Just For You...with Papermilldirect

Hello I'm back again with one of the two designs I had fun creating with this week's Special Offer Tangerine Card from Papermilldirect.  This card has been created using a manual die-cutter (my old trusty Big Shot) and a selection of dies.  (please see other post for a design using the Cricut Explore)
Using just 3 colours I created this little shaped standing card.  Tonic dies were used to cut the fancy ‘loopy lace’ front panel from this week’s special offer ‘Tangerine’ cardstock, I cut a backing panel and card back from PMD Ivory smooth cardstock and assembled a little card as follows. 
Taking one of the Ivory card shapes I scored and folded the back before joining to the other Ivory shape to form a little standing card, using a strip of double sided tape and a little cosmic shimmer glue just above the score line.  The tangerine ‘Loopy Lace’ panel was attached to the front using 3D foam pads in the centre only, to create depth.

I then cut a smaller ‘Loopy Lace’ panel set reversing the colours, so an Ivory panel was on top.  I stamped a sentiment in the centre of the panel  ( I used ‘Just For You’ from the Belle & Boo stamp set) stamping in an orange toned ink and then sprinkling with clear embossing powder before embossing with an heat gun.   Then mounted the sentiment panel on top of its base mat of Tangerine card using 3D foam pads and gluing the completed sentiment panel to the base card using Cosmic Shimmer glue.

The flowers were die cut from Ivory Smooth card and the leaves from Spring Green card using Sue Wilson ‘Faux Quilled Blooms’ die set. The layered butterfly was also die cut from Ivory smooth card using a Sizzix butterfly die set.

Detail Sparkle in ‘White Shimmer’ was applied to the flowers and also to the top layer of the butterfly.  When dry the flowers and leaves were shaped and added to the card front at right hand side using 3D foam pads, topping each with a faux gem in pale green or pale orange.  The butterfly was assembled with 3 small orange faux gems along the body, wings shaped and then it was glued to the card front using Cosmic Shimmer Glue.

Materials Used:
Tangerine ‘offer’ card - Papermilldirect
Ivory Smooth  card - Papermilldirect
Spring Green card – Papermilldirect
Verso Ovals ‘Loopy Lace’ die set - Tonic
Sue Wilson Finishing Touches ‘Faux Quilled Blooms’ die set - Creative Expression
Butterflies 4 - #658290 Die & Stamp set – Sizzix
Sentiment Stamp – Belle & Boo stamp set
Colour Chemistry Ink Pad ‘Triple Sunshine Yellows’ – Oak House Studio
Clear Embossing Powder
Detail Sparkle ‘White Shimmer’ – Imagination Crafts
Adhesives Used: Cosmic Shimmer ‘clear’ glue, 3D foam pads, double-sided tape

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 

• Barbara 
• Lisa 
• Ruth 
• Sylvia 
• Sandie
• Nessa 
• Nicole
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog 

Click Logo to go direct to papermill

Be Your Own Sunshine...with Papermilldirect

Hello!!  Today I'm sharing one of the two designs I've made using this week's Papermilldirect Special Offer Tangerine card.  This card uses the Cricut Explore (another post will feature a card created with a manual die-cutter and dies).  So first up is this little Layered Quote which uses the ‘Be Your Own Sunshine’ quote set from within the subscription images in Cricut Design Space (or the intricate quotes cart or image set if you have that instead). I sized this design to measure approx.  5” x 7” so that it would fit a 5x7 envelope as a card or can be used as a small display piece as I have done here.  You can of course cut this one as large as you wish for displaying.  (I have provided my Design Space link below if you wish to cut to the dimensions I have used).

