Father's Day Rosette Card

With Father's Day next week, I thought I would share a really quick and easy Father's Day Card Idea, that none the less looks very effective.

Card Recipe:

Tools: Tonic Studios Indulgence Tea Party Square Base Die, Round Window Pour Me Die and Family Sentiments Die Pack, Scallop Circle Layering Dies, Grand Calibur, Super Trimmer 
Paper and Card: Linen card, Stardream
Embellishments: Crystal Rhinestones

To make my filigree card base, I used the new Indulgence Tea Party Square Base Die following my Filigree Card Base Tutorial. This just makes such a delicate but striking card base.  Just because it's a card for a man, doesn't mean it can't have a little bit of bling, with some topaz coloured crystal rhinestones.

For the topper, I used the outer circle from the Pour Me dies. Then I cut a 3cm wide strip of card from the same card as I had used for the card base and scored it using the Super Trimmer to create a concertina fold.  The rosestte is created by simply glueing the two ends together, then pushing it flat and adhering to the card.  I covered the hole in the middle with a small scallop circle.

Finally, I used the Dad from the Family Sentiments Dies.

Hope you all have a great weekend! Pin It Now!

Pillow Box Owl Step-by-Step Tutorial

This is a step-by-step photo tutorial for how to create a cute pillow box owl using the Tonic Studio Dies.  At the bottom of this blogpost, you will find a downloadable PDF of these instructions.

Step 1 - Die Cut your Cardstock

First of all, you will need the following dies (all by Tonic Studios, shown in picture above left)

1. smallest layering circle die
2. smallest layering scallop circle die
3. second smallest layering circle die
4. smallest love arches die (the heart)
5. pillow box die

You will also need the following pieces of card stock:

1. Brown textured cardstock cut to 9.5cm x 20.5cm, 2 pieces of 3.5cm x 8cm and 2 pieces cut to 3.5cm x 3.5cm
2. Black textured cardstock cut to 2 pieces of 3cm x 3cm
3. White textured cardstock cut to 2 pieces of 4cm x 4cm
4. Watch the Birdy double-sided patterned cardstock cut to 2 pieces of 3cm x 20.3cm

Cut out the following (shown in picture above right)
    A. The complete pillow box die from brown card 
    B. 2 sets of the central eclipse shape from brown card
    C. 2 sets of hearts from brown card
    D. 2 sets of second smallest layering circle die from white card
    E. 2 sets of smallest layering circle die from black card
    F. 6 sets of smallest layering circle from one side of patterned card and 6 sets of smallest              layering scallop circle from other side of patterned card

Step 2 - Trim the Wings, Score the Beak and Shape the "Feathers"

You may be wondering why I made you die-cut two pieces of brown card from the central eclipse section of the pillow box die.  You are going to use these pieces to make the owl wings! Using a pair of scissors, carefully snip around the perforated edge of the eclipse to reveal a perfect wing shape.  For a really professional finish, lightly rub a piece of fine sandpaper around the edge to remove any nibs left behind after trimming.

You are also going to convert one of the brown cardstock hearts into the owl's beak.  To do this, score a T-shape on the back of the heart, running vertically from centre top-to-bottom and then across the heart to form a "T".  Fold the heart along your score lines.

Finally, in terms of preparation:

• Fold and shape the pillow box die cut, but do not stick together
• Stick the smaller black circles slightly offset onto the white circles and add the googly eyes
• Curl the patterned scallop circles by running them over a boning tool
• Cut 2 of the patterned circles in half, then curl all of the patterned circles with the boning tool

Step 3 - Assemble the Owl

Starting at the bottom of the front of the pillow box shape, apply a small blob of glue to the back of the point of the un-scored heart, and stick this to the middle bottom of the pillow box die cut (as shown above left).  These are the owl's "feet" and help ensure you can stand your owl upright once assembled. Adhere the top edge only of three of the small scalloped patterned circles in a row along the bottom of the front of the pillow box shape (as shown above left).  For even spacing, I find it easiest to place the middle circle first, and then add the other two on either side.  

Next, again working from the middle out, apply the next row, this time with plain-edge circles, and offsetting them from the row below.  This means that you will need two of the half circles, one at each end, to complete the row (as shown above middle).

Repeat another layer of scallop circles.

For the final row, adhere the two full circles into place.  Then glue the beak into place as shown (above left photo).  Finally, glue the wings into place and add the final two half circles to finish the final row of "feathers" (above right photo).

Next, apply glue to the bottom half of the back of the eyes and stick into place.  Set the owl aside for 5-10 mins for the glue to dry and firm up.  Finally, glue the sides of the pillow box together and tuck down the top flaps.  Once dry, stand your owl up and admire your handiwork! 

