Smile

Early into my current love affair with Washi tapes, it occurred to me that a picket fence would be a lot more fun if it wasn’t always white . . .

Of course, your local autocratic Home Owners Association might react with horror. But as artists, we creative types can do what we like.  YAY!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Splash, Unknown Rich Cocoa, Scraps Green,

Purple, Yellow, Orange, Pink, White         

Inks:             Distress Vintage Photo, Tea Dye, Lost Shadow

Dies:            Impression Obsession Large Fence, Sea Birds, 

TEMU Flowers, Sweet ‘n Sassy Fence, Grass, &

Border Dies, Clouds & Raindrops, Recollections 

Word Fetti: “Smile”              

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes, Fun Flock     

Celebrate

My adventures with Washi Tapes continue . . .

Black and white are warmed up with a few gold glints plus a creamy textured background.  Yum!

Cardstock:   Marcos Speckletone Cover — Cream         

Stamps:       Judikins Origami Background

Inks:             VersaMark

Emb Pwdr:   Stampendous Aged Black

Dies:            Frantic Stamper Deckled & Torn Edgers, Memory Box 

Cordon Butterfly, Darla Butterfly (body only), 

TKOnline Celebration Set: “Celebrate”      

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Rosy Posey

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Love

Here’s another example of dry embossed Washi tapes . . .

After applying various lengths and widths of Washi tapes to a panel, I dry embossed it with an embossing folder.  Those tapes are there to stay!

The smoothness of the envelope makes it stand out against the textured background – at least it does in real life.  I hope the camera makes this distinction . . .

Cardstock:   American Craft Primaries Set: Blue, Neenah #110

Solar White

Inks:             Distress Peeled Paint, Candied Apple

Dies:            Mama Elephant Botanic Envelope, TEMU Flowers, 

Recollections Word Fetti: “Love”            

Emb Fldr:     Stampin’ Up Fancy Fan

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Hosanna

The primitive rendering of the cross image is a stark reminder of what our Lord willingly endured for us . . .

I wanted the cross to be elevated, but because the cross pieces are so narrow, even my tiniest pop dots would have shown.  So I backed the cardstock with double-sided tape and then die cut the cross pieces.  After peeling off the release paper, I added lengths of dark brown jute cording which, happily, stuck firmly to the tape.  This gave me just the height I needed for the cross to stand out from the fern background.  Best of all, the cording doesn’t show . . .

~ A most blessed Easter to each and every one ~

Cardstock:   Neenah Desert Storm, Marcos Jute, Recollections 

#110 Dark Green, The Paper Cut Orion: Bronze       

Stamps:       Rollagraph Wheel Texture

Inks:             Ancient Page Pine, Superior India Ink Black

Dies:            InLoveArts Simple Cross, Hero Palm Fancy, Nellie’s 

Straight Dotted Oval         

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Weathered

Happy Birthday

For this one, I thought it would be fun to use some Washi on a slimline window card . . .

 . . . as the windows are on the small side, it was a good time to use my narrowest tapes in order to fit in a variety of designs.  They provide a fun backdrop to the Foamiran flowers I perked up with a 3 second blast from the heat gun.  They will stay perky even after a coast-to-coast romp through the postal system.

Cardstock:   Neenah Desert Storm, Scrap Red, Foamiran    

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Vintage Photo

Dies:            Rubbernecker Rounded Square, Nellie’s Photo  

                    Frames, TEMU Flower, Divinity Designs 

“Happy Birthday”        

Stencil:        Concord & 9th Splatter Texture

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Celebrate

This one provided me with such a fun and unexpected surprise . . .

After laying down the Washi tapes onto a small panel, I ran the panel through an embossing folder.  I then cut a window into the card front, mounted the panel, and added a frame.  What I was not expecting to see was the backside of the Washi panel . . .

I framed it too and I love the added fun the inside of the card now provides.  I am going to be doing this maneuver scores of times in the future . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven

Inks:             Wink of Stella Black

Dies:            Arich Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles,

 Impression Obsession Congrats Word Set: “Celebrate”                

Emb Fldr:     Tim Holtz Lace

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tape, Hero Arts stickers Gold 

With Love

A variety of blue Washi tapes sparked with white . . .

 . . . plus a wonderful Chrysanthemum die I’ve never used.  Until now.  Better late than never, yes?

Cardstock:   Bazzill Emperor, Kachina  

Dies:            Memory Box Prized Chrysanthemum (Outline &

Background), TEMU Label Strip, Dee’s Distinctively 

“With Love”                

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes, Waffle Flower Enamel Dots:

White

Make a Wish

Lots of neutrals with a pop of color to wake everybody up . . .

