Cute Happy Birthday Card - Step By Step Tutorial

Hello, gosh I just realised how far I am behind with my blogging!!  My first catch-up is to share a simple step-by-step Tutorial for my +Papermilldirect  DT, we were working on the theme of Free Printables or Downloads and I have a cute little birthday chick card to share with you.  The image used is from a set of 4 free download digi images available from Simply Cards & Papercraft magazine (Link at end of post).

Step By Step:

Download and print off your chosen image form the set of 4  (I have chosen the chick with birthday cake) I like to print onto Papermilldirect White Linen cardstock as I love the effect. Use your chosen medium to colour the image, I have used my favourite First Edition craft marker pens and as this is a simple design you can simply block colour for ease or get more detailed with shading if you wish.

Cut out image using a circular nesting die and cut a slightly larger shape from PMD Marine Blue coloured card. Mat image onto blue shape using glue. I have added extra interest by cutting the coloured layer using a scalloped circle die, but you can use a plain circle if your prefer and of course if you don't have a die cutting machine then just cut image into a square panel.

Use a Birthday themed embossing folder to emboss a piece of PMD White Linen Card and trim down to measure approx. 3 3/4" x 5".

Mat embossed panel onto a slightly larger panel of PMD Daffodil Yellow card using double sided tape, and mat again onto a panel of PMD Marine Blue cardstock approx. 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".

 Add blue grosgrain ribbon across matted panel as shown adhereing with permafix tape and securing ends at back of panel.  Cut 2 small pieces of ribbon, fishtail ends and add where ribbons cross.

Score & fold Papermilldirect Plain White card and trim down to create a 4 1/2" x 5 3/4" card base.  Add embossed panel to card front using 3D foam pads.  Add layered image towards bottom of card on top of where the ribbons meet, again using 3D foam pads.

To finish, add glitter glue to icing on the cake and decorate card front using pale blue adhesive gems.

Materials Used:
White Linen Card - Papermilldirect
Marine Blue Card - Papermilldirect
Daffodil Yellow Card - Papermilldirect
Plain White Card - Papermilldirect
Free digi download image - http://www.papercraftmagazines.com/downloads/item/652-simply-cards-papercraft-150-downloads
Dies - Nesting Circle Dies - Sizzix
Embossing Folder - Happy Birthday - Cuttlebug / Provocraft
First Edition Craft Markers - First Edition
Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Blue Adhesive Gems, Glitter glue
Adhesives: Double Sided Tape, Perma-Fix Tape, 3D Foam Pads.

Heartfelt Thanks Card - Step By Step Tutorial

Hello, I'm back again to share another Step by Step card tutorial.  This week the +Papermilldirect Design Team are working on the theme of ‘Pinterest Inspired’ and I’m using this card pinned here as my inspiration.  From this design I decided to choose the trio of embossed shapes on bright backgrounds and bird as elements for my own card.

Step-by-Step:

Using nesting circle dies, cut 3 from Papermilldirect White Linen card and 3 larger ones from papermilldirect coloured cardstocks (Mandarin Orange, Dark Violet and Marine Blue).  Emboss the white linen circles using 3 different effect embossing folders.

Cut a panel of PMD White Linen approx. 4 5/8” x 6 5/8” and stamp sentiment of ‘Heartfelt Thanks’ in bottom Right corner using black Archival ink, mat onto slighter larger panel of PMD Black card.  Glue embossed white circles onto coloured card circles and then arrange onto card front as shown.  When happy with layout, glue top circle to card base and then add the other circles using 3D foam pads, allowing each circle to overlap the previous one.

Take a woodgrain embossing folder and add memento rich cocoa ink to one side of the inside, use to emboss a small piece of PMD Buff cardstock.  Trim into a small branch shape approx. 3” long.  Die cut some small individual leaves from PMD Apple green cardstock.

Die cut a bird shape from PMD Teal and buff card and add to card front using 3D foam pads, positioning across the overlapping circles.  Add 3D foam  pads to back of branch.

Adhere branch onto card front, positioning it so the bird looks to be perching on it.  Add small pieces of 3D foam to the back of each leaf and add to branch in pairs.  A small dab of clear drying glue on the stalks to adhere them under the branch.  Score & Fold and A4 sheet of Papermilldirect plain White cardstock, trim down to create a standard 5” x 7” card base and attach completed panel using a combination of double sided tape and glue.

