A New Home Card with Forest Friends

I do love the cute Forest Friends collection from Grace Taylor and thought it would be fun to create a Mushroom or toadstool shaped New Home Card.  

I finally got around to using the cute Raccoon character from the embellishment sticker pack, but he's such a sweetie I may need to add more to my stash. :D  I have included my Cricut Design Space link below if you wish to cut exactly as I have or you could draw a template and cut by hand as it's a simple shape :)

Step By Step:

1. I cut this design on my Cricut Explore and can share my Design Space Project link here: https://uk.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/36100306
   if you would like to make one the same, it is already sized for you. (You could also cut a simple toadstool / mushroom shape by drawing in pencil onto a kraft card blank and cutting paper pieces for the spots)
2. I cut the largest shape, the card base from Dovecraft A4 Kraft card and cut it twice to create a front and back for my card.  (The back panel can be added later by simply scoring across it about 2” down and adding tape above this section before attached to card front)
3. Using the pink card from the Dovecraft coloured A4 card pack, I cut the large base panel.  I added faux stitching all around using a white pen.  Edges were inked with a red ink and then Dovecraft glitter glue in ‘crystal’ was applied to add some sparkle.
4. I used various pattern papers from the Forest Friends 12x12 pad to cut the layered parts.  Yellow for the under cap and the blue for the stalk.  Faux stitching with a white pen was added to each paper piece and all cut edges inked with red ink
5. The spots were cut from white card and then embossed using the Santoro Willow embossing folder as the pattern reflects the shape on one of the papers I’ve used.  I then ink around with red ink allowing extra ink to come over onto the edges of the embossing to highlight it.
6. All the pattern pieces were then glued in place upon the pink card shape, it has some lines to help you line it up.
7. I chose letters from the Grace Taylor Forest Friends sticker book to spell out ‘A New HOME’ and added them to the card front.  A couple of the arrows were also added to point to the word HOME, and a little hedgehog sticker was applied to the bottom of the smaller toadstool mushroom shape.
8. To finish a cute Raccoon from the Embellishment Stickers (Forest Friends) was added to the bottom of the card at RH side, positioned to be standing in front of the mushroom / Toadstool.

Products Used:
Grace Taylor Forest Friends 100 Sheet Paper Pad GS2743

Grace Taylor Forest Friends Sticker Flip Book GS2745

Grace Taylor Forest Friends Grand Adhesions GS2750

Dovecraft A4 Kraft Card DCBS103

Dovecraft A4 Premium Coloured Card DCBS75

SANTORO®'s Willow Embossing Folder SNEF002

Cricut Explore Machine PC2002435


All materials are from +Trimcraft Ltd  and this project also appears in my Trimcraft Design Team Gallery, link here: http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121368/a-new-home-card-with-grace-taylor-forest-friends-collection

Just Because!!

Hello, I'm back again to share this week's Papermilldirect DT card make with you.  This one features a digital image that I have coloured with alcohol markers.  This image, from LC Designs, is called 'Digi Ducks in the Rain' and I felt it was quite apt for the current weather we have been having here lately and of course I couldn't resist those cute ducks having fun in between the sunshine and showers.  I would also like to enter this card in the following Challenges: 
'Party Animal' Challenge over at Daring Cardmakers, 
and The Eureka Stamps Challenge #180 -Feathers & Fur Challenge

I printed the image out onto Papermilldirect White Linen card and coloured with First Edition Marker Pens as follows: Primrose & Lemon for the ducks, Satsuma & Pumpkin for the beak,Neckerchiefs and wellingtons in Baby Blue, Sorbet, & lilac.  The grass is Pistachio and the puddle has a little baby blue blended out using the FE colourless blender pen. The coloured image was then outlined in Light Grey to help the image 'pop' a little from the background. I used a large speech bubble die to cut the ducks out. A white pergamano pen was used to add some extra detailing.

Using the First Edtion Weather die set I cut a sun, 2 clouds and some raindrops, all from Papermilldirect white linen card so that i could colour them to match the ducks.  The sun is Primrose & Lemon and the clouds and raindrops outlined with Baby Blue worked with lots of colourless blender.

