Thinking Of You

A simple Z-fold card decorated with one of the yellow magnolia images.

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Scoreboard Embossing

I used a score board to add diagonal, embossed lines to the background of my card, then added tiny rhinestones to the intersection of each line. It's a fun and effective way to add a little texture without needing an embossing machine and folders.

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Gold Embossing

To create the sentiment panel for this card, I added gold embossing over one of the images from the Magnolias cut sheets, coloured the edges with black marker, and cut with the coordinating dies. I trimmed the image into three pieces and secured each piece to the panel with glue. To add some interest to the background and break up all the white, I stamped and gold embossed the magnolia image multiple times in different orientations.

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'Tis (Almost) The Season!

Inky Backgrounds

Give me stamps and give me ink, and I'll give you a great big mess and a couple of colourful cards!

P.S. I'm happy to report that distress inks do wash out of clothing and will successfully mop up from a vinyl floor. It is, however, best not to roll a desk chair through the ink before clean up has occurred.

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Tutorial - Hammock Gatefold Cards

Combine two basic gatefold cards to create an awesome upright display card!

1. Place a 12" x 6" piece of cardstock horizontally on your score board and score at 2", 4", 8" and 10". Fold along the score lines to form a gatefold card.

2. Now make a second, smaller gatefold card using a 9" x 4" piece of cardstock, scored at 11/2", 3", 6" and 71/2".

3. To decorate, you'll need one piece of contrasting cardstock measuring 37/8" x 57/8", four pieces measuring 17/8" x 57/8", and two pieces measuring 13/8" x 33/8".

You'll also need one piece of patterned paper measuring 33/4" x 53/4", four pieces measuring 13/4" x 53/4", and two measuring 11/4" x 31/4".

4. Secure the patterned paper to the cardstock with glue or tape.

5. Secure the patterned paper and cardstock panels to your larger card base, except for the two outside panels, which will be added later.

6. Adhere the two small cardstock and patterned paper panels to the smaller gatefold card as shown in the photo below.

7. Prepare a 27/8" x 4" decorative panel and secure to the centre of the small gatefold card. (NOTE: If you prefer, you can simply decorate the centre section of the card with stamps, embellishments, or patterned paper.) 

8. Use glue or strong double-sided tape to secure the small gatefold to the large gatefold, lining up the first and last score lines. I found it easiest to apply glue to the end panel of the small gatefold, position it over the larger gatefold and then close the cards together. Repeat for the other end.

9. Secure the two remaining panels to the ends of the large gatefold.

10. (OPTIONAL) Create a simple belly band by wrapping a 11/2" wide scrap of cardstock around your card and glueing the ends together. Decorate as desired.

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Pretty in Pink

A pretty magnolia image framed with delicate cherry blossoms.

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Merry and Bright

Most water based inks and paints retain their vibrancy when you add water, unlike oxide inks, which become chalky and muted creating a nice contrast for elements placed over them, like the gold embossed sentiment I added to this card. 

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Fancy Edged Z-Fold Card

This little card folds up to just under 4" x 4", but the z-fold shape allows plenty of space for hand-written notes and sentiments.

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Black and White

I achieved a kind of chalk-board look with today's card by stamping and painting my images with white oxide ink on black cardstock. I did have to paint fairly quickly without too much water to prevent my cardstock from tearing, but the ink went on quite easily.

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