Flaked Tree Merry Christmas Card - 52 {C}CT Sept Theme Challenge

In the 3rd week of the month we have a theme or recipe challenge at 52 {C}CT.  As the hostess for September I chose a Christmas Tree theme for you to work with.  Isn't the tree in the picture lovely, all bedecked and twinkling with lights?!   Instead of a traditional decorated tree I've opted for a stylised tree for my card. 

 

I don't recommend mixing alcohol and crafting but I have to tell you that Gin and Tonic played a part in the making of this card!  No, I wasn't knocking back the hard stuff,  I've used IndigoBlu Gin and Tonic gilding flakes on the tree!  I love using gilding flakes with this particular tree stamp but the last time I did it I rather overdid things and the card got far too fussy and busy for my liking.  So having learned my lesson I kept to a simple colour combo and design this time so the flaked tree can shine!

The Old Olive card base measures 5 3/4" square.  I embossed a panel of white CS with my Acanthus folder (my current fave folder!), added the strip of sparkly silver ribbon and popped the white panel up.  I've also popped up the tree panel and sentiment oval.  To complete the card front I added some die cut holly.

Here's the inside and the envelope with a stamped sentiment and more die cut holly.

Check out what the rest of the DT members created and then please play along with our Christmas Tree theme challenge at 52 {C}CT this week, I'd love to pop by your blogs to see the fab Christmas cards you make!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts 'Branch & Flourish Tree', SU! 'Season of Joy' set, Penny Black 'Joyous Season'
CS: SU! Old Olive & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Old Olive
Tools: Cuttlebug Acanthus embossing folder, Memory Box 'Holly Vine' die, Petite Oval Nestabilities dies
Embellishments & accessories:  IndigoBlu Gin & Tonic gilding flakes, FlitterGlu, Phat Foam & Scoochy, silver ribbon from stash, 3D foam tape

 

Butterfly Create Card For Jan

My friend Jan loves stamping with gilding flakes and she's been looking for a Christmas tree stamp similar to my Hero Arts Branch and Flourish Tree to use with the flakes.

We were at our LSS together and we saw this Hero Arts Swirl Tree stamp and Jan really liked it - apart from the little tree trunk bit at the bottom, that was putting her off it.

I said that surgery could be performed on that bit if needs be!  I then said the stamp was quite a versatile one in that you could use it as a background pattern on a die cut or punched shape, a butterfly for example.  The upshot was that Jan purchased the stamp but it had to come home with me 'cos I had to wield my knife to cut off the offending tree trunk.  Also, I had to make an example using the stamp as a pattern on a die cut shape.  Jan was very specific in her instructions, I had to add gilding flakes to a die cut butterfly and I couldn't just make an example piece, oh no, it HAD to be made into a proper card!  I really should learn to keep my mouth shut LOL!

So after I'd cut off the unwanted tree trunk I die cut a Raspberry Ripple butterfly, stamped the Swirl Tree over the top, added Winter Dawn gilding flakes and burnished.  I was rather pleased my idea worked, I'm very happy how the butterfly turned out!  I die cut another Raspberry Ripple butterfly, glued it to the back and attached a flowery brad to the centre.  I then made a 4 3/4" Raspberry Ripple card base and used Pink Pirouette and Primrose Petals CS for mat layers.  I stamped the frame and sentiment from the SU! Creative Elements set and added a couple of gems.  I think the 'Create' has such a beautiful font and is ideal to use for a fellow card maker!  I wanted to put something in the corners but wasn't happy how punched photo corners looked and various other options I tried didn't appeal either.  In the end I opted to stamp and punch out a tiny image from the SU! Madison Avenue set - which is an upcoming SAB set. 

For inside the card I cut a Pink Pirouette panel, stamped a border and added a stamped and fussy cut butterfly.  I stamped a butterfly direct to the envelope flap to finish off.  I just hope Jan enjoys using her Swirl Tree stamp and likes her 'Create' card!  

