Folded Deco Ovals Live The Life Die Card

I kind of made this fold up as I went along, I saw something similar on the internet made by Nicky Gilburt on the Card Making Tips Facebook page.  Nicky used two sheets of A4 but I decided to just use a sheet of white A3 lengthways score so you have a 5cm panel, then a 3cm panel, followed by a 4cm panel and finally another 3cm panel then repeat these on the other edge, 5, 3, 4 then 3.  Fold all the score lines place on your paper trimmer to trim the height of your card down to 21cm.

Working from the outside panels I die cut the Verso Clematis Climber strip die out of light blue card for each side and then I used the matching outside edge die to cut the edge of the actual card so that when you stick the die cut panels in place you can leave a small white border.

The next small panel in uses the waste from the Clematis Climber die cut joined with a length of 10mm white grosgrain ribbon.

The centre large panel was layered with silver mirror card and light blue card, leaving a small border each time.  The large Deco Oval outer edge was cut in blue and white with the patterned die being cut out of the blue layer, these were glued together and stuck onto the panel with 3d foam pads.  The  'Live The Life You Imagined' was cut from white and silver and drop shadowed and the Rococo Petite Butterfly Sprig was cut out of silver mirror card and attached to the top with some tiny pearl stamens for antennae.  The card was finished with some pearls in the corners and on the ribbon strips.

I hope you like it,

Karen x

The Elusive Man's Card! Deco Trellis Dies

I know I never make enough men's cards so I thought I'd make one with the new Deco Trellis dies.

I started with a 7" x 7" cream card blank and layered some matt gold card onto it leaving a small border.  I die cut the Deco Trellis outer edge from cream and a lighter shade of pearlescent green card.  I then die cut the pattern into the green layer and glued these together. For the next sized layer I used an older die, the I Miss You Inner Topper Die and cut the outer edge in gold then I cut the smaller Deco Trellis outer edge die from cream and a slightly darker shade of green pearlescent card and again cut the patterned die out of the green layer.  These were all glued together flat and mounted on 3d foam pads to give a little dimension.  The Birthday Wishes is from an older die set, Everyday Sentiments set 2 and this was cut from cream and gold and drop shadowed before being glued to the centre panel.  

The border strips were cut from the Just For You Essentials die set out of the darker green and glued in place with a circular 'Big 50' cut out of matt gold the layered onto a cream layering circle to cover the join.  The number die is from the Indulgence Pop Up Sentiments - Occasions dies.

As this was a man's card there was nothing to add to finish off so this is a nice straight forward card with plenty of die cutting and layering.  I hope you like it,

Karen x

Live The Life You Imagined Offset Gate Card - Tonic Craftinator

For Today's Tonic Studios Design Team card I've made my own 8" x 8" offset gatefold card blank out of a sheet of A3 white card by placing the shorter edge along the bar of my score board and scoring at 2", then at 10" following this you need to fold that 10" score line and hold it in place against the bar and score again at 6" and trim off any excess.  Fold your card along the two score lines and place on your trimmer to cut the card down to 8" in height.

I started off by making layering panels for both sides of my offset gate so my first layer would be 

¼” smaller than my base,  both height and width wise, therefore I made my blue mirror card layer

7¾” high by 5¾” for the larger side and 7¾” x 1¾” for the smaller panel.  The top layer was cut at

7½” x 5 ½” and 7½” x 1 ½” then embossed with the Martha Embossing folder.  These were layered together and stuck in place.

I cut the 'Live The Life You Imagined' outer frame edge in matching bright blue and also in white and then cut the pattern into the white layer before gluing these together and mounting on 3d foam pads onto the card front.  The sentiment was cut out of white and layered with the bright blue mirror card which was cut twice and cut at just over the half way point allowing me to shadow the wording both top and bottom, this was also glued in place.  The corners were cut out of the Just For You Essentials die set and glued to the corners before being finished off with some blue pearls.

Quick and Simple Friend Card With Deco Oval Die

Just a quickie little 6" x 6" card today.

I used a shop bought scalloped edge white card blank and cut a layer of spotty paper out of the Forever Moments Vintage Paper pack, I inked the edge with Tim Holtz Antique Linen Distress Ink just to age it slightly.

