Tarnished Foil Background With Leaf Cluster Anniversary Card

Today hubby and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary - 34 years, blimey!   I decided to try a technique I discovered recently - the Tarnished Foil technique.  Owen loves black and metallic cards so this seemed the perfect technique to use for his anniversary card!  I learned this technique from Lisa Curcio - her blog post is here where Lisa shares a fabulous video tutorial plus some lovely technique example cards.

Here's the card and envelope together.

There was some SU! 'Champagne' Foil Sheet in my stash which had never been used so I chose that and embossed a panel of the foil with the SU! 'Hexagons' 3D Dynamic embossing folder.  I followed Lisa's excellent instructions using SU! Black Archival ink, VersaMark and Copper and Silver embossing powders.  I was really pleased with the way the panel turned out, Lisa does promise that the technique is fool proof!

For the sentiment panel I stamped onto a die cut rectangle, stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed using Copper embossing powder.  I die cut two leaf clusters, one in black and one in Copper Foil sheet, leaving the pieces in the copper shape I removed the pieces from the black shape and glued it on top of the copper shape.  I popped up the leaf cluster and the sentiment rectangle.  To finish the front I added some copper metallic gems.

Here's a closer look at the tarnished foil panel.

Here's the inside of the card.  The sentiment is copper heat embossed and I added three Champagne Foil Sheet punched hearts.  Underneath I adhered a die cut black 'ribbon' using a Grosgrain Ribbon die and added a narrow strip of Copper Foil Sheet underneath.  I used the largest die in the Creative Dies Plus 'Nesting Rectangles Wonky Stitches' die set to cut the panel for inside the card.  I just LOVE that it fits A6 sized cards when the majority of die sets are more suitable for A2 sized cards!  I'm very happy about that - plus the bargain £5.49 price! 

Here's the front of the envelope with a popped up leafy cluster and a bookplate name label.  I added silver nailheads to the bookplate label.  It's fun to mix up metallics now and then!

Supplies:
Stamps: 'Sincere Sentiments' set free with Simply Cards & Papercraft mag #169, Clearly Besotted 'Brushed Greetings II' set
CS: SU! Basic Black & Whisper White, Foil Sheet in 'Champagne' & 'Copper'
Ink: VersaMark
Tools: SU! 'Hexagons' 3D Dynamic embossing folder, leaf cluster die from M&C Boutique, Creative Dies Plus 'Nesting Rectangles Wonky Stitches' die set, Sizzix Originals 'Bookplates' die, SU! 'Heart to Heart' punch
Embellishments & accessories: SU! silver & copper embossing powder, Dimensionals, Marianne Design metal adhesive gems, silver nailheads
Ruth

Sparkly Village Merry Christmas Card - RRCB#94

Woohoo, my flip-flops card was chosen as the Top Pick for challenge #92 over at the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog and as a result I'm a guest designer for their current challenge!  I'm excited to be joining them for their Anything Goes Retro Rubber Challenge #94!

Well, I've gone from a summery flip-flops card to a wintery Christmas village card!  The PSX 'Christmas Village' stamp has been in my stash for a VERY long time - the date on the stamp is 1999 so that's pretty retro!  My friend Jan also owns this stamp and each year we both try to use the stamp to make at least one Christmas card. 

I stamped the image in Cherry Cobbler ink onto a piece of Whisper White CS and stamped the sentiment in Tranquil Tide ink.  The sentiment comes from the SU! 'Four the Holidays' set which came out in 2009.  I cut a piece of double sided adhesive sheet, adhered it to my stamped panel, removed the backing sheet and covered the panel in SU! Dazzling Diamonds sparkly glitter.  After trimming the panel to size I layered it onto mats of Mint Macaron and Tranquil Tide CS.  I made a 5 1/2" square Cherry Cobbler card base and added a strip of patterned paper from the SU! 'Delightfully Daisy' DSP pack.  No, not typical Christmas paper but I think it looks snowy so I went with it!  I die cut a strip of Cherry Cobbler 'ribbon'  using a Memory Box 'Grosgrain Ribbons' die and I popped up the main image panel.  To complete the card front I added some retro embellishments - Cherry Cobbler Candy Dots.

It's really difficult to capture sparkle in a photo but here's a closer look at the sparkly village panel.  In real life it is super sparkly!

Here's how I decorated the inside of the card and the envelope flap.  I stamped the sentiment in Tranquil Tide ink, coloured the holly leaves with Mint Macaron ink and a Blender Pen and coloured the berries with a Cherry Cobbler marker.  For the envelope flap, I stamped the village again and used a circle die to cut a portion out and then used a 2" circle punch and another die to cut out the matting circles.

