Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Cascading Pleats Christmas Classics Card

 Susan Campfield has the best fun fold ideas!  She also shares multiple ideas to use those fun folds!  I came across this one and knew that I just had to give it a try.  It IS a bit "over the top" but is not that difficult to do.  It would definitely make a special card for that special person! It uses the Merry Melody Embossing Folder, along with the beautiful Distressed Gold Specialty Paper, and the gorgeous Joyful Specialty Paper! The picture doesn't do it justice!





Measurements:  

  • Cherry Cobbler: 4 1/4" x 9 1/2" (base), 3 1/2" x 4 3/4" (middle base), 2 3/4" x 4" (front base); 4" x 5 1/4" (base layer), 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" (middle layer), 2 1/2" square (sentiments), 7/8" x 3 1/2" (inside sentiment)
  • Basic White: 2 3/4" x 3 7/8"
  • Joyful Specialty Paper (N): 2 1/2" x 3 3/4" (red music notes), 2 1/2" square (holly)
  • Distressed Gold: 4" square, 1 1/2" x 2 3/4" (middle layer), scraps (holly)
To Make This Card:

  • Take Cherry Cobbler Base and score along long side at 5 1/2" - 6 1/2" - 7 1/2" - 8 1/2".
  • Next, turn this piece and score 3/4" from top for 3", and then move down to 1 1/2" and score for only 1".  These score lines will intersect with 2 of the other score lines, and will be our guides for cutting the cascades.
  • Now, take your paper snips. Cut along the 1 1/2" score mark to the 1" intersection. Then cut diagonally to the next scored section, then cut straight to the 3" line and diagonally to the main, center fold. Looks kind of weird, doesn't it.
  • Next make accordion fold with those 3 areas!  There's your base!
  • To create the rest of the base, Place Tear n Tape on middle section and add middle base. Place Tear n Tape on the front section, and add the front "base". Now the main part of your card is done!  Now it's time to decorate!
  • First, I added the red "music notes" DSP to the front base.  Done.
  • Then, dry emboss the middle layer with the Merry Melody music notes.  Add to middle base.
  • Lastly, dry emboss the back layer with the Merry Melody music notes.  Add to the back base.
  • Now, to add the "details".
  • Die cut the "detail square insert" from the Cherry Cobbler 2 1/2" square. Set aside.
  • Die cut 2 "holly leaves" from Distressed Gold. Set aside.
  • Emboss sentiment in Gold Embossing Powder near top of Cherry Cobbler "insert". Trim excess from bottom - to be used for middle decoration.
  • Assemble sentiment & "holly" as shown on the front panel and attach with Dimensionals.
  • Next, the middle panel. Die cut one side of "sprigs" from the "detailed label" using the Distressed Gold piece. (Cool huh!)
  • Heat emboss sentiment on "insert" scrap. Add "sprigs" to the back, and then adhere to middle layer.
  • For the back layer, die cut the "detailed square" from the 4" square of Distressed Gold. Attach to back of card.
  • Die cut "insert" from "holly" specialty DSP.  Add to center of "detailed square".
  • Lastly, take the 2 words to form "Merry Christmas" and arrange on "H" block in an appealing layout. Stamp in VersaMark onto strip of Cherry Cobbler, and emboss in gold embossing powder.  Add to card as shown.
  • Then add White piece to opposing side, so you can write your message, or sign your card!
  • FInish with scattered gold Neutral Sequins.

Product List

Monday, November 6, 2023

Foiled Noel

 I saw this card using our current Melon Mambo & Granny Apple Green Foils.  I loved the card, but I had chosen not to purchase those specialty papers. So, I dug out some retired foils and created the card anyway.  It's a lovely use of the dies along with foils...of any kind that you might have!

Measurements:  

  • Real Red: 1/2 sheet
  • Basic White: 4" x 5 1/4"
  • Red & Green Foil (ret): 4" x 4 1/4" (detailed label); 3" square (pine boughs)
To Make This Card:

  • Dry emboss the White layer with Merry Melody Embossing Folder.
  • TIe 15" ribbon around this layer, having bow on the left side.
  • NOW, you can attach this layer to folded Real Red Card.
  • Die cut "detailed label" from Red Foil. Set aside.
  • Die cut 3 "pine boughs" from Green Foil.
  • Arrange "pine boughs" behind "label" using Mini Glue Dots. Attach to card front with Dimensionals.
  • Die cut "noel" from Silver Glitter Self Adhesive Specialty Paper.  Peel off backing and arrange onto "detailed label". (I would have never thought to even try this!)
  • Finish with scattered Tinsel Gems 4.

