Happy Valentines Day! U & Me 3D Valentine - Trimcraft Design Team

Hello, I'm back!!  I had a little break from blogging recently but I'm back to share my projects with you on a regular basis.  As it's Valentines Day it's appropriate to start with this 3D standing Valentine I made for the Trimcraft Design Team.   I thought the fab papers in the First Editition Wanderlust paper pad would be ideal for a Valentine’s project, especially the pretty heart pattern and lovely pinky –red tones.  For fun I made a 3D standing ‘&’ and decorated it using 2 of the new First Edition die sets.  I have to say the Alphabet Tiles are going to get lots of use, they are easy to use and add a nice effect for sentiments.

How to:

I used my Cricut Explore to cut the 3D ‘&’ shape using the double sided pinky-red design paper from the 12x12 Wanderlust pad.  The 2 inserts on the loops of the letter show the other side of the paper.

I inked the edges using a red ink to define them and also it ‘colours in’ any white cut paper edges that may show. 

The front layer is cut from the heart patterned paper and I have inked in both red and black inks to define this piece.  I’ve also edged it in Crystal glitter glue for a sparkly effect.

The top layer of the letter tiles is cut from a pale wood pattern paper which is from another First Edition paper pad (Sweet Nothings I think) and the letter dies then cut into each square tile.  The backing are cut from black paper in the Wanderlust Pad which is the back of the Heart double sided paper.

Cupid has been cut twice and layered up, once from the foil pattern paper and once from black paper, this adds strength and also by offsetting the black slightly it gives a slight shadow effect.

I used different papers in the pad to layer up the small envelopes, lips, etc and chose a large flower from the bold floral paper to feature in the heart shaped balloon.

To finish, I cut the swirly ‘Love’ sentiment from black card and layered it twice to give it strength.  I used crystal glitter glue to cover the whole word before attaching to the bottom of the ‘&’ shape when it was dry.

Products Used:

First Edition Wanderlust 12x12 Paper Pad – FEPAD164

First Edition Wanderlust  6x6 Paper Pad – FEPAD166

First Edition Alphabet Tiles Die Set – FEDIE238

First Edition Love Themed Die Set – FEDIE239

Dovecraft A4 Black Card –

Dovecraft Glitter Glue – Crystal

Dovecraft Adhesive heart Pearl – Pink

Cricut Explore

Red Ink, Black Ink

Adhesives: D/S Tape, Clear Drying Glue, 3D Foam Squares

I am entering this project in the I Heart You Challenge over at That's Crafty! Challenge Blog, link here: http://thatscraftychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/i-heart-you-challenge.html

A Papercut Style Heart Wedding Card - Papermilldirect DT

Hello, today I'm going to share a recent Wedding card design idea with you.  I love to use Papermilldirect White Linen card not only for it’s lovely texture and the luxury look it gives, but also because it cuts beautifully on my Cricut Explore.  I needed to make a Wedding card with a lemon and white combo so I choose the PMD Pastel Canary card to partner the linen card centrepiece.

Step By Step.  

The design of the card is based around a papercut style heart, I used a heart shape from Design Space and adapted it by welding in some shapes to close some of the open spaces and make it easier to mount onto it’s backing. (The Design Space images I've used are shown at the end of this post)

Mount the White Linen papercut heart onto it’s Pastel Canary backing shape using 3D foam pads and decorate with adhesive pearls and clear gems.  Prepare an 8x8 white card base by adding a mat and layer of embossed white card onto Pastel Canary using d/s tape.  Affix decorative heart to card front using d/s tape and clear drying glue.

Attach a panel of Pastel Canary card inside the card and add a panel for the greeting.  I have cut another heart from smooth white card and used my Cricut to write ‘On Your Wedding Day’ upon it.  I have also added a die cut Wedding Cake and 2 Champagne Flutes using die sets.

Cut the centrepiece heart panel from White Linen card and add to it’s Pastel Canary backing shape using 3D foam pads.  (I have personalised the centre heart by slicing the words into the shape using a Cricut Font, you could use the write function if you prefer?) Decorate heart with small adhesive gems and then add to card front.

Add other decoration to card front if desired, I have added a bride and groom die cut from White Linen card using a FE Wedding Die set and mounted using 3D foam pads.