 The design consists of 3 layers, the main image has been cut from this week’s special offer ‘Tangerine’ cardstock.  Using Cosmic Shimmer clear drying glue I added blue denim effect paper behind the girl silhouette to add a pop of extra colour and interest, blue being a great contrast to orange colour tones. Just for a little extra definition I did edge the sections that make up the girl figure with a Versa Mark pen, it's quite subtle and  I highlighted the word ‘Sunshine’ using detail sparkle in ‘White Shimmer’ and left to dry.
When dry I assembled the quote design as follows,  using double sided tape to adhere the Daffodil yellow card (middle layer) onto the Bright Orange card rectangle (bottom layer).  The top panel of Tangerine was then carefully positioned on top using 3D foam pads to give height and depth to the image.  I really like the zingy colours teamed with such a bright and cheery sentiment.
    
Materials Used:
Tangerine ‘ Special Offer’ card - Papermilldirect
Daffodil Yellow card - Papermilldirect
Bright Orange card - Papermilldirect
Denim effect paper is from Me To You Tiny Tatty Teddy paper pack
Detail Sparkle ‘White Shimmer’ – Imagination Crafts
Versa Mark Pen (optional)
Adhesives Used: Cosmic Shimmer ‘clear’ glue, 3D foam pads, double-sided tape
Cricut Explore  - my Design Space Link: https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/31695738

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 

• Barbara 
• Lisa 
• Ruth 
• Sylvia 
• Sandie
• Nessa 
• Nicole
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog 

Click Logo to go direct to papermill

Autumn Wishes... with Papermilldirect

Waving hello and welcome to another Blog post, Autumn is now with us and crafters find lots of wonderful inspiration with all the colours that brings.  

This week over at +papermilldirect  the special offer is a really nice A4 size 270gsm Ivory Stucco card, I have a particular liking for the textured cardstocks and this Stucco effect is especially nice, very similar to the hammered effect.  This week you can get your hands on a small box of the Stucco for just £4!! it is also available in the Midi box size too at just £11-50, but be quick as I believe there is only a very limited amount available (link here:)

I thought the lovely texture of the Ivory Stucco card would work well to create this autumn themed card with the help of my Cricut Explore. (DS link below)  You can see that although it’s a textured card it cuts very cleanly and is able to take a sentiment written directly to it.  I used an A4 sheet of Ivory Stucco to create a card base measuring approx. 5.5” wide x 7.5” high, this size fits into a C5 envelope.  The 270gsm of the Stucco card means it is perfect to create a sturdy card base and carry embellishments.

I used my Cricut Explore and images from within the subscription to design this leaf pennant focal point with extra leaf and an acorn design.  I have included my Design Space link below so that you can create this card too, everything will be sized and colour co-ordinated so it is all ready for you to cut.  The card base is included in the design just remember to insert a black pen into the pen holder so that your Explore can write the sentiment for you.  I have ‘attached’ the sentiment to the card shape and so it is all ready to press ‘go’.

After cutting you should have 1 base card (Ivory Stucco) with sentiment ‘Autumn Wishes’ written upon it, 3 layers to the Pennant, 2 layers to the leaf and 2 layers to form the Acorn. 

Score and fold the card base in half so that the sentiment is on the front of the card.  Glue the layers of the pennant, leaf and acorn together on top of each other to form the 3 shapes, I used a clear drying glue to make this easier and give a neater finish.

To add some extra definition I outlined the cut out sections of the brown card using a versa mark pen, I did the same to the leaf and to the acorn to add some extra detail, if you don’t have a Versa mark pen then you could use a marker, chalk, or ink, or leave it plain if you prefer.

Take the Pennant Shape and add a length of Jute ribbon across the top and secure the ends on the back using double sided tape.  Wrap 2 lengths of paper twine or cream coloured twine across the top of the Jute Ribbon and secure ends on reverse side.  Add 3D foam pads to the back of the pennant and attach to card front near to the top, so that it doesn’t cover the ‘Autumn Wishes’ sentiment.

Add 3D foam pads to the back of the leaf and acorn and arrange on top of the jute ribbon, adhere when happy with placement.  I also added some of the waste pieces of card cut from the inner leaf and the pennant background to add some extra interest.  To finish I glued 3 sequins and a little bow of paper twine.

