Another Z-fold card base with a cut-out...

 

This was another Z-fold card base in my stash that was begging for a little "dressing up." It featured a scalloped circle cut-out. I thought to myself, "Can I really add some DSP and properly cut around those scallops?" I decided to give it a whirl, pulling out my smallest circle punches to help out. The worst that could happen was that it would end up in the trash.

I had a scrap of DSP that was white with silver metallic polka dots. Since the card base was a medium dark gray, I thought the silver would coordinate nicely.

I stamped a sentiment on white cardstock and die-cut it with a stitched circle die. I glued it directly onto the scalloped circle portion of the card base.

As embellishment, I added a tiny flower, die-cut from gray cardstock. I added a dot of silver to the center of it with a Viva Decor pen.

On the inside, I heat-embossed a sentiment with silver EP. I also added two more of those little flowers, placing them so they also showed when the card was closed. If you look at the first photo again, you'll see what I mean.

Do you ever have pre-cut cardbases that seem like they'd be difficult to use for your handmade cards? I have gotten quite a few from the thrift store. They definitely give my imagination a workout!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

Using those rub-ons...

 

This card came about because I had a partial sheet of copper-colored rub-ons to use. The images included butterflies, flowers and other bits of nature.

I also had a pre-cut Z-fold card base with cut-out circles along the folded edge. It also needed to be used.

I added some DSP to the front, carefully cutting it to match the edge with the circles. The DSP had a copper and gold metallic design that looked great with the copper-colored rub-ons. 

A single rub-on was added to each circle.

The "thank you" sentiment had also been languishing in my stash, so I matted it and popped it up on the card front.

When the card is opened, this is how it looks. I added a couple more of the rub-ons and a stamped sentiment. As you can see, I added a copper-colored strip of cardstock on the right side. It was just wide enough to be slightly under the Z-fold edge when the card is closed.

It took a little extra time to cut the DSP for the front of this card, but in the end, I think it was worth it. I may have another one or two of these card bases in my stash, and I think I'll finish them the same way.  

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

A calming scene for a "get well" card...

 

The banner with "Feel Better Soon" printed on it was in my stash. It had been a punch-out from a card kit, I think, but I'm not sure. It was a lovely rust color, and I found a 6" X 6" sheet of scenery DSP that included that exact color.

I cut the DSP to fit an A2 card and matted it with some tust-colored cardstock.

The sentiment banner was popped up with foam tape. I added a bow of linen thread for embellishment.

 

I stamped a sentiment on the inside and added a strip of the rust cardstock.

This is such a simple card, but I think the quiet scene depicted on the DSP is just right for someone who may not feel well. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

Dramatic anniversary card in black and white...

 

This is another top-fold card where the front of the card is shorter than the back. I covered the entire front with DSP and rounded the corners.

The butterfly was a velvety sticker that was in my stash. In fact, it was the inspiration for this card.

I added a white strip, matted with black cardstock and stamped with a sentiment, across the front of the card. Then I placed the butterfly sticker to the left of the sentiment.

I stamped another sentiment on the inside and added a strip of black cardstock across the bottom. I rounded the two bottom corners to coordinate with the card front.

I often get inspired by a single item--like this butterfly sticker--in my stash. The problem is, I seem to have a never-ending supply of them!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #231: Anything Goes or Tag! You're It (use a tag on your project)...

 

It's the lovely month of May and time for another challenge at Let's Craft and Create. We hope to see all your wonderful projects posted below, but first the Design Team has some inspiration for you. You can check out all their fantastic projects here.

I needed to make some graduation cards, and I was inspired by this month's challenge to try to use some tags in the process.

I first adhered a red plaid patterened DSP to a white A2 card base. Then I die-cut two tags: a large red one and a small white one.

The red tag was adhered directly to the DSP. The white tag was glued down at the top, but popped up at the bottom to add a little dimension.

I die-cut a happy graduate for the white tag and a tiny mortarboard and the word "Congrats!" for the red tag out of black cardstock.

I also die-cut several pieces of confetti from metallic gold cardstock.

Finally, some gold dots were added with a Viva Decor pen and a bow from gold twine.

Two sentiments were stamped on the inside and a strip of red cardstock was added to the bottom

Tags can be used on cards for lots of other occasions. Birthdays might be an obvious choice, but think about using them on cards for new babies, new homes, retirement, thanks, saying hello, anniversaries, etc. You could even use a coordinating tag on a gift if you're giving one with the card.

Be sure to check out more ideas on Let's Craft and Create.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl 

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Mother's Day card in beautiful blues...

 

This is a top-fold card with an uneven front and back. I love making this style of card where the front is shorter than the back. You can make it without specific dimensions. Just cut as much off the front as you like. I think I cut about an inch off, then I used a border punch to add scallops to the edge.

I added some pretty DSP to the shorter front flap and then added a thin, blue strip of cardstock to cover the edge of the DSP and give a more finished look.

The flowers and leaves were die-cut, and then some ink was blended on with a finger dauber. I added a gold gem to the center of each one.

The sentiment was stamped, die-cut and popped up with foam tape.

On the inside of the card, I added some blue cardstock at the bottom and rounded the corners. I made sure the blue cardstock was wide enough to cover the area that was exposed by the shorter card front.

Finally, I stamped a sentiment and called the card "done."

This is such an easy way to add interest to your cards. I hope you'll give it a try.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl

I think you're super...

 I'm not sure where I got this little stamp set, but I've used it a few times to make cards for kids.

I stamped and colored the image with alcohol markers. I don't have a lot of different shades of the same color, so I often have to improvise to get some shading to happen. For the shading on the cape and boots, I colored it all with a single red marker and then used a brown marker to achieve the shaded look. I think it worked pretty well.

When I was done coloring, I stamped the sentiment, then die-cut the image with a rectangle die that also featured a border of small die-cut circles. I think that border accented the image nicely.

The stamp set also has a tiny lightening bolt image that can be stamped on the little guy's chest, but I decided to use a small metallic gold star sticker that I had in my stash.

The star on his costume coordinated with the star-patterned DSP that I used for the first layer on the card base.

The next layer is a piece of wood-grain-embossed blue cardstock.

The simple "Happy Birthday" stamped on the inside is also from the set.

I donate these cards to the thrift store since my grandsons are almost grown adults now. I'm so glad I still have a reason to make them, because they're really fun to do!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and remember to laugh--a little or a lot--every day.

Cheryl