Elegant Card with Tonic Studios Verso Dies

Elegant Card with Tonic Studios Verso Dies

Hi everyone!

Today's card features a Verso die set from Tonic Studios.  This is an old set.  I love Tonic Studios dies.  They really think through the process when creating their sets and usually the number of dies in a set is fabulous and includes mats which makes card creating easy.

This die set features some lovely filagree with tiny hearts.

I started with a standard A2 card base made with ivory cardstock. I normally use white cardstock but this die set felt old fashioned, so I opted for ivory instead. There are no layers in this card. I wanted the die cuts to stand out.

I used the two outer dies to cut some purple/pink mirror card. The inner die cut is of gold mirror card. The center die cut is from the same purple/pink mirror card.

I added a dark brown ribbon across the center of my card and layered everything else on top.

I added some brown and white pearls to decorate and a single blinged out flower for the center.

I haven't put on a sentiment, leaving that for when I send this card.

Thanks for stopping by,

Lis

 

Four Panel Screen Card Asian Theme

Hi and welcome!  I call today's card a four panel screen card.  it's got four panels and reminds me of one of those separator screens that one sometimes uses in a room (or even one of those Victorian ones that the woman stands behind and undresses in the movies).  Anyway, I found a great way to create these cards EASILY from my Stampin Up Demonstrator France Martin.  Thank you Frenchie!

This is the front of my card.  I started with an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock.  I made a score line horizontally at 2 3/4, 5 1/2 and 8 1/4.  These will be the fold lines.  Since the panels are rectangles, it's easy to measure and then cut the pieces to decorate. 

The bottom is done with a punch!

 

 

This is the inside of my card. I used a Frantic Stamper word die and dazzles to decorate.  The paper I used was Yuzen Washi paper.

I also punched a design at the top of my panel card (Martha Stewart border punch).  It would be easy to use a steel rule die such as one of the Tim Holtz On the Edge dies.  Since its a steel rule die, just fold the entire card up and cut all at once.

 

Have fun!  These cards are truly addicting to make!

 

Lis

 

Handmade Beauty

Today's card uses a handmade piece of paper that was a gift from my older sister. I made two of the same card and sent one to her.  I love the large flowers and the overall mauve and blue colors outlined in gold.

I didn't want to add too much embellishments because I didn't want to cover up my handmade paper. So, I opted for a couple large paper flowers and some embossed ribbon I had lying around.

Below is a great picture of the embossed ribbon.  This is a metallic wrapping ribbon I bought.  It was nothing expensive or exotic.  In fact, this ribbon is over 15 years old!  Try embossing folders on your ribbons.  You will be surprised how well the ribbon takes embossing and how pretty the results are!  I am sure that you have a Christmas ribbons stash!

The two thin gold lines (one on either side of the ribbon) are actually washi tape.  It's new from Little B Decorative Tapes.  They are FOILED and quite beautiful.  If you buy the thin ones, you get two rolls. And that's a lot.  The one I used on my card is called Gold Grosgrain.

Have fun!
Lis
 

Blue Flower on White

Hi all!  I SO love white on white (or ivory on ivory) cards.  For they are so elegant.  Can you guess what today's card is?  You are RIGHT!  It's a white on white (almost) card!

 

 

For my card I used white card stock.  I used an embossing folder (Hot off the Press) for the front of my card base (no mat here).  Then I cut out the center pieces again using white card. 

 

The dies  used are called "anja's" designs. The company is Marianne Creatables Dies.  I have really fallen in love with these Anja designs.  They are so ornate and awfully pretty!

 

All I did was layer both pieces (these come as a pair) with mounting tape and add to my card.  The larger piece is also embossed. 

 

I added a strip of gold (Dazzles) to each side of my card and added the flower to the center. 

 

There aren't many layers to this card but the die cuts are so ornate that I don't think I need to add anything else. What do you think?

 

Lis

 

Elegant Blue Valentine

Elegant Blue Valentine (February Challenge)

by Lis Whiting

I've been using a lot of suede paper in my work lately.  Today's challenge card uses a royal blue suede paper and gold accents for a dramatic and elegant card.

I started with my base card which was white card stock. I thought this would really show off the blue suede paper.  Since I am working with an A2 card, I cut my suede paper to 4 inches x 4 3/4 inches. Then I used the Dazzling Diamond Border die from Frantic Stamper to die cut the border design at the bottom.  Then I used another die (also Frantic Stamper) to cut the window.  I really love this die!  I don't have to worry about making sure everything is straight because this one die cuts out all four windows with no problem! 

First, I turned over my blue suede paper and used Red Line Tape in 1/8 inch thickness (it fits perfectly between the window panes) to adhere a 3 inch x 3 inch piece of transparency to the back of the suede.

I used Bo Bunny and Carta Bella papers and punched 1 inch pieces (four) that I then glued to the back of the transparency - the pieces show through the front window. (I used the red line tape again). 

I attached the blue suede paper to my card and embellished with gold Dazzles stickers and a fleur de lis punch in gold foil.