Materials Used:

My Project Link: https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/31387757  - Cricut Design Space

Ivory Stucco 270gsm Offer Card –papermilldirect

Mocha Brown, Ruby Red, Buff, Forest Green,Apple Green – Colours – papermilldirect

Cosmic Shimmer Clear Drying Glue – Creative Expressions

Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 

• Barbara 
• Lisa 
• Ruth 
• Sylvia 
• Sandie
• Nessa 
• Nicole
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog 

On your (Book) Marks, get set, Blog!!

 Hello!!  I'm back in blogland after an extended break, lots of things going on here, summer holidays, daughter's 18th,  and poorly family members meant I didn't quite get around to blogging, however I am now pleased to be back and raring to go.  I have quite a few projects to blog about over the coming days and I do hope you will join me for those, but first I will start with this week's +papermilldirect  post. 

This week the Special Offer is a 230gsm Black Card and for just £3-50 you can snaffle up a small box containing approx. 80 sheets!!  Black card is very useful, I like it to add subtle definition to designs but also it can have great impact and contrast, it's a colour that should be in every crafters stash and especially so with Halloween coming up, so I'd grab this one whilst it's still around at this special price. (link here :)

This week PMD Design Team have been working on the theme of Bookmarks and you will find lots of ideas over on the Inspire Blog and on the Teamies own blogs, we also have a new member Nicole joining us and we look forward to seeing more of her beautiful creations  (Blog links below).  

I have created a Fairy Tale themed bookmark using my Cricut Explore and images from within the subscription (mostly 3 birds on Parade for those who use the cartridge based machines).  I cut a simple book mark shape from papermilldirect White Hammed card to measure approx. 2 3/8" wide x 6" long  (you could of course make any size to suit the books).  I like using the hammered effect card as this adds texture and interest and creates a sturdy base to add elements to.

I chose the Fairy Tale sentiment layered image and the fairy bird with a crown and wand, using the onscreen mat to help me size them to fit onto the bookmark shape.  I also searched the images for star themed photo corners as these would fit the theme.  I made use of the star shaped 'waste' too by adding them around the bird. 

The decorative elements have been cut from various shades within the papermilldirect colours range.  All the PMD colours work really well together and cut perfectly on the Explore being 240gsm they are a great weight for layered images too,  I chose to use Daffodil Yellow, Raspberry Pink, New Lilac, Baby Pink, Purple Grape for this project.  Assembling the layers with Cosmic Shimmer clear drying glue helps to give a neat mess free finish and allows a little 'wriggle room' to help get things lined up, very important if you are doing a quick last minute make late at night as I was :D

Once the images were layered I added them to the front of the bookmark, again using Cosmic Shimmer glue.  I then added extra sparkle with White Shimmer Detail Sparkle glue and the stars have extra shimmer in the form of Glitter Jewels in Iced Snow which i sprinkle into the wet glitter glue before shaking off the excess and leaving to dry.

To finish, I made a hole in the top of the book mark and threaded through some silver ric-rac ribbon and sheer pink ribbon tied in a bow.  This made a pretty, feminine bookmark, you could make an alternative version featuring characters such as pirates, wizards or popular cartoon characters, these would be ideal to accompany a gift of a book too.  Although I have used my Explore to help with this project, bookmarks can easily be made by using any crafty stash you have to hand, card and paper scraps, dies, stamps, templates, maybe drawing your own designs, they are fun to make and you can theme them to match the style of books. 

Materials Used:

White hammered Card
Coloured card: Daffodil Yellow, Raspberry Pink, New Lilac, Baby Pink, Purple Grape
Cosmic Shimmer Clear drying Glue - Creative Expressions
White Shimmer Detail Sparkle - Imagination Crafts
Iced Snow Glitter Jewels - Creative Expressions
Silver Ric-Rac & Sheer Ribbon from stash

Papermill Design Team:
if you have a moment, please do pop over and check out the other papermill teamies blogs and see what they got up to this week: 

• Barbara 
• Lisa 
• Ruth 
• Sylvia 
• Sandie
• Nessa 
• Nicole
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog 

Click Logo to go direct to papermill