Hoppy Birthday Card - Step by Step Tutorial

Hello I'm back again in Blogland to share my Papermilldirect DT make with you, this time a step by step Birthday card design with a fun frog theme.

This week I’m using a stamp & matching die set with spring coloured papermilldirect cardstocks to create a fun ‘Hoppy Birthday’ card.

Start by stamping a Lily Pad onto Papermilldirect Apple Green card using black Memento ink.  Then stamp the frog image onto PMD White Hammered card.

Colour the frog using a selection of First Edition marker pens, blending colours and adding some extra details with a white gel pen.

Carefully line up the matching die over the Lily Pad and Frog and cut out using your die cutter machine. (I find it easier to first cut a mask from scrap card and position this over the image so it is lined up, attach with washi tape and then secure die in place with washi tape to prevent it slipping).

 

Cut PMD White Hammered card approx. 4” x 5 ¼” and stamp ‘Hoppy’ in black ink towards the top left.  Stamp ‘birthday’ onto a strip of White Hammered card approx. ¾” wide.

Mat ‘Hoppy’ panel onto slightly larger piece of PMD Daffodil Yellow card using double sided tape.  Add 2 strips of washi tape across lower section and secure ends on the back. (I used a gold & white dotty pattern tape).

Score & fold PMD White Hammered card and trim down to create a 4 ½” x 5 ¾”card blank with fold across the top.

Stamp the flies using black ink to front panel then mount the panel onto the card base using double sided tape.  Cut ‘birthday’ strip into a fishtail end and adhere onto washi tape border.  Add the Lily Pad using 3D foam pads to give height.

Add the frog to card front using 3D foam pads so he looks to be hopping off to catch the flies.  Add a little pale colour to flies using marker pens and add extra details using a black fine liner pen.  Add 3 small green adhesive pearls to ‘birthday’ wording to complete the design.

I had fun making this little card and by stamping the lily pad onto an already coloured card stock it cut down on colouring time, although I did add a little shading using a green marker pen.  The frog is an easy design to colour.  I used marker colours of ‘Pistachio’ green, ‘Primrose’ and ‘Warm Yellow’ for the body.  The tongue is ‘Sorbet’ pink and a little ‘baby blue’ to the eyes of the frog and wings of the flies.

I really like this stamp set as it allows you to create your own little scenes along with some alternative sentiments.  The matching die set is nice to have but you could also cut out the shapes using scissors if you prefer.

Materials Used:
White Hammered Card – Papermilldirect
Daffodil Yellow Card – Papermilldirect
Apple Green Card – Papermilldirect
Hoppy Birthday II – stamp set – Clearly Besotted
Hoppy Birthday – die set – Clearly Besotted
Alcohol Craft Markers – First Edition
Tuxedo Black ink pad – Memento
Gold washi tape, green adhesive pearls
White Gel Pen, Black Fine Liner pen
Double Sided Tape, 3D Foam Pads

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
   
   
   
   
   
   
    

Vintage Rose 'with Love' card - Moroccan Spice & Gold Foiling

Hello, welcome to another Blog post and time to share another of my Trimcraft DT makes with you.  I do love those vibrant warm colours in the First Edition Moroccan Spice papers and thought the orange would look great for a vintage style with some gold foiling using the First Edition Foiling products.  

I rolled a simple rose from the papers to accent the sentiment.  The edges of the papers have been distressed and inked with an orange ink to complement the papers and gold colours.

Step By Step:

1. From the Moroccan Spice 8x8” paper pad cut green paper to measure 6 ¾” x 4 ¾” and orange textured paper to measure 6 3/8” x 4 3/8”.  Distress edges with scissors and then ink around with orange ink.  Mat orange paper onto green paper centrally using double sided tape to adhere.
   From the Moroccan Spice 6x6” paper pad cut green paper to measure 5” x 3” and green pattern paper to measure 4 ½” x 2 ½”.  Distress edges and ink as before, mat smaller piece onto larger piece with double sided tape.
   