For the background, I cut a panel of Papermilldirect White Linen cardstock approx. 4 3/4" wide by 6 3/4" high.  I chose a sentiment stamp 'Just Because' and stamped onto the lower part of the panel using a black archival ink.

I found a blue & white washi tape in my stash and attached a strip across the top and the bottom edges of the card panel.  The Speech bubble die was used again to cut an outer frame for the ducks from Papermilldirect New Lilac card and then attached to card panel just above stamped sentiment using double sided tape and cosmic shimmer glue.  The whole panel was then mounted using double sided tape onto a 5" x 7" cardblank that I made by simply scoring, folding & trimming an A4 sheet of Papermilldirect New Lilac card to coordinate with the speech bubble frame.

To finish the card, I glued the die cut sun and one of the clouds in place, overlapping the washi tape strip a little, and then added the other cloud on top using 3D foam pads to create a little height detail.

The raindrops were arranged so that a couple overlap onto the coloured image section, glueing them in place when happy with position.

I thought this was a fun image and could be coloured with other shades for the wellies to coordinate with other colours in the papermilldirect cardstock range, why not take advantage of the spring colours and make a selection of cards in different pastel or spring shades.  Don't forget to check out the Special Offers link: https://www.papermilldirect.co.uk/special-offers they are always popular so grab them whilst you can.

Challenges Entered:

Party Animal - put an animal on your card

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/party-animal.html

Challenge #180 Feathers & Fur
 http://eurekastamps.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/eureka-stamps-challenge-180-feathers-fur.html

Materials Used:
White Linen Card - Papermilldirect
New Lilac Card - Papermilldirect
'Digi Ducks in the Rain' Digital Image - LC Designs (Little Claires)
Alcohol Marker Pens - First Edition
Weather Dies & Speech Bubble Dies - First Edition
'Just Because' sentiment from 'Pretty Petals Plus' stanp set - Clearly Besotted
Black Archival Ink, Washi Tape, White Pergamano Pen, D/S tape, Glue, 3D foam pads

Woof You!!

 

I do love sausage doggies, dachshund doesn’t really seem a cute enough word for them.  Anyway I have this fun Dovecraft washi tape and the First Edition Animal themed die set and thought the lovely colours in the new Me to You ‘Sweet Shop’ papers would work well with them, so here’s my doggy themed Valentine card or maybe just a card to send to that special someone whatever the occasion?

Step by Step:

1. Take a 6” x 6” square Kraft card blank and place with the fold across the top.  Add a length of the Dachshund printed wash tape across the bottom, smoothing down firmly and then trimming the sides flush with card.
   
2. From the Sweet Shop 6x6 paper pack, cut a piece of green striped paper approx. 3 7/8”square.  Mat this onto  a die cut stamp shape cut from lemon paper (Sweet Shop) using the First Edition nesting postage stamp.  Adhere to card front using double sided tape.
   
3. Using the First Edition Script alphabet die set, cut letters to spell ‘woof you’ from Dovecraft Chocolate glitter card.  Glue letters in place at top right of paper panel.
   
4. Using the dachshund die from the FE Animal themed set, cut 1 from kraft card and add dark brown card to the back to show through the cut outs.  Add to card front using 3D foam pads to bottom of paper panel.
5. Die cut balloons using the Belle & Boo die set from different pattern papers within the ‘Sweet Shop’ 6x6 pack.  I also cut one balloon from the chocolate glitter card. Glue a length of pink & white twine to back of each balloon then arrange balloons on card front using 3D foam pads to adhere.  Take the lengths of twine and take under the dogs head so they look to be held in its mouth, adding a dab of glue behind head to hold in place then trim twine ends to desired length 
    
   
   
   • Materials Used:
   • Me to You Sweet Shop 6x6 FSC Paper Pack MYPAP006
   • Dovecraft Kraft 6"x6" Cards & Envelopes DCCE024
   • First Edition Dies - Nesting Stamps FEDIE012
   • First Edition Dies - Animal FEDIE028
   • First Edition Dies - Script Alphabet FEDIE014
   • A4 Glitter Card (Chocolate) DCGC15
   
   All materials are from +Trimcraft Ltd  and this project also appears in my Trimcraft Design Team Gallery, link here: http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/projects/121361/woof-you-valentines-card-with-sweet-shop-papers-and-first-edition-dies
    
   .
   