---

Products used:

• Frantic Stamper Dies
• Dazzling Diamond Border
• Precision Die - Series 1 (1 inch base) Four Up Square
• Martha Stewart Medium Punch Fleur de Lis
• SEI Suede Paper Ocean Blue
• Hot off the Press Dazzles Lacy Borders - Gold
• Bo Bunny Love Letters
  
• Carta Bella Beautiful Moments

Embossing Techniques

Once I figured out how to heat emboss successfully (I took a class), I really loved it!  My article today is where I started looking at the world through powdery eyes!

I am going to show several projects, each with a different "outside the box" technique.  I now label my particular brand of embossing as "freeform embossing" and that means anything goes! (Note: For all embossing I used Versamark)

1. Gilded

The main punch to this card is the background.  It is gold embossed onto black linen card stock and matted onto gold foil paper which is layered onto a black A2 card base.

The Embossing:

• Background: 
• I took my versamark pad and swiped the edge of it at an angle across my card stock (5 x 3 3/4 inches).  I used fine gold embossing powder and heated with a heat gun.
• Flowers:
• I took paper flowers and dabbed each one against the versamark pad.  (I rolled the tulips on their sides on the pad also.) I then held the flower by its wire stem and dipped it into the gold embossing powder.  I heat embossed all fowers one at a time so that I could carefully monitor each flower to assure it didn't burn.  There was no problem at all.  I would be very careful about trying this with fabric flowers as the fabric may have a lower melting temperature if the fabric is faux.
• Cameo:
• I was going to emboss the cameo a little to enhance the face.  I decided not to.  If I had I would have dabbed the cameo onto the pad and used a paint brush with some versamark ink on it to add some highlights to the edges.

2. For Thought

There are actually two kinds of embossing here. 

• The Background:
• I did not use any stencils on this card.  I did use bubblewrap (BW).  I folded it up into a square, dabbed the versamark on one side and used the BW like a stamp.  I added gold embossing powder and heat embossed. It worked very nicely.  Remember that BW comes in different sizes.

• The Hours:
• If you look at the queen above, she is gazing at a white metal flower inside a cicrle of roman numerals.  The numerals are embossed with clear embossing powder.
• I think sometimes this method can be a little forgotten.  I know I do because I like to use gold so much.
• The trick to embossing with clear embossing powder is using colored ink that will not dry too quickly.  Distress ink is really good for this,  especially now that they have some really vivid colors added to the line.
• Stamp your image onto your paper with colored ink.  Cover with clear embossing powder and heat emboss.  What always thrills me is when the clear embossing powder starts to melt and reveals the beautiful color underneath!

3. Muse

There are technically two kinds of embossing in this card: dry embossing (the yellow background) and the gold lines on the tag (heat embossing). 

My experiment:

I used a piece of card stock (white) and covered that with CROCO in Copper.  This paint works similarly to the Crackle paint that Range sells.  I happened to want to try this brand out so I used it on this project.  I helped out the cracking with my heat gun.  Once dry, I took a Versamark pen and started tracing the cracks.  I added gold embossing powder.  I was able to brush away the excess powder (there was a lot) using a foam brush.  The powder that remained was in the cracks.  I heat embossed the powder until it melted.

Things to remember: The embossing powder was a little thicker in this porject and took longer to melt so I had to be really careful with the crackle paint beneath.  I did end up with a couple of bubbles which I thought added to my piece.

I started with an A2 sized piece of card stock. Once everything was dry, I cut out my tag choosing the section that most appealed to me.

4. Miss You

My last card uses nature as the tool to create some beautiful textures and images on my card.  I went outside and pulled off a couple leaves (one large and one small-I didn't use the small one on this project but you can see the other card I made using the small leaf on my blog: www.madeforpaper.blogspot.com). I also decided to use a piece of branch from a tree (The image is in silver below).

I used my VersaMark pad and did some test embossing first to decide which side of the leaf I wanted to use to get the best image.  I used the back side.  Then I coated the back of the leaf with VersaMark ink and pressed it gently onto my paper.  I learned that if I press with my fingers I get a fingerprint image also.  I tried a papertowel folded up which worked well.  I was worried about getting the ink on my fingers (you know what happens when you then handle the paper) so I was very careful - but in the end I had to use my hands.

Close Up!

I started by applying the fir tree image across the bottom of my paper and then embossing in silver.  Then I embossed my leaves in gold.  The gold is overembossed (my term) onto the silver.

Here is another good look at the leaves. Didn't they turn out good? (Although I wish that I could have gotten more veining to come through. Next time I will choose a more veined leaf.)

I hope that you enjoyed our little journey through some embossing techniques and that you will try some of these in your art!

Lis



Romance Heart Card

Purple Suede Heart Card
by Lis Whiting

I've had some gorgeous purple suede paper for a month or so thinking of what I wanted to do with it.  I have made a few cards and here is my first one!
Suede paper is a specialty paper.  It has a pile, or fuzzy texture.  The backing is like paper although that doesn't adequately describe it.  Suede paper is very rich looking and very touchable.
Suede paper can be cut, punched (not too detailed), die cut, embossed, painted on - pretty much anything goes.