2. Using a 5 x7” Kraft card blank with the fold across the top, adhere larger mat centrally onto card front.  Add smaller mat at an angle.
   
3. To create rose, cut a circle of orange double sided paper (Moroccan Spice) and cut into it to create a spiral, then roll up starting from outside edge.  Secure rose with glue at the bottom and press into place to dry.
   
4. Using the FE Foliage die set, die cut 2 large leaves from the green paper, pass through your die cutter again with a rubber mat to emboss the veins.
   Add gold foiling to leaves and rose by applying the FE Foil Transfer Glue and leave to become tacky, then place the foil on top and press and rub firmly before lifting the foil. 
   
5. To create the foiled sentiment, die cut ‘With Love’ (Modern Sentiments set) using the FE Foil Applicator Foam.  (I find it easier to peel the backing and adhere the foam to white card before die cutting).  Remove paper from die cut and place gold foil on top, pressing down as before to transfer the foil onto the sentiment.
   
6. Cut an oval of orange card (I used the oval waste from the frame in the Belle & Boo die set) distress and ink edges of oval before adhering to panel on card front.  Glue foiled sentiment on top.
   Glue rose and 2 leaves to top left of panel, bending and shaping the leaves first before gluing in position.
   
7. To finish I die cut a flourish from the FE Doily die set and cut it in half, inking in orange ink and then tucking 1 piece to top left of panel and 1 piece to bottom right, gluing in place before adding 2mall orange adhesive gems to flourishes and 1 larger adhesive pearl to centre of rose.(Dovecraft).
   
   
   
   
   Products Used:
   First Edition 8x8 FSC Paper Pad Moroccan Spice
   First Edition 6x6 FSC Paper Pad Moroccan Spice
   First Edition Dies - Foliage
   First Edition Dies - Sentiments Modern
   First Edition Dies - Doily
   First Edition Foil – Gold
   First Edition Foil – Foam
   First Edition Foil Glue
   Dovecraft Kraft 5"x7" Cards & Envelopes
   
   
   All products used are from +Trimcraft Ltd and this project also appears in my Trimcraft Design Team Gallery link here: http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121434/vintage-rose-card-with-first-edition-moroccan-spice-papers-and-gold-foiling
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Live Your Dreams ... with Moroccan Spice

Hello, today I have a bright vibrant card to share with you.  I am very lucky to get to work with the most gorgeous papers and this is my first make with the new First Edition 'Moroccan Spice' papers from +Trimcraft Ltd 

If like me you loved ‘Neroli’ then you are going to absolutely love these papers too as they have that very special ‘gem effect’ on some of the designs along with some fabulous patterns, textures and finishes.

I chose to highlight one of the ‘gem effect’ papers and didn’t want to cover up too much of the pretty pattern, and so made a simple 4 tile card design set off with FE Dies and a peacock feather to add the focal point.

 

 Step By Step:

1. Take a sheet of green card from the Dovecraft Premium colour card pack, score and fold in half, then trim down to create a 15cm square card blank with fold across the top.
   
2. Cut a sheet of ‘gem effect’ paper from the ‘Moroccan Spice’ 6x6 pad into 4 squares approx. 6cm each.  Mat each square onto a slightly larger square of Dovecraft black card and then arrange squares evenly and equally onto card front using double sided tape to adhere.
   
3. Using First Edition ‘Foliage’ die set, cut 2 larger and 1 thinner fern / leaf from green coloured ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper.
   Using Santoro willow die set, cut 1 solid flower from blue ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper and 1 skeleton flower from orange ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper.
   
   
4. Outline all the die cut elements with a Dovecraft Gold metallic marker pen. Add dots of Dovecraft 3D Pearl Effects in ‘Brights Blue’ to centre of orange flower and allow to dry.
   
5. Assemble focal point by gently curving the foliage leaves and flowers before sticking down to card front, using 3D foam pads to raise some leaves and layer up the flowers.  Add a peacock feather and 2 leaf design stick pins (willow collection).
   