Aurora's Dream ...with Moroccan Spice

I do love stamping and colouring the Santoro Willow characters and I thought they would work well with the new First Edition Moroccan Spice papers from +Trimcraft Ltd .  For this project I chose the character ‘Aurora’ and coloured her in bright blues and used corals for the flowers as these seemed to work so well with the papers.  I like Easel style cards and the way they pop up to display.

Step By Step:

Create an easel card base by scoring and folding the front of a Dovecraft 6x6” Kraft card blank.  Mat a piece of canvas effect ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper approx. 14cm onto a slightly larger square of blue card (I cut from a ‘True Blue’ card blank) and adhere to inside card using double sided tape.

Cut a panel of orange paper from the Moroccan Spice pad and mat onto blue card before adhering to card front panel.  Cut another panel of blue paper from the Moroccan Spice pad and mat onto blue card before adhering to the back panel of card front. 

Create a mat panel for the front of your ‘easel, cut Kraft card approx. 12.5cm square.  Cut pale patterned ‘Moroccan Spice’ paper to approx. 11.5cm square and mat onto a slightly larger square of blue card before adhering to the Kraft card square.

Using the FE Windows die set cut 1 long window and 1 shaped window from kraft card, add a double layer of Dovecraft vellum to the back using glue to adhere where it won’t be seen, and trim flush with window shapes.  Cut the shaped window again, this time form Moroccan Spice paper and use the waste squares as stained glass by gluing into the window shape.  I added a piece of the ‘gem effect’ paper as the centre pane of ‘glass’.  Arrange the window shapes onto the easel mat and glue in place.

Using black ink and the ‘Aurora’ character clear stamp, stamp image onto white card, also stamp a number of the flowers onto another piece of white card.  Colour images with First Edition Markers, shading and blending as required. ( I used Ivory for skin and a mix of Sienna, Copper, & Coral for hair,blues,reds,greens for dress and flowers, etc). Then outline using the 01 Light Grey marker and add extra highlights using a white pen. When finished cut out the character and individual flowers.

Die cut leaf stems from green Moroccan spice papers using the FE Foliage die set, (cut an extra stem and cut the individual leaves off to use with the stamped flowers) Arrange foliage at left of front panel, add stamped ‘Aurora’ character using 3D foam pads, and flowers and leaves using glue to create a scene in front of the windows.

Take a striped Moroccan Spice paper and cut a strip, attached across bottom of stamped scene using 3D foam pads, it will cover the bottom of the leaves, trim flush with front panel.

Create stopper for easel by matting a thin panel of pale paper to blue card, add a strip of the striped paper onto and then add a die cut loopy border from the FE Borders die set.  Attach this panel to card base using 3D foam pads to give height.

Using the FE Script Alphabet die set, cut letters to spell ‘DREAM’ and glue to card base.  Also add 3 stamped flowers and some leaves from the foliage dies, trimming to size before gluing in place at RH side of ‘dream’.  To finish, adhere a Diamante Charm (Mirabelle) and add Dovecraft adhesive pearls to easel stopper panel and 3 adhesive pearls to top left of front panel. 

Products Used:

First Edition 6x6 FSC Paper Pad Moroccan Spice FEPAD118

Dovecraft Kraft 6"x6" Cards & Envelopes DCCE024

SANTORO®'s Willow Clear Stamp - Aurora SNCS014

First Edition Dies - Windows FEDIE001

First Edition Dies - Foliage FEDIE019

First Edition Dies - Script Alphabet FEDIE014

First Edition Dies - Borders FEDIE002

Dovecraft A4 Premium Vellum DCBS78

Dovecraft Back to Basics -True Blue Cards and Envelopes DCBC005

Santoro Diamante Charms SNMC006

First Edition Twin Marker - Blender FETMK101

First Edition Twin Markers - Greys FETMK001

First Edition Twin Markers - Skin Tones FETMK002

First Edition Twin Markers - Reds   FETMK003

First Edition Twin Markers - Purples FETMK006

First Edition Twin Markers - Pinks FETMK008

First Edition Twin Markers - Browns FETMK009

 

 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/121282/aurora-s-dream-card-with-first-edition-moroccan-spice-papers-willow-and-fe-di

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 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

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