Spring Wreath

 

This morning I watched Susan's Garden Club LIVE Facebook video and she challenged us to create a wreath using her die sets.

I created this wreath with Susan's Garden Club Square Wreath.  Two wreaths were die cut and glued together.  

In the center of the wreath,  Suzanne Cannon's 'Spring' sentiment was die cut using the die from her A Way With Words, 4 Seasons die set.  

A purple and white Spider mum and bud were created using the Garden Notes Spider Mum die set.  This flower was attached to the lower left corner of the wreath.

Six dogwood flowers were created using the Garden Notes Dogwood die set.  Three dogwoods were attached above the spider mum and three below.

In the background, four Garden Club Maidenhair Ferns were die cut out of white card stock and sponged with green ink.  The leaves were shaped with the leaf tool and leaves pinched to give them dimension.

Susan designed  four beautiful wreaths in her video today, with complete instructions on how each were created.  I hope you will watch her video, join in on the challenge,  and post your wreath on the 'Susan's Garden Club Budding Paper Gardeners' Facebook page.  

Just A Note

I watched a YouTube Video that Louise Sims did using the Tonic Studios Just For You Tri-Fold die set.  I was very impressed with the cards she created and made a comment.  To my surprise, I received a message from Louise that I was her YouTube giveaway winner.  Thank you so much Louise -  I love this die set.

The die set can be used for many different types of cards, including a tri-fold card. But you know me, I always have to add a pretty dimensional flower to my cards and didn't use the tri-fold for this card.  I love the tri-fold and will be creating more cards with this die set.

I used the large die in the die set and die cut the 'Just' sentiment into a piece of Tonic Speciality Card Embossed Silver card stock.  This is a brushed silver card. Behind the die cut design, I glued on a piece of darker purple card stock.  This silver piece was attached to a piece of 5 3/4' Tonic Speciality Card Lilac Waves card stock.  

 Next I used the 'a note' die and die cut that sentiment out of the Lilac Waves card stock.  This die has a larger die to cut the frame.  I used a darker purple card stock for this frame.  The two pieces were glued together and attached with dimensional tape below the die cut 'Just'.  On each side of the  center piece, two narrow strips of the Embossed Silver card stock was added.

Around the 'Just' sentiment, there are die cut flowers.  The petals and leaves were raised up.  In the die set there are  additional dies for flowers.  Two of each size of the flowers were shaped and glued together to create dimensional flowers.  In the center of these flowers, a drop of pink Nuvo glitter drops was added. 

For the large dimensional flowers, Susan's Garden Club Pom Pom Dahlia and Beauty Berry die sets were used.  An open dahlia and bud were created.  Four Beauty Berry Bush branches were die cut and small very pale pink flowers added.  In the center of each little flower, a purple Prill was glued in. 

Thank you Louise for this great die set.

Columbines & Daisies

Today I designed a card using Susan's Garden Club Columbine die set and an older Shasta Daisy die set.  

The background was created using the Spellbinders Vine metal foil plate with the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil Machine.  The Sentiment  was die cut using one of Suzanne Cannon's A Way With Words dies.  A few Nuvo Pink tutu Sequins were added around the arrangement.

Foamiran Hydrangea

It is fun to create Susan's flowers using Foamiran.  They are easy to shape and look so realistic.  Today I have a Hydrangea created using Susan's Garden Club Lacecap Hydrangea die set.  Instead of using the flower base in the die set, I used a die cut 2-inch circle, using 120 lb card stock.  Shape the circle in a dome.  All the flowers were die cut using white Foamiran and removed from the die plate.  A small sponge dauber was used to add light blue and purple ink to the petals.  The sponge dauber was loaded with ink and pressed down on each die cut flower.  Approximately half of each one was blue and half purple.  Both sides of the die cut flower was inked.  Once colored, each flower was placed against a hot iron, holding it with tweezers.  You only need to hold it on the iron for a second or two.  The petals touching the iron curled inward shaping it perfectly.  Don't press down in the center like you do the lilac, because you want a more open flower.  Add Aileens Clear Tacky Glue to a small portion of the die cut circle and add the flower petals.  Repeat until the entire dome is covered.  Allow to dry and then you can bend the flower to round it out more.  Add three dimensional pads to the center of the flower to attach to the card.  

The background was die cut using a die from the Tonic Craft Kit #29.  The sentiment is foiled using one of the Spellbinders Everyday Sentiment II metal plates and the Spellbinder Glimmer  Foiling Machine.