6. Using the Santoro clear stamp set, stamp a sentiment of ‘Live Your Dreams’ using a blue ink onto a pale ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper, sprinkle stamping with clear embossing powder and then heat emboss.  Trim around sentiment and curve before adding to card front.
   
7. To finish add some small Dovecraft blue and green adhesive gems to centre of orange flower, in amongst the 3D pearl effects.  Also add 3 small green gems to top right of card.

Products Used:

First Edition 6x6 FSC Paper Pad Moroccan Spice FEPAD118

Dovecraft A4 Premium Coloured Card DCBS75

Dovecraft A4 Black Card DCBS102

First Edition Dies - Foliage FEDIE019

SANTORO®'s Willow Steel Dies SNDIE002

SANTORO®'s Willow Peacock Feathers SNFE001

Santoro Clear Stamp – Sentiment SNCS011

Dovecraft Pearl Effects Box – Brights DCBS92

Dovecraft Bright Gemstones DCSP100

all materials from +Trimcraft Ltd  and the project can also be seen in the Trimcraft DT Gallery link here http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121269/live-your-dreams-card-with-first-edition-moroccan-spice-and-dies

Love Grows Here ...

Hello, today I'm sharing another make with the new and very pretty First Edition Love Story papers from +Trimcraft Ltd .  My cards often evolve by way of a phrase and this time in my mind I had the ‘Love Grows Here’ theme to play with.  It also gave me chance to try out the tree shape from the new First Edition Foliage die set and I added little hearts to 'grow' on the tree.

Here's my Step By Step:

1. Cut a rectangle of peach card from the Dovecraft Premium Colour Card pack approx. 5 3/8” wide by 4 3/8” high. Cut a rectangle of floral patterned paper from the Love Story 6x6” pad approx. 6” wide by 4” high.  Ink around the edges of both with pink ink.
   Pierce holes around the edges of the floral rectangle paper and add faux stitching with a white pen. Mat floral paper onto peach card using double sided tape.
   
2. Using the First Edition Border die cut 2 loopy borders from beige Love Story paper and attach across lower section of matted paper panel using glue along the centre section.  Adhere Dovecraft  ‘Love’ printed ribbon across the border slipping the ends under the border end sections and securing with tape at back of panel.
   Attach panel to card blank using double sided tape.  I have used a green scalloped edged 5” x 7” card from the Glad Tidings pack.
   
   
   
   
3. Next cut 3 panels, 1 from green card (to match card blank) approx. 3 3/8” wide by 4 ¼” high, 1 from the peach card approx. 3 1/8” wide by 4” high, and 1 from the Love Story pale hexagon pattern paper approx. just under 3” wide by 3 7/8” high.  Pierce holes in pale panel and add faux stitching with white pen.  Ink around all 3 panels with pink ink.  Mat smallest panel centrally onto peach card panel, then adhere onto green panel at an angel (see photos).
   
4. Using the Tree die from the FE Foliage die set, cut tree in green card and glue centrally onto panel.  Die cut hearts from pink Love Story paper using Santoro die set and glue 5 small ones direct to the tree, add 2 larger ones raised with 3D foam pads.  Die cut 2 heart borders from the Borders, Frames & Buckles set using 2 of the pink Love Story papers, trim them a little and glue across bottom of tree.
   
   
   
   
5. Add the sentiment of ‘Love Grows Here’ to a rectangle of pale Love Story paper, ink edges with pink ink, and adhere to tree panel to look like a tab.  I used my Cricut Explore to write and cut the tab ( If you want to use my file already sized my Design Space Link is here: https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/35665234  )  but you could type and print out from your computer or handwrite wording if you prefer.  Cut a small piece of Dovecraft heart patterned ribbon, loop it and attach to tab.
   Position completed Tree panel to card front at an angle (see photos)
   
6. Take 2 stick pins, a pink heart (Sweet Paris) and green leaf (Willow) and slide & secure into place just behind tree panel where it joins the ribbon border.  A dab of glue or tape just under the head of each pin and under the ribbon will help keep them in place.  Top pins with a little green ribbon bow (Sweet Paris).
   To finish add a small adhesive pearl to ribbon bow and 3 small pearls to top right of tree panel.

