Easel Card with Parrot Tulips

Good Morning Crafty Friends, 

Easel Cards are fun to create and always fun for the recipient.   This is a Floating Swinging Easel Card.  I found the directions for creating it on Sam Calcott's YouTube video.   It is a fun card because the middle panel is connected on a piece of acetate that gives the illusion of floating.

This is a 6x6 inch square card.  It will lay flat for mailing in an acrylic box.

On the floating panel, I added the small Spellbinders Elegant Twist Square Die Cut, with dimensional foam squares.  The small square in this set was die cut and one of Susan's Spring Quotes was stamped.  It was also attached with dimensional foam squares.  A butterfly was added to the upper right corner.

For the scallop design, I used the Spellbinders Vintage Starburst Valance & Gatefold die set.  The outline die was used to die cut just the edge of one side of the card.  The same die was used again to die cut the edge of a piece of design paper, leaving the other end long enough to fit up to the score line on the bottom panel. (This will make sense after watching the video.)  That piece was glued to the bottom, matching the scallop edges.  Using the same outline die along with the Vintage Starburst Valance die, cut it out of white card stock. Trim along across top edge.  This will be where the top easel piece with rest. Glue it to the bottom of the card, matching scallops.  I used a 3/4 inch circle punch to create three circles.  They were cut in half, glued together, then attached to the circle in the center of the die cut, using a circle dimensional, trimmed flat along the middle.  This half circle will hold easel open.

Susan's Parrot Tulip die set was used to create five tulips.  They were die cut using Susan's white Specialty Card Stock from Spellbinders.  Light green and yellow markers were used to color the petals.  The edge of the petals were cut with the scissors in Susan's Flower Tool Kit, then shaped.  Three tulips were added to the left side and two tulips attached to the left.  Before adding the flowers, close the card down to be sure there is room for the card to close.

When all the way pushed down, the floating panel will fit down between the tulips and will fit into an acrylic box.

Diamond Easel Card

Today I have a Diamond Easel Card.  This week on Susan's Facebook Live Video, she gave instructions on how to create this type of card.  Now that I look back at her card, I added colored card stock differently than she did.  I will have to create this card again!!!

The design paper used to decorate this card is from the P13 Forest Tea Party design paper pad.  

Susan's Fern's & Ivy die set was used for the ferns behind the arrangement.

Susan's Lily of the Valley die set was used to create four stems of these flowers.  They were die cut using Susan's Specialty White Cardstock.  The flowers and leaves were shaped with her new Flower Tool Kit.  

The Kerria Japonica die set was used to create three flowers.  They were also shaped using the Flower Tool Kit and the glue used was the Bearly Art Glue.

One of Susan's Spring Quote stamps was used for the quote.  It was die cut using a scallop rectangle die.  Two additional rectangles were die cut and the three rectangles glued together for strength.  The quote was attached with foam squares.

Purple Parrot Tulips

Tulips are a sure sign of Spring!  Today I created a card with pretty tulips using Susan's Garden Notes Parrot Tulip die set from Spellbinders.  

This is a 6x6 inch card.  The background paper is from the Stamperia Lilac Flowers Pad.  It was scored around the edges with a Score Board, 1/8" from all edges.  

In the center I attached a Spellbinders Elegant Twist Circle with foam squares.  In the center of it is an oval from the Spellbinders Floral Oval die set that I believe is discontinued.  

For all flowers die cut with Susan's Garden dies, I always use her Spellbinder's Specialty White Cardstock.  It is the perfect weight for shaping the flowers and colors beautifully.  I also use her Spellbinders Flower Tool Kit for shaping.  The glue I use is the Bearly Art Craft Glue.  I usually use Distress Inks to color the flowers and leaves and like doing this using the Waffle Flower Crafts Mini Water Media Mat and Picket Fence Brushes.

Susan's Foliage and Ladybug die set was used for the foliage behind the tulips.  The ladybug was die cut from this set.  She was colored with a red Copic Marker and details added with a fine line black pen.  Clear Crystal Glaze was added.

Nine tulips were die cut using the Parrot Tulip die set.  Around the tips of the white and purple tulips, I cut small slits around the edges, using the fine tip scissors in the tool kit.  The solid tulips were not fringed that way.  

One of the quotes from Susan's Spring Quotes stamp set was stamped on a piece of white cardstock and trimmed.  Lavender ink was sponged around the edges.  It was added at the base of the flowers with dimensional tape.  

