Tan with Black Leaflet, Terra Cotta, and Cream

Something very different today!  I was inspired by Stephanie's butterfly card (scroll down to her 4th photo) on her Stamping and Sharing blog.  My framed leaflet and sentiment are like hers, but in a different overall setting.  Thanks for your beautiful example, Stephanie! 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) rustic cream, fine linen (tan), terra cotta tile (rust), true black,  and the stripes print from PTI fine linen pattern pack.
• Dies are WPlus9 folk art florals (large leaflet), PTI framed out #12 (I also used the cutout square), and PTI countdown details (small double-ended banner).  
• Embroidery floss is an old skein of black American Star brand.  It's rougher textured than DMC, which is nice for this card.  
• Embossing folder is Stampin' Up square lattice.   
• Sentiment "hello" is computer-printed in black ink with Matura MT Script Capitals font.
• Technique:  I used a black 100 Copic marker to edge the sentiment banner, cream panel, and two sides of the terra cotta square layer.  This is a simple, quick way to create some definition and a "faux layer" effect.  You can use any color marker, not just black.  It needs a steady hand, but it's not difficult, with a little practice.  Hold your card stock firmly with the edge facing up toward you.  (A heavier card stock is easiest, especially at first.)  Run the chisel tip of your marker along the edge.  Go at a fairly slow, controlled, steady pace.  Don't stop or slow down.  You may want to repeat for a deeper edge.  Also you may want to angle a bit toward the front of the piece for more width.  Just give it a try and see what works for you. 

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." (291)

Wreath of Stars - Red, White and Blue

This card was fun to create, but oh my, lots of tiny bits and pieces!  This is when I'm thankful for the right glues in my collection!  (See technique below.)  My theme is "repetition" for Paula's June Operation Write Home card design bootcamp lesson.  Thank you, Paula!

My design shows repetition in the circles (wreath and two circle layers), stars, white stitching, straight lines (plaid and red layer), and repeating colors of red, white, and three shades of blue.  The only non-repeating element is the brown color of the wreath.

I also considered "focal point" from February's lesson when I added those tiny light blue stars onto the white (negative cut) stars in the red layer.  Without the light blue, the white stars were too eye-catching, which took away from the wreath focal point.

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) stamper's select white, pure poppy (red), spring rain (light blue), blueberry sky (medium blue card base), enchanted evening (dark blue), dark chocolate (brown), and the gingham print from PTI spring rain pattern pack.
• Dies are Spellbinders standard circles small, My Favorite Things winter wreath, and PTI star gazer.  The wreath stars are the button die, the red cutout stars (with white underneath) are the leftover scrap from the button die, and the light blue stars are the tiny die.  I appreciate cutting multiple stars with one pass of the die, and being able to use the scrap as a "negative cut" is a nice bonus!
• Embroidery floss is DMC white. 
• Technique:  The wreath and tiny light blue stars are adhered with Glossy Accents, applied with a round wooden toothpick.  It's very strong as a glue, but on the star buttons, I didn't want it to squeeze out through the buttonholes.  So I first adhered the buttons with a fine point Sakura glue pen, then pierced the circle layer through the buttonholes, and stitched them all down with a continuous strand of white floss.  I wouldn't trust the glue pen alone (for an uneven surface like the wreath), and I also prefer the finished look of stitched buttons. 

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." (289)

Red and Blue Flowers

This card is just a beauty.  The colors, patterns, and texture all combine for a bright and happy result.  I've used my flower drawing in several different color combinations, and this might be my favorite.  For more examples, click here and here. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Neenah solar white,  Papertrey Ink (PTI) pure poppy (red), blueberry sky (blue),  and the bitty dots print from PTI summer sunrise (yellow-orange) pattern pack.
• The embossing folder is Darice plaid.
• The sentiment "Love you" is computer printed in red ink using Papyrus font, bold, expanded character spacing.
• Dies are PTI limitless layers 2-1/2" circles (plain and scalloped circles) and double-ended banner.
• The flowers are colored with Copic markers.  You can click on the card image for a larger view of my coloring.
• Background - C1
• Leaves - G07 with Y38 center streaks
• Blue flowers - B24 with B45 and YR21
• Red flowers - custom color R290 with R29 and Y38
• Flower centers - YR21 and Y38
• Pot - YR21 with Y38 added on the rim
• Shadows - B45, blurred with custom color YR2000

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." (288)