Forever Friends

Today I have a card designed using Susan's Garden Club Spider Mum and Heleborus die sets.  

The background is a piece of patterened paper from Tonic Studios.  The butterfly was die cut using one of the dies in the Tonic Craft Kit 29.  

The Sentiment was foiled using the Amazing Grace Elegant Affirmation Sentiments metal plates/die and the Spellbinders Glimmer Foiling Machine.

Just to Say Spider Mum

I love creating spider mums with Susan's Garden Club die sets from Tonic Studios.

Today I used one of the Tonic Studio's 5x7" Ivory White Card Blanks for the card base.  The Tonic Studios Deco Diamond Patterned Panel was used for the die cut background.  

Use the Garden Club die Spider Mum die set and die cut the flower petals using white card stock.

Using a small sponge dauber, sponge pink ink on the upper half of the flower petals.  Sponge on both sides of the petals.  I used Nuvo Diamond Hybrid Ink pads

Using a different small sponge dauber, sponge dark purple on the very tips of all the petals on both the front and back.  Use the Leaf Tool from  Susan's Tool Kit  and draw a line down the center of each flower petal, starting from the base of the petal and drawing down to the tip.  If you don't put your hand on the die cut,  each petal will curl up and shape.  Do this step on Susan's Leaf Pad.  Once all the petals have been shaped with the Leaf Tool, use the ball stylus to cup the petals. Assemble the mum using Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive.   Create two Spider Mum buds.  If you need help in learning how to assemble any of Susan's flowers, you can go to her Susan's Garden Live Videos on Facebook. 

You can add as many petals as you wish to create the Spider Mum for the fullness you want.  You usually begin with 4 or 5 of the largest petals the build toward the center.  

Behind the Spider Mum I added to of the Garden Club Beauty Berry Bush die cut.  The berries were created using Nuvo Crushed Grape Crystal Drops.  

Gathering Basket of Flowers

Today I designed a card using items I have in my "Extra" box of Susan's flowers.  They are items I created and saved when they were extra things not needed on the project I was working on.

The card base is one of the Tonic Studios 6x6 white card blanks.  I love the weight of these cards for the base card.  The package comes with cards and envelopes.  

For the design paper behind the basket of flowers, I used one of the sheets from the Tonic Studios Dream In Color 6x6 card packs.  It was trimmed down.  The corner and sentiment die cuts were die cut from dies I received when I purchased my Gemni die cutting machine.  This is the first time I have used these dies. The little hearts and border along the bottom were pulled out from my stash of old die cuts.

Small violets, I previously created, were pulled from my box of extra flowers.

I should have stopped, but I have so many 'extra' flowers, I decided to add some of Susan's Daisies and Cherry Blossom flowers to fill the basket. This basket is over-flowing with flowers! In the center of the daisies, I added Susan's Yellow Pollen, then added a drop of Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive, and sprinkled on a few of Susan's Yellow Prills.  

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Birthday Card

Yesterday I posted a card using some of the butterflies from the Tonic Studios Craft Kit #29.  Today I have another card using the large corner die from this kit.

For my birthday, I received the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System, foil metal plates, and some of the different foils.  I used this system to add foiling to my card.

I used a piece of light gold mirror card stock for the front of this card.  A piece of  Spellbinders Sparkly Silver Foil  was placed over the corner die, which comes in the Tonic Craft Kit,  heated, then run through the die cutting machine - following directions on how to foil with the Glimmer Hot Foil System.  This created a pretty, foiled outline of the die. 

I also received the Spellbinders Happiest Birthday Glimmer Hot Foil Plate and used it for the black foiled sentiment on the upper right side of the card.

The corner die was used again to die cut the dragonflies and butterfly out of Tonic Speciality Card, Silver Silk, Luxury Embossed Card.  One dragonfly was attached, along the body, over the same dragonfly in the foiled design on the card front.  The butterfly was attached the same way.  The other dragonfly was attached under the sentiment.  

For an additional embellishement, a flower was added in the lower left corner.  I used Susan's Spider Mum die set from Tonic Studios.

Butterfly Kisses and Echinacea

I always look forward to receiving the Tonic Studios Monthly Craft Kit.  This month the kit contained Butterfly/Dragonfly dies and stamps, beautiful papers, and a variety of Nuvo Products.  I have a link below to the Craft Kit Subscription.

