Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Card Insides

One of the things I have been working on improving is the inside of my cards.  Totally blank is ok if they will be used to write a personal message.  But, if I'm writing - it's usually a letter.  Too much to fit on the inside of my cards.  If I'm just signing my name and a sentance or two, it will fit, but the card seems lacking if there isn't any decoration on the inside.  I've decided to use the following guideline when designing my cards.  Treat it as a book. 

The cover is the main focal point.  The left inside will contain a verse and/or coordinating decoration.  The right inside will contain a panel for writing my message and signing my name.  Even if the card is a light enough color to write on, I like the panel.  It frames the message.  The back will contain the copyright and contact information. I decorate that too, although it's usually just one image that has been used somewhere else on the card.

Today's post contains several samples from yesterday's cards.

The first two show a couple of ways to add a verse. These are for "friend" cards.



I like to stamp on the writing panel using the one-off technique. You know, ink the stamp, stamp it on scrap paper and then stamp it on your card without reinking. Some folks call it "generation" stamping.

The next two are simple borders down the left edge.  As simple as this is, it does add a finishing touch to the inside.  It also leaves a little more room for writing or adding something at the last minute.




The last three show the use of cutouts from the Designer Series Paper (DSP).  Fun, fun, fun! I used these on the envelopes too, but I'll save that for another post.






Did you notice that some of the flowers are "off the edge?"  A great way to use scraps that don't have a complete image.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Scrapbooking Papers and Cards

I love paper.  All kinds.  I collected it as a kid.  It's one of my favorite tools for quick card making.  Last week I used a set of papers from Stampin' Up! called Greenhouse Gala.  They all coordinate with each other so matching is a no brainer.  Today I have several samples to show you in three different layouts.  I call them 2/3rds, Fill the Middle, and Left Side Panel.  I made up a bunch of these in the coordinating colors.  Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz and Pumpkin Pie.

These are great cards for scrapbookers (or anyone else) who love the idea of cards but don't want to invest in a lot of stamps.

Here are a couple of 2/3rds.  The paper covers 2/3rds of the card front...








The flower is cut out of a scrap from the DSP, glued to coordinating cardstock and embellished with glitter.  This technique works great with the larger patterns.  I love them but sometimes the pattern size is intimidating.

Here are a couple of Fill the Middle.


Here are a couple of Left Side Panel.




Tomorrow, I'll show you and discuss the insides.

Supplies

2/3, For You - Card Size = 6 1/4 x 4 1/2
Stamps:  SU Punch Bunch
Ink: SU Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie Markers
Paper: SU Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White cardstock; SU Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories/Tools:  SU Ticket Corner Punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, 1 3/8" & Scallop Circle Punches, Dimensionals

2/3, Springtime Smiles - Card Size = 6 1/4 x 4 1/2
Stamps:  SU Easter Blossoms
Ink:  SU Pumpkin Pie
Paper:  SU Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie cardstock; SU Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories/Tools:  SU Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, Very Vanila Seam Binding, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; Glue Pen

Fill the Middle, For You - Card Size = 6 1/4 x 4 1/2
Stamps: SU Punch Bunch
Ink: SU Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie Markers
Paper: SU Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie cardstock; SU Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories/Tools: SU Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, 1 3/8" & Scallop Circle Punches, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Fill the Middle, Friend - Card Size = 6 1/4 x 4 1/2
Stamps:  SU Perfect Punches, Sweet Summer
Ink:  SU Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz; SU Pear Pizzazz Marker
Paper:  SU Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White cardstock; SU Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories/Tools:  SU Curly Label Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Dimensionals

Left Side Panel, Thanks - Card Size = 6 1/4 x 4 1/2
Stamps:  SU Perfect Punches, Sweet Summer, In My Thoughts
Ink:  SU Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip; SU Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze Markers
Paper:  SU Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Baja Breeze cardstock; Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories/Tools:  SU Wide, Scallop & Small Oval Punches, Ticket Corner Punch, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Dimensionals

