The most popular card on my blog is a large, special occasion statement card featuring Tonic Studios Boudoir Square Base and Layering Dies. I called it my Framed Lattice Card (you can see it pictured right), and it has been viewed and shared thousands of times. So, I thought I would do a step-by-step tutorial on how to make it, but this time I've filmed a video tutorial to walk you through the process. If you enjoy it, please like it and subscribe to my youtube channel too, as I will film more videos if proves popular.
I hope everyone had an excellent Christmas, with lots of crafting goodies? No doubt, with Christmas over, you're about to put away your Christmas crafty goodies for another year. However, don't be too quick to pack them all away. I said this last year and I'll say it again, A Poinsettia's For Life, not Just for Christmas! Look how I've used a PSX Poinsettia Stamp for a Get Well Card, instead of a Christmas Card. Card Recipe: Stamp:PSX Colouring Mediums: Memento London Fog, Promarkers Paper and Card: Oyster plain card, HOTP, Satin Elegance Tools: Tonic Studios Indulgence Boudoir Square,Verso Holly Rings, 10mm Corner Rounder, Super Trimmer, Grand Calibur Embellishments: lace, double satin ribbon, flatback pearls, crystal button, hand-made hatpins
This card uses a "stamp outside the frame" die-cut technique, as well as decoupage. I stamped my image twice onto Satin Elegance stamping card with Memento ink, leaving plenty of space around the first image. I coloured them both in with Promarker pens, fully colouring the first image but on the second only the poinsettias. I fussy-cut out the poinsettias as a decoupage layer to add dimension to my card.
This is the first time I've used my Indulgence Boudoir Square die to create the lovely trellis mat detail. I defy anyone to use this die and not be over-whelmed by the urge to add flat-back gems. As this was a Get Well Soon card, I didn't want it to be too bling-y, so I used some lovely flat-back pearls this time. My sentiment was computer generated and die cut with a label tag, then washed over with a Fresh Meadow Promarker pen, from the 2012 Special Edition set.
However, a little bit of sparkle always adds some cheer if you're feeling under the weather, and this crystal button sure does add some sparkle. I've had these little bronze flower beads for ages but this is their first outing, and they work perfectly to tie the hatpins into the colour-scheme of the card. If you'd like to see the original version of A Poinsettia's for Life, Not Just for Christmas, click here. Please do leave me a comment, I love to know who's visited this page and what you think!Pin It Now!
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 .....
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.
To make my filigree card base, I used my favourite Indulgence Boudior Square Base Die following my Filigree Card Base Tutorial. I find it impossible to use this die and not add flatback pearls to the cross-points. For the topper, I used a Katy Sue Fabulous Fashion dress on a mannequin design as my topper, which I then decoupaged up another layer of just the dress. I love mulberry cherry blossoms, so I used these as an accent along with a couple of handmade hatpins (I have a tutorial on how to create hatpins here).
How to Add a Greeting or Sentiment
If you are worried about how to add a greeting to this style of card, take a look at how I've used mats and layers inside (below left) and on the back (below right) this card, using my scalloped layering circles dies.
With the wedding season upon us, I thought I'd share with you an contemporary idea for a Pocketfold Wedding Invitation using the new Tonic Studios Ornate Elegance Header Dies.
The beauty of this design is that the shape of the lattice heart header die makes it so easy to line up centrally, so I used it to die cut both the top of my pocket and also the pocket flap. I then threaded narrow double satin ribbon through the punched hole border and accented the central heart motif with crystal hearts. I then created a coordinating invitation using my favourite die ever (but I think my regular readers know that!), the Boudoir Square base, with I decorated with flatback pearls, and then topped with the wedding invitation wording die cut with a the scallop layering dies.
Here's one final look at this invitiation set. Although black as an accent colour may not be to everyone's taste for a wedding invitation, I think it gives a lovely contemporary, chic effect. What do you think? Finally, please do take a look here at my post about my friend Milly's exciting new venture, I would very much appreciate just a minute or so of your time to take a look. Thank you and I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Pin It Now!
New Tonic Studions Ornate Elegance Verso Header Fold
and Family Members Die Sets
So there are new dies from Tonic Studios about to be released and the clever pixies at Tonic Towers have once again produced a really versatile range. The Ornate Elegance Verso Header Fold Die Set are designed primarily to work with the fold in your card, but you know me, I like to show you different ways to use your dies and especially how they work with your existing dies. So here's one of my favourite filigree style cards using one of the Ornate Elegance Headers along with the Boudoir Base Die Set.
I promised recently to provide step-by-step tutorials on how to create a Filigree Card Base and a Faux Laser-Cut Notelet. You will find a downloadable PDF of these instructions at the bottom of this post - enjoy!
Gosh, where did the last 12 months go? I can't believe that it's my niece's first birthday this Sunday. So, it is going to be a series of Baby Birthday blog-posts at the moment, we've had the Button Wall Art last week, now it's the Baby First Birthday Card, and there's the cake to come too!