Add personalised layered hearts to bottom left and bottom right. I have used my Cricut to write ‘Mr&Mrs’ on one and the Wedding date on the other. To finish, add a trio of paper flowers using sticky dots, twirl the wire stems if they have and arrange as desired.  I used a ready-made white box to hold the card and decorated it with a personalised layered heart and a paper flower to match,

Angela x

Products Used:
White Linen Card – Papermilldirect
Pastel Canary 160gsm – Papermilldirect
Smooth White Card – Papermilldirect
Wedding Die Set – FEDIE042 - First Edition
Congratulations Die Set – DCDIE038 – Dovecraft
6mm Adhesive Pearls – SCDOT045 – Simply Creative
3mm Adhesive Clear Gems – SCDOT017 – Simply Creative
Adhesives: D/S Tape, Clear Drying Glue, 3D Foam Pads
Design Space Images used:

 

Romantic Gypsy Caravan Gift Box - Trimcraft DT

Hello, back with another catch up post, the First Edition papers are the perfect quality and weight for 3D paper crafting projects. I found the ‘Sweet Nothings’ papers perfect for this gypsy caravan gift box, with it’s romantic florals, soft spring colours and those fabulous wood pattern papers!  I have a video to show the caravan inside and out, link here: https://youtu.be/nxw_SIvG2yU

Step By Step:

This project has been cut on the Cricut Explore using Design Space images.  (Although I have cut this project on my Explore, a similar design could be made manually by adapting a box, shape the top sides and add a roof. Glue box onto larger card base and add wheels)

I chose the plain wood effect papers to construct the base of the box, as this was also double sided with a lovely rose print for the inside of the box.

The main top body of the caravan using the matching wood effect paper that has the rose pattern on it, which gives the appearance of stencilled flowers on the caravan.

For the wheels I cut an extra set to double them up and give extra strength, this also gave the wheels a pink paper backing to match the front.

Wheels have been attached using little brads (or split pins) the heads are hidden behind the little hearts which have been glued onto the head of the brad after assemble.

I’ve kept the decorations simple but you could really have fun dressing this one up, perhaps adding trailing flowers, etc. I have used the solid roof for the caravan but you could you the slotted roof option that would allow little notes to be posted into the box, idea for weddings etc.

To see the project in better detail, I have a video link here: https://youtu.be/nxw_SIvG2yU

This project also appears in my Trimcraft DT Gallery link here: www.thecraftblog.com/inspiration/romantic-gypsy-caravan-gift-box

Products Used:

First Edition Sweet Nothings Papers 12 x 12 – FEPAD143

4 small brads or split pins

Cricut Explore

Cricut Design Space file free with access

Adhesives: Clear Drying glue, Perma fix tape,

Trick or Treat?

Hello, I'm back to share an easy Halloween make I created for the Papermilldirect Design Team.  I’m teaming the fun colorflute card with black cardstocks for a traditional orange & black Halloween colour scheme.

I created a file in Cricut Design Space (link here: https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/45482082 ) to cut from Papermilldirect Black Smooth card, this is a lovely 250gsm weight and cuts like a dream on my Explore.  I cut the cobweb frame, Trick or Treat words and bats from the 250gsm card.

Adhere black cobweb frame onto a sheet of PMD Mandarin Orange Colorflute card.  I used a strong permafix tape for all 4 sides and some dabs of clear drying glue for the webs parts, pressing down to ensure adhesion.  Trim orange colorflute card to give a small border around the black frame.

Glue wording to sign using clear drying glue.  An easy way to line them up is to use the waste from your cut out as a template to adhere your letters through, when letters are glued carefully lift template away.

Glue bats as desired around ‘Trick or Treat’ sentiment.  You can also resize the bats or cut more if required to create your own layout.  Add eyes with a white gel pen.

Papermilldirect’s Extra Thick Charcoal Black card at 550gsm is the perfect weight for a backing to this sign, sturdy but easy to punch 2 holes into using a hole punch.  Use a combination of d/s tape and glue to adhere sign to backing.  Tie black and orange ribbons through the holes to finish and you have a Halloween Sign all ready to display.

I love the texture of the Colorflute card, it is easy to cut on my paper guillotine and the colours are bright and eyecatching, I've used the Mandarin Orange for this design but there is also a Lime colour perfect for Halloween makes too.