A butterfly from 49 and Market - Vintage Artistry Wedgewood embellishment sheet was added plus a few lavender rhinestones.  

Dark Pink Peony

Before creating a flower, I like to do a little research and find different varieties and colors, then chose one to duplicate.  Today I have a simple card featuring a rose-pink peony with a frilly center.    I used Susan's new Garden Notes Peony die set, from Spellbinders, and gold foiling.  Below is the peony I created and the picture I used for inspiration.  

Closeup of the peony I created with Garden Notes die set

Picture of pink peony from Internet used for inspiration

This is a 6x6 inch card.  The foiled design behind the peony is the Spellbinders  Monogram Laurel Glimmer Hot Foil Plate.  I used the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System and Spellbinders Gold Foil.  The design was foiled to the center of of piece of white card stock cut 5 1/2 inch square.  Using a Score Board, a 1/8" line was scored around the edges of this piece before adding to the card front.  

Using Susan's Garden Notes Peony die set, the peony petals were die cut using Susan's new white Specialty card stock.  Distress Kitsch Flamingo and Picked Raspberry inks were brushed on the petals.  Susan's new Flower Tool Kit was used to shape the petals.  Bearly Glue was used to glue the petals together.  For the center of the flower, I die cut the stamen 6 times, using yellow card stock.   The scissors in Susan's Flower Tool Kit were used to cut the stamen points in half, to make them frilly. Using the tweezers the stamens were rolled together to create the large stamen, then fluffed out. The peony leaves were die cut using white card stock and brushed with Distress green inks, and shaped.  

The Garden Notes Foliage and Ladybugs die set was used to die cut the lady bug.  She was colored with a red Copic marker, and a fine line black pen used for the details.  Nuvo Crystal Glaze was added to her for a shine.

For the sentiment I used the Spellbinders Everyday Sentiments II Glimmer Hot Plate set.  The new Spellbinders Quick Trimmer for Foil & Paper was used to cut the gold foil then used again to cut the sentiment strip straight.  This piece was added using Foam Squares cut to size with scissors.  Spellbinder Gold Embellishments were added at each end of the sentiment.

Clear Card with Peony

Good Morning.

I have wanted to try creating a card from clear card stock, or acetate, for a long time and finally did it today.  This is a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch card.  I used clear card stock and cut it 11 x 5 1/2 inches.  Using a Scoreboard, I scored the clear card stock in half to create a 5 1/2 inch square card.  

In order to have a solid background I created 2 more 5 1/2 inch square white cards.  These cards were cut at an angle as shown.  These cards were then cut down the center seam because it makes it easier to close the card.  One of the pieces of white card stock was embossed with an embossing folder, but ends up not showing much of the embossing with all the flowers added to that piece.  The four white pieces were attached with strips of clear double sided adhesive to the bottom of the card - front, inside, and back.

A pink peony was created using the Garden Club Peony die set.  All the pieces were die cut using Susan's new white Specialty card stock.  Distress Spun Sugar and Picket Raspberry inks were brushed on the flower petals.  The petals were shaped using Susan's new flower tool kit.  

Susan's new Lily of the Valley die set was used to create two stems of pink Lily of the Valley.  The flowers were die cut using Susan's card stock.  Before die cutting, I brushed Distress Spun Sugar ink onto a piece of the card stock, then die cut.  The flowers were shaped using the tool kit.  I found it was easier to die cut the stems using watercolor paper because it was a little thicker and was easier to push the stem through the top of the Lily of the Valley flower.  Once the stem is pushed through the top of the flower, add a drop of glue on the inside.

The Ferns & Ivy die set was used to die cut the ferns and Ivy.  Susan's Foliage & Ladybug die set was used to die cut the berry branch. The berries were created using Nuvo white crystal drops.

The purple flowers were created using Susan's Daisy Chrysanthemum die set, from her Autumn release.  Once the flowers were assembled, yellow Prills were added to the center.

From my stash, I added a gold border sticker across the top edge of the white card stock on the front and also added a sticker butterfly.

This is a view of the card partially open.  White card stock was attached to the left side on the inside to hid the tape used to attach the white piece to the front of the card.  The other half of that card stock was attached to the right bottom portion on the inside.  You can add a sentiment and/or your personal message on the inside.

On the back, the other half of the white card stock attached on the front is attached so it hides the tape used to attach the card stock on the inside.