The card base for this card is one of the cards in the Craft Perfect Ivory White Card Blanks & Envelope Pack.  The front of the card was scored around the edges.

Butterflies always look beautiful on cards with Susan's flowers.  The butterflies on this card were die cut using the dies in the Monthly Craft Kit #29 and colored by sponging on color and detailing with a black marker.  

The sentiment is one of the stamps in the Craft #29 Kit.  It was stamped using black ink then die cut using one of the Tonic Studios Eatern Oyster Layering Set dies.  It was attached using the Tonic Craft Perfect Dimensional Pads.

The large flowers were die cut using the Garden Club Echinacea die set.  They were die cut using white card stock and ink sponged on the petals.  The tiny pieces in the center of the ecnhinacea were die cut using brown and rust colored card stock.  The Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive was used to assemble the flowers. 

In the background I used the Tonic Studios Pinecone Season die set and die cut two of the cattail pieces.  Instead of creating cattails, I used an old Garden Notes Sunflower die set and die cut a lot of the small pieces for the center of the sunflower, using yellow card stock.  These pieces were shaped and glued onto the cattail portion of the large die set.  Also in the background is a leafy branch die cut.  

I will be posting some additional cards using the Craft Kit #29.  

White/Purple Pom Pom Dahlias

My favorite color is purple.  When I saw a picture of the Lilac Pom Pom Dahlia, I had to create them using Susan's Garden Club Pom Pom Dahlia die set.

For the background on this card, I used a piece of the design paper from the Tonic Dream In Color Craft Perfect 6x6" Patterened Paper Pad.  Using the Tonic Super Trimmer, which has a scoring blade on it, I scored 6 lines down the left side, then once around the other three sides.  The score lines are 1/8" apart.

Using the Pom Pom Dahlia die set, petals and leaves were die cut using white card stock.  On the two smallest set of petals, I sponged light yellow ink, then on the tips sponged bright pink, and then purple ink on the tips, blending the purple and pink inks. I used inks from the Nuvo Diamond Hybrid Ink Pads.   Working on the Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat, I lightly misted one layer of petals at a time using the Tonic Light Mist Spray Bottle then using tweezers, rolled each petal.  When lightly misting the petals, the rolled shape will hold.  Roll all the petals for each layer and allow to dry before assembly.  Use the Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive to attach the layers.  I suggest gluing 4 layers of the largest petals, then 3 layers of the next size, and one each of the three smaller layers.  You can adjust the number of layers so you have a nice, fully shaped flower.    Shape the leaves using Susan's Flower Tool Kit and sponge on green ink.

The small white flowers were created using an old die set from Susan's flower collection called Baby's Breath.  Just one branch of these flowers were created.   Behind the arrangement I used the Tonic Verso Die Set called Pine Cone Season.  The tall leaves were shaped using the flower tool kit and green ink sponged on both the front and back.  They were arranged on the left side of the card, then the pom pom dahlias added.  The Baby's Breath was then glued behind the top of the flowers.  The purple flowers are Asters from another older die set from Susan.

The beautiful butterfly is from the Tonic Monthly Craft Kit #29.  I love subscribing to this Craft Kit because you receive a large set of beautiful dies, stamps, card stock, and a variety of Nuvo products.  For this butterfly, the solid butterfly was die cut using Tonic's Classic Card, Amethyst Weave Textured card stock.  The top butterfly was die cut using white card stock.  For the dots on this wings, I used Nuvo Violet Galaxy Crystal Drops.  On the body of the butterfly, I added Nuvo Gloss Ebony Black Crystal Drops.  The wings are slightly separated.  The Happy Birthday Sentiment is a die cut from the Tonic Craft Kit #24.  In the upper right corner, I used a sentiment from my stash.   

Below, I have added links to all Tonic Studio's products I use.  If you use these links to purchase products, I will receive a small commission which helps me purchase supplies at no additional cost to you.  I appreciate you visiting my blog and appreciate your support.

Pink Pom Pom Dahlias

Today I have a birthday card designed using Susan's Garden Notes Pom Pom Dahlia die set from Tonic Studios.  

A card from the Tonic 6x6 Card Blank cards was used for the base card.  Another piece of white card stock was cut 6x6 inches and scored around the edges with the Tonic Super Trimmer.  It was attached to the front of the card using the Nuvo Adhesive Tape Runner.  A piece of pink card stock from the Tonic Moonlight Rose 6x6 Card Pack was trimmed down to 5 1/2" square and scored around the edges, for a finished appearance.  The Nuvo Blush Burst Sparkle Spray was sprayed lightly over the top portion of this piece of card stock.  It was dried with the Heat Tool and attached to the front of the card.

