Pretty In Pink Valentine's Cards

I've never been a big pink person. Maybe it was because I was supposed to like it as a girl and being the contrarian that I am, I didn't.  But for this year's Valentine's cards I was kind of drawn to the idea of it, especially when I found pink glitter paper at Michaels. 

For these cards I combined the pink glitter paper with gold foiled paper I picked up during the holidays and used Paris themed stamps by Tim Holtz. What's more romantic than Paris?

Supplies: 

• Cardstock for base card ( I used Stardreams black metallic)
• Craftsmith Gold Foil Paper
• Pink and Black Metallic Glitter Papers
• French Themed Stamps ( I used Tim Holtz)
• White cardstock for stamping
• Black pigment ink ( I used Recollections)
• Pink and Gray Inks ( I used Fresh Ink)
• Punches, embellishments,stickers

I stamped the images in black pigment ink, set with a heat gun and then dusted pink and grey inks on top. Trimmed and mounted as shown on the black and pink glitter papers, then embellished with punched hearts and the black, white, and gold "LOVE" stickers ( Recollections, Michaels). 

I used foam dots to mount the focal images to the front of the card and embellished with self adhesive pink pearls. Also Michaels in their 2 for $3 section. My name is Carol and I spend too much time at Michaels. 

Glittery Gold Graduation and Retirement Cards with American Crafts

Disclosure: I received products from American Crafts but was not financially compensated for this post. Projects and opinions are mine.

I recently received some glittery gold goodies from the wonderful folks at American Crafts. I love metallics and glitter and the timing was perfect since I knew I had a retirement and a graduation card to make. Both of these occasions just scream gold to me. Yes, I am the paper whisperer.

Gold papers, metallic glitter, gold embossing powder, gold baker’s twine!

For the retirement card, I made a 5x7 card from cream card stock and then cut a piece of the American Crafts  gold and white damask paper to size. I also die cut  a layered flower from the same paper and curled the petal edges.

Since the paper is so detailed with the damask pattern and the glitter, I kept this card simple and just used this one paper for the card.

Layered scraps leftover from my card with AC gold glitter tape and spelled out the word “enjoy” using the gold glitter Thickers alphabet stickers I received. Layered these as shown.

Finished with a gold rhinestone in the middle.

For the graduation card, I used a foiled piece from the American Crafts Atlantic collection along with plain black cardstock, more glitter tape, an embossed image with the American Crafts ZING embossing powder, and the glitter Thickers stickers. I wrapped some of the gold baker’s twine around the card and even made a little graduation tassel with it.

Sometimes working with metallics and glitter you can end up covered in it. I really like the glitter ribbon ( did I mention it’s self adhesive?) because it doesn’t come off on you. Same for the Thickers stickers. The papers are incredible both in the design and the weight. I like making layered, heavy cards ( the post office just loves me) and these work great w/ die cut machines and can stand up to altering etc.

You can see more from the American Crafts line here as well as on Facebook and Twitter.