies my very clever hubby drew up the shape for me on computer, then drew a slightly larger size, and I used those shapes as my template. 

So really this card took about 4 hours to make, and then in the end I decided it wasn't "quite right" and made a completely different card instead.   And then forgot to take a photo.  And it was beautiful.  It had two lovely little owls sitting on a branch and their clothing was made using both sides of the shiny wrapping paper.  

I have a spare card now if you want to do something that needs congratulating. 

A collage type card

Now I really don't know what the correct name for these sorts of cards is - if anyone does, let me know.  I just called it collage because it has lots of different images stamped together.

I have always admired people who seem to be able to put random things together, in any form, and make it work.  So I tried to do that with this card.  It has images from a few different stamp sets all stamped in black, and then a few of them are popped up for dimension.  Was trying to achieve a vintagey type feeling with the shading, but I think it needs a little more.  

As I haven't actually stuck the top panel down yet onto the base card, I think this is one I will go back and have another try at. 

 

Another Great Year copy

I found this card by Alisa Tilsner  on Pinterest recently and liked it so much that I ended up having to buy the stamp to copy it.  I think it was the lovely bright colours that sold it for me. 

This is my version of her card.  I think I still prefer hers though.  Maybe it's the way the sentiment is popped up, maybe it's the colour of the yellow cardstock,  maybe it's the angle of her sentiment or maybe it's the bling.

It's not a card

No card today, but rather a tag.  I like to make everyone who orders something a little thank you tag, and these are my latest lot of tags.

I think that little rabbit from Baby We've Grown stamp set is so cute, so it was an easy choice for the stamp to pick.  And then as Rich Razzleberry cardstock has been a bit neglected lately it was chosen for the colour.

I was really happy with the way they turned out.  Don't you love it when something just works.    

Another card in a box

This is another card in a box made recently for a friend of my sister who is shortly to turn 60.  Not sure about you, but I don't really like putting ages on cards for people over about the age of 15, I guess it just makes me think how old we are all getting, so this box was filled with flowers instead.  The flowers are from Fabulous Florets and Morning Meadow stamp sets, and the colours used were Limeade, Wisteria, Calypso and Summer Sun.  Once again I have put in my three bars across the box cause I just think it fills the space up better. 

I shared these card in a boxes with everyone at the class a couple of weeks ago now and most of them have had a go at making their own creations.  If only I could get to see them all. 

Blast Off Birthday

This was another fun card to make - called a Crazy Pop Up Fold card and was our card for Jack's 7th birthday.  The idea came from Deb Valder and there is a video for you to watch if you are tempted to try it.  It's an easy one, so give it a go.  

The sentiment on the front acts as the clasp to keep the card closed, but then it folds out lengthways.  The papers are one my mother-in-law gave me a while ago - see I do get around to using things .... eventually.  

I heard Jack liked this one - after he worked out how to open and close it. 

Card in a box

If you are a frequent visitor to Pinterest then you would have seen many different variations of this type of "card" called a card in a box.  When posted or given it is a flat double thickness thing that opens out into a jack in the box type shape, and is meant to sit open somewhere for all to admire.  

This can be made in any size you want, but the size I prefer to use is with an A4 sheet of cardstock score on the long side at 2 3/4, 5 1/2, 8 1/4 and 11 inches then rotate and score at 2 3/4 and then the length you want.  It is best not to make it too long so all the pop ups are easier to see at eye level, probably no more than 4 inches but longer than the flap which is 2 3/4 inches.  If you want more instructions let me know, but I am sure you will be able to work it out or find a video somewhere.  There are strips across the inside of the box for the pop ups to attach to, most videos use 2 strips but I wanted mine a bit fuller so used 3.  

My sister asked me to make a couple of these to give her grandchildren and this one is obviously Jack's.  On the side of the box it says "I love you to the moon and back" but for some reason I didn't get a photo of this.  

This one is for her granddaughter and gives you a better idea of the inside of the box and it folded flat.  


 

They really are a lot of fun to make and can be used for any occasion.  Takes a bit of time, but well worth the effort. 

Last one - an envelope card

This is the final card from last Saturday - inspired by Leonie Schroder.   The Sweet Sorbet papers were teamed up with Petal Parade stamp set, both freebies from the Sale-a-bration catalogue, to make an envelope card.  This is one of the latest trends at the moment where the envelope becomes part of the card as the inside is stuck to the envelope.  