Happy Birthday

One of the first flowers I created using Susan's new Spring Flora release was a Peony out of Foamiran.  I love to create roses using Foamiran so was excited to see if I could create a realistic peony using Foamiran.   I die cut the peony pieces out of white Foamiran.  Using light pink PanPastel, I colored the  center petals.  I was trying to create a 'cupped' peony but did not achieve it.  I decided to post it anyway - this peony looks better in real life but not the way I wanted it to look.  

The design paper I used for the background is from the P13-Four Seasons, Spring 6x6 paper pack.  I cut this paper on the diagonal, cutting off the design on the upper left corner.  I only wanted to use the design in this piece of design paper that is in the lower right corner.  It was attached to a piece of white card stock that was scored around the edges with a Score Board.

In the upper left corner, five sweet peas were created using Susan's Sweet Pea die set.  They were die cut using Susan's Specialty card stock.  The petals were brushed pink using Distress Spun Sugar.  

Across the cut diagonal, I created a greeting using the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System.  The gold foiled sentiment is from the Spellbinders 'More Sentiments" glimmer plate set.  It was attached with dimensional foam squares.

I will continue practicing using Foamiran to create a peony with the petals more cupped up.  

Sweet Peas

A great new addition to Susan's Garden Club die sets is the Sweet Pea.  (Links to all  Susan's new Garden Club Spring release die sets are at the end of this post.)

For this card, ten bright pink Sweet Pea flowers were created.  Before arranging on the card, the background was created.

Using a piece of white card stock, Spellbinders Diamonetta Background Glimmer Plate was used to gold foil the design.  This is a narrow background Glimmer Plate, but very easy to repeat the design as many times as you want.  I used the Spellbinders Quick Trimmer for Foil to cut the gold foil to fit the Glimmer Plate.  Once it was hot on the Spellbinders Hot Glimmer Foil Machine, it was run through the Platinum 6 die cutting machine to press the foil into the card stock.  A piece of gold mirror card stock was cut to fit behind the foiled piece before attaching  to the card.  

Using Susan's Sweet Pea die set, all the pieces were die cut using her White Specialty Card Stock.  This card stock is the perfect weight for shaping the flowers.  I used the Picket Fence Blender Brushes to brush on the ink.  I love to use the Waffle Flower Water  Media Mat to place the die cut on because the mat holds the pieces in place while brushing on ink.  This mat cleans up easily between using different colors of ink.  The Sweet Pea die cuts were brushed with Distress Picked Raspberry Ink and the leaves and stems were brushed with Distress Mowed Lawn ink.  This die set does not come with stems, so I brushed a piece of white card stock with green ink, then using the Tim Holtz Trimmer, cut narrow strips.  Some of these strips were used for stems and some were used to create the curly vines. To create the curly vines, lightly spritz the narrow green strip with the mini mister and wrap around a pencil or other small item.  Gently pull the vine off and allow to dry before using, so it will hold its shape.   The branches were glued down on the left side of the card, the flowers attached, then the leaves and vines glued down.  

Susan's Foliage and Ladybugs dies set was used for the little ladybug you see on one of the bottom leaves.  It was die cut using white card stock, colored red with a marker, then a fine line black pen was used to add the center line and dots to her back.  Crystal Glaze was then added to give her a shine.

One the right side of the card, a Spellbinders Elegant Twist Circle was die cut.  One of Susan's Spring Quotes was stamped with VersaMark Ink and Gold Embossed.  This circle was attached to the right side of the card with dimensional squares. 

For final embellishment Spellbinders Fashion Gold Embellishments were added to the corners and under the gold embossed quote. 

Peony and other new Garden Notes die sets

 

Hello Paper Gardeners!  Today is a happy day because this week Susan's Design Team is now taking turns posting cards created with Susan's new Garden Notes Spellbinder's Spring Release.  I have included links to her new release at the end of this post.

For my first card I wanted to show you the new Peony, Lily of the Valley, Kerria Japonica, Ostrich Fern and Ivy.  Also used on this card is a quote from Susan's new Spring Quotes Stamp Set.  

  

For my background, I used the Spellbinders Elegant Twist Square die to create a frame.    I used a craft knife and cut the upper right corner so I could roll the corner down to expose a piece of card stock that I colored using Distress Inks.  I used Kitsch Flamingo, Picked Raspberry, and Scattered Straw to create a marbled background.  I used the same colors for this marbled piece as used to color the Peony. To get the corner to stay rolled, I used a mini mister to dampen the corner, then rolled it around a pencil.  