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts 'Swirl Tree' , SU! Creative Elements & Madison Avenue sets
CS: SU! Raspberry Ripple, Pink Pirouette and Primrose Petals
Ink: SU! Raspberry Ripple & Primrose Petals
Tools:  SU! Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, small circle punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Embellishments & accessories: FlitterGlu, Winter Dawn gilding flakes, scoochy, pink flower brad, SU! Rhinestone Jewels

Gilding & Gold Glitz Tree Merry Christmas Card - 52 {C}CT Oct Sketch Challenge

We're kicking off November at 52 {C}CT with this fabulous sketch.

I haven't worked with my gilding flakes for a while and I decided to use those and I thought they would work well with the tree image - plus the tree would be a good image for the oval shape.  So I started off by flaking the tree with Morris Dance flakes and I cut out the oval using a Petite Oval Nestie die.  I inked the edges of the white oval with Pool Party ink.  As well as gilding I had a fancy for some gold glitz so I matted the oval onto a larger oval of Champagne Glimmer paper. 

The oval was too large for an A6 size card so I made a 5" x 7" card.  I cut a panel of Pool Party CS, embossed that with a Texturz plate, brayered Pool Party ink on top and inked the edges with Pool Party ink.  For the strip part of the sketch I opted for the Champagne Glimmer paper with some ribbon and a bow.  I think it was around about now that this glitzy number became an over the top 'what WAS I thinking of?! card LOL!   I really wish now I'd have toned things down but I didn't have enough time to make another card in time for the challenge on Saturday.  I'm determined to make another card using this sketch that I'll be much happier with - and that does this great sketch justice!

I flaked the sentiment also, topped the tree with punched stars and added larger stars to the left of the tree.  I took liberties with the layout and placed my row of 3 element at the bottom right rather than at the top.  I punched 3 tiny stars from the glitzy gold CS and glued them flat.  The sentiment and the tree stars are all popped up.  The gold star at the top of the tree is not THAT wonky in real life by the way LOL!

Here's a closer look at the lovely gilding flakes.  What a gorgeous mix of colours - where did it all go wrong?!

Even though I'm really not liking this card by now, (mild understatement!) I've ploughed on and finished off by working on the inside and envelope. 

Really, if I'd made this card before Friday I'd have put it aside (into the bin!) and started again but as I didn't have time, this is what you're stuck with for the time being!  Just look at it as inspiration for what NOT to do LOL!  I really think a 'less is more', CAS style is required for my next attempt - stay tuned, I'll be back with another try!  Hopefully, those of you who enter the challenge this week will make beautiful creations that you are thoroughly delighted with!  * sigh *

EDITED TO ADD: A card that I'm happy with has been made, yay!  The post for that card is HERE.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts 'Branch & Flourish Tree', 'Merry Christmas' from SU! Season of Joy set, inside sentiment by Inkadinkado
CS: PaperMania white card blank, SU! Pool Party, Whisper White & Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: SU! Pool Party
Tools: Petite Oval Nestabilities dies, star dies & punches, circle punch, Sizzix Ivy Flourishes Texturz Plate, brayer, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: IndigoBlu Morris Dance gilding flakes, FlitterGlu & scoochy, SU! Pool Party ruffled ribbon, 3D foam pads

Chipboard Snowflake Greetings Of The Season Card

This card features a chipboard snowflake that I rescued from the 'to be completed' box.  I bought a sheet of chipboard snowflake shapes a month or so ago and I got as far as applying some gilding flakes to one shape.   I've combined Bo Bunny papers, luscious SU! Champagne Glimmer Paper and the snowflake shape to put this card together.