Left Side Panel, For You - Card Size = 6 1/4 x 4 1/2
Stamps:  SU Punch Bunch
Ink:  SU Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie Markers
Paper:  SU Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White cardstock; SU Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories/Tools:  SU Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding, Dimensionals, 1 3/8" & Scallop Circle Punches, Scallop Edge Punch, Ticket Corner Punch; 2" Circle Punch

Note:  Some stamps and tools are used on the insides of these sampes.
SU = Stampin' Up!
DSP = Designer Series Paper























Sunday, March 27, 2011

Crosses of Hope

This week I went to my "cards I need to make" list.  Cards with crosses (which was requested by a friend last year) topped the list.  I ordered the stamps to make her cards but I am just getting around to making them. The stamps are a Stampin' Up! set called Crosses of Hope. No comments about how long I've had these "new" stamps.  You all have "new" stamps too! 



Crosses of Hope Cards




I'll have more samples using this set but I'm waiting on some more stuff.  I saw this great embossing folder and it will work great as a border around the crosses...

Supplies

Stamps: (SU) Crosses of Hope, Antique Background, God Bless II

Ink:  VersaMark; (SU) Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride

Cardstock: (SU) Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Pear Pizzazz DSP

Accessories/Tools:  (SU) Scallop Trim Border & Scallop Edge Punches, Pear Pizzazz & Blushing Bride Markers, Blushing Bride Ribbon, Pearls, Rhinestones, Silver Detail Embossing Powder, Dimensionals; Gelly Roll Clear Star Pen

(SU) = Stampin' Up!

 
Inside of Cards
 



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Rhinestone Stamp Tip

I LOVE bling!  Sadly, I don't have room for bling in every color.  I refuse to let the lack of space keep me awake at night (only stamping).  Did you know you can use a permanent marker to color your bling?  Yep!  Today's post uses Bic Mark It and Sharpie brands on Rhinestones.  They also work on pearls. I tested them just to be sure.

This was today's inspiration card.  I don't have a grass punch so here's my blue version.


.

Inside of Card






Card Size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Stamps: (SU) Bodacious Bouquet, Looks Like Spring; (RCRW) Vertical Words

Ink: (SU) Pear Pizzazz, Pacific Point; (AP) Coal

Cardstock: (SU) Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Pacific Point, Pear Pizzazz designer paper

Tools/Accessories: (SU) Scallop Punch; Rhinestones; (BMI) Margarita Green

(SU) = Stampin' Up! (RCRW) = River City Rubber Works
(AP) = Ancient Page (BMI) = Bic Mark It


Here is my purple version.  This one makes me happy! The leaves and stems were stamped in Pear Pizzazz. They didn't quite meet so I used the matching marker to connect the leaves and stems.  Tip = don't buy an ink pad without a matching marker and a bottle of reinker.  Really!  




Inside of Card


Card Size: 4.5" x 6.25"


Stamps: (CS) Solid Almond Petals; (SU) Wildflowers, Bodacious Bouquet, Bring on the Cake

Ink: (SU) Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush; (AP) Coal

Cardstock: (SU) Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Concord Crush designer paper

Tools/Accessories: (SU) Concord Crush ribbon; (SU) Pear Pizzazz marker; Rhinestones; (S) Dark Purple

(CS) Clear Stamps  (SU) = Stampin' Up!  (AP) = Ancient Page  (S) = Sharpie

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Mambo Thoughts

I'm back, maybe, sometimes. Anyway, last week I got to stamp. Here is one of the cards I created. My favorite stamping blog to case is Simplicity. I love her simple and classy layouts. I can't stick to one layer though. One thing we do have in common is my preference for only stamping one card and moving on. No duplicates - they make me grumpy!


 My card - inspired by Susan's card.    



Inside of Card





















      
Card Size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Stamps: (SU) Whimsical Words; (CS) Blossom, Ivory Elegance

Ink: (SU) Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo

Cardstock: (SU) Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Melon Mambo designer paper

Tools/Accessories: (SU) Certainly Celery Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch; Pink rhinestones

(SU) = Stampin' Up! (CS) = Club Stamp