One of the Washi strips had a red image on it so I went with that for the focal point text.

This layout could also work well for a Guy Card . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Cinder, Scrap Red  

Dies:            DieNamics Traditional Tags Stax, InLoveArts Make

a Wish Text               

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes, Pearl stickers    

Shamrock

This was my first experience with card-making using elements from The Greetery’s incredible Rosemal Collection . . .

 

For readers who have just joined theCardsmith.blogspot.com, the Rosemal collection utilizes a combination of dies and embossing folders which produce a virtually unlimited number of layout options.  I really don’t think it’s possible to make a bad card with this collection!  There’s plenty of inspiration from the Gallery on Betsy’s TheGreetery.com website.  See for yourselves!

 

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Brown Umber, LCI Paper Tindalo Brown, 

Neenah #110 Solar White, Scraps Dark Green 

Stamps:       Studio G “Shamrock”

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White, Distress Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:   Hero White

Dies:            The Greetery Capsule Filigree Borders, Capsule Basics,

Shortbread Shapes Snowflake, Regency Bow #1, 

Poppy Crafts  Bunch of Four Leaf Clovers, Verve 

Charming Banner            

Emb Fldr:     The Greetery Shortbread Shapes Snowflake, Rosemal

Reflections

Doo Dads:    Perfect Pearls Green Patina        

Celebrate

How about some Washi on the diagonal . . .

The word die I used for this came with a shadow die which is what I used to cut out the shape in the middle of the panel.  After propping up the panel with 1/8” thick pop dots, I then used the matching word die to cut out “Celebrate”.  I added some shimmer to the word and glued it to the card front below the opening. 

Hopefully the camera will at least hint at the lower level the word is on . . . in real life, it makes for a really neat look!

Inks:            Wink of Stella Black

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Eames White       

Dies:            TEMU Sentimental Shadow Words: “Celebrate”          

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Best Wishes

This makes a pretty good Guy Card, I think . . .

I needed a rather substantial tree in order to prevail over the rather busy background.  But there was no texture to it – just flat and boring.  So I dug up a large leaf stamp that had lots of veins on it and used it to overstamp the tree.  Now it’s got some texture and looks a little more interesting . . .

Cardstock:   Unknown Rich Cocoa, Marcos Jute        

Dies:            DieNamics Traditional Tags Stax, Marianne Tree,

TEMU English Phrases & Titles: Best Wishes                  

Emb Fldr:     Paper Discovery Ornamental Gravel

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Celebrate

Currently, I’m on a wonderful Washi tape jag, so you’ll have to bear with me while it runs its course . . .

How I love this hobby of ours – SO many wonderfully creative ways to play!  One caveat with Washi:  I don’t trust the stick-to-it-ivness of Washi as it’s usually fairly low tack.  This isn’t a problem if my design allows me to wrap the tape around the ends of the panel I’m sticking them to.  If not, I either add glue to the strips or if I’m covering a large area, I’ll cut a piece of double-sided tape and add the Washi to that.  Those tapes are now secure for good!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Palo Verde, Festive, Peach, Neenah #110

Solar White 

Inks:             Stampin’ Up Always Artichoke

Dies:            Studio Calico Nested Rectangles, TEMU Flower, 

Tim Holtz Holiday Greens, TEMU Sentimental

Shadow Words: Celebrate”                    

Stencil:        Tim Holtz Speckles

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes      

Celebrate

My love affair with Washi tapes continues . . .

Obviously, I went all out for color on this one.  Still and all, I thought a couple rows of lacy trim to contain the exuberance a bit wouldn’t go amiss . . .

Cardstock:   Stedner Bright White, Neenah DieNamics Traditional

Tags Stax Border, Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two, 

Impression Obsession Congrats Word Set: “Celebrate”             

Doo Dads:    Assorted Washi Tapes, Mark Richards Stickers Silver

MSG: Greenbrier International Happy Birthday st w/VersaFine Imperial

Purple and Trans emb

Cheers

I really love making window cards . . .

Enough of the card front remains on this one so it was easy to keep  the sentiment inside from showing through the window.  In this case, I die cut a vertical “Happy Birthday” and mounted it on the right hand side.

Cardstock:   Canson Mixed Media #98, Scraps Purple, Aqua          

Inks:             Distress Chipped Sapphire, Pine Needles, Dusty

Concord

Dies:            TEMU Door Frame, Sissix Floral Arch, Simon Says 

Snowball Bouquet, TKOnline “Cheers               

Emb Fldr:     Taylored Expressions Weathered

Happy

 A little bouquet for a little slim line card, complete with doily . . .

