Just Desserts

It has been grey and overcast here for the past couple of days, so I'm in the mood for nice bright, happy colours. I've used one of my favourite clear stamp sets to create this card as well as all my water colour pencils, which are still scattered over my desk!

Stamps: Just Desserts by Beccy's Place

Tutorial - Latch Cards

Okay, these cards are so easy to make that if you blink, you'll miss it!

Basically, it's a standard card with the front cut slightly shorter so you can add a little piece of card stock to act as a "latch" to keep it closed. That's really all there is to it... easy right?

1. Start with a card blank. The size really doesn't matter, but for those who are interested I used a piece of A5 folded in half, which makes a card that's about 6" x 4" when closed.

2. Cut a vertical strip 1" wide from the right hand side of the card front. Again, the size of the piece you remove doesn't really matter, you can adjust it for the particular design you'd like to make.

3. Place the card vertically on your score pad with the fold against the left hand side.

4. Score 3 or 4 lines on the back piece of the card, starting as close as you can to the front edge that you just cut. (See the photos below.) The score lines are to give the card some flexibility - DO NOT FOLD ALONG THE SCORE LINES.

5. Now decorate the card front however you like. I used some patterned paper, rhinestones and an image.

6. Now it's time to create your "latch". I find a circle shape works best, but you can really do just about any shape you like. Maybe a little fussy cut flower or a cute animal image? I kept it simple by printing a sentiment and cutting it out with a circle punch.

7. The "latch" attaches with a piece of foam tape to the back of the card. Place the tape to the right of the score lines and then secure the "latch" over the top.

8. As you can see, the score lines give the card stock enough flexibility to bend when opening and closing the card, plus there's the added benefit of being visible from both the front and the inside of the card!

Stamps:

21 Again...

This is the second card I made for my friend who wanted two 21st birthday cards to give to members of her family.  The first was all pink and pretty, while this one is in cool shades of blue and green. My friend loved the little key I added to this one.

21st Birthday Card

A lovely friend of mine recently asked me to make her a couple of 21st birthday cards for members of her family.  She wanted one that was "pink and girly", so out came all the pretty things from my stash including lace, punches, flowers and fancy edged dies. I don't usually make a lot of loaded cards, but I was quite happy with the finished result and enjoyed the process of putting it all together.

Scrap Card #5

Last month I shared a tutorial on collage cards, and today I've used one of the scrap backgrounds to create a card using the same technique.  I think this is probably my favourite scrap card so far, I love the colours and I really like how all the layering looks.  The inky fingers are definitely worth the result!

 

Freebie: Birthday Stanley

This month's Stanley set is a freebie!

Right click on the images below and choose "Save Picture As" to save them to your computer.  To use an image, copy and paste it into MS Word or open in it your favourite photo-editing software.  You can change the size, orientation or colour, then print and use it on your project.

Here's the set.  Enjoy!

Birthday Bash Challenge #3

"Anything But a Rectangle"

This month's challenges are a little different than usual, so please be sure to carefully read the information below on how to enter.

 

 

CHALLENGE #3 CONDITIONS:

 

1. Create a card that is any shape other than a rectangle.

2. This challenge will run for one week from today until midnight on the 21st of February 2013 (AEST). At the end of the challenge, one random winner will receive three digital images of their choice from my online store.

3. Only one entry per person per challenge.

4. At the end of February one random winner will be chosen from amongst those people who have participated in all four of the February Birthday Bash Challenges. That person will receive 10 images of choice from my online store!

5. You can submit your card or project in any other challenge you wish.

Tutorial - Diaper Fold Pouch

Diaper fold pouches are not cards in the traditional sense of the word, but they are fun to create and if you're looking for something different to send to someone, then they are the perfect little project.

 

 

 

1.  Start with a large square of sturdy, double-sided paper.  It doesn't really matter what size you choose since this card isn't made based on measurements (isn't that nice for a change??).  For those of you who like to have an idea of size, I used an 9" square.

 

2.  Fold the paper diagonally, corner to corner and press the crease firmly.

 

3.  Use a grid mat with a diagonal guide line to find the centre of your folded paper.  Mark the centre with a small pencil line.

 

4.  Bring the top corner of the paper down to the mark you made in step three and crease firmly.

 

5.  Unfold.  The crease you created in step 4 will form the guide line for the next couple of steps.

 

6.  Bring the right hand corner into the middle, lining up the edge of the paper with the crease line you created earlier.  Do the same for the left hand corner.

 

7.  Trim down the two points so that they fit together without overlap.  This helps to reduce bulk and keeps the pocket sitting nicely.  Secure them with some double sided tape or glue.

 

8.  Bring the top flap down over the two corners and secure with double sided tape or glue.  You've now created the pouch.

 

9.  Cut a square of cardstock or sturdy double sided paper to fit inside your pocket.  Stamp it with an appropriate sentiment and decorate as desired.  Have fun!

Tutorial - Diagonal Double Pocket Card

This card is perfect for occasions when you want to send someone a gift card, money or even a special photograph.  The two pockets folded into the front of the card can hold any of these items and can be embellished to add even more interest and dimension to the overall card design.

 

Card Fold Template

 

1. Start with a piece of double-sided paper measuring 12" x 8".  Choose paper that is thick and sturdy and with a pattern that is the same when viewed either sideways or longways. 

 

2. Using the template above, score along all the dashed lines and cut along the solid line.  Fold and press all the scored lines.

 

3.  Fold and press the top left triangular section of paper toward the front, and fold and press the lower right triangular section of paper toward the back along the score lines as shown in the picture below.

 

4.  Apply double-sided tape to the top left triangular section of paper as shown in the picture below.  Remove the backing from the tape and press the triangle down adhering it to the paper below.

 

 

5.  Apply another piece of double-sided tape from the diagonal fold to the edge of the cut you made earlier.  See picture below.

 

6.  Fold the entire piece to the right and adhere to the paper below. 

 

7.  Apply double sided tape to the bottom right quadrant of the card, starting just below the centre line and ending before the diagonal score line.  Refer to the picture below.

8.  Remove the backing from the tape and fold the bottom half up adhering it to the top section.

 

9.  Apply more tape to the triangular piece of paper that is now in the top right corner.  Remove the backing paper from the tape and fold the section down.  The two pockets will now be revealed. 

 

 

10.  Fold along the centre line so you end up with a complete card.

FRONT 

INSIDE 

 

11.  Add embellishments, a sentiment or some handmade tags to complete the card.  Have fun!