Layered Sympathy and Get Well Cards

Posted in Cards, Get Well/Sympathy by lisababitz

Recently, I was in Michaels and saw some patterned paper on clearance for $0.19 a sheet. I decided to buy several sheets of the same pattern and started “playing” with it when I got home. Scraps started piling up on my desk which led to a bunch of different card layouts. Fun, fun, fun!!

The beautiful patterned paper used for all these cards was called “Floral Palette” by Recollections. So much going on with this pattern; so many possibilities!

First, I focused on the soft colors from the upper right corner of the paper. The soft tones seemed perfect for a sympathy card. There is also a small section in the middle of the left edge that I thought worked well.

(The top sample above is a 5 x 7 inch card, and the bottom two are 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.)

For this last card, I used a portion of the paper to make a simple card front. I added a double mat and greeting, and it was done! Doesn’t get much easier than that!!

I still have a bunch of scraps left over. Hmmm…..

To see the supplies used, click here… Continue reading →

20Oct2018

Embossed Birds Sympathy Card

Posted in Cards, Get Well/Sympathy, Tutorials by lisababitz

Embossed Birds Sympathy Card

This card features the “Birds in Branches” embossing folder by Darice and a stamp from the “Timeless Textures” set by Stampin’ Up.

In order to make the stamped pattern appear behind the embossed birds and branches, you stamp the pattern onto the inside of the embossing folder before embossing. Embossing folders with larger, solid portions (as opposed to thin lines/patterns) work best for this technique. Open the embossing folder and stamp your image on the “front” side of the folder (with the indented images that will be embossed). You want the ink/stamped images to go only on the flat part of the folder; avoid getting ink inside the “indented” birds and branches. (In other words, press/stamp lightly; do not press so hard on your stamp that it squishes into the indented portions of the folder.) You can use a large background stamp to ink up the folder or repeatedly stamp a smaller image (like I did here). Keep in mind that whatever you stamp will transfer as a mirror image so text, music notes, etc. will appear backwards with this technique.

Once the embossing folder is inked up, carefully place your card stock inside the folder (position paper on clean side and then close folder to avoid smudging stamped images), and run it through your die cutting machine as you normally would. (You may want to use a card stock shim and run it through a few times to make sure all the ink transfers to the card stock.) And don’t forget to wash your embossing folder when done in case there is any ink left behind!

After I embossed my panel, I lightly rubbed over the raised portions with ink and a Darice Foam Ink Pod. Because these pods are kind of hard/firm (unlike a sponge), I find it easier to keep the ink only on the raised surfaces and not in the “nooks and crannies” around the embossed parts. (These pods can be washed with soap and water and reused.)

The embossing folder does all the work on this card! I simply added some mats, a greeting stamped on a stitched rectangle die cut, and a ribbon embellishment to finish it off.

Thanks for checking out my card project!

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29Apr2018

Dahlia Fold Floral Card

Posted in Birthday Cards, Cards, Get Well/Sympathy by lisababitz

Dahlia Fold Floral Card

A few weeks ago, I posted a card I made using the Dahlia Fold technique that I saw on this video, and here is another card I made with the same technique. The flower on this card was made with 8 folded circles (and 2 for the leaves). The card stock used for the flower (and mat panel) was the two-sided “Congratulations” print from Karen Foster Designs and Gina K Moonlit Fog ink for the leaves. I used my 1 3/8 inch circle punch from Stampin’ Up to cut the circles. “Rustic Cream” from Papertrey Ink was used for the main panel and card base.

The background was stamped with the “French Script” stamp from Stampin’ Up and Gina K Kraft ink. The “stem” was from the “Dot Flourishes” set from Inkadinkado and stamped with Gina K Moonlit Fog ink.

The center of the flower was made with my Epiphony Crafts Round (#14) Epoxy Shape Studio Tool (and the corresponding acrylic bubble caps) and a scrap of the “Congratulations” paper.

Thanks for checking out my card project!

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26Apr2018

Fun Daisies

Posted in Birthday Cards, Cards, Get Well/Sympathy, Mother's Day by lisababitz

Fun Daisies

Recently, a friend of mine wanted to give card making a try. She found a few cards online that she liked and asked if I could show her how to make something like them. This is my version of one of those cards.

Here’s the card I CASED:

(from: Better Homes and Gardens, March 10, 2016)

The original sample was adorable the way it was laid out, but if you are at all familiar with my style, you know I wouldn’t be able to glue my pieces down so randomly or crookedly … LOL!! Also, the flowers on the sample were real daisies that were dried and pressed. I used die cut flowers instead.

I played around with different stems, grass and the yellow central florets. Here are two more versions.

I couldn’t find the paper or ribbon used on the sample so I improvised. The paper is from the “Pinks & Corals” pad by Craft Smith. The paper has a white core so I was able to sand and scrape it up a bit. I also rubbed white Gesso on the surface with a paper towel. I was afraid to use too much, and now I feel like there is not enough white. Next time…

For the stems, I used Recollections Jute Twine or white Darice Paper Rope. The leaves are Celebrate It Swiss Dot ribbon from Michaels. For the central florets, I used buttons from a mixed bag I purchased online or “You Had Me At Yellow” mini prills.

The daisies were cut with dies by Whitelotous. The grass is Gina K Grass Green card stock or a scrap of printed paper from my stash (not sure which paper pad it came from). Whaline Green and Celebrate It White raffia were also used.

The greeting is from the “Nurturing Blooms” set by Gina K Designs and was heat embossed with Ranger White embossing powder and versamark ink. (You can see the shine a little better on the second sample.)

Thanks for checking out my card projects!

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18Apr2018

Child Sympathy Card

Posted in Cards, Get Well/Sympathy by lisababitz

Child Sympathy Card

I think sympathy cards are among the most challenging cards to make, and it is especially difficult if it is for the loss of a young child. I recently needed a card to send to friends who lost their three year old granddaughter. She had a rare, childhood form of kidney cancer but showed no signs or symptoms of having the disease, so her death was completely unexpected. I cannot even begin to imagine what that would be like, and there is very little anyone can say or do to make it better. So I really struggled with this card.

Ultimately, I chose this teddy bear image from the “Baby Bear” stamp set from Stampin’ Up and a beautiful sentiment stamp for the inside called “God’s Promise” by DRS Designs. It says:

God’s Promise
“God didn’t promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain.
But God did promise strength for the day,
comfort for the tears, and a light for the way.
And for all who believe in His kingdom above,
He answers their faith with everlasting love.”

The bear image was created with 3 stamps that are layered on top of one another. I used Gina K Kraft ink for stamp #1 (the most solid of the three stamps/lightest ink), Gina K Warm Cocoa for stamp #2, and Stampin’ Up Tip Top Taupe for stamp #3. The greeting is from the “Sentimental Bouquet” stamp set from Gina K Designs and was stamped with SU Tip Top Taupe ink. I used water color paper, Stampin’ Up Tip Top Taupe card stock, and printed paper called “Tan Floral Tapestry” from Hot Off The Press/Paper Pizazz.

Thanks for checking out my card project.

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