I die cut the medium sized snowflake from the SU! Snow Flurry die using the Champagne paper and layered that onto the chipboard flake.  I stamped the sentiment onto a panel of patterned paper and layered onto Soft Suede and Champagne mats.    I originally stamped in Soft Suede ink but it didn't look right, something darker was needed.  I opted for Adirondack Ginger ink and held my breath while using the Stamp-a-ma-jig to overstamp the original sentiment.  Yay, it worked perfectly!  I stamped for years without owning a stamp positioner but now I have a Stamp-a-ma-jig I would NOT be without it!  Before adhering the panel to the 5 3/4" square card front I attached some brown ribbon and popped up the snowflake.

More snowflakes and glitter on the inside of the card.

I've used strips of patterned paper and Soft Suede CS for the envelope.  I also added a label using a die from the SU! Apothecary Accents set.  I've layered the patterned paper label onto pieces I cut off from a Soft Suede label in order to make a mat.

Another item gone from the 'to be completed' box and another Christmas card added to the stash - fab! 

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Greetings of the Season set, Stampendous 'Snow Brackets' cling stamp
CS: SU! Baja Breeze, Soft Suede & Whisper White, Champagne Glimmer paper
Ink: SU! Soft Suede, Adirondack Ginger
Tools: SU! Snow Flurry die, label die from SU! Apothecary Accents set, Stamp-a-ma-jig
Embellishments & accessories: Woodware Chippies Snowflake, IndigoBlu Frosted Leaves gilding flakes, FlitterGlu & scoochy foam, American Crafts brown ribbon, 3d foam pads

Gold Flaked Flower With Best Wishes Card

I've had my gilding flakes out again to CASE a card I saw on display at the Glitter Pot.  The card is larger than I usually make, it measures 7" x 5".   I've used Lancashire Rose gilding flakes on the harlequin background stamp and the Penny Black 'Dreamy' flower stamp.  I love how the delicate flower image contrasts with the grungy, distressed background panel!  I've matted my white panels onto gold mirri card, added brads to the flower panel and popped the flower panel up.  After stamping the sentiment I added gold ribbon and gold nailheads to finish off the card front.

Here's the inside and the envelope with just some simple stamping and punching.  Short and sweet from me today, I'm going to enjoy some sunshine in the garden with a good book!

Supplies:
Stamps: IndigoBlu 'Harlequin', Penny Black 'Dreamy', Hobby Art 'Sentiments' clear set
CS: PaperMania 7" x 5" white card blank, SU! Whisper White, gold mirri card
Ink:  Memento Espresso Truffle, Encore metallic gold
Tools: Circle punches, Perfect Layers
Embellishments & accessories: IndigoBlu FlitterGlu, Lancashire Rose gilding flakes & scoochy, gold brads, gold nailheads, gold ribbon, 3d foam pads

Gilding Flaked Ferns Just For You Card For Michelle

Michelle from The Card Grotto wasn't very well recently and had a stay in hospital so I sent her this card to let her know I was thinking of her and wishing her well. Surprise, surprise - I've been gilding my ferns stamp again!  The gilding flakes look fab on black CS but I wanted to try it on something different so I went for a  neglected neutral - Sahara Sand.  Actually, I was surprised how well the gilding looks on Sahara Sand CS, it may just encourage me to use it more often!

I made the 5 3/4" square card base from Sahara Sand CS and added a mat of Early Espresso CS.  I layered the flaked fern panel onto Rich Razzleberry and Pool Party mats.  I used a Martha Stewart punch to cut out the butterflies, sponged the edges with ink and added rhinestone jewels.  I got the gorgeous aqua crochet trim from a lovely gift shop we visited in Salisbury when we had our trip to the New Forest recently - it's a perfect match for Pool Party!  I made a little trim tab for the image panel, taped it behind and added a large Razzleberry button.  I made the flower element with aqua Prima flowers - I added an antique brad and a rhinestone jewel to the flower centre.

