Bright Flower Vines

Bright flowers on leafy vines.  I'm happy with the colors and cheerful energy of this card. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Ellen Hutson white linen, Papertrey Ink (PTI) new leaf (green), orange zest, summer sunrise (dark yellow), harvest gold (lighter yellow), raspberry fizz (pink), and aqua mist, and the bitty dots print from PTI new leaf pattern pack.
• Dies are Memory Box medium sized fancy blossoms (orange and pink), PTI vine from "my mother, my friend" collection, and PTI double ended banner.
• Punch (yellow flowers) is a small EK Success flower.  Flower centers are 1/8" circle punch.
• Sentiment "Thinking of you" is computer-printed in green ink with Harrington font, bold, expanded spacing. 

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (269)

Turquoise Birthday with Dots

A bright and bold card.  Monochromatic patterns and embossed textures.  Simple and fun.

Edited to add: For a pink variation, click here.

Card details:

• Card stock is Ellen Hutson white linen, Paper Source peacock (dark turquoise), Papertrey Ink (PTI) Hawaiian shores (medium turquoise), and the leaves and bitty dots prints from PTI Hawaiian Shores pattern pack. 
• Note, the gray is background, not part of the card. 
• Dies are PTI wonderful words: birthday and photo finish strips.
• Corner rounding is 1/4" Corner Chomper.
• Embossing folder is Cuttlebug Swiss dots.
• "on your" is computer-printed in turquoise ink with Century Schoolbook font, bold, expanded spacing.

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (271)

Papertrey March Blog Hop Challenge - Sequin Vase

My first attempt to make a card with sequins, for today's sequin-themed Papertrey Ink March blog hop challenge on Nichole's Capture the Moment blog.  This card is lovely in real life, but it wasn't easy for me to capture as an image.  Lots of shiny reflections and shimmery sparkle!  A silvery gray vase and bright silver threads complement the theme.

Technique:  My flower stems are hand-drawn.  Here's how I do that.

• Place the flower shapes (die cuts or, in today's card, sequins!) as desired on the card base, without adhesive.  
• Mark a tiny dot on the card base for the center of each flower.  Super-easy with the sequin holes!  
• Remove the flower shapes.  
• Draw stem lines between the vase and the tiny dots, including some curves and branching for a natural effect.  I usually start with the outermost lines, then the tallest lines, to avoid criss-crossing.  
• Adhere the flower shapes. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) aqua mist, silver shimmer, and bitty dot print from aqua mist pattern pack.
• Flower stems are drawn with Copic turquoise and cool gray 0.3 multiliners.  The turquoise ink looked too bright on its own, so I added cool gray over/ beside it.
• Flowers are silver, aqua, and turquoise 3/8" sequins.  Thank you again, Emily! 
• Adhesive note:  In the end, I used Scor Tape to adhere the sequins.   At first I tried Glossy Accents, which typically works well for me, but when it was dry, the sequins easily popped off the paper.
• Dies are PTI mega gracious vases and cover plate: twist (used for the embossing).  
• The vase is popped up on foam tape.  
• Thread is DMC argent (silver) metallic. 
• Sentiment "Thinking of you today" is computer-printed in turquoise with Handwriting Dakota font, expanded spacing.

Almost all my cards are created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them."   But I'm not sure how mailable this card will be.  So to be sure everything stays in one piece, I'll do a test mailing before I use sequins for OWH.   (270)

Flowers in Pint Jar

This is one of my favorite cards that I've created.  It was for a friend's January birthday.  Beautiful colors, and I love all the detail of textures, shading, and patterns. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Paper Source poppy (medium orange) and Papertrey Ink (PTI) berry sorbet (pink), new leaf (green), kraft, and aqua mist, with a script print from PTI Dearest Jane and leaves print from the aqua mist pattern pack.  
• Dies are Poppystamps blooming posie, PTI heart-2-heart #12 (leaflets), and PTI pint jar.
• Punches are Martha Stewart ribbon bow and EK Success circles: 3/4" under the orange bow, 3/8" for the flower centers.
• Embossing folder is Stampin' Up! square lattice. 
• I used Copic markers BG10 (several layers) across the jar neck and on its edges, and E43 on the bow,  flower centers, and bottom edge of the script print.  

Edited to add: Since making the original card, I've made a few more for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (245)

Cork Hello with Greens

Some new cork that I needed to try!  A nice monochromatic effect with the green and brown patterned paper and a bit of brown twine.  And the cork is quite thin, not much thicker than PTI card stock, so it's easily mailable.