I cut the smaller outer edge die from the Deco Oval trellis set from a different colour spotty paper out of the same paper pack and another out of white card which, again, was inked.  These were layered together and stuck to the top right of the card front with 3d foam pads for dimension.  The 'If Friends Were Flowers' sentiment was cut from matching patterned paper, inked very lightly and glued onto the layers.

The flourish was die cut out of the same matching patterned papers using one of the dies out of the Weaving Laurel die set and some flowers cut from white and the off cuts from the base layer were cut using the flower die out of the Flora Frames die set.

The card was finished with a few pearls as flower centres on the larger flowers and also on the sentiment.

I hope you like it

Karen x

Deco Ovals Classic Gold Birthday Card - Tonic Craftinator

Using a shop bought card blank really cuts down on your time when making a card so today's Design Team share is one I made with an 8" x 8" cream scalloped card blank to start.  I layered a piece of gold matt card which I embossed with the Annabel  embossing folder.  I added some corners which were cut from the With Love Essentials die set.

The central embellishment on this card was layered using the Indulgence Royal frame, the outline of which was cut in both cream and gold mirror card with the pattern being cut into the cream layer.  These were glued together and stuck centrally onto the card front with 3d foam pads.  Next, the Deco Ovals outer edge was cut in matt gold, then in cream and the pattern die then cut into the cream layer. Again, 3d foam pads were added to this for extra height and dimension.  The large Happy Birthday out of the Everyday Sentiments was cut in both matt and mirror gold and layered with a drop shadow before being glued to the cream centre panel.

The car was finished with a hand tied satin edged organza bow and a few pearls in the centres of the flower corners.

I hope you like it

Karen x

Pyramid Deco Trellis Card

A simple one for today's Tonic Studios DT Die Release share for today.  I chose to show you this one as it's been shown so much on Create and Craft, you car really see just how fine the trellis work is.

For the pyramid card I used three 14cm squares of white card which I scored diagonally from corner to corner.  The layering was done with 13 cm squares of black pearl paper which was textured with one of the Tonic Studios embossing then cut diagonally corner to corner and stuck on each of the triangular sides of the card panels.

To make sure I was sticking my card together properly, I placed all of the card panels together and held onto them while I laid them flat and proceeded to apply my glue where needed.

The Deco Trellis Frame was cut from matt silver card with one of the matching shaped sentiments layered onto the front, 3d foam pads were added to the back and this was stuck in place.

I cut some flowers using the small flower out of the Flora Frames Topper die set and layered them adding a decorative jewel to the centres.  These were then layered onto the Rococo Poinsettia Wreath die before being stuck onto the corner of the Deco Trellis panel.

The card was finished off with just a few tiny clear gems.

I hope you like the card and that you are enjoying the demonstrations in the Craftinator shows on Create and Craft.  Keep watching for more ideas and inspiration.

Karen x

Deco Oval Trellis Die Release Paris Card

Although I've never been, Paris is one of my favourite places in the world, definitely on my 'to visit' list.  On this card I've used the Trimcraft Sweet Paris 8" x 8" paper pack, matching ribbon and the Eiffel Tower stamp set alongside the Tonic Studios Deco Oval Trellis new release die set.

To get an A5 card blank with a top fold as in the picture, you need to take a sheet of A3 card and fold in half before cutting in half.  I inked the edge of my card blank as I only had white available and wanted it to look a little more aged.  I used a Tim Holtz Distress ink pad in Vintage Photo to do this.

I cut a layer of card slightly smaller than my card blank so I could cover it with papers as I needed a base to stick my paper pleating to.  I chose two matching papers, cut them both in half and pleated the floral on into box pleats, this uses almost double the length of paper so make sure you have enough.   I cut my paper in half so I had an 8" x 4" piece, I placed on my Tonic Super Trimmer and scored at 1", 1 1/4", 2", 2 1/4", 3", 3 1/4".... you get the idea, all the way to the end then when it came to folding, it's a mountain fold, valley fold, valley fold, mountain fold.  That gives you one full pleat so you start again, mountain, valley, valley, mountain and that's another full pleat so you repeat to the end.  You will also need to do this on another strip of paper the same size and join them together, making sure your pleats are all going the right way!  I stuck my pleated paper to the bottom of my card layer and my matching flat paper to the top and added a ribbon to cover the join.  I inked the edge to match the card blank and stuck to my card blank.