Please do let me know if this tutorial has been useful, or if you need any clarification on my description or any of the steps.

Here's a PDF version of this Pillow Box Owl Tutorial

Enjoy your dies and happy crafting!

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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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Clean & Simple CAS Tiara Corners Card

I've said it before, I don't really "do" clean and simple, but I had this idea in my head for creating a card by layering up Tiara Corner Die Cuts, and it was an itch that needed scratching!

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Verso Tiara Corner Die, Layering Scallop Circle Dies, Layering Circle and Square Dies, Grand Calibur 
Paper and Card: Stardream Card
Embellishments: Rhinestone Button 

I created the focal point by cutting 4 die cuts from white pearlescent card using the larger die in the Tonic Studios Tiara Corner die set.  I then cut 2 mats using the layering square dies, and cut aperatures with the layering circle dies.

I had to limit myself to just adding the one bit of bling, I still get twitchy fingers when I "finish" a clean and simple card, I do find hard not to add just a bit more!

Hope you like it!

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Filigree Dress Card

It's been a while since I've shared a Fashion card with you all, but I can only go so long without a card featuring girly loveliness!

Card Recipe:

Tools: Tonic Studios Indulgence Boudior Square Base Die, Scallop Circle Layering Dies, Grand Calibur
Paper and Card: Linen card, Conqueror
Embellishments: Flatback pearls, handmade hat pins, mulberry flowers

Filigree Card Base

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.

Watch How to Make This Card

Hope you all have a great weekend!

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Ornate Elegance Header Black & Ivory Wedding Invitation

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.

Card Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Ornate Elegance Header Dies, Boudoir Square Base, Scallop Circle Layering Dies, Grand Calibur 
Paper and Card: Stardream, Conqueror
Embellishments: narrow double satin ribbon, flatback pearls, crystals hearts

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. 
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Card in a Box using Tonic Fae Fairy Butterfly Purse Corner Dies

The new Verso Butterfly Purse Corner Dies are just perfect for making a Card in a Box, especially when combined with the enchanting new Fairy Semis Dies from Tonic Studios. So I couldn't think of anything more special or appropriate to use when making a very special 70th Birthday card for my lovely Aunt Ann.



















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Baby Lucia's Filigree First Birthday Card

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!

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Bevelled Squares & Scallop Circles - No Stamp Required

This card is a bit of departure for me, as there is no stamping required, just some lovely patterned paper and pretty embellishments combined with simple matting and layering.

Card Recipe:

Paper and Card: Textured, Watch The Birdie, Stardream
Tools: Tonic Studios Scallop Layering Circles, Layering Squares, Everyday Sentiments, Grand Calibur
Embellishments: flat-back pearls,  zva crystal swirl, hatpins, mulberry flowers, double satin ribbon, pearl strand, crochet flower

I'd had this idea for a mosaic-style card as soon as I got my new layering dies, but instead of creating a set of mats and putting different toppers onto them, I used my dies to create a set of identical mini apertures and used different elements from some gorgeous Watch the Birdie double sided patterned papers to create the focal points.

So here's a couple of close up photos of a few of those apertures.  Here you can see where I've used just a snippet of a Zva Crystal Swirl and then echoed that with a trail of flat-back pearls leading to my Butterfly die-cut.  

I make my own hatpins (it's kind of an obsessions) and if you would like to have a go at simple ones like this but don't know where to  start, take a look at one of my most popular tutorials Creating Hatpins.  The great thing about making your own embellishments is that you can always match them to your project.










Here's my tip for making sure that your apertures are all identical, use low tack tape to secure the two dies together, and keep in place for each of the nine squares.

You don't need to die cut the backing papers to each aperture, but as I had space on my die cutting mat, I did use the next die down to cut my papers.  The advantage to this is that can position the die and centre it over the most interesting elements of the patterns.  The beautiful images on Tonic Studios Watch the Birdie double-sided card pad was perfect for this project.  

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

This card was a Top Pick in the Simply Create Too - Anything Goes  challenge, thank you! Pin It Now!

Twit-Twoo - Here's Sneaky Peak Two! A Pillow Box Owl

This little Pillow Box Owl thinks you'd be Wise to tune into Create and Craft on Friday 13th for the launch of the Tonic Studios new range of Dies including the Pillow Box die used to make this little fella!

Project Recipe:
Tools: Tonic Studios Pillow Box Die Set, Layering Circles and Layering Scalloped Circles Die Sets, Love Arch Die set, Grand Calibur
Paper and Card: DCWV, feltmark card, textured card
Embellishments: Googly Eyes
You can find my tutorial on how I made this cute owl here!

In the meantime, I would like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Crafting for all Seasons - Christmas Anything but a Card

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