I started with a piece of suede paper about 5 x 5 inches.  I carefully folded it in half - with the back side showing and without creasing it.  I drew a half heart on the back side and then cut it out.  I chose a swirl embossing folder and embossed the front of the suede paper heart. (Suede paper takes embossing really well.)  I took red liner tape and lined the back side and added the folded ribbon - half pink, half white. ( The ruffled trim I used was some that I have had for a while.  Maya Road also has pleated trim that can be used for this project. 

I chose two beautiful papers from Bo Bunny's Isabella Collection (lots of pinks and greys - just gorgeous) and matted them together. I added a dark purple cardstock behind them. I thought the card front still needed something so I took some music patterned paper and tore a piece. I glued it across my card front.
I mounted the heart with mounting tape after I added the crystal swirls.  I attached two purple paper roses with glue dots.

I hope you enjoyed this very romantic and fancy card.  Thanks for stopping by.

Two Roses Card

Two Roses Card

by Lis Whiting

I love the way this Vertical Rose stamp (from Fran's own line!) turned out.  It was such a beautiful stamp I didn't want to distract from it with too much other stuff. So, I started with an ivory card base, an embossed ivory mat and my roses stamp.  After coloring I cut away the white background within the stamp which left the roses, leaves and border (don't you just love that border?). I used an xacto knife and took my time. 

I decided to add just a bit of bling at the bottom. It looks a bit likes draping, don't you think?

This could be a birthday card or any note card that one would send to friend or family.

Three Gems Card

Hi everyone!  The card  today is one I made on the fly.  I wanted to use some of my handmade papers so I got one out. Unfortunately it wasn't wide enough.  So I designed the card to fit the paper.  The card actually opens where the fringed ribbon starts.

The card is fairly simple with strips of different items making up the design: (from left to right)

• pink suede paper
• punched design ivory pearl paper
• fringed ribbon

Close Up!

Here is a close up of the three gem embellishments that I added (misc from Michaels).

 Here's a better (aka clearer) picture of the card and the borders I made for the main focal point.  The card base is made from my new favorite cardstock...Canyon Brown Classic Linen by Neenah (the Paper Mill).  Love it!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lis

Birthday Card

Hi everyone!  I was working LATE last night - I put in about 16 hours working on some things to resolve problems.  Boy I'm tired!  But its well worth it!

Today's card is one that I made for my boss' birthday.  I wanted to make her a card that had a flower cluster (my first one!).  I got the idea from PopsCards. I found her cards to be really great.  I found out from her where she got her paper flowers because I loved the heather she used in her sprays.  Believe it or not I went online and ordered some for myself too - straight from ENGLAND!!  (Ive had the flowers for a while , while I figured out how I wanted to use them.) Do you think I was a little too focused? Of course not! LOL 

Anyway, here is the result.  I really worked hard on this first card because it was going to someone special (my boss is a great lady.  very knowledgeable and supportive).

Close Up!
Here is a clsoe up of the spray itself.  All are handmade paper flowers.  I cut the middle out of the center flower and replaced with a lilac glass pearl.  I edged the large rose with clear glitter.  Everything was attached using a hot glue gun. (the leaves are actually those that are used by Wilton in decorating cakes)

Here is a look at the heather. I used German gold foil beneath.

I used two different embossing folders in this.  The green card stock is Bazzill Bling.

Hope you liked my card!

Lis

Pink Bow Ties

I participated in a challenge to create a pink and brown card.  I really like this color combination so I wanted to create anther card and here it is.

I had fun adding the decorations of pearls and gems to my card when I was finished with the main design.  (I have to admit that it makes it easy when they come in a sheet with many sizes!)

Close Up!

Here is a closer view of the decorations.

Thanks for stopping by!
Lis

Just a Note Card

I really love the way this card came out.  I used a Spellbinder die and also a Sizzix Sizzlets strip die for the cherry blossoms and branches.  The pink ladies are die cut from pink suede.

Close Up!

I really struggled with whether to use pearls or pink gems on the flowers. I finally decided one pink gem.  I didn't want to draw attention away from the main part of the card.

I used Dazzles for the sentiment and cut out the post card from a piece of 12 x 12 patterned card stock.

I  backed the card with Authentique.    Also, don't you love this gold glossy?  I die cut it from a Spellbinders Fancy Oval set - to die for!

Here is another angle of my card (It's hard to type right now because my kitty Miss Lovely is on my desk trying to sleep on my arm...of course I'm trying not to disturb her! LOL)

Thanks for stopping by!

Lis

Black Tie

I am excited to show this card!  Its actually very simple being only two layers.  The card base is black card stock, the mat is done in gold foil (embossed) and the embellishment is a simple bow tie done in black ribbon with some large rhinestones added at the center. ( You can see a bit of my reflection in the card as I take the picture.)

Close Up!

Here is a close up of the bow tie.  I used one of those adhesive strings of acrylic gems around the ribbon center.
Its also easier to see the embossed gold foil background. There is quite a lot of dimension to it. the picture doesn't do it justice.  It looks coppery in this photo but in real life its a buttery gold.

Thanks for stopping by!
Lis