Another Christmas card to go in the box - that's always a good thing!  To the team over at the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog, thanks so much for having me, I loved joining in as a guest designer!

Supplies:
Stamps: PSX 'Christmas Village' stamp, SU! 'Four the Holidays' set, Stampendous 'Merry Wishes'
CS: SU! Cherry Cobbler, Mint Macaron, Tranquil Tide & Whisper White
Patterned paper: SU! 'Delightfully Daisy' DSP pack
Ink: SU! Cherry Cobbler, Mint Macaron & Tranquil Tide
Tools: Memory Box 'Grosgrain Ribbons' die set, SU! 2" circle punch, 'Layering Circle' Framelits die set & Blender Pen
Embellishments & accessories: double sided adhesive sheet, SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Candy Dots & Dimensionals
Ruth

Sparkling Forest Christmas Card

Having just purchased the absolutely beautiful SU! 'Rooted in Nature' bundle I went to YouTube to watch the SU! video for the bundle.  Jessica presented the video and a card she showcased really took my fancy - the card is also featured on page 144 of the SU! annual catalogue.  I decided to make my own CASEd version and to make it a Christmas card - because I need to increase the stash in the Christmas card box!

Jessica's tips for stamping the forest were very helpful and I stuck with her guidelines and I stayed with the layout of the card.  I've used Mint Macaron, Tranquil Tide and Whisper White as my colour combo and I made an A6 sized card base.  Once I'd decided to use the 'may your Christmas sparkle with joy and happiness' sentiment I knew I'd have to introduce some seasonal sparkle to the card!  I've used some Mint Macaron glimmer paper and I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the trees.  The sentiment panel and two die cut trees are popped up.

Here's a closer look at the sparkly trees.

Here's the inside of the card and the envelope.  I used the Stamparatus to stamp the sentiments and I stamped 'Christmas Blessings' twice in order to get a deeper shade of Mint Macaron ink.  I added a touch of twinkle inside by placing a tiny dot of Mint Macaron glimmer paper on each side of the 'to you and yours' sentiment. 

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! 'Rooted in Nature' & 'Christmas Pines' sets
CS: SU! Mint Macaron, Tranquil Tide & Whisper White, Mint Macaron glimmer paper
Ink: SU! Mint Macaron & Tranquil Tide
Tools: SU! 'Nature's Roots' Framelits dies, 'Triple Banner' punch, Stamparatus
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Dimensionals
Ruth

Leaves To You From Me Aperture Card - RRCB#93

Back to work for me tomorrow after a two week holiday - as it was a staycation I've enjoyed spending lots of time getting inky in my craft room!  I wanted to create a card on my last holiday day and I visited the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog and took part in their #93 Tic Tac Toe challenge.

For my card I chose the diagonal line - die cut or punch, green and leaves.  I used circle dies to create an aperture and frame, my colour combo is SU! Granny Apple Green, Mossy Meadow and Whisper White and I've used two old SU! sets, the leaves are from 'Gently Falling' (released 2011) and the sentiment is from 'Best Yet' (released 2008).

'Gently Falling' is a two-step stamping set and it produces gorgeous images!  I inked the solid background images in Granny Apple Green ink, stamped off once, added some Mossy Meadow ink around the stamps using a sponge dauber and then stamped onto Whisper White CS.  I stamped the leaf outline images in Mossy Meadow ink using a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to ensure perfect placement.  I made an A6 sized card base from Whisper White thick CS and used the SU! 'Layering Circle' Framelits die set to cut the aperture from the card front and to cut the Mossy Meadow scalloped circle frame.  I stamped the sentiment through the aperture, fussy cut the leaves and popped them all up.  To finish the card front I sprinkled on a few gold sequins.

I added two stamped and fussy cut leaves on the inside of the card and stamped a leaf direct to the envelope flap.

Many thanks to the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog for encouraging us to use our old stamps from our stash - 'Gently Falling' is one of my all time favourite stamp sets and it's always a joy to ink it up!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! 'Gently Falling' & 'Best Yet' sets
CS: SU! Mossy Meadow & Whisper White (regular & thick)
Ink: SU! Granny Apple Green & Mossy Meadow
Tools: SU! 'Layering Circle' Framelits dies, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Embellishments & accessories: gold sequins, SU! Dimensionals
Ruth

Dangly Butterfly Tent Card

A card featuring another Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine freebie.  CraftStash sell some back issues of the magazine and the freebie gift with issue #178 was a huge A4 sized stamp set with a few matching dies.  Also, the magazine was under half price so that was just too tempting for me, I couldn't resist!

