Scene with Fence, Trees, and Cat

A sweet scene with wooden fence, trees, grass, and cat under a sunny sky.   I really enjoyed creating this card. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) rustic cream, pure poppy (red), aqua mist (light aqua), kraft, ripe avocado (dark green), simply chartreuse (medium green), summer sunrise (yellow-orange), lemon tart (light yellow), and dark chocolate (dark brown).
• Dies are PTI picket fence, PTI ad sense (sun), PTI polka dot parade #6, PTI trendy tree tops, Impression Obsession cat set, My Favorite Things fresh cut grass and STAX hearts, and WPlus9 pretty patches: tree. 
• Sentiment "Missing you..." is computer-printed with brown ink using Prestige Elite Std Bold font (character spacing adjusted).

I used quite a bit of Copic detail on the die cuts:

• Before die-cutting the fence, I airbrushed my kraft card stock lightly with Copic R29.  I also edged the fence rails with R29.
• The fence "nails" are dotted with Copic red multiliner.
• The grass, pine tree, and leaves are shaded with Copic YG91 and YG95.  The pine tree trunk is colored with E29 - barely visible behind the grass.
• The cat is patterned with Copic E25 and edged with E29 along its back. The cat's eyes are tiny dots of brown Micron pen, with larger areas of Copic sepia multiliner.
• The sun is edged with E21.  The heart is edged with E25.  The flower is edged with E25, with a dot of red multiliner and E25 in the center.
• For almost all the Copic marker that I added, I blurred it with colorless blender "0" to soften the edges.

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." (329)

Blue Stitched Heart with Doily - Before and After

After

Blue patterns with white texture from the die-cut doily and the hand-stitching.  I like this card a lot!  See end of post for my "before" version from last year.  

Card details:

• Card stock is Neenah solar white,  Papertrey Ink (PTI) spring rain (light blue), blueberry sky (medium blue), enchanted evening (dark blue), and the gingham and bitty dot prints from PTI blueberry sky and enchanted evening pattern packs.
• Dies are Elizabeth Craft love, PTI coffee cozy details (heart), PTI stitching lines, and PTI Parisian lace doily.
• Embroidery floss is 3 strands of white DMC. 

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." (328)

Last year I made a similar card (click here for details) shown below.  It was a very nice card, but I do like today's better.  It's fun for me to take an older card and see how I can adapt or even improve it.

Before

Purple and Lime Green Hello

Something different after making a lot of "love" type cards.  A bright and modern feeling with lime green (it looks less yellow in real life) and purples.  Plenty of texture in the shadow effect on the sentiment and the lime green showing through the dots layer, plus a touch of baker's twine and embossed dots.

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) limeade ice (lime green), plum pudding (medium purple), and lavender moon (light purple.)
• Embossing folder is Cuttlebug swiss dots, only on the right-hand side of the card.
• Twine is The Twinery honeydew.
• Dies are My Favorite Things peek-a-boo dots and PTI wonderful words: hello.  
• Technique: I cut the word twice, one purple and one green.  The green word is placed a bit higher and to the left of the purple word.  I used Glossy Accents to adhere it, so the green is not sticky on the back where it slightly hangs off the edge of the purple.

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." (325)

Bird with Heart Frame on Blue - Before and After

Three cards with almost the same ingredients.  The two "before" cards (below) are also nice, but my final card (above) is my favorite.  I'll try to explain why:

• Design: The butterfly version (below right) has the same colors as above, but a different design.  I like the interplay of the leafy branch (above) with the heart frame and bird, better than the butterflies, which leave the frame more empty.
• Colors: The "blue bird" version (below left) has the same design as above, but with different colors.  In the card above, I really like the bright touch of yellow, and the bird has more impact in terra cotta than in blue.

Card details:

• Card stock is Ellen Hutson white linen, Hero Arts latte (brown), Papertrey Ink (PTI) blueberry sky (medium blue), terra cotta tile (rust), summer sunrise (deep yellow), harvest gold (medium yellow for one butterfly), and the bitty dots print from PTI spring rain (light blue) pattern pack.
• The bird's eye is a dot of Copic 0.5 cobalt multiliner. 
• Embossing folder is Cuttlebug d'vine swirls.
• Dies are PTI sketched shapes (wide long banner), PTI framed out #11 (heart frame), Impression Obsession birds, and Poppystamps Dies meadow leaf.
• Punch is EK Success small butterfly.
• Sentiment "love you" is computer-printed in blue ink, with a darker blue outline, in Brush Script Std 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." (294)

Bright Star with Gingham

Like yesterday, my card today has a bold design with bright colors on gray.  I especially like the two gingham prints together, the bright layered star, the dark gray card base, and the offset placement of the yellow-green gingham. 