Products Used:

First Edition 6x6 FSC Paper Pad Love story FEPAD115

Dovecraft Glad Tidings Cards and Envelopes DCCAE002X15

First Edition Dies - Foliage FEDIE019

SANTORO®'s Willow Steel Dies SNDIE002

First Edition Dies - Buckles, Frames & Borders FEDIE017

First Edition Dies - Borders FEDIE002

Dovecraft Sweet Paris Stick Pins DCPIN001

SANTORO®'s Willow Stick Pins SNPIN002

Dovecraft Ribbon Box With Love DCCR16

Santoro Pearls SNGE003

All materials from +Trimcraft Ltd  and the project can also be seen in the Trimcraft DT Gallery link herehttp://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121223/love-grows-here-card-with-first-edition-love-story-and-dies

Saying Hello!! Giraffe Style with Papermill Direct

I'm saying Hello!! with this Giraffe card I created with this week's Special Offer from +papermilldirect:

A 200gsm Bright Green Laid card, a 30 sheet pack of this bright and versatile card can be yours for just £2-25, perfect to add to your orders, and whilst you're browsing why not check out the other Special Offers too, link here: 

As the theme this week is ‘Printables’ I thought I would combine a free download with this week’s special offer to create a bright ‘hello’ card. I chose the ‘Safari Animals’ free download from Crafts Beautiful magazine. (links at end of post) Downloads are easy to use and are also perfect for anyone that likes the look of stamped images but perhaps isn’t as confident using ink and stamps, plus they can be printed onto different cardstocks and papers, at different sizes, and you can add colour to them too.

The ‘Safari Animals’ download set consists of a Lion, Tiger and the Giraffe which I have chosen to use. My old printer is a bit temperamental and not always happy to print on thick card but I find that it quite likes the PMD White Linen and when I saw how striking the black & white image was upon the linen texture I decided I would leave it un-coloured. The great thing about printables is that you get to choose what size you want to work with and if you are not sure, then it is easy to test print onto plain copy paper until you are happy with sizing. I trimmed the image panel down to approx. 8cm x 12.5cm and matted onto PMD black card to frame it.

The gorgeous Bright Green Laid card has been used to create a background. I like to put the card stocks through their paces in various ways this week I’m embossing & die-cutting. The back panel has been embossed using a ‘mosaic’ patterned embossing folder and you can see how well it takes the embossing creating a lovely textured background which adds shades and interest as well as being very tactile. The panels have been mounted to the card front using 3D foam pads to give height.

The Bright Green Laid Card is also perfect for die-cutting; you can see it happily copes with both the leafy branch and the ‘hello’ word sentiment perfectly. (The branch actually had a bird on it which I have trimmed off easily with scissors for this project). The die-cut shapes were given a shadow of black card by simply cutting the image again and slightly offsetting, adhering with cosmic shimmer glue, this is a subtle way to help them stand out without being too prominent. I have tried to keep the clean look of the card by keeping to the three basic colours of black, white, & green, Adding some natural coloured Jute trim strip and black sequins topped with pale green adhesive pearls to finish. Completed card size is just over 5” x 7”.

Materials Used:

Bright Green Laid Offer Card – Papermill Direct

White Linen Card – Papermill Direct

Black Card – Papermill Direct 
Giraffe Image from Safari Animals – Free Download – Crafts beautiful magazine

http://www.crafts-beautiful.com/free-downloads/safari-animals-to-colour-in

Mosaic Embossing Folder – Cuttlebug 
Branch Die Creatables LR0138 – Marianne Design

Hello Word Die – Clearly Besotted

Adhesives: Double Sided Tape, 3D foam pads, cosmic shimmer glue

Jute Trim, Black Sequins, Pale Green adhesive pearls

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
• Craig 
• Nessa
• Papermilldirect Inspire Blog