As soon as I saw the butterfly I knew it would be perfect for a dangly tent card!  I opted for a bright and cheery colour, SU! Melon Mambo, combined with some lovely Doodlebug clouds patterned paper.  The card base measures 5 1/2" square and I cut out a square aperture from the front of the card.  My order from CraftStash contained some dies along with the magazine.  I loved the Creative Dies Plus 'Wonky Stitches' nesting die sets and they seemed excellent value at just £5.49 per set - naturally I had to get more than one set - choosing to get squares, rectangles and ovals!  I've used two of the square nesting dies to create the frame to go around the aperture.  I stamped and die cut two butterflies and sandwiched some silver cord between the two shapes and dangled the butterfly using the cord.  After I'd stamped the butterflies in SU! Melon Mambo ink I carefully added some colour to the body and wings using ProMarkers.  I stamped and die cut the sentiment, popped it up and added two rhinestone jewels.

Here's a side view showing how I added a 'W' piece of CS to the tent fold card base.  I always do this when making a dangly element card as tent cards don't always want to stand up which can be annoying.  I cut a piece of CS to the width of the card x 3 1/2" and score at 1/2", 1 3/4" and 3".

Here's a closer look at the butterfly.

Here's the back of the card and the front of the envelope.

Supplies:
Stamps: 'The Best Of Card Making Magic' stamp & die set freebie from Simply Cards & Papercraft mag #178, Apple Blossom 'Banner & Sentiments' stamp set
CS: SU! Melon Mambo & Whisper White
Patterned paper: Doodlebug Flower Box 'Garden Garland'
Ink: SU! Melon Mambo, ProMarkers
Tools: die set freebie from Simply Cards & Papercraft mag #178, Apple Blossom 'Banners' die set, Creative Dies Plus 'Wonky Stitches' square & oval nesting die sets, SU! Simply Scored
Embellishments & accessories: silver cord, SU! rhinestone jewels, Dimensionals
Ruth

Burlap, Wood & Leaves Just For You Card

This is a little card I made for Jan to say thank you for placing her SU! order.  Jan, like me, purchased the SU! 'Rooted in Nature' stamps and dies so I thought I'd use these beautiful products to make the card.  I'm really enjoying playing with these wonderful stamps and dies!

I stamped the 'Burlap' background stamp onto a piece of Sahara Sand CS using Sahara Sand ink, trimmed the piece to size and inked the edges with Soft Suede ink.  I added some Copper Trim, taped the ends to the back of the panel and glued the panel to the front of a 4" square card made from Whisper White thick CS.  I stamped the tree trunk slice in Sahara Sand ink, fussy cut it and inked the edges with Soft Suede ink.  I stamped the 'Just For You', made a flagged end and glued that behind the popped up tree trunk slice.  Using Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadow and Rich Razzleberry inks I stamped the three leafy images, I die cut each one and glued them in place.  I really like the rustic feel the mixture of burlap, wood and leaves gives!

Here's the inside and the envelope.  

It's great to be spending lots of time in my craft room - I'm taking full advantage of being on holiday from work!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! 'Rooted in Nature' set, SU! 'Burlap' background stamp
CS: SU! Sahara Sand & Whisper White thick
Ink: SU! Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Mint Macaron, Mossy Meadow, Rich Razzleberry & Early Espresso
Tools: SU! 'Nature's Roots' Framelits die set, circle punch, sponge daubers
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Copper Trim, Dimensionals
Ruth

Rosy Background & 3D Butterfly Birthday Card

A local stationers shop sells some crafty bits and pieces and I popped in to have a peek after work one afternoon.  I walked out with two X Cut mini dies which cost me just over a fiver so I didn't go mad!  Later that week I also purchased issue #179 of Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine which had a free gift and I've used the freebie set plus one of my new dies to make this card.

The magazine came with a 'Botanical Border' stamps and dies set and the packaging showed some card ideas and I based my card on one of their examples - adding a few touches of my own.  To create the background I stamped the rose in Berry Burst ink onto the front of a Pink Pirouette A6 card base and tied some Berry Burst ribbon around the card.  I die cut the border from Whisper White CS and cut it again using Lemon Lime Twist CS and I inlaid the green leaves to add a pop of contrast.  I glued the border in place and stamped the sentiment.  I die cut the 3D butterfly in Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist CS, layered the butterfly and added some rhinestone jewels.

Inside the card I did some layered stamping for the sentiment - I'm very partial to some layered stamping! - and used punched circles and a die cut butterfly shape to decorate the envelope flap.

Supplies:
Stamps: 'Botanical Border' stamps & dies gift with Simply Cards & Papercraft Mag #179
CS: SU! Pink Pirouette, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Berry Burst & Lemon Lime Twist
Tools: die from 'Botanical Border' stamps & dies gift with Simply Cards & Papercraft mag #179, X Cut Mini 3D Butterfly die, circle punches
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Berry Burst ribbon, rhinestone jewels
Ruth