Framed Lattice Card

It's no secret that I am a big fan of Tonic Studios Dies but often I like to make a bigger card especially if it's a "special" birthday, and the Tonic Dies can at first appear too small. However, you just need a little creative thinking in your crafting .....

Card Recipe:

Tools: Tonic Studios Indulgence Boudior Square Base Die, Square Layering Dies, Scallop Circle Layering Dies, Every Day Sentiments 1 Dies, Verdant Vines Dies, Delicate Lattice Ovals Die Set, Grand Calibur
Paper and Card: Stardream Card
Embellishments: Flatback pearls and crystals, handmade hat pins, double satin ribbon
You can watch a youtube video I've filmed on how to make this card here:

I created the main focal point by cutting the Boudoir Base (without the outside cutting edge) straight into the aqua stardream card stock.  Then I cut a frame from white card and a matching scallop circle mat, to frame the lattice and to create a mat for the sentiment.












The "flower" is made from the smallest die from my Delicate Lattice Ovals Die set - sometimes you wonder what to do with these smaller dies but the symetrical design of this little die makes is perfect to layer up to create a filigree flower.

Finally, I had to add a couple of handmade hatpins, don't forget to check out my two tutorials on Creating Hatpins and the aptly named follow-up, More Decorative Hatpins for a simple guide to creating your own embellishments.

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Retro Handbag Card

Hello Folks, apologies that there has been a bit of a hiatus post-wise, I was away on business with very limited Internet access and no access to crafting equipment!  Anyhow, enough about that, thought I'd come back a share with you a lovely but simple shaped Retro Handbag Card.

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Verso Butterfly Purse Die Set, Layering Oval Dies, Layering Butterfly Dies, Verdent Vines Dies, Everyday Sentiment Die set 1, Grand Calibur 
Paper and Card: First Edition Spring Feast, Textured Card
Embellishments: Rhinestone Swirl 

This card is a remodelling of a card style I first designed in October 2007 (see my original pictured left).  Back then, we didn't have all these lovely thin dies to use and I used to cut the original flap part using a cutting compass (and it failed to cut cleanly 50% of the time)!  This time around I used my Butterfly Purse Die - perfect for the job in hand and so much more reliable and quicker too.

Back in 2007, we also didn't have easy access to die cut greetings either, but I am so glad things have moved forward since then, as I think this Happy Birthday greeting is the perfect addition to the inside of this card.

My favourite handbag brand is Radley and they often use applique methods to adorn their bags.  So I mimicked the style with various die cut shapes to add texture.

Whilst the tools we use may change and improve, we still need ideas and inspiration for making our cards, so I do hope that this updated blast from the past has given you some inspiration too. I'd love to hear if you too have re-made a classic old card design, please leave me a comment below and share a link if you've blogged it too! Pin It Now!

Mad As A Hatter Card in a Box

Here's another sneak peek of Tonic Studios Tea Party Dies.

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Indulgence Round Window Pour Me, Watch Me and Wear Me Dies and Everyday Sentiments dies, Grand Calibur 
Paper and Card: Linen card, Stardream, KandCo

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Diamond Wedding Anniversary

It's my parent's Diamond Wedding Anniversary in a month and I wanted to make a real show stopper.  This colour combination of platinum, greys and champagne is one of my favourites, and I think it's softer and more elegant than the traditional white and silver.

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Be Still My Pleated Heart Card!

Apologies for the pun title, but I think you will forgive me when you see how pretty the pleated background looks on this heart card (I hope so anyway!).

And it fits perfectly with the Valentine theme over at an Oldie But A Goodie Challenge this fortnight.  My "oldies" are my designer papers, card and gems, which I have combined with my brand new Indulgence Affections Dies from Tonic Studios. 

Card Recipe:

Paper and Card: Textured, Prima, Stardream
Tools: Tonic Studios Affections Square Heart Base, Affections Heart On Mother's Day, Pillow Box Die and Sentiments, Scallop Layering Squares, Grand Calibur 
Embellishments: flatback pearls and crystals

How to Create the Pleated Heart Focal Point

The focal point for this card is the pleated background to the central heart section. To achieve this, I first die cut and embossed my patterned paper using the following sequence:

1. Die cut and emboss outer two detail dies from Affections Square Heart Base (but not the edge dies), outer detail and inner heart edge dies from Affections Heart On Mother's Day
2. Remove dies and waste, then cut out the outer edge using the largest scallop layering square
3. Die cut a piece of pink stardream paper using the outer edge cutting die from the Affections Square Heart Base
4. Carefully position and adhere the patterned paper to the pink stardream backing paper.  Resit the inner heart edge die into the central section and die cut to create aperture.
5. Cut two 3.5 cm wide strips of coordinating 15cm patterned paper, score these every 0.6cm and concertina fold.  Adhere the two strips together.  Take the pink "waste" heart die cut from the aperture and coat generously with wet glue.  Push the centre of the concertina strips down onto the glue to form a rosette.  Place a light weight on top of rosette until glue has dried
6. Apply a thin line of wet glue to the reverse of the heart aperture on the topper and adhere to the rosette.  Apply a double depth of 3D foam tape around the edge of the reverse of topper and mount onto your card.
7. Decorate with flatback pearls and crystals, and add your die-cut sentiment

I've also subsequently filmed a step-by-step video tutorial on how to make this card from start to finish, just click on the picture below

Here's one last look at this card.....

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