I die cut the larger outer edge and the pattern die from the Oval Deco Lattice die set in dark brown card and stamped the Eiffel Tower stamp in a dark brown onto white card.  I cut this out using the smaller edge die from the same set and inked the edge to match.  I layered these together and added them to my decorated card front using 3d foam pads.  I die cut the word 'Paris' from another of the printed papers using an older die from a Tag and Die set by Tonic Studios called the Beautiful Butterflies Bumper Die and Topper set (which is at a *very* discounted price at the moment on the Crafty Devils Papercraft Website, worth it just for the small dies alone).  This card is finished simply with a small hand tied bow in the corner.

I hope you like it and remember to look out for more shows on Create and Craft as these new release dies are included in what they call a Craftinator Show and are meant to be around for a month!

Karen x

Valentine Card With POTD Launch Dies

A 7" x 7" card for today's share.  I used a white base card and layered with black and a red layer embossed with the Victoria embossing folder.

The 'If Friends Were Flowers' frame was cut out of red with a black backing.  The edges of the red were inked for definition.  This was stuck to the prepared card front with 3d foam pads.  The hearts are cut from the Romantic Leaf Affections die and layered onto 3d foam pads again with inked edges.  Punched hearts were added to the corners and a hand tied red bow.  The card was finished off with red gems for the flower centres.

I hope you like it

Karen x

New POTD Sentiment Frames Card

Wow, three posts in one day!

As there is a Tonic Studios Pick Of The Day die release today I thought I'd give you a sneaky peek at what I've been making with them.

This is an 8" x 8" card blank that I made myself from a couple of sheets of trimmed down A4 card that I stuck together.  I die cut a decorative oval for the centre out of gold, I used the outer edge of the Verso Loopy Lace Simplicity die set.  I cut one of the Layering Ovals in cream card which I inked and stuck on top.  The If Friends Were Flowers sentiment was again cut in cream and inked before being layered on top of this and a couple of trimmed down swirls from the Mystic Vine die set were added.

For the bowed front I cut a piece of card which measured 11" x 8" scored at 1" and 10" to give me my overlap to stick behind to the rear of my card front.  I embossed the outer edge of the If Friends Were Flowers die set before cutting the patterned inner die.  Due to the size of this and the fact that I was cutting in the middle of my plates, I had to turn and run through my die cutter a few times but it still cut with no problems providing you stick it down well enough so you can move and check it.  I punched out two strips using the Intrica Butterfly Strip punch which I added to each side.  The card front was then stuck in place with an extra piece of 8" x 8" stuck inside the card to cover the joins.   This card was finished off with some pearls in the flowers and on each of the butterflies on the strips and a nice big gold hand tied bow.

I hope you like it and that you will tune in to Ideal World tonight at 9pm for the Launch Show of these beautiful dies.

Karen x

Rosette Gold and White Embossed Cameo Strip Die Card

I love to die cut but I also love to emboss the dies rather than cut them and this is what I've done with the layering for this card.

I started of with and A3 sheet of white card that I folded in half and then cut in half again giving me two A5 card blanks but tent fold rather than landscape fold as you can see from the photo.

I cut a layer of gold card which was flush with the card top and bottom but left a small border on either side.

To cut and emboss my Cameo Strips, I took the Butterfly Bracelet die and Scalloped Edge die and cut myself three white strips and two gold strips approximately 3 inches wide.  I embossed the patterned Butterfly Bracelet die on each strip by placing it in the centre of the board where there's less chance of it cutting as there's less pressure and embossed it with the correct plate 'sandwich' for my machine, just as you would emboss any detail on a die cut after cutting it out.  I cut four out of the five in half lengthways leaving a white one for the top layer.  After adding a strip of double sided tape to the straight cut edge of each of my strips I stuck them behind the white strip, alternating the colours. I added the strip out of the Just For You Essentials set which was cut twice to fit.  this was then stuck to the card blank leaving an equal border each side and trimming to fit if necessary.

