Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter!!  Today I'm sharing this paper-pieced chick design using one of the new Simply Creative paper pads from +Trimcraft Ltd called ‘Folk Song’.  Paper piecing is ideal for simple stamped images such as this chick design.  You can add colour and pattern by simply stamping on the papers instead of colouring with markers or pencils.  Using a window aperture adds extra interest when the card is opened or displayed, and there is room at the bottom inside to write a sentiment or you could write on the back if you prefer.

Step By Step:

1. I am using a Dovecraft 5” x 7” white Window card as the base and cut a panel for the inside of the card using the FE Postage Stamp nesting die set, cutting the shape from the blue floral paper from the ‘Folk Song’ 6 x 6 pad.  Carefully adhere the panel inside the card, towards the top so it will be seen evenly through the aperture.
   
2. Cut another of the nesting stamp die shapes from pink ‘Folk Song’ paper and then cut it into a frame by using the next size smaller die and positioning it centrally on top, using a little washi tape to secure.  Run through your die cutter and you will have a pink pattern paper frame, glue to card front to frame the window aperture.
   
3. Using the FE Modern Sentiment die set, cut ‘Be Happy’ from pink Folk Song paper and snip off the ‘be’ to leave just the ‘Happy’ word.  Cut letters to spell out ‘EASTER’ using the FE Varsity alphabet set and glue the word and letters onto a strip of white card long enough to fit across card front.  Trim card and then adhere to strip of yellow polka Folk Song paper approx. 1 ¾” deep, then mat then again onto black & white pattern Folk Song paper approx. 2”deep. Attach the sentiment panel across bottom of card front using double sided tape and trim sides flush with card.
   
4. Stamp the ‘chick’ image onto white card to create the base for your paper pieces.  Stamp again onto different pattern papers from within the Folk Song 6x6 pad.  Cut out the body and glue to white card image, cut out wings, feet, bowtie and beak and glue them all onto the white card stamped image until it is all coloured.  Cut out completed image into an egg or oval shape, using a template if you prefer.  Add Dovecraft Gold glitter glue to the crown and also to outline around the edge of the egg / oval shape and leave to dry.
   
5. Take 2 small adhesive pearls and colour them black with a Trimcraft marker, when dry add to chick image.  Mount the chick oval inside the window aperture onto the blue pattern paper using 3D foam pads.
   
6. Cut 2 small egg / oval shapes from Folk Song patterned papers and edge with gold glitter glue, when dry add to left of sentiment.  Add 3 flower shaped plastic buttons (Belle & Boo) to right of sentiment, highlighting those with gold glitter glue to match.  To finish glue a little polka dot bow (Belle & Boo) to top of window aperture.
   

Products Used:
Simply Creative FSC Paper Pad 6x6 Folk Song
Dovecraft Clear Stamp - Chick
First Edition Dies - Sentiments Modern
First Edition Dies - Varsity Alphabet
First Edition Dies - Nesting Stamps
Dovecraft Christmas Basics Glitter Glues - Gold and Silver
Belle and Boo Plastic Buttons
Belle and Boo Mini Ribbon Bows

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

Mini Easter Cards - Simple Batch Making

Hello, I'm back to share a little Easter card making idea with you.  This week I'm using the ever popular White Linen effect cardstock,  using a textured card such as this always lends an elegant and interesting finish to your designs. 

I decided to make some mini Easter Cards using the white linen, some dies, and adding just a small piece of patterned paper and a greeting.  For this design I was able to get 2 cards from 1 A4 sheet of White Linen by cutting it down to create two 4x4 cards with the offcut being used to cut the 2 panels for the front.
If you’ve made Easter cards before then you are likely to have an egg or oval set of dies to cut the egg shape.  I have also used a fancy square die for the raised panel but you could use any die you have or just cut a plain square if your prefer.  This design allows you to easily batch make by cutting all your top panels in one batch, preparing your card blanks in advance and just having a stash of small squares of pattern paper from leftovers or scraps.

Step by Step:
I started by cutting my A4 sheets of White Linen card to measure 8 x 16 each (setting those pieces aside for card blanks later).  I used the waste to die-cut my panels using a shaped die just over 3” square.  I stamped a small greeting of ‘Happy Easter’ using black ink directly across the bottom of the die cut shape.  (You could use peel offs or handwrite if you prefer).

Taking a small (2” high) egg or oval shaped die, position centrally and just above sentiment, use a small piece of washi tape to hold in place to die cut. Remove the cut out egg shape and washi tape (save cut out for other makes) to reveal egg shaped aperture. 

Next take scraps of pattern paper and cut into squares to fit behind the aperture.

Prepare your card blanks by cutting the 8x16 pieces in 2, then score and fold to create 4x4 card blanks with fold to side.

 

Glue the pattern paper squares to card front for quickness (you can use d/s tape if you prefer).

Add 3D foam pads to back of aperture panels and position panels centrally over patterned papers.  You now have a batch of handmade, hand stamped Modern Easter cards.

This is a great way to use up your scraps of pretty paper or perhaps you have some inked or stamped master-board pieces to use up?  You can make these mini cards in larger sizes if you prefer or why not embellish with sequins or bows

Materials Used:
White Linen Card – Special Offer - Papermilldirect
Nellies Multi Frames #MFD012 Square
Xcut Dielicious Nesting Dies - Easter Eggs
Jet Black Ranger Archival Ink Pad
Sweet Little Sentiments stamp set - Clearly Besotted
Cosmic Shimmer Glue, 3D Foam Pads
Scraps of patterned paper