Here's the inside and the envelope -with more flaked ferns!  I cut the sentiment out with a Labels Trio die and added tiny punched flowers with jewel centres to finish off.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Three Ferns, Hero Arts Wishing You Well, Just for You from SU! Precious Butterflies set
CS: SU! Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry & Early Espresso
Ink: SU! Early Espresso & Rich Razzleberry
Tools: Martha Stewart butterfly punch, flower punch from  SU! Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Spellbinder's Labels Trio die, sponge daubers
Embellishments & accessories: IndigoBlu FlitterGlu, Phat Foam, scoochy & Brighton Pier gilding flakes, aqua crochet trim, Prima E Line aqua flowers, SU! Antique Brad, SU! Rich Razzleberry button, SU! Rhinestone Jewels

Flaked Background Thank You Card For Debbie & Mike

Another card I've made using gilding flakes - this time I've used them to make a background panel.  I adhered double sided adhesive sheet to a piece of CS, peeled off the other backing sheet, applied the gilding flakes, trimmed the panel to the size I wanted it and layered it onto a black CS mat.  For the image panel, I sponged Scattered Straw, Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade Distress Inks onto white CS, stamped the flowers and sentiment using black ink and edged the panel with Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink.  Again I layered onto a black mat and I popped the mat up.  To finish off the front I applied three black gems.

Some more stamping finished off the inside of the card and the envelope.

 This card went to our fab friends Debbie and Mike to thank them for letting us accompany them to the New Forest recently.  Whether they will ever let us go with them again remains to be seen!  Owen and I have been looking for a piece of furniture for our living room for some time.  On the last day of our New Forest trip we went to Salisbury for the day and while there we found the ideal cabinet, it was the perfect size and just what we needed.  Debbie and Mike, with oodles of patience and good humour, went back to the park and ride car park to fetch the car, drove back to the town centre and collected the cabinet.  Later on they completely unpacked the car, put our cabinet in and repacked the car so we could bring our perfect piece of furniture home - bless their hearts!  I reckoned a thank you card was definitely in order! 
 
Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Thank You Kindly set, Hobby Art Just for You clear set, Hero Arts Sending You Love clear set
CS: PaperMania square white card blank, SU! Basic Black CS
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade & Brushed Corduroy Distress Inks
Tools: Hero Arts 'Small Tag Frame' Frame Cuts die,  Perfect Layers, sponge applicator tool, scoochy (sponge for burnishing the flakes)
Embellishments & accessories: IndigoBlu Brighton Pier gilding flakes, Crafty Notions double sided adhesive sheet, black gems, brads, 3d foam tape

Flaked Ferns & Flutterby - Birthday Card For Jan No. 2

This is the birthday card I made for Jan's hubby Alan to give to her.  I've used two different gilding flakes and methods for this card.  The card measures 5 3/4" square.  I inked the fern stamp with FlitterGlu, stamped onto black CS and applied Morris Dance flakes.  For the butterfly, I cut a piece of double sided adhesive sheet, peeled off one backing and applied it to a piece of CS, die cut the butterfly, peeled off the other backing and applied Brighton Pier flakes.  There are so many colours in the gilding flakes so it was hard to choose a colour combo - in the end I plumped for Taken with Teal and Rose Red to go with the black.  After adhering the layers, I added a flower brad with a gem centre to the butterfly and popped  this up on the sentiment banner.  I added two gems to the sentiment and gold nailheads to the black corners.

A close up  of the gilding.

Here's the inside and the envelope.  I made an envelope using Taken with Teal patterned paper and I carried that through onto the inside of the card.  Making envelopes with the SU! Simply Scored Diagonal Plate is so quick and easy - fabulous!  I also punched Rose Red borders for the envelope and inside.  Lastly, I added a frame to the front of the envelope and used markers and a blender pen to colour in the roses.  I am pleased to say both Alan and Jan loved the card!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts Three Ferns, SU! Happiest Birthday Wishes & Four Frames sets
CS: SU! Basic Black, Taken with Teal, Rose Red & Very Vanilla
Patterned paper: SU! Sweet Pea DSP
Ink: SU! Taken with Teal & Rose Red, blender pen
Tools: SU Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, SU! Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border & Decorative Label punches, MFT Fishtail Flag Stax die, Perfect Layers, scoochy for burnishing flakes, SU! Simply Scored Diagonal Plate
Embellishments & accessories: IndigoBlu Morris Dance & Brighton Pier gilding flakes, FlitterGlu, Crafty Notions double sided adhesive sheet, SU! flower brad, rhinestone jewels, gold nailheads, Dimensionals

