Mmmmmm...

I have more dessert cards to share with you today, using the images from the new "Just Desserts" clear stamp set. This is my favourite set from the latest release, I love colouring all the different fruits and deciding on the "flavours" for the cakes. Hopefully my family and friends don't get tired of dessert themed birthday cards!

More Desserts!

Out of all the new stamp releases this month, Just Desserts is easily my favourite... and not just because I love desserts. I really like how easy the images are to colour and how vibrant the fruit looks. Plus there's the added bonus of being able to personalise the "flavour" of each dessert for the recipient... bring on the chocolate!

"Just Desserts" Clear Stamps

Available in Store Now

Tutorial - Flag Fold Cards

I have a fabulous display card to share with you today, featuring five little flags that project from the centre of the card, giving it it's name. Despite how it looks, it's not too difficult to create and will fold up nicely for posting in a standard envelope.

1. You'll need one piece of heavy patterned paper measuring 10" long x 6" high, one piece of cardstock measuring 8" long x 6" high, and five 2" squares of cardstock for the flags. Extra patterned paper and embellishments will be needed for decoration once the base is created.

2. Score the piece of cardstock and fold in half to form a 6" x 4" card. Set aside.

3. Place the patterned paper horizontally on your scoreboard and score at 2", 3", 4", 5", 6", 7" and 8".

4. Concertina fold the card, starting and ending with valley folds. You should have three peaks in the centre of the paper and a 2" flat section on each side. Refer to the photo below.

5. Apply adhesive on the back of the 2" flat sections on either side of the patterned paper. DO NOT apply any adhesive to the concertina section in the middle.

6. Line up the adhesive ends of the patterned paper with the sides of the card blank and press firmly in place. The concertina section should be free to fold and unfold as you open and close the card. Set aside.

7. It's easier to decorate the "flags" at this point rather than after you have secured them to the card. Add some patterned paper, stamps, images and other embellishments as desired. Keep in mind that any decorations you add should be flat as they will be included in the folds of the card.

8. Apply adhesive to the half of the "flag" that will attach to the card. Double check before you add any glues or tapes to make sure you're applying it to the correct side.

9. Start by adhering the centre "flag" halfway up the middle fold. I used a centring ruler to make sure I placed it correctly.

10. Now adhere two flags on the first fold, one flush with the top of the card, and one flush with the bottom.

11. Apply the last two flags on the last fold, one flush with the top of the card and one flush with the bottom.

12. Decorate the front of the card as desired. I used a digital image, coloured with copic markers, some ribbon and patterned paper. The card is quite bulky when complete, so you might like to create a belly band or ribbon tie to hold it closed.

I think this fold would be fabulous for Christmas, decorated with lots of different sized snowflakes, glitter and snowmen. I hope you'll give it a try!

Embrace Happiness

My lovely friend Penny gave me a gorgeous set of Flourishes stamps featuring blueberries and raspberries with some matching sentiments.  I've already made several items with the set including this simple monochromatic card.

 

Tutorial - Gap Cards

Gap cards are great fun to make and can be created for practically any occasion.  The idea is to cut a section out of the front of your card, a gap, and then bridge that gap with letters that make up your sentiment... clever huh!?  And with the huge range of alphabet embellishments available on the market you don't need to have a die cutting machine nor do you have to spend hours fussing cutting with a pair of scissors.

 

 

1.  Start with a card blank and some letters.  Your card can fold horizontally or vertically depending on how many letters you wish to fit on the front.

2.  Determine how much of a gap you want to make.  You need to keep in mind that the gap should be less than the height of your shortest letter or else the word won't be able to span the distance.  As you can see in the photo below, my shortest letter is a little less than 1" in height, therefore I am going to make my gap about 3/4" wide.

3.  Cut out the section of card to create your gap.  I made the bottom piece 1" wide, which was a good size for decorating and for providing stability to the finished project.

4.  Make sure your letters fit nicely across the gap, then set them aside while you decorate the card base.

5.  I used some pretty patterned paper on the 1" strip at the bottom and also on the top part of the card.  I always like to cut my patterned paper slightly smaller than the area I'm adhering it to so that I get a nice little border.

6.  Use some low-tack tape to secure the 1" strip in place on your card.  Make sure it lines up perfectly with the sides and bottom of the card back.

7.  Use a pair of tweezers and some strong glue to adhere each letter across the gap.  Remember to only apply glue to the parts of the letters that are going to be stuck down or else you may end up gluing your card shut!  Now be patient and let the glue dry completely before you start to add your decorations... I know it's hard to resist, but it's important that the bond is nice and strong.

8.  Okay, now it's time to gussy things up with all those pretty embellishments and gorgeous images.  Have fun!

Raspberry House

What bird wouldn't like to live in a cozy little house beneath a fruiting raspberry vine?  Delicious, juicy berries right outside the front door and lovely blossoms to fill the air with perfume.... sounds good to me!

Available In Store Now

Sue's beautiful card.  Many thanks for the inspiration over the last month Sue!

Viv's gorgeous creation.