The layout and color scheme were CASEd from this card by Paula S.  I made a number of changes, but it's easy to see how I followed her ideas.  Thank you, Paula!  

Card details:

• Card stock is Ellen Hutson white linen, Papertrey Ink (PTI) raspberry fizz (bright pink), limeade ice (bright yellow-green), smokey shadow (dark gray), and the gingham print from PTI soft stone (light gray) and limeade ice pattern packs.
• Dies are PTI seeing stars (medium die for pink star), My Favorite Things stacking stars (large outline die for yellow-green star), PTI sketched shapes (narrow banner with sentiment), and PTI double-ended banner (dark gray layer under sentiment.)
• I used a 1/4" Fiskars star punch for the white star.
• Sentiment "miss you..." is computer-printed in pink ink with Footlight MT Light 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." (298)

Daisies with Purple, Yellow, and Green

A simple layout to showcase the daisy image, which is one of my line drawings from 2009.  It's a favorite of mine for coloring with Copic markers, and I've tried many different color combinations for it.  I like this one very much.

You can click on the image for a larger and clearer view.  For the same drawing with different colors, click on the "daisy drawing" label at the bottom of this post, or in the labels list to the right. 

Card details:

• Card stock is Neenah solar white (image),  Papertrey Ink (PTI) lemon tart (light yellow), new leaf (green), royal velvet (deep purple), and the bitty dots print from PTI royal velvet pattern pack.
• Embossing folder is Darice honeycomb.
• Copic marker colors:  Flower centers Y21, Y28; flower petals BV31 base color, FV2, FV25*, V12, Y21; stems and leaves YG61 base color, G14, a few touches of G46, YG63, V12; sky B2000*; and ground E81 with a bit of E84 around the base of the stems.  The sky and ground were mottled by coloring over them with a "0" colorless blender. 
    * = custom color, as explained here.

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." (295)

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)

Leafy Stems with Orange Ribbon

Simple and serene with leafy stems and a bit of twill ribbon.  My picture doesn't do justice to the colors: the card base is more green, and the yellow panel is a bit more yellow.  But the overall effect is similar.   

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) spring moss (light green card base), lemon tart (light yellow panel), ripe avocado (dark green), and orange zest.
• Die is Savvy Stamps tall branches with leaves.  Adhered with tiny dots of Glossy Accents.
• Ribbon is PTI orange zest 3/8" twill.
• Texture on the card base is Sizzix Tim Holtz stripes embossing folder.  

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." (274)

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)

Purple Flowers on Stems

I just really like this card.  It started with the flowers and stems on a lavender card base - less contrast than I wanted. Tried several other colors for the base, and this light yellow was best. 

At first I thought of a solid brown strip to ground the flowers.  It looked too heavy, but the scrap of book print was nice.  Added the circle sentiment (echoing the flower shapes) with brown-on-cream text font (echoing the book print paper). 

Then I could see it needed touches of the flower colors to look more cohesive.  Added the embroidery floss and bright yellow circle layer.  Love when it all works together like this.  

Card details:

• Card stock is Papertrey Ink (PTI) lemon tart (light yellow), summer sunrise (bright yellow), vintage cream, and patterned papers: Dearest Jane book print, bitty dot and leaf prints from simply chartreuse (green) pattern pack, and bitty dot and gingham prints from royal velvet (purple) pattern pack.  
• Dies are PTI super star border (flower centers), flower fusion #9, and flower fusion stem.
• Circles are EK Success punches, 1-1/4" and 1-1/2".
• Embroidery floss is DMC #471 (green) and #333 (purple).  
• Sentiment "Miss you" is computer-printed in brown ink with Century Schoolbook font, which resembles the patterned paper 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." (243)

Red Birds and Tree Stump

One of my favorite cards to make is one with a little scene on it.  Here's a cheerful scene with red birds, a tree stump, grass, and a sunny sky, all on a kraft tag with a little black frame and black-and-white patterned background.  A bit of embossing adds a tree-bark texture to the stump.

Card details:

• Card stock is Neenah solar white and Papertrey Ink (PTI) pure poppy (red), new leaf (green), harvest gold (yellow), kraft, and true black.  Note: the gray border is background, not part of the card.
• My homemade patterned paper is computer-printed.  It's repeating text lines of periods and asterisks in Papyrus font. 
•  The dies are My Favorite Things fresh cut grass and PTI tag sale #7 (3-piece tag with frame), heart-2-heart #9 (birds), ad sense (sun), and party poppers (used for the tree stump).
• I used a black Copic multiliner to add dots for the birds' eyes.
• The tree stump is textured with Tim Holtz Sizzix stripes embossing folder.
• Twine is maraschino (red) by The Twinery.

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." (237)