Technique: I have a tip for working with the self-adhesive cork.  It's not fragile, but after the adhesive liner is removed, it's very flexible, almost like felt.  So on my first attempt, the "hello" was hard to line up, because the letters twisted in every direction.  What worked for me was this:

1. Cut a rectangle from the cork (with liner in place) just a little bigger than the die.
2. Die cut the shape from the rectangle, placing the bottom of the word straight along the rectangle's edge.  Be sure you've cut all the way through the liner. 
3. Remove the die, but keep all the pieces of cork intact - still in the rectangle.
4. Peel off the liner from the word ONLY.  Leave the surrounding liner in place.  Poke out the center bits from the "e" and "o."
5. Position the rectangle on the card.  Press down the "hello" portion to adhere it.  
6. Gently pull off the scrap portion - cork and liner together.  All done!

In this way, it was easy to keep my "hello" aligned, and to adhere it where I wanted it.  This technique wouldn't be necessary for a more compact shape, like a star or flower, but I'll remember it for shapes that can stretch or twist.

Card details:

• Card stock is Authentique 6x6" patterned paper "free bird series, comfort theme" from my local scrapbook store, and Papertrey Ink (PTI) spring moss (light green) and pinefeather (dark green).    
• Twine is PTI rustic jute button twine.  I pierced two holes through the light green card stock to pull the twine through.  My bow is not so flat-looking in real life.
• The sentiment "hello" is die cut from self-adhesive cork by Magenta. 
• Die is PTI wonderful words: hello.  
• Embossing folder is from the Cuttlebug just my type collection. 

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (268)

Orange Flower with Aqua Chevrons

Happy and fresh with chevron texture and bright colors.  A simple but elegant design.   Before I added the textures, it was "too simple."  A bit of embossing adds a lot of interest here. 

My layout is CASEd from this card by Lizzie Jones.  Her blog Don't Forget to Write is one of my favorites!  Thanks, Lizzie, for your inspiring example.   And I was inspired by the Operation Write Home mid-week challenge to use a color scheme of blue (aqua and turquoise) and green, with orange and a neutral (white).

Note: the gray is background, not part of the card.

Card details:

• Card stock is Paper Source peacock (dark turquoise) and Papertrey Ink (PTI) stamper's select white, aqua mist, new leaf (green), orange zest, and damask print from orange zest pattern pack. 
• Dies are WPlus9 folk art florals (large leaflet) and PTI mega gracious vases, photo finish strips, and beautiful blooms II #3 (medium flower)
• The ribbon bow punch is by Martha Stewart.  The flower center is a 1/4" hole punch. 
• The card base is partially embossed with Sizzix chevrons embossing folder.  I used Stampin' Up square lattice embossing folder for the bow and flower center. 
• The sentiment "Hello" is computer printed in green ink (in real life a good match for the leaves) with Mistral font, bold, expanded character spacing.

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (267)

Bright Bracket Hello

Bright bracket shapes in tropical prints.  I like the loopy line on the left, paired with the cursive "hello."  The crisp white card base sets off the bright-and-white prints.  

Note: the gray is background, not part of the card. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) stamper's select white and patterned paper from In Bloom 8x8" collection.  
• Dies are PTI loop de loop, Savvy Stamps hello, and My Favorite Things bracket edge duo.  

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (263)

Gray with Bright Yellows - Sunshine

I don't use a lot of gray or black in my cards, but today's sunny colors and "sunshine" sentiment go well with the gray background.   Over the last two weeks, this is my third card using black or gray with bright yellows, reds, or both.  Making up for all those pastels on my other cards, maybe. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Paper Source gravel (medium gray) and Papertrey Ink (PTI) summer sunrise (yellow), vintage cream, and prints from In Bloom and Pretty Pastels 8x8 pattern collections.  
• I outlined three side of the rectangle layer with Y19 Copic marker.
• Dies are the two labels from "my mother, my friend" by PTI. 
• The two banners are notched with a square punch.  The narrow banner is scored down the center - nice in real life, but almost invisible in my picture. 
• Sentiment "You are my sunshine..." is computer-printed with two different fonts:  
• "You" is in Brush Script Std font, bold, yellow ink with gray outline.  After printing, I went over the yellow with Y19 Copic marker to brighten it and to match the rectangle outline.  
• "are my sunshine..." is in Copperplate font, gray ink.  "sunshine..." is a larger font size

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (266)

Black and White with Red Diamonds

Strong colors and patterns - a bright and bold thank you card.  Totally inspired by this card (very different from mine!) on StampOwl's Studio blog.  Thank you, Frances, for your beautiful example! 

Note: the gray is background, not part of the card.