This is a great way to make use of those scraps of gorgeous bright papermilldrect cardstocks and the embossing adds lots of extra interest, the use of white linen gives a lovely texture and plenty of white space which adds impact to those bright colours.  I felt my design needed a 'sentiment' to finish it off, but you could make this card for all occasions simply by changing the sentiment and / or centre element.

Materials Used:
White Linen Card, Plain White Card – Papermilldirect
Black, Mandarin Orange, Dark Violet, Marine Blue, Teal, Buff, Apple Green coloured card – Papermilldirect
Swiss Dots, Divine Swirls, & Tiny Mosaic Embossing Folders – Cuttlebug
Woodgrain Textures Embossing Folder – Crafters Companion
Circles #65755 Die set – Sizzix
Wildlife Dies set #FEDIE053 – First Edition
Foliage Die Set #FEDIE019 – First Edition
Sentiment Stamp – Clearly Besotted
Inks: Jet Black Archival Inkpad, Rich Cocoa Memento Inkpad
Adhesives: D/S Tape, 3D Foam Pads, Cosmic Shimmer glue

Giraffe Thank You Card using Digi Images - Step by Step Tutorial

Hello, hope you all had a lovely Easter, I have had a little break from blogging for a couple of weeks to enjoy the holiday time before my son went back to school, but I am back and ready to share a new card tutorial with you.  Sometimes it’s nice to have a few thank you cards already made ‘just in case’.  Today I’m following on from my last digi image card where I worked with a silhouette style, this time I’m printing and then colouring the image with alcohol marker pens.  I am printing onto Papermilldirect white linen card and using a free image from LC Designs (Little Claires) and also entering the Little Claires Blog Challenge #67 Anything Goes.

First visit LC Designs website (all links at end of post) to download your image, print off onto PMD White Linen card by first choosing how big you want the design (mine measures just under 4” dia.) and also select the quality of the print (I used fine).

Take the printed image and colour using your preferred medium, I used a selection of First Edition alcohol markers.  This is a simple image so you don’t need to get too worried about lots of shading, just colour however suits you.  When the image has been coloured, take a pale grey marker and outline to add extra definition. Highlights can be made with a white gel pen if you wish.

Take a circle die and place over the image, use tape to secure in place before die cutting. It doesn’t matter if you die cut before or after colouring. (or even halfway through as I have)

Take a piece of PMD Buff coloured card and die cut using a scalloped circle die that is slightly bigger than the image so that it leaves a nice border all around.  Mat image onto scalloped circle using d/s tape. 

From PMD Mandarin card die cut the ‘Thanks’ word die and emboss a rectangle of card using the ‘tiny mosaic’ folder. 

Trim embossed card to approx. 5” x 4” and round the corners using a corner rounder if you have one.  Score and fold an A4 sheet of PMD Plain White card and trim down to 5.5” square.  Position with fold across the top and round the bottom corners.  Using D/S tape to attach embossed panel to top of card.  Add image panel to card front using 3D foam pads.  Use a clear drying glue such as Cosmic Shimmer glue to adhered the ‘thanks’ to card front.  To finish add 3 small orange adhesive gem stones.

I do like the pop of colour from the mandarin orange card and the embossing folder is one of my favs for adding texture. Have you tried crafting with digital images before?  Don’t forget to share your makes over on the Papermilldirect Facebook page.

Challenges Entered:

Little Claires Monthly Blog Challenge #67 - Anything Goes

Materials Used:
Plain White Card – Papermilldirect
White Linen Card – Papermilldirect
Mandarin Card – Papermilldirect
Buff – Papermilldirect
Giraffe Free Digi – LC Designs (Little Claire)
Alcohol Marker pens – First Edition
Tiny Mosaic Embossing Folder – Cuttlebug (Provocraft)
Thanks word die – Clearly Besotted
Circles dies #657551 – Sizzix
Scallop Circles dies #657552 – Sizzix
Corner Rounder, d/s tape, 3D foam pads & adhesive gems

Happy, Happy, Happy...

Hello, today I'd like to share this easy card make with you.  I really like this silhouette of a girl with butterflies in her hair which is a digi stamp image from LC Designs (all links at end of post)  so it’s an easy print out to give a perfect image every time.  I have teamed it with some of my favourite Papermilldirect coloured cardstocks to create this simple card that would also work as a display piece too.  This is my first time working with this image and I am also entering this card into the Little Claire Challenge #67 - Anything Goes! , the House of Cards March Challenge: Silhouette and the Ribbon Girl Any Image Challenge

I started by scoring and folding an A4 sheet of PMD white linen card in half and then trimming down to create a regular 5” x 7” card base.