With 12 papers in the pack, 2 of each double sided design, and 11 people at the class, I knew it would be first in gets the best choice, so I deliberately made my sample card up using the paper I liked the least cause I thought others would feel the same.  Strangely though, I actually quite like this pattern now.  

 

All sealed up with it's belly band holding it together, this is probably best handed to someone rather than posted through the mail.  
 

All opened up and ready to write on.  

Once again I got distracted and didn't get around to taking photos with the other papers in the pack, but they all looked really good.  

 

Welcome baby card

Another one from our class last Saturday.  This card was a little trickier to make and probably took up the most time, but it's my favourite from the day.  A few people didn't really need a baby card so decided instead to change the sentiments and make it into an Easter card which worked equally well.  

Not sure if this is the way other people would make this card, but we lightly stuck the top white mat on to the base card and cut through the two layers with a circle framelit, then separated the layers and used a slightly larger circle framelit on the white layer outside the already cut circle so we had an even border.  Next the white layer was embossed with a ribbon secured around to the back.  The centre panel was made up with 2 layers of scalloped blue and also 2 layers of white (front and back).  A piece of fishing line was taped to the back before the centres were stuck together.  The fishing line was then secured to the blue card (making sure it won't show above the top) before the white embossed layer was stuck on. The centre piece spins around when the card is opened and closed.  

As I said, it was a little challenging but I think worth the effort.  I wish I had taken photos of the other cards made because different colour choices were made, and the Easter ones looked great too.  But, here are my two versions.  Don't you love that little ribbon.  That's what made me buy the stamp set, I really didn't want to, but just had to. 

Banner Blast card

Another card from Saturday was this banner card.

We used the Decorative Dots embossing folder again, but this time used the reverse side for the card.  I love that you can use both sides for a bit of variation.  A couple of banners were stamped and punched in Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabanna and Real Red, and then popped up on dimensions in an arc.  Add a bit of ribbon and one of the flowers from Petal Parade, and another easy one to make.  The hardest part was making sure that the ribbon went on before the mat was stuck down.  Yes, I always forget that bit.

No sentiment went on this one so it can be used for a any occasion.    

 

Cards from weekend class

Finally I am able to show you the cards we made this weekend at our latest get together.  It's hard trying to design cards for other people to make, trying to come up with a new layout or technique, and then agonising over whether it's too hard, too easy, too boring, will take too long to make or too, too, too...., but anyway, this is one of the cards we made on Saturday, one of the easier ones.  

I tried to use products from either the Occasions catalogue or Sale-a-bration products, and here is what resulted.  First off we used the Decorative Dots embossing folder.  This one is definitely a keeper, and hopefully it will return in the full catalogue in July.  The arrow is from the Petal Parade stamp set, also a Sale-a-bration giveaway.  

This colour scheme is more suited for men with Smoky Slate, Real Red and Black.   

                            

I seem to be on a colour theme this week with Wisteria Wonder.  It wasn't intentional at all, just worked out this way. 

This was the birthday card for my niece who recently celebrated her birthday. The stamp is from the new Occasions catalogue - Another Great Year - and the set also has a couple of other images with candles, cookies and cupcake.  

I've used the Sale-a-bration freebie Banner punch with some DSP as decoration around the edges and then stamped the sentiment twice, once on white and then again on Wisteria and embossed in white, just for a bit of contrast.      

 

And even a little banner border on the inside

An envelope opening card

Here's a card that is just that little bit different from normal.  Unfortunately it needs something to prop itself up on for display purposes.   

The top flap was made using the Framelits Label Collection - the shape can be seen much better in the 2nd picture.  I've used the paper piercing technique around the edges of the flap, and then covered most of it with the circle which doubles as the closure for the card.  

The stamps are from one of the Sale-a-bration freebies; Petal Parade.  I debated whether or not this was one I "needed", but am so glad I decided I did.

Welcome baby boy card

Continuing on with the baby cards which is my theme for this week, this one is for a little boy. 

I am trying to use up some of my patterned paper that has accumulated over the years, so this card is made using Basic Gray and Smoky Slate colours.  A few layers with paper piercing added and the boat image from Moving Forward stamp set. 

 

Welcome baby girl card

I have had a little bit of spare time lately and have been having fun creating a few different cards with inspiration from Pinterest.  This week I have been making baby cards, not for any specific reason but just because I can.  

This card uses a variety of different products; embossing folders, star die cuts, the old favourite Bliss stamp set and Hearts a Flutter framelits. 

Lots of layers, and lots of fun to make.