Choc-Orange

Just like colour combinations, there are certain flavour combinations that are considered classics, such as chocolate and orange. Mmmmmm.... Here in Australia, we have a number of popular products with the choc-orange combination. Needless to say, I'm a fan of them all!

Digital Stamps:

Simple Squares

You don't always have to use an image in its entirety to create fantastic cards. Today I'm going to show you a fun technique using two pre-coloured citrus panels, some coordinating cardstock and a couple of square punches.

I used a 1" punch to cut squares from the two pre-coloured panels I printed. Make sure you print the image large enough to accommodate the numbers of squares you wish to work with. The panels I printed are 51/2" tall, which allowed me to punch 10 squares from each one if I kept the cuts close together.

I used another square punch with a decorative edge to punch mats for each of the image squares, then layered them together.

I adhered a piece of scrap chipboard to the back of each tile for some added dimension.

It's important to place the first tile as accurately as possible on your card as this will be the foundation piece for the remaining squares. As you can see from the photo, I took advantage of the horizontal lines on a clear ruler to make sure my first tile was straight and equidistant from the top and side of the card base.

If you feel confident enough, place the remaining tiles by sight. Feel free to continue using the ruler if you aren't confident that your squares will end up in a nice straight line.

Secure the first and last tile in the second column to give yourself a guide for the placement of the remaining squares. Keep them lined up with the top and bottom as well as the tiles in the first column.

Cut away any excess cardstock from your base, then finish the project with a sentiment.

The second card I created has the tiles placed on an angle so they look like diamonds. I cut four diagonally in half to fit each side and complete the square. Although the effect is fabulous, the process was really quite difficult without guide lines for placement. If I were to do it again, I would probably add score lines as both a design element and a guide.

Stamps:

Citrus Goodness

Zesty lemons and limes mixed with sweet slices of orange are a fresh and fabulous way to decorate a greeting card, especially when you add a layer of sparkly glitter to really make things pop!

Deanne's Blog

Karin's Basket of Oranges

Karin's card has a definite retro-feel with the fabulous patterned paper background and the combination of colours. The pretty handmade flower in the bottom corner is actually layered card stock finished with an adhesive pearl.

Karin has kindly included a colouring chart:

Stamps:

Someone Sweet

I often use the same markers to colour mats, embellishments, ribbons and sentiment panels on a card. It helps to keep a consistent colour scheme across the whole project. Alcohol inks are ideal for colouring non-porous items, while water-based markers are great for papers and card stock.

Stamps:

Carla's Sweet Card

Carla has created this card using a wonderful combination of warm colours, fabulous die cuts and pretty background paper. After colouring the oranges, she fussy cut the image and popped it up with some foam tape for a fabulous three dimensional element.

Stamps:

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:

Basket of Oranges

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Sue's card

Viv's Card

My Card

(sentiment by Kaisercraft)