Smile!

 

Doesn't this card just make you want to smile?  The smile itself came from the Pazzles Library - wonderful resource for crafty people.  Cutting out the smile was a breeze after downloading it, then a little pen tool work and voila!  A card is made.  The inside says "Thank You".  Well, thank you, Pazzles for all the great files in the craftroom!

Something New - Printed Backgrounds

Designing a card takes a lot of planning - what elements will be included, where will they go, what paper will be used, will there be any popped pieces, etc, etc, etc!  Pazzles makes all this fairly easy with their Library of images and the software allows you to set up a card exactly as it will look cut.  But since I just signed up with GraphicStock, I've found a lot of backgrounds that are really cute and I decided to see if I could use them in place of all the other pieces that go on a card.  Here's what I mean:

 

Instead of cutting out grass, flowers, sun and clouds I found this background.  I still did the baby and carriage in the usual print & cut method and I put the background in the Pazzles Inspiration to get the text on it.  This card was put together quickly!

 

And here I could have done print & cut on the turtle but then I'd be left with the need to fill the rest of the space.  Very easy to just plop the background in the machine for the text!

 

I think I'll be doing more of this type - maybe next time it won't be a cute or funny card!

Inside the Mind of a Cardmaker

A very lovely lady wanted a very special card for a 70th wedding anniversary.  I asked for some additional info, so I had something to work with.  Turns out the couple owned roller rinks, so I'm thinking "as life rolls along" type of verse.  Kind of kitschy but cute.  Then she added that they are also into ballroom dancing.

Well, that set a whole different tone.  Out went the kitsch and in went the elegance.  I went searching for a design that included a couple dancing.  Online I found a cute layout:

 

 

I instantly had a ton of ideas on how to change this to what I needed.  The heart needed some pen work, the girl changed into a couple dancing and music notes instead of clouds.  I've recently found GraphicStock, an image warehouse, and they are offering a 7 day free download of 20 images a day.  Fantastic deal!  Anyway, I found the perfect image of a couple tango-ing.  I found the music staff in the Pazzles Library - wonderful resource.

 

So, here's what I came up with!

 

 

I'm very happy with the way it turned out.  I hope the buyer and the recipients like it too!  Thanks for the order, Teri!  Anytime you need a special card, you know my number!

Print and Cut Clipart for Cards

The perfect clipart can really make a card!  Finding the perfect clipart is a bit of a bother, but it can be done.  Every time I find something really cute or clever, I create a card around it. 

 

I found this cute little frog in the Pazzles Library and had to use it in a card.  I found this layout online and created my own version in my Inspiration software.

 

I got lucky and found this darling race car when I went looking for something "speedy" for this Get Well card.  I suspect that I'll be making this card again shortly, as it will sell first to the next person needing a Get Well card!

 

And one of my co-workers is actually hoping for someone to retire soon, so she can buy this card.  She just loves it!  I have to say that the alligator was an inspired find.  The clipart having the front feet in that position made the placement of the sentiment a breeze.

 

 

I just love adding print and cut butterflies to a feminine card - in person, they really pop!  Because these are actually photos of real butterflies, with a little shaping, it looks like a beautiful butterfly just stopped by to grace your card! 

 

Pazzles offers great videos on how to do Print and Cut so I won't bother to repeat any instructions.  Just know that it is easy and nearly foolproof and takes a simple and easy card over the top!

Playing with Prima Chalk Inks

Recently, I was lucky enough to win a huge set of Prima Chalk Ink Edgers. 

They are wonderful.  I have a couple of others from another company and they are terrible in comparison.  I've been working with the inkers and looking online for ideas and here's a few things I've created:
 I simply edged the sentiment card to make it stand out.

This one has the inking on the edges of the tissue paper flower.

  For a little interest, I dragged the inker across the sentiment card while blocking the sentiment itself.

Here I cut some flower shapes on my Pazzles Inspiration and colored the whole shape with the inkers, then shaded and edged the flowers with red.

 

 

This card originally had rainboots and a puddle, but while looking for cards to ink, I thought up a new design.  I had seen clouds done like this online and had to try it.

 

And finally, my favorite!  Using a Pazzles Library file for the rose, I cut out the background as well as all the pieces of the rose.  Then I went to town with the inkers.  There are 3 colors for each rose petal and well as the leaves.  And I didn't have a matching ribbon, so I inked one!  It turned out wonderful and I'm very happy with the result.  I'll be looking for more cards to ink!

 

 

Easter is getting close!

Time to make some cards for Easter!  With my Pazzles Inspiration, the Pazzles Library and all the great videos to make sure I know what I'm doing, this was just pure fun!

I was lucky to win the Pazzles giveaway, 40 Prima Chalk Ink Edgers, for the new Vue Color Party.  It showed up at the perfect time.  So I can now edge paper with fantastic color, like the bunny, above and below.

More chalk ink edgers at play here.  The internet has everything we'll ever need, with new stuff added all the time!  I found a dry brush technique with the edgers that I used on the eggs and letters.  So many possibilities!

The flower on this card really stands out, due to the chalk ink application.  I hope I'll get better with this new option over time. 

I wish you a blessed Easter!

Stylish Birthday Cards

This weekends cardmaking is all about birthday cards.  I filled an order for 2 cards and felt like I didn't have enough selection.

 

 

Sometimes, inspiration runs to specific types - this Coco Chanel quote and the shoe below are an example of me having a stylish moment!  That doesn't happen very frequently!

This last one is my fave, so far.  Very bling-y!

 

The Pazzles library had 2 shoes that were similar, but both had chunky heels.  So, after downloading one of the files, I changed the heel to look like really high high heels. 

 

 

Feel free to leave me a message!  I'd love to hear from you.

Embellishing Embossed Foil Cards

Still  having lots of fun with the foil embossing.  I decided that I needed to add some embellishment to the cards.  This is a set of animal cards - I still have more to complete.

Some simple borders add a lot of punch.  I cut these out on my Pazzles Inspiration. 

It took me 3 tries to get a border I liked for the bear.  Started off with a pine tree on the right, then some leaves, but I didn't like the effect.  Finally thought of the paw prints and I like that.  The frog border is a portion of the Tropical Leaf from the Pazzles Library.

 

 

For the dolphin, I found a great wave in the Library.  I just welded it to the border of 2 boxes that are 1/2-inch different in size.  I remembered a very pretty line drawing of a hummingbird and ungrouped it and used just the flower for the lower card.  Since the design is very delicate, I chose to use it as a cutout instead of a border embellishment. 

And finally, my favorite 2 of this set.  I didn't really like the turtle before I colored it, but it turned out to be one of my faves.  And I knew the duck would look great in the foil.  I also love the cattails.

 

I'm planning cards with flowers and a set of birds next.  I'll be trying something new with those as well.

 

Hope you enjoyed these cards.  Please feel free to leave me a message!