Potentilla ~ sending lots of smiles your way

Hello bloggers, I have a simple peachy floral card for you today.

This card began as a white 5x7 card blank.  First I took some peach pearlescent paper and embossed it using Creative Expressions 'floral' embossing folder.  Next I cut this down to size and adhered it to the bottom of the card.  I then cut a piece of peach handmade paper for the top of the card.  This was adhered in the centre and the bottom edge so that the glue can not be seen on the completed card.  Next I added a strip of peach ribbon across the join of the papers.  I then hand tied a bow and adhered it to the centre of the ribbon strip.  Using some floral paper from my stash I die cut a shape using Spellbinders 'labels one' die set.  I then picked the Potentilla paper from my stash and used the same die set but a smaller die to cut another shape.  The die cuts were then mounted up at different angles to give some interest to the mats.  Next I stamped my sentiment using Polka Doodles 'sensational sentiments' stamp set and staz-on ink pad.  This was then die cut using Spellbinders 'fancy tags two' die set and adhered to the top of the card.

Happy Crafting xx Hazel

Wishing You Happiness Today And Always

Hello bloggers today's card is full of flowers and butterflies. Very summery don't you agree.  Abit of a long one today so why not grab a cuppa and put you feet up whilst you read.

This card began life as a white hammered DL card blank.  First I made the flowers using some white card stock, Staz-on ink pad black, Adirondack 'sail boat blue' ink pad and Creative Expressions 'button florals' stamp set.  I stamped out the 6 petalled flower from the stamp set three times using Staz-on black ink pad and then over stamped it with the dotted circle stamp.  These were then cut out and inked up with Adirondack 'sail boat blue' ink pad.  Next each flower was folded in half 3 times to give it fold lines in between where the petal are.  On the first flower I snipped up between two petals to the centre of the flower.  The second flower a whole petal was cut out and saved for use later on.  With the third flower two adjoining  petals were cut out and saved for later on.  You will now have five pieces to make up your flower. 

 Back to the first flower with the slit cut add a little adhesive to one petal at the side of the slit and wrap the petal on the other side of the slit over it. This will make the base of your flower.  Curve the edges of the petals over a paintbrush or skewer to give them some shape. Turn the flower over and push in the bottom so that it sits properly with a flat bottom.  With the second flower that has one whole petal cut out repeat the same gluing process as for the first one, but cut off the bottom of this flower so that it sit nicely in the first flower. Add plenty of glue into the base of the first flower and then add your second flower adjusting and rotating it to get a realistic flower effect.   Repeat this again on the third one, also remembering to cut off the bottom.  You will now be left with the two offcuts ink the back of these petals.  With the two petal off cut curve the leaves with the skewer to make it more pliable and then curve it round and add glue to adhere at the overlap.  Once dry cut off the bottom and add to the centre of the flower you will need to add more glue as you work up the layers.  Next curl the last piece of the flower around the skewer and glue together remembering to cut off the bottom once dry and add it to the centre of the flower.  The flower is now complete and was completed twice more to complete this card. 

Next I began to create my background using the same stamp set.  I stamped a leaf design randomly using peeled paint distress ink and a butterfly with trail using fired brick distress ink.  Using some patterned paper from my stash I made a mat for my sentiment using Spellbinders 'butterfly circles' die set.  I used four of the waste butterflies from this die on the corners of the card after inking them with Adirondack 'sail boat blue' ink pad I adhered them to the card blank. The sentiment was stamped using the same ink pad and using Creative Expressions 'button florals' stamp set.  It was then die cut using Spellbinders 'fancy tags two' dies set.  I inked the sentiment edges with the same ink pad and mounted it up with foam tape before adding it to the mat.  The mat was then adhered to the card blank. I then adhered the roses to the card blank.  From some green cardstock I die cut some leaves using Spellbinders 'foliage' die set.  Whilst still in the dies I inked through with black soot, evergreen bough and peeled paint distress inks on different leaves.  The leaves were then adhered to the card blank. Finally from some red vellum I die cut a butterfly using spellbinders 'les papillions' die set.  The butterfly was then layered up and adhered to the card blank.  Some faux pearls were then added to the butterfly body.

Happy Crafting xx Hazel

Confetti - Laugh, Breathe, Love, Live.

Hello bloggers, some thing a little different on today's card.  Can you guess what it is.  Check out the recipe below for the answer.

This card began as an A6 white hammered card blank on to which I stamped the gorgeous flowers around the edge using Adirondack Brights 'watermelon' ink pad and Creative Expressions 'buttons' stamp set.  Next I stamped my sentiment onto some white card stock using bundled sage distress ink and the same stamp set as above.  This was then die cut using Spellbinders 'eyelet circles' die.  Whilst still in the die I inked through to give the topper a stenciling effect.  Using some thin ribbon I threaded this through the die cut holes to give it some texture and dimension.  At the bottom I tied the ribbon into a bow.  The backing on this card was made by using some calico and bondaweb with scraps of wool, ribbon, fabric and felt.  First I put the bondaweb onto the calico glue side down and ironed it to the fabric.  Next I peeled off the backing and put my scraps of wool, ribbon, fabric and felt onto the fabric so it sticks to the calico.  Using a piece of grease proof paper I cover the fabric with this then iron it.  Next I used my sewing machine with a free motion foot and did some free motion sewing over my confetti applique.  The end result is you have a lovely colourful backing that can be used on cards, scrapbook pages, bags and cushions etc etc....  I cut the confetti applique by hand to shape and adhered it to the card blank.  On to the top of this I adhered topper using foam pads.  I enjoy sewing as well as card making so it is nice to be able to use techniques from both that can cross over.

Happy Crafting xx Hazel