Susan's Garden Notes Pom Pom Dahlia die set was used to die cut petals and leaves for the flowers.  I love to work on my Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat.

This photo shows 8 of each size Pom Pom Dahlia die cuts after they were shaped.

Eight petals pieces were die cut for each size in this die set.  The petals were die cut using Tonic Blossom Pink card stock and the center of each set of petals was sponged with hot pink ink.  The petals were lightly misted with water using the Nuvo Light Mist Spray Bottle.  Be sure to just lightly mist so the petal will hold their shape. If you don't spritz the petals with water, they tend to unroll.

This is a close up of the layered Pom Pom Dahlia Petals.  I don't always use the same number of rows but the general rule is starting with the largest petals, layer 4 (alternating petals), then 3, and 1 each of the next three smaller layers.  Use your judgement as you are gluing the rows together.  You need enough rows of each size to fill in any gaps between the rolled petals.  The flower above still needed a few more rows in the very center.   Before gluing the rows together, be sure the petals are completly dry.  If you lightly spritzed the petals, it will not take long to dry.  Press down hard in the center of the flower, with a ball stylus, to cup that layer,  when gluing the rows together.

Die cut the leaves for the Pom Pom Dahlia using white card stock.  Shape with the Leaf Tool.  Use a Nuvo Blending Dauber and sponge Pine Needles Distress Ink on the leaves.  Shape with the tweezers.

In the background I used a leafy branch die cut and sponged on Iced Spruce Distress Ink.  

On the upper right corner, I used the Altenew Mid Century Frame Die and die cut it using the Tonic Silver Mirror Card Stock. Use the Nuvo Smooth Precision Glue Pen to add adhesive to the back. A Dotted Scalloped Heart was also die cut using the same card stock.  The heart was also die cut 4 more times out of white card stock and all the layers were glued together ending with the silver heart on top.  A sticker was used for the sentiment.

Below, I have added links to all Tonic Studio's products I use.  If you use these links to purchase products, I will receive a small commission which helps me purchase supplies at no additional cost to you.  I appreciate you visiting my blog and appreciate your support.

Pom Pom Dahlias

One of my favorite flowers is the Pom Pom Dahlia.  Today I designed this card using Susan's Garden Notes Pom Pom Dahlia, Brunnera and Japanese Painted Fern die sets from  Tonic Studios. 

For the base card I used one of the Tonic Studios 6x6 Card Blanks.  The design paper on top is a sheet from the Craft Perfect 6x6 Dream In Color Pad.

The Tonic Scalloped Circles die set was used to die cut the four circles.  One was die cut using Tonic's Mauve Purple Classic Card and the other three using white card stock.  The stamped verse is from Altenew.  The layers were put together using Tonic Dimensional Adhesive Pads on the two lower circles.

Four Japanese Painted Ferns were die cut - two large and two small.  They were colored by sponging on green ink and magenta PanPastels brushed down the stems.

Four Garden Club Brunnera were die cut and glued together using the Nuvo Deluxe Glue. A small black Prill was added to the center of each flower.

Two Pom Pom Dahlias were created with the Garden Club dies.  They were die cut using white card stock and colored using markers.

Arrange the ferns, Brunnera, and Dahlias on the left side of the circles.  I added a butterfly and two bees from my stash.

Below, I have added links to all Tonic Studio's products I use.  If you use these links to purchase products, I will receive a small commission which helps me purchase supplies at no additional cost to you.  I appreciate you visiting my blog and appreciate your support.

Pink Pom Pom Dahlias

HAPPY NEW YEAR!   I had a great holiday and hope you did too.   

I am ready to get back to working on my cards.  Today I created a card for a friend who loves pink.

When I create my flowers, my very favorite work surface is the Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat.  No matter what materials/products I use, it is very easy to clean up.  

I used one of the Tonic Craft Perfect 6x6 card blanks  for the card base.  A piece of the Rose Glacier Luxury Embossed Card was used for the background.  A score line was created around the edges, using the Tonic Super Trimmer.  This Trimmer comes with both a scoreing blade and a cutting blade.  It was attached to the card front using the Tonic Adhesive Runner.

