Family First

Sorry not to have written this sooner, but just wanted to let you know that I've had a few "issues" to deal with lately. Hope to resume posts soon. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Natalie

Embossed Herringbone

I created a piece of embossed paper with a herringbone paper with a Crafter's Workshop Template. This paper border served well to support the satin ribbon border. Keep in mind that these templates can be used with inks, Glimmer Mists, chalk and for dry embossing. The tag was included in the Kaiser 6 x 6 paper pad.

Card Recipe

Stamp: Verve

Papers: white cardstock (Bazzill), purple cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Kaisercraft Lilac Avenue)

Ink: Versafine Black Onyx

Accessories: Crafter's Workshop Template, ribbon (Fabricland)

Through the Window

This Labels 5 die created the perfect window layer for the lion image stamped on the face of the card. The window was adhered with foam squares. Its edges were inked with Distress Walnut Stain to soften them. The sentiment was stamped in Staz On Timber to match the image, however, I should have stamped the words in a darker tone or chosen a sentiment with a heavier font to make it more noticeable. This masculine card could also be adapted for a Father's Day.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: lion (Stampendous), sentiment (Gina K0

Papers: kraft cardstock (Bazzill)

Inks: Distress Walnut Stain, Staz On Timber

Accessories: Spellbinder Labels 5

A Bling Border

Rhinestones now come not only in many colours, but also in many shapes. I topped off this card with a scalloped border to balance the bedazzled butterfly and blue button. I am also trying to use different Spellbinder die cut shapes together. With the huge variety of dies available, the combinations are endless.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: Stampin' Up

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), blue & green cardstock (Bazzill)

Ink: Versafine Black Onyx

Accessories: butterfly punch (Punch Bunch), ribbon (stash), Spellbinder Circles & Labels 4, button & embroidery thread (stash), rhinestones (Kaiser)

Layers Upon Layers

I love how a portion of the Lacey Circle die cut is hidden. To make the background of the flower more than just coloured, I first stamped a script background on the white cardstock with the circle die still in place. With the same colour of ink and the die still in place, I applied the ink to the edges of the white circle, making it light towards the centre. Finally, I stamped the solid flower, still with the die intact. The result is a flawless white border. The various layers of stamping and papers make this card unique.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: script background (PSX), floral (Inkadinkado)

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned papers (Chatterbox)

Inks: Distress (Faded Jeans & Crushed Olive)

Accessories: paper piercer & white Signo gel pen, Spellbinder Circles & Lacey Circles, buttons & embroidery floss (stash)

Half Full

By masking the bottom half of the flower stamp before inking it, I could leave space within my circle die cut to put a sentiment. Make sure that your flower and sentiment are proportional to your die cut shape.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: Impression Obsession

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & blue cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (Chatterbox)

Ink: Versafine Black Onyx

Accessories: Spellbinder Circles & Petite Scalloped Circles Large, Liquid Shimmers (Oceanic & Dark Ochre), ribbon (Fabricland)

Pleated Ribbon

Though I did attempt to make a border of hand pleated ribbon myself, I found it too frustrating and was glad to see that it can be purchased. Keep in mind the wide width of these pleated ribbons when deciding on the card size and layout.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: Stampin' Up

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (donation)

Ink: Memento Pearlescent Chocolate

Accessories: pleated ribbon (Hobby Lobby), brown ribbon (May Arts?), Spellbinders (Labels 10 & Petite Ovals Large)

Double Duty

Though not evident from this scan, the sentiment is stamped inside the card, visible when the card is closed because of the die cut window. A 1/4" frame was cut using two Label 1 dies of different sizes.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: Stampin' Up

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Chatterbox)

Ink: Distress Faded Jeans

Accessories: brad (Chatterbox), Spellbinders Labels 1

A Mini Bouquet

I apologize for the blurry scan, but this is due to the height of flowers. Though they make the card somewhat thick to mail, I wouldn't hesitate to use it as a wedding card. The flowers bring the bow up a notch, making it perfect for a more special occasion.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: Cloud 9

Papers: green cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Chatterbox)

Ink: Stampin' Up Night of Navy

Accessories: flowers (Prima), ribbon (Fabricland)

Something Old, Something New

I found the pearls not heavy enough to balance my card layout so I used a piece of fibre to create a thin border. Still have metres of fibres in your stash? Pull them out and put them to a good use.

Also note that I left the oval die on the white die cut when I applied Distress Ink, gradually lightening towards the centre. I love how this framed the stamped image. This is also my first card using my new Lacey Oval Nestabilities--just love them!

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: Impression Obsession

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), green & blue cardstock (Bazzill)

Inks: Night of Navy (Stampin' Up), Crushed Olive (Ranger Distress)

Accessories: Spellbinder Classic Ovals Large & Lacey Ovals, ribbon (Fabricland), pearls (Kaiser), fibre (stash)

Raise It Up

Usually, my borders are the length of the card. Here I have attached a scalloped border to the proportionately smaller "popped" layer on the card and wrapped it in a ribbon bow. Just a different twist on a traditional idea.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: image (Hero Arts), sentiment (Verve)

Papers: white cardstock (Georgia Pacific), blue cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (Chatterbox)

Inks: Shabby Pink, Lettuce, Banana Custard (Colorbox)

Accessories: border punch (EK Success), circle punch (Marvy), ribbon (Fabricland)

Textured Flowers

To create texture on this flower, I stamped each layer of it with a crackled background stamp. Applying Wild Honey Distress ink to the edges of the petals also creates dimension. The leaves were curled also.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamps: background (Judikins), sentiment (Gina K)

Papers: orange, pink and green cardstocks (Bazzill), patterned (AMM)

Inks: Versafine Black Onyx, Wild Honey Distress

Accessories: Spellbinder Blossom, Daisies and Petite Ovals Large, ribbon (Fabricland), brad, (stash), Fiskars patterned scissors

Crafter's Workshop Templates and Glimmer Mist

With the same patterned paper and template used on the previous card, a completely different result was achieved with Glimmer Mist. The template was simply laid down on the patterned paper and Glimmer Mist was lightly sprayed to avoid pooling. After removal of the template, the accent image was stamped and the other embellishments were added.

Natalie

Card Recipe

Stamp: Sandylion/K. Panacci

Papers: Dark Tangerine cardstock (Bazzill), patterned (stash)

Ink: Staz On Timber

Accessories: copper hardware (WeR), flower (Petaloo), punch (Brenda Walton), brad (American Crafts), ribbon (stash), Creme de Chocolat Glimmer Mist, Crafter's Workshop Numerals Template