 The oval focal point is actually separate from the card front and is glued to the inside of the card.  This leaves it with no place to put a sentiment.  So I put it on the back under a flower-bedecked flap . . .

    

Yes, a little unconventional, but now I have a place for a message and a signature.  I wonder – does this now qualify as an interactive card?  They are all the rage these days and it’s nice to be in style once in awhile!

 

Cardstock:   LCI Paper Tindalo Brown, Scraps Gold, White,

Dark Green, Red, Blue, Purple        

Dies:            The Greetery Capsule Basics, Capsule Filigree Borders,

Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Wax Flower, DieNamics Mini

Doily Circles, YPP Craft Words: “Happy”

Thinking of You

 Thought I’d try some vivid pops of color for this one . . .

The flower was cut from a jumbo set that is perfectly sized for the large embossed background.  There is a smaller flower detail set that works with the smaller background options in this collection.

Cardstock:   American Crafts Brights Blue, The Paper Cut Eames

White, Scraps Turquoise Blue, Dark Green  

Stamps:       The Greetery Rosemal Reflections Sentiments:

“Thinking of You”

Inks:             ColorBox Cream White

Emb Pwdr:   B’Muse Eggshell

Dies:            The Greetery Rosemal Reflections, Jumbo                 

Emb Fldr:     The Greetery Shortbread Shapes Snowflake

Celebrate

One of the elements I love using with The Greetery's Rosemal Collection is the cardstock they like to use . . .

LCI Paper makes a woodgrain cardstock that is unique in its texture.  The package says the weight is #110, but it feels even sturdier than that.  It comes in several colors – I like the Kraft color and the white the best,  Somehow, the organic woodgrain works really well with the more elegant style of the Rosemal Collection. 

 Cardstock:   LCI Paper Tindalo Brown, Limba White, Scraps Silver,

Dark Green  

Dies:            The Greetery Capsule Basics, Capsule Filigree Borders,

Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Wax Flower, TKOnline 

Celebration Set: “Celebrate”, Spellbinders Back

to Basics Tags                         

Doo Dads:    May Arts Jute, Class A’Peels Silver Stickers     

Love

Recently, Jennifer McGuire did a video on a design for an Interlocking Gatefold card. It captivated me and I gave it a try . . .

 

LOVE IT!  It’s fun, easy to do, and packs perfectly flat for mailing.  The simple instructions are on her blog – I highly recommend taking a look at them and trying out this charming technique.

 

Cardstock:   Bazzill Ruby Slippers, Neenah #110 Solar White, 

Scraps Red, Black   

Stamps:       Stampin’ Up Itty Bitty Background

Inks:             Superior India Ink Black

Dies:            Impression Obsession Large Frame, Goodculler 

Stitched Rectangles, Spellbinders Hearts Two,

Shoot!, Avery Elle Peace, Love, & Joy set: “Love”              

Hooray For You

 My love affair with The Greetery's Rosemal Collection continues unabated . . .

 

Every time I open up the sets in the collection, I find fun new ways to put them together. And I’ve hardly started . . . lots more to come, dear readers.

 

Cardstock:   LCI Paper Tindalo Brown, Limba White  

Stamps:       Marianne Banners & Text: “Hooray for You”

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White

Dies:            The Greetery Capsule Basics, Capsule Filigree Borders,

 Bigger Holiday Botanicals: Olive, Wax Flower,  

Marianne Banners & Text   

Doo Dads:    Waffle Flower Enamel Dots White

Rest

When my friend and fellow stamper recently had her hip replacement, this is what I sent her . . .

 

Fun Fact:  In my job as Staff Writer for RubberStampMadness magazine, I often pick up great tips from the artists I interview.  This one is a neat idea for lining up individual die cut letters evenly.

I happen to have a grid pattern printed on a piece of clear acetate which really came in handy here.

1. Die cut the label that the letters will be glued to.

2. Use low tack tape to fasten it behind the acetate grid.

3. Die cut the letters and arrange them on the acetate over the label.

4. With a strip of low tack tape, lay it down over the bottom half of the letters.

5. Carefully pull up the tape and adjust any letter that needs it.

6. Remove the label from the acetate, add glue to the letters and attach to the              label.

7. When dry, remove the tape.

Works wonderfully well!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Precious, Uncle Paul Bamboo Green,

Assorted Patterned Papers, Scraps White, Gold   

Dies:            Goodculler Stitched Rectangles, Memory Box 

Alphabet Soup, TEMU Flowers, DieNamics 

Stitched Mini Scallop Rectangles