Card details:

• Card stock is Ellen Hutson white linen, Papertrey Ink (PTI) pure poppy (red), and a print from PTI black and white basics 8x8" paper.   
• Die is My Favorite Things harlequin.
• Baker's twine is by We R Memory Keepers.
• Sentiment "Thank you so very much!" is computer printed in black ink, with two different fonts:  Top line is Rockwell Extra Bold, expanded spacing.  Bottom line is Copperplate, bold, expanded spacing, in a smaller font size.  I tried using red ink for one of the lines, but all black was better for this card.  

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (265)

Purple Patterns and Textures

Lovely colors, patterns, and textures on this card.  The layers and rounded corners, combined with the knotted embroidery floss, remind me of a beautifully bound journal. 

The middle floss color looks oddly different from the paper colors in the image and also in real life.  But when I tried to remove it or replace it with white, the card looked drab and dull.  Interesting how one dash of color can make such an impact.

Card details:

• Card stock is Ellen Hutson white linen, Paper Source plum and Papertrey Ink (PTI) prints: pretty pastels (floral pattern) and guide lines (tiny pattern)
• Die is the smallest from Spellbinders Labels One collection
• Card base is embossed with Stampin Up square lattice folder.
• Embroidery floss is DMC #3041, 3727, and 3042 (left to right). 
  Edited May 5, 2013 to add:  DMC 3041 has a slight brownish tinge and looks very brown in some lights (bright sunlight, for example).  I found Anchor brand #872 is a better color - almost the same as DMC 3041, but without the brown.
• Upper- and lower-right corners are rounded (including the card base) with Corner Chomper 1/4"
• Sentiment "With Love" is computer-printed in purple ink with Giddyup font, expanded character spacing. 

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (262)

Green Vines - Thanks

Die-cut and printed vines in shades of yellow-green.  Beautiful in real life. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) spring moss (light green), simply chartreuse (medium green), ripe avocado (dark green), vintage cream, and leaves pattern from simply chartreuse pattern pack. 
• I edged the light green panel with a YG97 Copic marker.
• Dies are PTI "my mother, my friend" (vines) and fabulous frames (banner). 
• Sentiment "Thanks" is computer-printed in green ink with Lucida Calligraphy font. 

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (261)

Hello with Script Print and Polka Dots

A simple note card with just a few ingredients.  The large script "hello" die is complemented by the script print paper.  The pastel orange polka dots add some cheerful color.  And the brown faux stitching ties the colors together and makes it look more polished.  

I enjoy using the book and script prints, and I'm careful to look at the words first.  These Jane Austen selections contain some negative-sounding words and phrases.  It's all fine in the context of the novel, but out of context for a greeting card, I will avoid those areas, especially for my Operation Write Home cards.  Sometimes I'll cut narrower strips to break up the words, or use strategic placement of another card element.   For such nice patterned paper, it's worth the effort. 

Card details:

• Card stock is all Papertrey Ink (PTI)  - dark chocolate (brown), script print from Dearest Jane, and polka dots from melon berry pattern pack. 
• The die is PTI wonderful words: hello.  
• The faux stitching is done with a brown Micron pen. 

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (260)

Cream and Green Wreath on Blue

With its soft blue scalloped circle, my card today is for the March "scallops" challenge - sponsored by Our Daily Bread Designs (thank you, ODBD!) to benefit Operation Write Home.

As I made it, I focused on my "focal point," which is meant to be the cream and green sentiment.  I tried to emphasize it through my color choices - cream card base, simple green banner stripes, green leaves and bow, and cream flowers.  The kraft wreath and blue background repeat the circle shape, while their colors stay in the background, thus giving the most attention to the green and cream.  The dotted orange flower centers provide a touch of bright contrast without detracting from the overall theme.

Anyway, that's how I thought about it!  And I do like the finished card.  Thanks, Paula, for your OWH February boot camp lesson on creating a strong focal point. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) rustic cream, new leaf (green), kraft, and spring rain (blue), with stripes from the new leaf pattern pack.
• Dies are My Favorite Things winter wreath (not just for winter!), Memory Box tender leaves (smallest leaf), and Spellbinders big scalloped circles, large (2nd-largest die). 
• Punches are Martha Stewart ribbon bow, EK Success small daisy, EK Success 1-1/4" circle, and a square punch to notch the banner end. 
• Flower centers are dots of 0.5 orange Copic multiliner.
• The sentiment "Happy Mother's Day!" is computer-printed in green ink with Mistral font (bold and spacing adjusted).

Created for Operation Write Home, "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them." (259)