If you don't have a Cricut to use the file to cut, you can still make your own Halloween designs using the colorflute card and Extra thick cardstock, just die cut lettering or adhesive stickers for the greetings, bats are easy to cut out or try dies or punches, don't forget to share what you make over on the +Papermilldirect  facebook page.

Products Used:
Extra Thick Charcoal Black Card 550gsm – Papermilldirect
Black Smooth card 250gsm – Papermilldirect
Mandarin Orange Colorflute Card – Papermilldirect
Design Space File for Cricut Explore Link: https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/45482082
Adhesives: Perma Fix Tape or D/S Tape, Clear Drying Glue,
Black & Orange ribbons, White gel pen
 

Mirabelle ‘Waiting’ Bow Card – Santoro Mirabelle collection -Trimcraft

Hello, Sharing a +Trimcraft Ltd  Design Team project with you today.  The characters in the new Santoro Mirabelle collection are simply stunning, I particularly love the stamps and for my first stamped design I chose the ‘Waiting’ character.

For the bow on the front, I created these templates on my Cricut Explore in Design Space (followers of my Blog and Facebook page can message me for the file link) or you can create your own bow shape using loops of double sided Mirabelle paper or use a template if you prefer.

 Step By Step:

1. Score & fold white card to create a card base measuring approx. 8” x 5 ¾” in landscape position.  From the 12x12 Mirabelle paper pad, cut rose patterned paper to cover the front panel, inking around the edges with a brown ink before attaching with d/s tape.
2. Cut a smaller rectangle approx. 6 ½” x 4 ¼” of grey patterned paper, ink with brown ink and then adhere to card front using d/s tape (positioning this panel more towards the top of the card).  Tape a length of Mirabelle ribbon to just go over the edges of the card front, fish tail ends, and then glue in place along the bottom of the smaller paper panel.
   
   
   
   
3. Cut the Bow parts from double sided Mirabelle papers, pink rose for the top box and brown stripe for the bottom bow.  Again ink all cut edges with brown ink and then bend and glue the loops into place onto the card front.  Add 2 bow tails.
   
   
4. Stamp the ‘waiting’ girl character onto white card using brown ink and colour with First Edition markers.  Add extra highlights with a white gel pen and edge around the image with a light grey marker pen.
   
   
   
   When complete, glue a frame around her (from Decoupage pad) and trim card flush with edges.  Apply a little brown ink coming into the white around the girl from the edges of the frame.  Adhere stamped image to centre of bow on card front using layered 3D foam and a dab of glue.
   
   
5. Cut satin ribbon (from Mirabelle Satin Tags) into 2 different size lengths, fish tail 1 end of each piece and add to card front at each side of card front, coming down from the top.  Add a Glitter glue dot to the end of each.  Add the satin tag ‘Just for you’ across the stamped image and onto the bow at RH side.
   
   
6. Take 2 green leaves (Simply Creative) and a Mirabelle yellow rose, ink the rose with brown ink and assemble with the leaves at bottom RH corner of card.
   To finish add a Pearl Charm to top left of card and 3 glitter dots to bottom left.
   

 Products Used:

SANTORO®’s Mirabelle A4 FSC Decoupage Pad

SNDPG001

SANTORO®’s Mirabelle Clear Stamps- Waiting

SNSTP004

SANTORO®’s Half Ribbon Box 48 pieces

SNRBB001

SANTORO®’s Mirabelle Pearl Shapes

SNTOP002

SANTORO®’s Mirabelle Satin Adhesive Tags

SNFAB001

SANTORO®’s Mirabelle Paper Flowers

SNFLW001

SANTORO®’s Mirabelle Glitter Dots

SNDOT001

Simply Creative Paper Leaves

SCFLW005

First Edition Twin Marker - Blender

FETMK101

First Edition Twin Markers - Greys

FETMK001

First Edition Twin Markers - Skin Tones

FETMK002

First Edition Twin Markers - Purples

FETMK006

First Edition Twin Markers - Yellows

FETMK007

First Edition Twin Markers - Pinks

FETMK008

First Edition Twin Markers - Browns

Happy Days 3D Sandcastle Easel Card - Belle and Boo - Trimcraft DT

Hello, Today I'm sharing this DT Project I created for +Trimcraft Ltd .  Living at the seaside, I was very drawn to the gorgeous Belle & Boo II Ice-cream stamp set, cute nostalgic images of characters and shells teamed with fun Ice Cream stamps too.  Immediately I thought of childhood playing on the sand, using Kraft card to inspire a sandcastle theme.  Using an easel card shape allowed me to create a larger than life sandcastle as the backdrop for Belle & Boo.  I thought the striped ribbon reminded me of the sea and the dotty papers of sand. Using acetate to attach the characters gave a more 3D depth to the scene and also they wobble when touched giving an extra interactive element.  I absolutely adore this stamp set and looking at this card reminds me of childhood.

 Step By Step:

1. Take a 5 x7” Kraft card blank, score & fold the front to create an easel card.  Cover inside base and top half of easel card with blue pattern paper from the 6x6 pack, ink edges with light brown ink before adhering to card base using d/s tape.
   
   
2. Create a stopper for your card by cutting kraft card 14cm x 5cm and add a panel of dotty paper (ink edges).  Add stopper platform to bottom of card base using 3D foam pads to raise it up a little. Add ‘Happy Days’ die-cut sentiment from the decoupage pad using 3D foam pads.
3. I cut the sandcastle shape on my Cricut Explore (My Design Space link is here:  https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/39524858 if you wish to cut it exactly as mine).
   However you could easily draw a very simple castle shape onto Kraft card and cut out.  My sandcastle is layered with Belle & Boo paper from the 8x8 pack added with 3D foam pads to give depth.  Inking around all the cut edges of the Kraft card and papers with a light brown ink.  Add sandcastle to easel card using combination of d/s tape and glue.
4. Stamp a variety of shells and starfish from the Ice-cream stamp set using black ink and colour with First Edition Markers.  Add extra highlights with a white pen.  Edge with lightest grey marker and cut out.
   
   Stamp, colour, and cut out 3 large ice-creams in the same way.
   Stamp Boo the bunny, colour and cut out but leave a section at the bottom uncut.
   Stamp Belle and colour everything but her dress, stamp her again onto the lilac paper from the 6x6 pack, cut the dress parts only out of the lilac paper and paper piece onto the main Belle image. Add extra highlight with a white pen and then cut out same way as for the bunny, leaving an uncut portion at the bottom.
   
   
5. Cut 2 thin strips of Dovecraft acetate to fit behind the characters and make 2 bends in each strip, the space between the bends will determine how far from the card the character will stand away (just over 1cm worked well for me)  Glue an acetate strip to back of each character and then trim if required.  Cover bottom uncut areas of stamped images with dotty pattern paper to resemble sand, shape with scissors and ink around.  Position characters in front of sandcastle and glue other ends to card front, you may need to trim to size before gluing.
6. Take 2 lengths of blue & white striped ribbon to fit width of card, fishtail the ends and adhere 1 length just under sandcastle where it will also cover where acetate is fixed to card.  Adhere other ribbon length across base of card below the stopper platform.
7. Take the stamped & coloured shells & starfish and add along the ribbon ‘sea’ behind belle & boo using 3D foam pads.  Glue a small starfish to top of ‘castle’ and glue some shells and a starfish to the stopper platform.
   Add the 3 stamped and coloured ice-creams at jaunty angles across the base ribbon using 3D foam pads and glue.
   
   
8. To finish add blue & white twine across sandcastle, add a little twine bow to each end, then cut little bunting triangles from different pattern papers in the Belle & Boo 6x6 pack, add along the twine using 3D foam pads to create a bunting effect.
   

Products Used: 
Belle and Boo II - Clear Stamp – Ice cream
Belle and Boo II 6 x 6 Paper Pack
Belle and Boo II - 8 x 8 FSC Paper Pack
Belle and Boo II - 8 x 8 FSC Decoupage Pad  
Belle and Boo II Half Ribbon Box  
Dovecraft Kraft 5"x7" Cards & Envelopes  
Dovecraft Back to Basics - Blue Skies Twine
Dovecraft A4 Acetate Sheets
Cricut Explore Machine
First Edition Twin Marker - Blender
First Edition Twin Markers - Greys
First Edition Twin Markers - Skin Tones
First Edition Twin Markers - Purples
First Edition Twin Markers - Pinks
First Edition Twin Markers - Browns
First Edition Twin Markers - Yellows

'Lovely' Floral Card - A Step by Step Tutorial

Hello I'm back again with another Step By Step Tutorial for you.  This week the Papermilldirect Design Team are working on the theme of ‘Floral’ and I have a little card design to share featuring a layered Daisy.

