Papercrafting: Layered Tulip Mother's Day Cards

 

Even with postage constantly increasing, I still am a "snail mail" girl when it comes to holidays and making and sending handmade cards. I think now more than ever, with everything electronic and AI, it's important to maintain some analog hobbies! Cardmaking remains my first love and my gateway "drug" to all of my other crafts. The Mamas in my life will be getting these in the mail soon! 

Supplies:

• Cutting Machine 
• SVG Image  (Creative Fabrica)
• Coordinating Scrapbook Papers
• Cardstock (110 lb)
• Coordinating Stickers
• Foam Tape
• Gemstone Embellishments

I realize the irony (even the hypocrisy) of talking about an analog hobby while using downloadable files and an electronic cutting machine. I consider them tools, just like a tape gun or paper cutter. 

I found a layered tulip image I liked and downloaded the SVG via my Creative Fabrica subscription. I uploaded it into my Cricut Design Space software and sized to fit my card. I used two different green papers to give my tulips depth, and cut the tops out in pink metallic and white. 

I used a mini glue dot runner (Dollar Tree) to attach the layers as shown. Two green, one pink glitter, then the top in pink foil here, and 

white paper here. 

My standard card size is 5x7, so I cut my 110lb cardstock to 7x10, scored, folded, then my focal panels from my chosen scrapbook papers (Recollections) to 4.75x6.75, and applied with my tape gun.

Once all of my tulip focal pieces were done, they were ready to go on the front of the cards!

I squealed when I found these tulip stickers at Michaels, and I already had the butterfly stickers in my stash (Dollar Tree). I attached one of each to enhance each of the tulips. To finish, I added coordinating pink gemstones (Creatology, Michaels). 

DON'T sleep on the kids' crafts section at Michaels, which is where these gems are fun. More than I'll ever probably use, so for $3.99, they go a LONG way!

 

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Papercrafting: Layered LOVE Valentine's Cards

 

This week's party continues here through tomorrow. 

Busy as I've been, I found some time to make Valentine's Day Cards for family and friends. I had some great papers left from a stack I bought last year so I used them, along with a few new embellishments I picked up this year. 

Supplies:

• 110lb Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
• Seasonal Papers (Sweetheart Day Stack, Michaels)
• Coordinating Glitter Papers
• Adhesive Foam Dots, Glue Runner
• Misc. Embellishements
• Cut File
• Digital Cutting Machine

I always plan cards by the focal image I want to use and build around that. I went with this LOVE image from Cricut Design Space. 

In Cricut Design Space, I used the offset function to create two additional layers. I cut and assembled all of my focal pieces, then cut and assembled my cards following my go to 5x7 card and 4.75x6.75 panels. This stack had some great acetate papers included which I had fun with!

TIP: If I don't want to cut more papers for my panels, I combine leftover pieces and just measure them the same size as the panel. 

I found these embellishments at DAISO, and they were perfect for my cards!

Just added them to the letters etc.

These conversation hearts are from one of the acetate panels. 

That's about the extent of my Valentine's crafting this year, but I couldn't NOT show the people I love that I love them! 

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Cardmaking: Hanukkah Cards

 

This week's BFF Open House Link Party continues here. 

Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah and I always enjoy making cards for special friends. These may be my favorites yet!

Supplies:

• 110lb Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels) in Dark Royal Blue
• Coordinating Scrapbook Paper
• Gold Mirror Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
• Silver Glitter Cardstock 
• Menorah Cut Image (Cricut Design Space)
• Digital Cutting Machine (Cricut Maker)
• Coordinating Large Rhinestones (Dollar Tree)
• Foam Dots

My go-to card size is 5x7 so I cut the solid cardstock to 7x10 and scored in the middle. I had the foiled blue paper in my stash.  I found a beautiful Menorah image in Cricut Design Space. I deleted the flames because I knew I wanted to use abstract rhinestones (Dollar Tree) for the flames. In Cricut Design Space, I then created an offset for the Menorah which I cut from the gold mirror paper. 

I attached the silver glitter layer to the gold layer using foam dots, then embellished the "candles" with coordinating royal blue rhinestones. The abstract rhinestones just screamed flames to me and were the inspiration for this entire project!

The center candle of the Menorah is used to light the other candles, with the other candles being lit from left to right, one candle each night, so I chose one color for it, and used the two gold shades for the remaining flames. 

And there you go! 

Wishing all those celebrating LOVE, LIGHT, and crispy LATKES! 

Papercrafting: Layered Turkey Thanksgiving Cards

 

This whole trip down the Crafting rabbit hole started with card making. It will always be my first love and the "ber" months, are my favorite cardmaking time of year. Sharing this year's Thanksgiving cards sent to family and "framily" (friends who are like family!). 

Supplies: 

• Craft Smith Rose Gold Paper Stack (an older stack from Michaels)
• Recollections 110lb Cardstock, Cream (Michaels)
• Recollections 65lb Cardstock, Kraft (Michaels)
• Recollections 65lb Cardstock, Metallic Copper (Michaels)
• Coordinating Glitter Papers (Online)
• Foam Squares (Dollar Tree)
• Self-adhesive Rhinestones (Stash)

I always cut my components first. I have a tendency to make heavy cards and I'm trying to skinny them down because postage keeps going up! Still, even when I do need two stamps per card, it's less expensive than buying cards. 

My cards are generally 5x7. I cut the solid copper panels 4.75x6.75 and the patterned papers 4.5x6.5. Layered as shown.   

The layered turkey is a Cricut Design Space image from my CDS subscription. I cut the base layer from kraft cardstock, and the detailed layer from a coordinating glitter paper. Attached these using my tape runner. 

I used foam squares from Dollar Tree to attach the turkey to the base. I also did the GOBBLE sentiment in Cricut Design Space. 

To finish, I went to my rhinestone collection and found these antique gold ones that worked. Added these to the "GOBBLE", and done! I thought I was going to use the sequin mix shown above, but once I "rediscovered" these rhinestones...

Gobble til you wobble! 

Papercrafting: Happy Accident Paper Towel Flower Core

 

I had so much fun with the Dyed Coffee Filter Flowers I shared last week. As I was drying the coffee filters I dyed, I laid them on some paper towel to absorb the excess water and it resulted in one of my favorite things: a happy accident! 

Supplies

• Dyed Coffee Filters
• Dyed Paper Towel
• Stamens
• Dimensional Glue

This is the paper towel that absorbed the excess liquid from the dyed coffee filter flowers. It was too pretty to just throw away. I get giddy about being able to use things like this. Waste-not, justify more craft supplies, is my motto! 

Besides, I had some leftover filters to use up. I had just enough paper towel to use to make two flower centers. I folded in quarters, then cut and snipped the edge into a fringe. After cutting my coffee filter layers, I assembled as shown in last week's tutorial. 

I poked the stamen bunch through the center, added a few drops of glue (I used Glossy Accents by Ranger) and then pinched around the base. 

Side view.

I'm giddy! And will absolutely be repeating this as I make future flowers.