To create my peony, I found a picture on the Internet to use as a guide for coloring.  I attached the peony from the Internet below the one I created with Susan's die set.

Close-up of my Peony created with Peony die set

Picture of Peony from the Internet

I used Susan's new Garden Notes Peony die set and die cut all the pieces out of Susan's new Specialty White Card Stock from Spellbinders.  Laying the flower petals on the Waffle Flower Water Media Mat, I  brushed the Distress Inks on with Picket Fence Brushes.   The flower petals were shaped using Susan's new Flower Tool Kit and were assembled using Bearly Glue.  

Additional flowers added to this arrangement from Susan's new release include Lily of the Valley and yellow Kerria Japonica.

Susan's new Ferns & Ivy die set was used to die cut the Ostrich Fern and Ivy.  Sorry the Ivy is at the bottom of the arrangement and doesn't show up well in this picture.  Susan's Foliage & Ladybug die set from her Fall release was used for the ladybug.

The new die sets in Susan's Spring Release include:  Peony, Kerria Japonica, Hyacinth, Parrot Tulips, Sweet Peas, Lily of the Valley, Spirea and Ferns & Ivy.  Other items in Susan's Garden Club include:  Spring Quotes Clear Stamp Set,  White Specialty Cardstock, and Flower Tool Kit.    These items are linked below.

Blue Poppy Twisted Easel Card

This week on Susan's Garden Facebook Live video, she gave instructions on how to create a Twisted Easel card.  I really like this card and have made several.

To decorate the front of this card, I used a piece of design paper from the P13 Forest Tea Party pad.  

Along the diagonal fold, I added a die cut design from Spellbinders.  The name of the die is Candlewick Petticoats.  I believe this particular die has been discontinued, but I have linked a similar Spellbinders die at the end of this post.  This die cut was glued  along the edge of the lower diagonal fold, so it would stand up when the card was opened.  

Susan's Foliage & Ladybug die set was used to die cut the Rosemary, the berry branch, and ladybug.  I colored white pearls with a blue copic marker for the berries.

The Garden Notes Poppy die set was used to create 3 blue poppies. Susan's Spellbinders Specialty Cardstock was used. Two shades of Distress Inks were brushed on the petals. Susan's Flower Tool Kit was used to shape the flowers and foliage. The ladybug was added to one of the lower poppy leaves.

A butterfly from the 49 and Market embellishment sheet was added above the arrangement.

To help the card stand open, a scalloped rectangle was die cut and one of Susan's Quotes was stamped on it.  This was attached to a piece of tan card stock, using dimensional foam squares.  The quote was then attached as shown on the inside of the card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Gaillardia - Twist & Pop Up Card

Good Morning.   This week on Susan's Garden Club Facebook Video Twist & Pop Up Card and creating Faux Wood, she demonstrated how to create the Twist & Pop Up Card.  I followed her easy instructions and created this card.  

I used a piece of Graphic 45, 12x12 inch, Blossom Collection design paper for the front and two inside panels. I liked this design paper because it has Gaillardia flowers in the design.  Since I was going to create Gaillardia flowers using Susan's die set, I used a yellow marker to color the tips of the flowers in the design paper, so they would match the flowers I was creating (the tips are white in the design paper). The white die cut circle is the Spellbinders, Brillante Rondelle (S4-991) die set. I didn't realize until I started writing this post that it is no longer available at Spellbinders.  I did link another beautiful circle die set you can use, below.  This die cut was attached with dimensional tape in the center of the front of the card.  

Susan's Foliage & Ladybug die set was used for the Rosemary, Berry Branch and little ladybug.  Small white pearls were used for the berries and they were colored using both an orange and a red Copic marker.  Using both colors on the pearls gave them a two tone appearance.  The Rosemary and berry branches were attached as shown.  The Ladybug was attached to one of the leaves and glaze added to it.

Three Gaillardia flowers were created using Susan's Garden Club Gaillardia die set.  They were arranged in the center of the Foliage.

On both the inside panels, I attached a piece of the same Graphic 45 design paper.  The Twist & Pop Up panel was create just like Susan's video instructions.  Yellow card stock was cut for each of the four panels and attached.  I have a box of previously stamp sentiments and I pulled out two about friendship and attached them on the two middle panels.  To decorate the two outside panels I used embellishments from a 49 Market, Vintage Artistry Wedgewood Layered Embellishment Sheet.  I used leaves for the side panels and a butterfly at the top of the card.  A die cut rectangle was added at the bottom to write a personal message.