Most crafters have flower dies and sentiments in their stash, along with background dies or embossing folders, so although I used my Cricut Explore (link at end of post) to cut the Daisy flower, it is easy to layer up any of your flower dies or use a flower template or even ready-made paper flowers for a floral make.

Die cut a trellis style design from Papermilldirect White Pearlised cardstock using a Spellbinders die.  (You could use an embossing folder if you prefer).  I didn’t need all the piece and so trimmed it down to less than 4” using the pattern as a guide to leave a fancy edge.

The card base is cut from PMD Marine Blue and measures approx. 5 ½” x 4 ¼” and I have rounded the bottom corners.  I also cut a panel of PMD New Lilac card to measure approx. 4 ½” x 4” and rounded all 4 corners.

Glitter glue was used to edge the front of the card base and also the New Lilac panel to add a little sparkle.

The Trellis die cut panel was then adhered to the lilac panel using a clear drying acylic glue and then the whole panel was mounted onto the card front using double sided tape.

Cut the flower layers, I used 3 layers to create a daisy style flower using Papermilldirect White Pearlised paper, layering the flower with 3D foam in the centre of each layer. Shape the petals and then glue the flower to the card front, adding some glitter glue in the centre and a yellow enamel adhesive dot. Cut leaves from PMD Spring Green card and shape to give dimension. Add a little 3D foam pad to the back of each leaf and glue the stem by tucking under the flower, the 3D foam pads will hold the leaves in place.

Die cut your sentiment in PMD Black card and PMD Marine Blue Card.  I have used the word ‘Lovely’ from a First Edition die set.  Layer the sentiments up using a clear drying glue, offsetting the Marine Blue one so that the black gives a shadow effect.

Glue the sentiment in place on the card front and smooth down using a bone folder or crease tool to ensure it is adhered onto the trellis work.  To finish add a little butterfly embellishment.

Using the Papermilldirect Pearlised card and paper adds a lovely sheen to your makes and I especially like the paper for diecutting flowers as it gives a delicate look that can be easily shaped yet retains a lot of strength. It also is a dream to cut on Cricut Explore where it cuts very cleanly.

Materials Used:
Marine Blue, New Lilac, Spring Green, Black coloured cardstocks – Papermilldirect
Ultra White Pearlised Paper, Ultra White Pearlised Card – Papermilldirect
My Design Space Link (for card base, Daisy & Leaves) - https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/39473641
‘Fancy lattice’ Shapeabilities #S5-152  - Spellbinders
‘Modern Sentiments’ #FEDIE038 – First Edition
Adhesives:  D/S Tape, 3D Foam Pads, Cosmic Shimmer Glue
Glitter Glue, Adhesive Enamel Dot

Easter Chick Gift Box

Hello, Easter is approaching fast and the Papermilldirect DT are working on Easter Projects.   This week I’ve chosen to work with a pattern that is suitable for all crafters to use.  This file includes PDF versions of the patterns so that you can print out a template and cut by hand if you prefer (Cutting files in different formats are also included for those with cutting machines).  The file set is called ‘Trio of Chicks’ (all links at end of post) and has a card, tag and matching box and of course works beautifully with the Papermilldirect cards whether you are machine cutting or using scissors.

I cut the 2 main box pieces and 2 egg shell tops from Papermilldirect White Linen card to give a lovely texture to the egg.  The chick has been cut from Papermilldirect coloured cardstocks in Daffodil Yellow and Mandarin Orange, with black card for the eyes (or use googly eyes if you prefer).

The egg themed box is really easy to assemble, score along the fold lines and attach the 2 pieces together at the tabs using double sided tape or glue.

You can leave the chick as plain card or add some texture as I have done here by using embossing folders for the chick’s body, wings and feet.  Applying distress inks really helps to define the shapes and highlight the embossing too.