Gilding Flakes & Trees Happy Birthday Card

I saw gilding flakes demoed at the Glitter Pot a few weeks ago and I loved the results but was undecided as to whether to purchase some or not.  Then Sue, a lady from my card group, showed me some gorgeous pieces she'd made with flakes and then Jenny Mayes was demoing the flakes at the Glitter Pot last weekend so that was it, I just had to get some and try for myself.  I've been playing around for the past few days and getting some good and not so good results.  Now that I've experimented and  know what I'm doing I can actually make cards using the flakes!

I bought the IndigoBlu starter kit which contains FlitterGlu, a tub of flakes, Phat Foam, a scoochy and stamp cleaner.  The flakes come in such beautiful colour mixes I bought two other tubs as well - I do find it hard to resist pretties!  You need to get larger containers to put the flakes into - you would never get them back into the original tub!  An A5 plastic box is great but I've found Carte d'Or ice cream tubs are also ideal  - and who doesn't love an excuse to eat ice cream?!  You can 'ink' a stamp with the FlitterGlu and then add flakes to the stamped image.  That's what the Phat Foam in the kit is for - you cut a small piece of the foam and use the white side to apply the FlitterGlu to the stamp.  I get some glue on the foam and then tap onto a piece of acetate to spread the glue out evenly before applying it to the stamp.   Immediately after stamping clean the stamp thoroughly using water - but the cleaner that comes in the kit will remove the FlitterGlu if you've left it and your stamp has gone gunky!  The stamped image remains sticky for a long while so you don't have to apply the flake straight away.  You dip your piece into the flakes and press firmly and then wipe off the excess, making sure those pieces go back in your tub.  Then you burnish with the scoochy (a textured sponge) to finish off.

You can also use double sided adhesive sheet and acetate with the flakes and that's the method I've used to make this card.  I have to say I had disappointing results the first time I tried this method but I've since tried it again with a different brand of double sided adhesive sheet which is ultra thin and that worked perfectly.  I cut a piece of the adhesive sheet, peeled off one backing and stamped the trees and circle onto the sticky side using VersaFine ink.  I then placed a piece of acetate over the top which then sticks to the adhesive side you've just stamped.  Next I cut the piece to the size I wanted, took off the backing from the other side, dipped the piece into the flakes and brushed off the excess and burnished with the scoochy.  You could get the same look by stamping direct to the acetate but that can be tricky as acetate is such a slick surface, I found stamping on the double sided sticky sheet much easier!  I matted and layered with black and silver CS, added brads and the panel was ready to be put on a card.

I stamped the trees in a line on the card front, stamped the sentiment and popped the image panel up.  This card has been delivered to my neighbour Jim this morning as it's his birthday today.  I thought this was a good design for a masculine card. 

More stamping on the inside and envelope finished everything off.  I'll be sharing more flaky creations soon and I see much more fun with flakes in my future!

Supplies:
Stamps: Hobby Art 'British Countryside' clear set, Hero Arts 'Yummy Treats' clear set
CS: PaperMania A6 white card blank, SU! Basic Black, metallic silver CS from stash, acetate
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
Tools: Perfect Layers, scoochy for burnishing flakes
Embellishments & accessories: Crafty Notions double sided adhesive sheet, IndigoBlu 'Winter Dawn' gilding flakes, black brads, 3d foam tape