Product List

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Shaded Spruce Christmas Classic Label Card

I have been creating cards to share with my stamp club this month using the Joy of Christmas Suite, which consists of 2 very gorgeous stamp set bundles and beautiful accessories to go with them! This one utilizes a small strip of Shaded Spruce gingham from the Joy of Christmas DSP, as well as die cuts from the Christmas Classics Dies. It is really stunning IRL!


Measurements:  

  • Shaded Spruce: 1/4 sheet, scraps
  • Basic White: 4" x 8 1/8", 4" x 4" (detailed label), 2 5/8" x 5" (dry embossed layer), 1" x 4" (sentiment), scraps (stamped boughs)
  • Joy of Christmas DSP (N): 1 1/4" x 5" (Shaded Spruce Gingham)
  • Gold Foil: scraps
To Make This Card:

  • Fold White card base in half. Trim away 1 1/4" from front.  Adhere to Shaded Spruce quarter.
  • Attach strip of DSP to inside bottom of White layer. 
  • Dry Emboss the 2 5/8" x 5" piece with Merry Melody Embossing Folder.  Attach to front flap.
  • Die cut the "detailed label" from the 4" x 4" piece. Set aside.
  • Stamp 2 Pine Boughs in Shaded Spruce ink onto scraps of White. Die cut with corresponding die.
  • Die cut 2 "holly leaves" from Shaded Spruce cardstock.
  • Die cut 2 "sprigs" from Gold Foil.
  • Now, time to arrange it all!
  • Start with the "detailed label". Attach the stamped "boughs" behind the die cut  boughs as shown. (I used Glue Dots).Next attach "holly" die cuts. And, lastly, add a little "glitz" with the Gold Foil "sprigs". Now attach to the card front, so that the pieces do not hang over the bounderies of the card. (I had to adjust a few.)
  • Lastly, arrange "merry Christmas" onto an "H" block.  These are 2 separate words that you can decide how to arrange onto the label.
  • Stamp onto scrap of White.  Emboss in Gold Embossing Powder. Then, die cut with corresponding die. (Or, you can die cut first, to see how to lay out, and then emboss.)
  • Add to "detailed label" with Dimensionals.
  • Finish with gold Neutrals Sequins on the "berries" on the die cut "detailed label", and Gold Festive Pearls on the sentiment.

Product List

Friday, November 3, 2023

Colorful Fall Fractured Card

I wanted to try a Fractured card with my Independent ladies, and designed this one using some retired paper, and the new Autumn Leaves Dies.  My class ladies thought they  could "handle it", and they did!  They loved it so much, that they would like to do it, again!



Measurements:  

  • Granny Applel Green: 1/2 sheet, scraps
  • Celebrate Everything DSP (ret): 4" x 5 1/4" (leaveds), 1/2" x 4" (inside)
  • Shaded Spruce: 4 strips 1/4" x 4", scraps
  • Poppy Parade: scraps
  • Crushed Curry: scraps
  • Basic White: 2 1/2" square, 4" x 5 1/4" (inside)
To Make This Card:

  • Die cut 2" stitched square from Stylish Shapes dies from White piece.  
  • Center White square to the DSP. DO NOT ADHERE TO FRONT OF CARD, YET.
  • Next, take one 1/4" Shaded Spruce strip and lay from corner of square, along the cut edge of the square, and off the DSP layer. 
  • Then, lay the next strip, butting the end to the previously laid strip, and laying this one also along cut edge and off the DSP.  Repeat, working around the White square until all 4 pieces are done.
  • Next, trim off the strips so that they are even with the DSP.
  • NOW, adhere the DSP layer to the folded Granny Apple Green card.
  • Die cut one large leaf from Poppy Parade cardstock, and 3 medium leaves from Granny Apple Green, Crushed Curry, and Shaded Spruce.
  • Centering larger, Poppy Parade leaf first, add 2 more medium leaves of your choice to the front square.
  • Add White quarter inside, along with decorative strip AND last "leaf".
  • Finish with small bow, and scattered Granny Apple Rhinestones (retired Noble Peacock).
Product List