The egg shell tops are glued in place to the top of the chicks head, use one for the front and one for the back, lining them up at a jaunty angle.  Use 3D foam pads to attach the chick body inside the box, being careful to only apply foam at the bottom section, so it won’t show over the box.  Add the beak using 3D foam pads.

Next attach the orange feet to the front of the box, again using 3D foam pads to give depth, so they look to be coming out from the egg.  Attach the wings in place on the chick’s body and add the eyes to complete the face.  I decided to use googly eyes to add extra character.

Your little Easter gift box is now ready to be filled with Easter treats.  I added some coloured tissue papers to nestle some chocolate eggs upon. I think this would make a lovely project to make with your children too, especially as the shapes are easy to cut out with scissors and it's easy to assemble, they could have lots of fun decorating and filling them with treats.

Materials List:
White Linen Card – Papermilldirect
Daffodill Yellow Card – Papermilldirect
Mandarin Orange Card – Papemilldirect
Black Card - Papermilldirect
Trio of Chicks – cutting files incl. PDF – My Scrap Chick
Embossing Folders - Swirls, & Dots - Cuttlebug
Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade, Tea Dye, Black Soot
Googly Eyes, Coloured Tissue, Chocolate Eggs
Double Sided Tape, Cosmic Shimmer Clear Glue, 3D foam pads

This project also appears on the Papermilldirect Inspire blog link here: https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/inspire/post/easter-chick-gift-box

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

Waving Hello and wishing you all a very happy St Patrick's Day with this easy card make.   I’ve designed this one so that it can also be used as a simple ‘Good Luck’ card as it bears only the word ‘Lucky’.  If you look carefully you will see it has 6 regular 3 leaf clovers and a special ‘Lucky’ 4 leaf clover to give a magic number totalling 7.  So it’s a Lucky 7 card too, so that’s plenty of Good Luck to send to a friend.

 Step By Step:

1. I took a Dovecraft 6x6 white card blank to use as my base card with the fold running along the top.  From the 6x6 My Guy paper pad I cut a square of triangle geo patterned paper approx. 5 5/8” square and adhered to card base using double sided tape.
   
2. To create the mat panel, I cut Dovecraft White Laid card to measure approx. 4 7/8” square and matted it onto a square of First Edition textured cardstock in green that measured 5 1/8”, to give a small border all around.
   
3. I cut the clover shapes using my Cricut Explore (My DS link is here if you wish to use it: https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/37629120 )  but these are simple shapes and easy to draw a 3 leaf and a 4 leaf in pencil onto card and use that as your template to draw around. (The leaves look a little like heart shapes so perhaps use a small heart to help you). I cut the 3 leaf clovers from My Guy papers, 2 in orange, 2 in polka dot, and 2 in the black, grey, yellow pattern papers from the pad. 
   
4. Using a Light Grey First Edition marker pen outline around the inside edge of the leaves to give a subtle definition. Then glue 3 three leaf clovers across the top of the white panel and 3 across the bottom of the white panel.
   
5. Using the FE Alphabet set, diecut letters to spell ‘LUCKY’ from black card and glue across centre of white panel, leaving space at right for a clover.
   
6. Cut the 4 leaf clover from FE textured card in green.  Using Dovecraft glitter glue in Gold, outline the 4 leaf clover and also outline around the green card panel.  When glitter glue is dry mount main panel to card front at an angle using 3D foam pads.
   
7. To finish, add a green adhesive gem to 4 leaf clover and attach to card front using a 3D foam pad to give height, so it looks like you can just pluck the clover from the card.
   
   
   
   Products Used:
   Simply Creative FSC Paper Pad 6x6 My Guy
   Dovecraft White 6"x6" cards & envelopes
   First Edition Premium Textured Cardstock – 12x12 Papers
   Dovecraft A4 White Laid Card
   First Edition Dies - Varsity Alphabet
   First Edition Twin Markers - Greys
   Dovecraft Christmas Basics Glitter Glues - Gold and Silver
   Dovecraft Christmas Basics Gems - Reds and Greens
   
   All products are from +Trimcraft Ltd  and this project also appears in my Trimcraft DT Gallery link here: http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121715/lucky-clover-or-st-patricks-day-card-with-simply-creative-my-guy-papers