This was an easy card to create.  Susan also has complete instructions on her blog, stierneyc.wordpress.com,   for the Twist & Pop Up Card. 

I have provided links below for your shopping convenience.  If you use these links, I will receive a small commission to help replenish my supplies, and there is no added expense to you.  Thank you for your support.

Oh Happy Day!

My friend Pat just retired and I made her a card.  She loves birds, so I ordered a Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil Plate called "Oh Happy Day" that has birds on a branch plus this set had the perfect words I wanted to use on a card to celebrate her retirement.  

This is a 6-inch easel card.  Using the Spellbinders Glimmer Hot Foil System, the "Oh Happy Day" Hot Foil Plate with the birds, and Spellbinders Magenta Glimmer Hot Foil, the design was foiled on lavender card stock.  Using a Scoring Board, the edges were scored around all four sides.  The sentiment in this set was also foiled on a piece of lavender card stock then die cut using an oval die.  The oval was attached using foam squares, on the right side of the card.  Silver Metallic Twine was added to bottom of this panel and a bow tied on the left side.  This panel was then attached to the easel panel.  

Susan's Garden Club Button Chrysanthemum die set was used to create two white and one lavender chrysanthemum.  Susan's Foliage & Ladybug die set was used to die cut the eucalyptus, berry branch and lady bug.  The flowers and foliage were attached along the left side of the oval.  A ladybug was added to one of the leaves.  Small clear rhinestones were attached, as shown.

To create a piece on the bottom panel of the easel card, a piece of lavender card stock was used.  Using an alphabet die set, the letters for "RETIREMENT" were die cut using matching color metallic card stock.  Using a ruler to line up the letters, they were glued to the lavender panel.  A narrow piece of the metallic card stock was glued below the word.  This panel was attached to the bottom panel using dimensional tape. 

I decorated the top of a jewelry box using the Spellbinders Elegant Twist Oval die set.  The leafy sprig was die cut using Susan's Garden Club Foliage die set.  A dimensional bird element from my stash was used to attached over the die cut leaves.  A piece of the silver twine was used around the middle of the oval and her name added using more of the die cut letters.  This oval was attached to the top of the box using dimensional foam squares.

We are both looking forward to being able to spend time together doing many crafty projects.  

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  Stay safe!

Oriental Poppies

It has been a while since I have posted a new card.  I have been working on Susan's  new Spring Garden Notes release with Spellbinders.  Unfortunately, due to the Covid 19 Virus, the release has been delayed until later next month.  

I used a piece of design paper from the 49 Market Vintage Artistry Wedgewood 6x6 paper pack, for the background on this 6x6 inch card.  Using an oval die, an opening was die cut in this paper.  Using the same die, two pieces of craft foam were die cut to place behind the design paper, to create dimension.  Using the oval die cut from the design paper, a sentiment from the Stampendous Friendly Phases stamp set was stamped using VersaFine Black Ink and clear embossed.  

The two craft foam sheets were attached to the back of the design paper, aligning the ovals so you don't see the foam sheets.  I used double sided tape to attach the layers together.  These pieces were attached to a 6x6 inch white card front.  The stamped oval was glued down inside the oval opening.

Using Susan's Garden Club Oriental Poppy die set from her Autumn release, I created three poppies.  The poppies were die cut using Susan's white card stock and colored brushing on Orange Distress Ink.  I like to use the Waffle Flower Crafts Mini Water Media Mat and the Picket Fence Blender Brushes to add color to my die cut pieces. 

Susan's Foliage & Ladybug die set was used to die cut the foliage behind the poppies.  For the berries on the Bittersweet, I used very small white pearls and colored them with Copic markers.  The Nandina leaves were colored to match the leaves in the design paper.  

If you need instructions on how to create the oriental poppy you can go to Susan's YouTube Video at this LINK.

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  I have included a link to products I used below.  

Grand Piano Christmas Card

Today I created a Christmas card for my friend Pat who plays the Grand Piano.

For information on how to create the basic card, you can watch Susan's Garden Facebook Video at this LINK.  I used both black and white glossy card stock for the piano and the keys.

Old dies from Susan's Garden were used to create the bouquet.  I did not have sheet music to use on the inside of the card, like Susan did on her card.  I just added a sentiment in the upper right corner.

This is how I decorated the inside.  I used a now discontinued GinaK Foil Mate for the foiled circle greeting, and stickers for the upper corner.

Thanks for visiting.  Merry Christmas!