To make the rosette, I die cut the smaller layering circles from the Thinking of You Essentials set but debossed the Just For You sentiment onto it.  I layered these together and added a strip of tape to the outer edge.  To prepare the ribbon I again added a strip of tape to the edge of this and gathered it onto itself.  I stuck this in place onto the back of the prepared layered circles and attached to the front of my card.  This card was finished with a few sparkly clear gems.

I hope you like it,

Karen x

Teal and White Cameo Strips and Essentials Birthday Card

This is a very quick and easy card to make with just a few dies used.

I scored and folded an A4 sheet of white card in half and layered some beautiful teal coloured card on top leaving a small border showing.  I cut my white layer for on top of this and lined up my bottom scalloped edge die where I wanted it, leaving a small portion of teal card showing and put this through my die cutter.  I lined up one of the pattern dies from the Butterfly Bracelet die set and again, cut this.  I embossed just the top section of this layer by partially putting it in the Amelia embossing folder and again running it through. I added my ribbon and stuck this layer on top of the teal.

I cut the largest of the patterned edge circles from the Thinking of You Essentials die set in teal and layered with the next size down which is a plain circle in white.  The small Happy Birthday was cut from the Pansy Topper die set and stuck to the circles along with a big hand tied bow.  A few pearls finish this card off.

I hope you like it

Karen x

Cameo Creatives and Essentials Damask Card

This is one of the cards I loved most from this last release.

I made a square card blank by scoring a sheet of black A4 card along the half A4 line on my score board, I turned my card and scored half A4 again and trimmed off the excess.  A layer of white was added leaving a small black border showing.

I cut another layer of black card and this time I stuck a layer of damask patterned paper to the front, again leaving a tiny border.  I turned this over and made a pencil mark from corner to corner and repeat this for the opposite corners to find the very centre of my layer, I poked my piercing tool right through so I would have the point transferred to the front and lined up one of the small layering rectangle dies centrally and cut this out.  A small length of ribbon was added to the corner and 3d foam pads were added to the reverse to raise it slightly off the face of the card blank.  One of the cameos from the header die set was cut out and layered onto a white oval, this was stuck centrally in the rectangular aperture.  One of the corners from the essentials sets was stuck to the top of the cameo.

A scruffy multi looped bow was added to the bottom corner with a die cut debossed sentiment from the Essentials die set layered with a die cut circle on top, pearls were added to the debossed flowers and to the die cut corner and the ribbon on the top corner.

I hope you like it.

Karen x

Cameo Creatives With Cameo Boutique Paper

Hello again, a DL card for a change today just to show they the decorative strips can be used on smaller cards.  This is also one that was made live on air by Jodie.

I cut my own card blank from a sheet of A4 card.  I added a layer or gold card and a layer of patterned Cameo Boutique paper.  Using the Butterfly Bracelet Verso Strip dies I cut my main strip out of the scrap of card I trimmed off my card blank.  I matched up the floral cameo pictures in the apertures and trimmed that to size to fit.  The gold layer behind was cut from the matching outside edge but just a little bit bigger.  These were all layered together and stuck onto the centre of the card blank.

One of the debossed sentiments was cut from the Idyllics die set and layered, again on gold, before being attached to the bottom corner.  The card was finished with a sumptuous hand tied bow.

I hope you like it

Karen x

Cameo Creative Strip Dies and Just For You Essentials

Hello everyone and thanks for popping by again today.  For today's share I'm continuing with my more contemporary twist on the more traditional set of dies.

I've made my dark brown 8" x 8" centre opening gatefold card blank out of a couple of sheets of A4 card that I've trimmed down and stuck together.  For each of the front panels I have layered a pretty light pink card, a cream card and finally some matching dotty patterned pink scrapbooking papers that I've had lying around.  I've cut out one of the Cameo Creatives Twine Buckle strips and layered that on top.  I've cut some of the little ovals in cream which were layered on the top with punched flowers added to the top and bottom ovals and a looped bow to the centre ovals.

