Blended Tree Card

When choosing a stamp set and punch, I try to use items which can be used again and again and again. I loved the Perfectly Plaid Suite when I first saw it and am so glad I added it to my basket, It has been around for a while but it is still one of my Christmas favourites. I have made a number of cards using the Perfectly Plaid stamp set and have now challenged myself to use the Pine Tree Punch. If you search on Pinterest there are more cards using the punch so there is lots of inspiration available.

Todays card uses the punch to create a stencil in order to add ink blended trees to the card, You can place the trees in lots of different places on the card. The red strip works well to hide any boo boos from the ink blending.

Measurements

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (14.5cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)

Red Panel - 10cm x 14cm

White layers – 9.5cm x 13.5cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (14.8cm by 21cm scored at 10.5cm)

Red Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

White layers – 9.5cm x 13.8cm

Imperial

4 1/8 " x 5 ¾" (5.75” x 8 ¼ scored at 4 1/8)

Red Panel – 3 3/4” x 5 1/2”

White layers – 3 1/2” x  5 ¼”

The card looks better if you do the trees in order, it is best to work out where you want the trees in the background, blend these first and then add the darker trees, I would start off with a lighter amount of ink, I would ink blend off on a scrap piece of paper and then add the lighter trees. Before adding the darker trees after, ensure to remove the excess to prevent streaking.

For the Misty Moonlight, again ensure that there is only a light amount of ink left on on the blending brush and add colour sparingly.

On the first card the adding of the sequins went a bit wrong, if using the fine tip glue pen, ensure that you do not squeeze too hard, it just needs a slight touch to add a dab of glue to add the sequins.

I added ‘snow’ using the Stampin’ Chalk marker ( you could also use a Gel Pen or Blender pen and White Craft ink.

I am off to my craft room to play with my punches. I have a few more cards to make using the Pine Tree Punch. Do you have a favourite punch?

Pouch Gift Card Holder

I am continuing my gift card holder examples. Todays gift card holder is made using a simple pocket. This is one of my favourite designs from the absolutely fabulous Angie Juda, from ChicNScratch. Her original video can be found here. This is one of the easiest holders and I have tweaked the measurements, so you can make 4 from 1 piece of A4. I love that you can choose your own decoration and that they can be as simple or complicated as you want to make them. I have decorated all my examples for Christmas, however they can be altered for any occasion by changing the colours and punches.

The measurements are below:

Measurements

Metric

14.8cm by 10.5cm

Score on long side at 4cm turn and score at 4cm

Score on short side at 1cm

Imperial

5 ¾ inches by 4 ¼

Score on long side at 1 ½ inches turn and score at 1 ½ inches

Score on short side at ½ inch

You can add a sentiment or a to/from on a card inside the pouch or attached to the back.

Metric

Option 1 - 9cm x 6cm

Option 2 - 8cm x 5cm

Imperial

Option 1 - 2 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches

Option 2 - 3 1/4 inches x 2 inches

Tips and Tricks

Use a strong adhesive to ensure that the pouch stays in place.

Take a smidge off the bottom so that the bottom flap can fold up.

Unfortunately Stampin’ Up! don’t have any clips in the Catalogue, I used some retired clips and some pegs from my stash. Some of the pegs were plain and I coloured them with my Real Red blend, the others were metallic pegs and I think that they look good with the heat embossing. My question is do I need more bling?

Simple Perfectly Plaid Trees

Soft Suculent

Last Sunday I said I would share some more cards which I have created using the UNIKO in the forest stencil. I love this stencil and it is one of my collection. I am not sure where the others are, I may need to tidy my craft room, who am I kidding, I always need to tidy my craft room as shown in some of my Facebook pictures and that sometimes I say ‘timber’ in my craft videos as the pile of craft supplies has created an avalanche. Anyhow I digress, todays cards are simple ways to create Christmas cards using paper, ink, stencils, blending brushes, heat embossing and embellishments.

Soft Suculent ink on MInt Macaron card - with copper heat embossing.