I printed off the digi image onto PMD white linen card too, the linen texture adds a lovely canvas style to digi stamps.  My printed image panel measures approx. 3 ½” wide x 2 ¾” high and I matted it onto a slightly larger piece of PMD black card to give a small border to frame it.

Using a dots patterned folder I embossed a piece of PMD Raspberry Pink card approx. 4 ½” wide x 3 ¾” high and adhered to top of the card base using double sided tape.

 

Mounting the matted digi image panel on top of the embossed panel using 3D foam pads to give a little height.

Using the ‘happy’ die I cut the word 3 times: 1 from PMD black card, 1 from PMD purple grape and 1 from PMD raspberry pink. Gluing the words into position under the image at the right hand side, graduating the colours, black at the top, then purple, then pink at the bottom.

I cut 2 larger butterfly shapes from the FE Butterfly die set, 1 from PMD new lilac and 1 from PMD raspberry pink.  I also cut some tiny butterflies for any extra embellishment.

Using clear drying glue I glued the pink butterfly flat to the card front, to left of happy words.  The lilac butterfly was layered on top with just glue along the body part so the wings could be bent up to give dimension.

I decided to just add one of the tiny card butterflies to the image panel, I chose the purple butterfly and added glue just to the body part so the wings could be bent up.  I wanted the girl image to look as though she was following the  butterfly!  A little detail sparkle was added to the tiny butterfly and to the body of the larger butterfly to highlight them.

I chose to use the ‘happy’ word 3 times as I really liked how it looked stacked up, but you could of course use ‘happy’ and ‘birthday’ or add ‘birthday’ to the inside if you wish to make as a birthday card.  I’ve kept the design simple as it worked well with the black & white image but can easily be further embellished with pearls, gems, extra butterflies, etc.

Challenges Entered:

Little Claire Challenge #67 - Anything Goes!
House of Cards March Challenge: Silhouette

Ribbon Girl March Any Image Challenge

Materials Used:
White Linen Card - Papermilldirect
Black, Raspberry Pink, Purple Grape, New Lilac coloured card - Papermilldirect
Meadow Girl digi image - LC Designs (Little Claires)
Swiss Dots embossing folder - Cuttlebug (Provocraft)
Butterfly die set - First Edition
Happy word die - Clearly Besotted
White Shimmer Detail Sparkle - Imagination Crafts
Cosmic Shimmer clear drying glue, Double Sided tape, 3D foam pads

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

Love is in the Air...

Hello, I have another make for you this week using Papermilldirect cardstocks.  This week the Design Team are looking at Free Printables and creating Valentines projects with them.  I found a set of printable mini notecards designed by The Tom Kat Studio and available for free from their website. The set I am using is the Printable Mini Notecards - Set #1

These printables are great for quick makes as they print out with 3 mini notecards per A4 sheet, simply download, print, colour, cut out and fold and they are ready to go, or if you have a little more time why not make them into a bigger design as I have done here.

I printed the design sheet off onto an A4 sheet of Papermilldirect Plain White card, there are 3 different designs on the sheet, I chose the Balloon design to work with.  I coloured the balloon using First Edition marker pens in shades of purple and pink, and the lettering in pink and yellow.

I used a light grey marker pen to outline the image and sentiment, then trimmed the image down to just under 3” square. A light grey marker pen was used to outline the cut edge before mounting the square onto a slightly larger square of Papermilldirect  Purple Grape Card.

Using a Sizzix embossing folder with a bubbles design I embossed Papermilldirect Plain White card and trimmed down to approx. 4” square.  I decided I quite liked the debossed side to work with the balloon image and matted it onto a slightly larger square of PMD Raspberry Pink card.

The card base was created by scoring and folding and A4 sheet of PMD Plain White card and then trimming down to create a 5.5” square card.  I added the embossed panel centrally to the card front using double sided tape and used 3D foam pads to adhere the balloon panel to create height.

To finish a touch of white gel pen adds a little highlight to the balloon.Choosing a simple image to work with makes colouring quicker and easier and teaming with a simple embossed panel adds extra interest. I decided to leave the card as more of a 'clean & simple' style but you could of course add extra embellishments or ribbons if you prefer.