I cut and embossed the Just For You out of the Essentials die set and made it into my card closure.

This card was finished off with a few pearls as flower centres and on the circular sentiment panel.

I hope you like it

Karen x

Essential Die Sets Someone Special Card

I've tried to keep this card slightly younger looking and more contemporary with the patterned paper and lack of 'pearly' embellishments, usually a card isn't a card unless it's got ribbon and pearls... lol

I've mixed the die sets here, The hearts and heart strip are from a previous Essentials Die Set but the  Decorative strip on the small panel is from the new Cameo Creatives range with the letters obviously being the Pretoria Duocaps.

I made my card blank by cutting and folding A4 cards and sticking them together.  I completely covered the card fronts with K and Company patterned paper which has been kicking around literally for years.  I die cut one of the Twine Buckle strips from cream pearlescent card and glued it to the smaller front panel.  I die cut the I and U from the Pretoria Alphabet dies and stuck those on top.  The hearts are from the Someone Special Essentials set, the larger one being the ribbon slider embellishment with the tiny heart left over from the heart strip.

The layered heart frame was made by Cutting the large heart from the Essentials set six times then start to cut the layering dies out of each one, finishing off with the embossing die for the last heart which I added a little chalk ink to, just to make the debossed heart stand out.  I finished the card with a decorative strip across the bottom and left it at that!  No pearls, no gems, no ribbon!!

I hope you like it

Karen x

New Cameo Header Die Card Pink Birthday Wishes

This is a little 6" x 6" card I did.  To cut the header dies out of the card front, first I marked the centre point with a pencil line and lined my dies up either side of it so I could get them equally spaced out.  I folded the card back on itself and added a solid backing by just cutting the outer shape of the header die and adding it to the back.  The cameos were die cut out of pink and layered on top, facing away from each other.  I placed some white ribbon and a bow to finish the front.

I layered the back in pink and white and added the large flowery corner out of the new Essentials die collections, this shows that it fits perfectly when added to each corner.  It looks quite striking when the large Birthday Wishes sentiment is paired with it, finished off with some pearls on the larger flowers of the corners.

I hope you like it,

Karen x

Another C.H.A. Exclusive Design Team Card

Just a simple card today.  When I found a few sheets of Kanban printed card in amongst some of my papers, I knew what the perfect use would be.  

I started off with an A4 sheet of gold pearlescent card which I scored in half and folded into an a5 card blank.  I cut a layer of black card slightly smaller and added my Kanban printed card on top which I cut off at an angle, leaving enough room for my sentiment.  I then covered the join with 10mm black grosgrain ribbon and added a simple looped bow.  

The small cameo was die cut from the header die set and layered a few times to make it seem a little larger.   This was them stuck in place.

I cut the large corner from the new Essentials die sets in gold and black and layered them with a small drop shadow.

The 'my friend' was cut from the 'Just Because' wording set and trimmed down.

The card was quite simply finished with some tiny pearls.

I hope you like it and that you continue to enjoy the live shows with Jodie from the CHA.

Karen x

C.H.A. Cameo Creative Die Launch

As the launch show for the new Cameo Creatives die sets is being aired tomorrow I thought it would be OK to share one of the Design Team cards I made.

This one started life as an A4 sheet of cream card that I marked with a pencil on the half A4 line on my score board.  I used the one of the header dies along this line then scored the sides which were left uncut.  I lined up the same header die along the both sides and trimmed off any excess I had left on the bottom.

I cut a matt gold textured card on the inside which shows up the detail on the card front. The front of the card was layered with the same gold followed by a layer of cream card before adding one of the beautiful 'Just Because' sentiments which was trimmed down to fit.

Punched layered flowers were added to the sides and one of the die cut cameos from the header dies was added to the top.  A thin ribbon was stuck in place along the fold with a triple looped bow.  The card was finished off with some pearls as corners and in the centres of the flowers.

I'm sure you will be watching the new shows live from the C.H.A. in California to catch up with Jodie and all of these beautiful new dies.

I hope you like it
Karen x