Measurements

 Card 1

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)

Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”

Card 2 - Layered

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm

 Outside Layer 1 - 10cm x 14cm

 Outside Layer 12- 9.5cm x 13.5cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

 Outside Layer 1 - 10cm x 14.3cm

 Outside Layer 2- 9.5cm x 13.8cm

Imperial

4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)

Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”

 Outside Layer 1 - 3.75” x 5.5”

 Outside Layer 2 - 3.5” x 5.25”

Card 2 - Alternative - sketch 8

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm

 Outside Layer 1 - 7cm x 14.5cm

 Outside Layer 12- 9 cm x 13cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

 Outside Layer 1 - 10cm x 14.3cm

 Outside Layer 2- 9.5cm x 13.8cm

Imperial

4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)

Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”

 Outside Layer 1 - 3.75” x 5.5”

 Outside Layer 2 - 3.5” x 5.25”

The video below shows show I made my cards.

Tips and Advice

• ensure the stencil is stuck down properly

• Remove the excess ink before adding it to the stencil

• Don’t rub too hard with the blending brush

• Ensure leave time to dry before adding embossing ink and powder

• Using an embossing buddy/ anti static powder to ensure that the embossing powder only sticks where it should

• Heat the embossing tool off the card, to avoid paper warping

• If the paper warps, heat from the other side and place a heavy item on top to flatten- I use my biggest block - you could also run it through a die cutting machine.

Although I have mainly used traditional colours, I love the pink trees, the colour combination of Blushing Bride, Polished Pink and Misty Moonlight (with the retired but Gorgeous dazzling diamond embossing powder) is inspired by a new paper pack in the August to December catalogue. Are pink trees wrong?

Perfectly Plaid Present cards

I have been playing with the Perfectly Plaid stamp set again. I had been looking on Pinterest, however, most of the cards use the punch and I wanted to create a few more cards using the Stamp Set. Also I have not ordered any Christmas Designer Series Paper yet, so wanted to delay the punch example cards until I have. I have not ordered yet, as I am a discount shopper rather than a purely business demonstrator, so I split my craft budget throughout the year.

I pulled out one of my favourite stencils called in the forest by a cute English brand called UNIKO and was playing with colour combinations. All the combinations that I have used can be found in the Colour Combinations Gallery.

Gold, Granny Apple Green, Poppy Parade and Sahara Sand

Measurements

My Metric

10.5 cm x 14.5 cm (10.5 by 29cm scored at 14.5cm)

Outside and Inside Panel - 10cm x 14cm

Metric

10.5 cm x 14.8 cm (10.5 by full length scored at 14.8cm)

Outside and Inside Panel - 10cm x 14.3cm

Imperial

4." x 5.75" (4” by full length scored at 5.75”)

Outside and Inside Panel - 3.75” x 5.5”

Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Garden Green and Silver

The video below shows how I made these cards.

Tips and tricks

• Ensure that the stencil is stuck down properly

• hold the stencil to ensure minimal movement

• remove the excess ink before using the dauber to ensure no stripy images

• ensure the twine is secure - otherwise will be loose and lines will not be straight

Evening Evergreen, Silver and Soft Succulent.

My favourite colour combination is Evening Evergreen, Silver and Soft Succulent. I can’t wait for my next order to do some more cards using this combination. What is your favourite?

Circular Acorn Tags

I thought that I would share some more tags today. I decided that I wanted something different to the previous tags that I have made using the Tag Topper Punch. I also wanted to use the last stamps in the Perfectly Plaid stamp sets, that I haven’t used yet, these are the two stamps which combine to create an acorn. I always try to use every stamp in the stamp set and provide examples with every stamp. I tend to use sentiments more than images but I think that the mini stamps and the Delicata Ink work with a combination of colours and mirri/foil.

I love that you can create the tags using any circles that you may have. I used the retired 2 1/4 inch. 2 inch and 1 1/2 inch circle punch to create the circles. I also made some with dies using the 2nd smallest, the 4th Smallest and the 5th smallest circle from the Layering Circle dies. I have cut out the largest circle twice, once in miri/foil and again in Basic white to ensure that there is a good base to stamp on for the to and from stamp.

This tag will work with any colour and also any small sentiment, the tag above was made using Magenta Madness and part of the sentiment from Perfectly Plaid, It also uses the 2 inch, 1 3/4 and 1 1/2 inch circle punch. Although these are retired they are available from other suppliers. You could also use any circles that you have.

I love these tags and they are perfect for adding to any presents. You could also make these for Birthdays, if you use a small sentiment. I love the Just Jade tag, I cant seem to put the colour down it is my go to colour, what is yours?