Materials Used:
Plain White Card - Papermilldirect
Purple Grape Card - Papermilldirect
Raspberry Pink Card - Papermilldirect
Free Valentines Printables - http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/2013/01/freeprintablevalentinesforparenting
Craft Twin Markers - First Edition
Sizzix Embossing Folder
Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads

One Stamp Event with Oak House Studio

Hello, this weekend is the One Stamp Event from Oak House Studio taking place over Saturday and Sunday. This time the stamp set we are using is the Double Daisy and we are all exploring ways to use the stamp to create with, do pop over to the facebook pages to see the amazing projects, everything from cards, gift wrap and even jewellery have all been created with this versatile stamp set.

I set to work this morning to play with the stamps, inks and embossing powders and have this card to share with you.  I started by stamping one of the large OHS daisy stamps 3 times over a piece of Felt effect cardstock using a versamark embossing inkpad.  I also stanped randomly with the dots texture stamp from the same set, sprinkled with white detail embossing powder and heat set.

Using my largest waterbrush I watercoloured over the stamping using Peacock Green and Paris Pink OHS Colour Chemistry inks, allowing the colours to blend in places to give lilac tones.  The felt texture of the card is very similar to watercolour card and can easily cope with watercolouring.  

Extra detail was added by stamping the dots texture in the lightest blue of the OHS Triple Sky Blues inkpad using a 2nd generation stamping for the background to give a faded look.  I stamped again direct to cntres of the 3 flowers, sprinkled with clear embossing powder and gently heat set to blen in with white embossing.  I also added the texture stamp in blue to the background to add subtle texture.

When dry I then went back in with my waterbrush, this time a smaller one and painted in the petals on each daisy with ink straight from the bottle, 1 in Peacock Green, 1 in Paris Pink and the other in Regal Claret.  When the panel was dry it was trimmed down to approx. 5" square.

The sentiment 'Thinking of you' is also from Oak House Studio and I stamped it in black archival ink onto a scrap of watercoloured card trimmed off the main piece.  Both the daisy panel and the sentiment were matted onto PMD black card.  For the card base another sheet of A4 felt card was scored and folded in half trimming down to create a card of just under 6" square with fold across the top.

I found a sheer black & white polka dot ribbon in my stash and wrapped it around the lower part of the daisy panel, securing ends on reverse with d/s tape before adhering the panel onto my card base.  The sentiment was added on top of the ribbon using 3D foam pads to give height and a little bow from matching ribbon was added to RH side.  To finish I added sequins in pink and teal to the daisy flower centres.

Materials Used:
Double Daisy stamp set - Oak House Studio
Peacock Green, Paris Pink, & Regal Claret - Colour Chemistry Ink in a Bottle - Oak House Studio
Triple Sky Blues - Colour Chemistry Pigment Inkpad - Oak House Studio
Sentiment Stamps - Oak House Studio
 Ivory Felt Embossed Card - Papermilldirect
Black Card - Papermilldirect
Sequins - Dovecraft Serendipity - Trimcraft
Sheer Ribbon
Black Archival Ink, Versamark Embossing Inkpad
White Detail Embossing Powder, Clear Embossing Powder
Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads, Cosmic Shimmer glue

Me & You Valentines Card - Inking Embossing Folder Technique

Hello, I have a new card design to share with you.  This week the Papermill Design Team are looking at Embossing Techniques and I thought I would show how simply adding ink can make a difference to your embossing. 

For this design I took a ‘Wood Grain’ embossing folder, opened it up and added ink to one side with my inkpad.  I used one of my small dewdrop inkpads in Rich Cocoa colour and simply dabbed and swiped it over one inner side of the plastic embossing folder adding ink to the raised edges.  (If you prefer you could use a larger inkpad and brayer to apply the ink).  I placed a piece of Papermilldirect Buff coloured card inside the folder and ran it through my Big Shot machine, opened the folder and the card has been embossed and inked to resemble wood grain.  (Just clean any excess ink off the folder with a baby wipe).  I trimmed the wood grain panel down to approx. 3 ¾ “wide by 5” high and used double sided tape to mat onto PMD Maroon card to give a small border.

To create the card base I simply scored and folded an A4 sheet of PMD White Hammered card in half and then trimmed down to give me a 4 ½ “ wide by 5 ¾” high card base ( I like the fold across the top for this design but you may prefer it with fold to the left).  The wood grain panel was attached centrally with double sided tape.

I took a small length of Jute Hessian trim from my stash and cut it to just overlap the card edges, fraying the ends,  double sided tape secures the trim along the bottom of the wood grain panel.