I have the Tonic Eastern Oyster Layering die set and used two dies from this set to die cut frames for the sentiment.  On the smaller frame, I used the Nuvo Delicate Rose Alcohol Marker around the edges to help it stand out.  An old sentiment from Susan's products called "Sunshine & Love" was stamped usinging Nuvo Clear Mark Embossing Ink then Nuvo  Fine Jet Black Embossing Powder sprinkled on and heat set. The two layers were attached to the front of the card using Craft Perfect  Dimensional Foam Pads.  

The Garden Club Pom Pom Dahlia dies were used to die cut petals out of the Classic Card Blossom Pink card stock.  They were shaped and glued together using the Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive.  The Nuvo Dried Oregano Hybrid Ink was sponged on the leaves. 

The Garden Club Beauty Berry Bush die set was used to die cut 6 branches using white card stock.  The Nuvo Safari Green Ink was sponged on the branches using the Nuvo Blending Sponges.  For the little flowers in this die set, Tonic Classic Card Blossom Pink Card Stock was used.  Once shaped, a dot of the Nuvo Deluxe Glue was put in the center of each one and pink Pollen was added.  These flowers were glued to the Beauty Berry Bush branches prior to adding the pollen in the center of each flower.

The Beauty Berry Bush die cuts were added around the Sentiment then the Pom Pom Dahlias added.  

For a little extra elegance, Nuvo Crystal Gems were added around the flowers and sentiment.  

Below, I have added links to all Tonic Studio's products I use.  If you use these links to purchase products, I will receive a small commission which helps me purchase supplies at no additional cost to you.  I appreciate you visiting my blog and appreciate your support.

Purple Pom Pom Dahlia and Columbine

I hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend.  Today I have another card using Susan's Garden Club Pom Pom Dahlia, Columbine, and Japanese Painted Fern die sets.

This is a 6x6-inch card.  For the front panel, I used a piece of the card stock from the  Tonic Studios Dream In Color 6x6 Card pad.  For the die cut design in the upper right corner, I used a corner  die that was in the Tonic Craft Kit #21.  It is fun to sign up for the Tonic Craft Kits and receive exclusive dies/stamps plus beautiful card stock and many Nuvo products.  You can check out the next kit by clicking on the link below.

Around the edges of the striped  card stock, use the Tonic paper trimmer and score 1/8" around all four corners for a finished edge.

Use the Garden Club Pom Pom Dahlia die set and die cut petals using white card stock.  Use two shades of purple markers to color the petals from the base out toward the tips, leaving the ends white.  For the smaller petals, color the entire petal purple.  Be sure to color the back of the petals as they will show once they are shaped.  I know Susan says not to spritz the petals with water, but in order to get the petals to hold a rolled appearance, I had to lightly mist the petals, then used the tweezers from Susan's Tool Kit to roll each petal in. I used the Nuvo Light Mist Spray Bottle which just lightly moistened the petals.   Put the tweezers on one side and roll toward the middle, then roll the other side of the petal to the center.  With the tweezers holding the petal in a rolled position, pinch the base of the petal with your fingers to help keep the roll in the petal.  Continue around rolling each petal. Allow the petals to dry completly before assembling the flower. When you glue the petals together, alternate petals and push down in the center, which will help the ends stand up. I assembled the flowers on the Glass Mat and pressed down hard in the center of each row of petals with the medium stylus in Susan's Flower Tool Kit.   Add as many rows of petals as you like for the fullnessyou want.   

Here is a closeup view of the finished Pom Pom Dahlia.

Use the Garden Notes Columbine die set and and create 3 purple and white flowers.  Use the Tim Holtz fine pointed scissors to cut each die cut stamen in half.  Apply a small amount of  Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive to the tips of the stamens and dip into Susan's yellow Pollen.  

Use the Garden Club Japanese Painted Fern die set and die cut three ferns.  I like to die cut the ferns using white card stock and sponge on green ink.  Use Magenta PanPastel to color down the stem and veins of the fern.

Use the Garden Club Holly & Berries Die set and die cut one berry branch.  Use Nuvo Crushed Grape Crystal Drops for the Berries.  Allow the berries to dry then cut the branch in half to attach behind the flowers.

Below, I have added links to Tonic Studio's products I use.  If you use these links to purchase products, I will receive a small commission which helps me purchase supplies at no additional cost to you.  I appreciate you visiting my blog and appreciate your support.