Using PMD Pale Turquoise card and the Marianne Design Dove die set, I cut one bird body and 2 wing pieces.  You could leave the pieces with the cut outs as they are or do as I have done and added PMD Baby Pink card to the back so it shows a contrast colour in the cut-outs.  Glue wings to dove body arranging as you wish and then use 3D foam pads to adhere the Dove to the wood grain panel towards the top LH side, allow the wings and tail to overlap the card slightly, this adds extra interest drawing your eyes ‘off the page’ adding to the idea of the bird flying.

 

The sentiment is provided by the ‘Me & You’ sticker from the Forest Friends embellishments, I placed this below the dove and slightly to the right.  To finish a self-adhesive blue gem was added to the eye of the dove and pearls were added to decorate the tail and wings.  3 self-adhesive pearls were also added to the Jute Trim at RH side.

I think the inking of the embossing folder worked really well and along with the embossed surface, raised embellishments and Jute trim, it made for quite a tactile card.  Why not experiment with your own embossing folders and don’t forget to share your makes over on the papermilldirect facebook page, we’d love to see them.

Materials Used:

Buff Card – Papermilldirect

White Hammered Card – Papermilldirect

Pale Turquoise Card – Papermilldirect

Baby Pink Card – Papermilldirect

Maroon Card – Papermilldirect

Wood Grain - Textures Embossing Folder – Crafter’s Companion

Rich Cocoa – Dewdrop Inkpad – Memento

Decorative Dove LR0149 - Creatables Die – Marianne Design

Forest Friends Embellishment Stickers – Grace Taylor

Adhesive gem and pearls, Jute trim

Adhesives: Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads,cosmic shimmer glue

Thank You Card step-by-step Tutorial

Hello and Happy New Year!! I'm back after the festive break with my first PMD Design Team blog post for 2016. It's that time of year when we may be sending 'Thank You' cards to family and friends, so using this week's special offer 'Mustard Yellow' cardstock from Papermilldirect, I created this little ‘Thank You’ card design as follows:

 Score and fold a sheet of A4 PMD Black card in half then trim down to create a square card blank.  I cut mine to measure approx. 5 ¾”.

Cut a square of PMD Mustard Yellow card to measure approx. 5 ½” square and emboss using the ‘distress’ effect embossing folder through your die cutter.

 Position black card blank in ‘tent’ position (with fold along the top) Adhere the embossed panel centrally onto card front using double sided tape.

Cut 2 strips of pattern paper approx.  1 ¼” deep by just over 5” wide. Mat the pattern papers onto PMD black card to leave a small equal border showing all around on both strips.

 Using a red-brown ink and the sentiment stamp, stamp ‘Thank You’ onto PMD Mustard Yellow card.  When ink is dry carefully position a frame die over it and run through your die cutter (tip: I use a little low tack washi tape to hold dies in place). 

Cut the same frame die again using PMD black card, you will see that there are 2 parts to each die cut frame set, use the thin black outer piece to frame the stamped piece, use a little strip of card and / or tape on the back to hold them in place.

Cut a ¾ “deep strip of PMD black card to fit across the mustard embossed panel.  (I was using up scraps so mine is shown as 2 pieces).  (Optional) Spray with gold ink and leave to dry. (you can mix your own spray using a gold ink and water into a mister bottle and giving it a shake before using)

Assemble card as follows:  add 3D foam pads or tape to back of paper pattern panels and position bottom one first, then add top panel so that it is equally spaced and lines up with bottom panel.
Add 3D foam pads to black gold sprayed card strip and position across the centre of the card between the patterned panels.  Add sentiment to centre using 3D foam to give height.

To finish add black sequins to right of sentiment.  I used 2 small and 1 large black sequin and glued in place using cosmic shimmer clear drying glue.

This is a simple card layout and of course you could add different sentiments to the centre to suit other occasions.  It also makes use of any pretty paper scraps you may have laying around.  The pretty bird paper strips were left over from other projects and way too pretty to discard, they worked well with the PMD Mustard Yellow and Black cardstocks and the addition of height and embossed texture added to the effect. 

 

Materials Used:
Mustard Yellow Offer Card – PMD
Black Card – PMD
Distress Embossing Folder – Textures by Crafters Companion
Botanical Notes 6x6 paper pad – First Edition
Borders, Frames & Buckle Die Set – First Edition
Thank You sentiment stamp – Oak House Studio
Ink Pad – Oak House Studio
Spray Ink – Oak House Studio
Black sequins
Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads (or Tape) Cosmic Shimmer clear drying glue

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 
• Wendy
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog