Saturday 23 April 2011

Easter Card & Basket - Tutorial & Downloads

Please forgive me if I don't post very much over
the next couple of weeks.

Brief update:
My old computer finally died on me.
I lost my work so had to redraw on OH's laptop.

The new computer arrived, but there was a mix up
as to what I needed (my programmes wouldn't load).
It's being returned and a new one will be arriving
within the next couple of weeks.

I'll be very restricted with what I can do until then.
I'm using OH's laptop because it has Internet access, but
this is limited so I can only pop on and off occasionally.

Once I'm up and running I'm sure it will all be worth it!

SO.......

Later than I'd planned...
here are the templates and tutorial for my Easter cards and baskets.
(Sorry, the images are not great).

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW
The card:
1) Print the download sheet 'Easter Eggs Template'
onto plain white card and cut out your template.

2) Following the directions on the template,
position it onto an A5 half fold card blank.

3) Draw round in pencil and cut out.

note: Cutting with scissors can sometimes leave
a slightly jagged edge in places. If this happens
run gently round with an emery board to smooth
them down.

I cut the lower half again then;
1) Stamped using VersaMark and Inkadinkado 
'Bold Damask' clear stamp.
2) Highlighted with crystal glitter.
3) Wrapped a length of 5mm (0.25 inch) wide
pink grosgrain ribbon round the top.
4) Attached it to the lower section of the card.
5) The top half of the card was stamped using
VersaMark and Hero Arts 'Leaf Flourish'.
6) I finished by adding pink marabou feathers,
a paper rose and leaves.


Easter Basket Tutorial
This is a guide sheet showing details of the
flaps etc. that I refer to in the tutorial,
If you're not sure - check back here.

1) Print the download sheet 'Easter Basket Template'.
Cut out, score along dotted lines and cut the two slits
marked in red (the handle will be fed through these later).
This side is the inside of your basket. 

2) Turn your cutout over.
This is the outside of your basket.
If you want to stamp a pattern - now is the time.

note: If you are applying glitter, avoid the base
and flaps (a-d).
I didn't and it makes them very resistant to gluing!

3) Cut out the handle.
a) The template gives you the end details and
handle width - you decide how long you would
like it to be.
My handles are 270mm (10.5 inches) long.

b) To run ribbon along the handle -
anchor it at either end using tape.
Make sure you tape over and to the reverse side.
This will prevent the ribbon from being pulled off
when you feed the handle through the side slits later on.

c) Fold the ends to form an 'arrow head' - as
shown in the above picture.

4) Fold along all of your scored lines and
glue your base flaps (a) and (b) to the
inside base.

5) Glue base flap (c) to the inside base and
at the same time side flap (d) to the inside
of the basket side.

6) Stand the basket upright.
You can see the flaps in the base.

7) Apply glue to the inside lining flaps (1 & 2),
these are the ones without slits cut into them.

8) Fold them into the basket and fix in place.

9) Feed a handle end through a slit
as shown in the image above.

10) You will find it easier to feed through
if your liner flap is at right angles.

11) Open the handle end and gently pull
the handle so the tab is straight and fully positioned
to the slit.

12) Apply glue over the handle tab and
on the inner lining flap as shown.

13) Fold the liner flap into the basket and fix.
Repeat this process on the other side.

14) Your handle is now locked into position
and your basket sides are lined.

15) Finally, glue the 'base liner' into the base of
your basket.
This secures your base tags (a, b &c).

I added a paper rose and lined the basket
with pink marabou feathers.



Free Download Sheets
Easter Basket Template
click on image & open fully before saving

Easter Egg Card Template
click on image & open fully before saving

Easter Sentiments Tags
click on image & open fully before saving
Happy Easter!

Should be back fairly soon...

Hugs
 X


Sunday 17 April 2011

Easter Card and Basket

Here's a little Easter project I've been working on.
I will be loading templates and a tutorial as soon as I can.

Unfortunately my computer is on its last legs.
It's very old and has been failing for quite some time now.
It had a major crash a few days ago and is beyond repair.
After several hours on the phone to Dell,
we managed to recover enough to chug along...
on a wing and a prayer.

Good news is - I have a new one arriving on Monday! 

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW
 I thought this would be a great project to do with the kids.
The dotty pattern was made by dabbing the eraser end of a pencil
onto a VersaColor ink pad 'Fresh Green'
and stamping it onto the card.

Not everyone can eat sweets
so this is an idea for an alternative.
There is a hatpin on the card and I filled the basket
with crafting goodies - three VersaColor small ink cubes
and three pots of 'Perfect Pearls'.

I'm going to try and load, at least, the templates before Monday.

I'm soooooooooo looking forward to my new computer
but very nervous about how long it will take to load everything
and get it into action.

Thank you for visiting
and I hope to be back very soon!!!!

Hugs
 X

Thursday 7 April 2011

Pastel Tulip Cards

Here are a couple more cards I've made
using my free download sheets 'Tulips' & 'Tulip Leaves'.

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW
I free-hand embossed the base using my Eazi Score board.
The sentimentis are from Paula Pascual's 'Big Sentiments'
stamped using VersaColor Heliotrope.

 This is another easel card.
I'm really enjoying making them!
The sentiments are from Hero Arts
'Happiness Messages' clear stamps, stamped
using Pretty Color 'Green 7#'

The embossed background was made using
Cuttlebug embossing folder 'Floral Fantasy'.
I wish they would put the name on the folder!

Next - I'm thinking Spring, Easter and am working on an
unusual pop-up.

See you soon and thank you for visiting.
Hugs
 X

Saturday 2 April 2011

Tag Easel Card Tutorial

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW



Tag Easel Card Tutorial

1) Start with a 140mm (5.5") square tent fold card

2) Cut a 140mm (5.5") square card front panel

3) Cut a tag;
a) 150mm (6") high
b) 80mm (3") wide
c) Score a line 10mm (0.5") from base
This is a valley fold.

4) Taper the top two corners of the tag.


5) Card back;
Open the card flat, outside facing you,
and cut a centred slit-
a) 10mm (0.5") down from the card centre fold.
b) and approximately 85mm (3.25") wide (slightly
wider than your tag).

6) Card front;
with the card still open-
a) score a line across the centre.
This is a mountain fold.

Close the card

7) Tag;
a) Cut a contrasting colour mount, slightly
smaller than your tag, and short enough to
avoid covering the tag score line.
Attach the mount to your tag.
b) Punch a hole centred and towards the top.

Decorate the inside of your card
before moving on to stage 8

8) Front facing you, open card.
a) Slot the top of your tag through the slit
you cut earlier (stage 5).
b) The top of the tag should line up with the
card centre fold,
c) and the tag score line with the base of your
card.

Close the card.

9) Card closed, front facing you.
a) Apply glue to the section of tag that is visible.

10) Fold up and fix to the front of your card.

11) Card front, lower half only.
Apply three strips of double sided tape or glue.
a) Make sure you cover the tag flap.
This will add extra strength to the 'pully' mechanism.

12) Attach your, 140mm (5.5") square, card front
panel, making sure you line up the top, bottom
and sides with your card.

Open the card so the tag pops into view.
Attach a tassel or ribbon.

You can easily make this card any size you like.
Just remember that the tag is always 10mm (0.5")
longer than your card height -
this being the tag section you fold up and glue
to the front of your card (9a & 10 in the above tutorial).

Many thanks for taking the time to visit.
I'll be back soon!
Hugs
 X

Thursday 31 March 2011

Mothers Day - Tulips Easel Card

Here's a slightly different approach to the 'Easel Card'.
It works using a 'pully' mechanism.
Pull the tag and the card moves into position.

CLICK ON IMAGES FOR A CLOSER VIEW
There are free download sheets for the tulips,
leaves & sentiments tags at the end of this post.

I've used three of the larger tulips
from the 'Tulips' download sheet.
Printed onto the same lightweight card
as I used for  the matting and layering.
I attached them using 'Pinflair' dimensional glue,
love that stuff!

I've also used two large and one small leaf
from the 'Tulip Leaves' download sheet.
Printed onto green paper, cut out and texturised
in the same way as the flowers.
The sentiments on the front are stamped using 
Hero Arts 'Happiness Messages' clear stamps
and VersaFine 'Onyx Black' ink pad

'Happy mothers day' is the small, large boarder 'heart tag'
from download sheet 'Mothers Day Sentiments Tags'
Printed onto yellow card.
I layered two pieces of the same card underneath
the heart so it's slightly raised. It doesn't need anything
as thick as dimensional foam pads.

When the tassel is pulled it reveals a large tag -
a perfect spot for writing your message.
I like the fact that it has a 'secret message' feel to it.

Here's a tutorial for the flowers:
Tulip Tutorial
 1) Print the 'Tulips' sheet onto coloured card
and cut out three petals per flower.
a) The outside edges of the petals have more shape
b) the inside edges have a smooth curvature.

2) Work embossed texture lines down each petal
using a medium to fine embossing tool.
I use my embossing mat from my 'Wizard' as a work surface
(Don't worry about making your embossed lines neat & tidy).

 3) Lightly run an ink pad over the petals.
this will pick up your embossing.
You can sponge to soften the ink edges.
a) For the centre petal you only need to ink the tip.

4) Flick the edges of the petals up
as shown in the image above - this defines the inner
edges & gives the flower subtle dimension.

5) Glue the front two petals together.
a) Imagine you have pinned them at this point so... 
b) you can pivot the petals to decide how wide
c) or narrow you would like your flower.

6) Glue the third (centre) petal to the back
lining up the base so it doesn't show at the front.

7) Add 'dew drop' highlights using 'Glossy Accents'
or similar.
I found it's better to put the nozzle onto the card,
squeeze a small amount & flick off. This makes more
of a dew drop shape and less of a dot.
You can see the 'dot effect' in my previous post - last image.
It's less believable but we learn from our mistakes!


Download Sheets:

Download Sheet One - 'Tulips'
click on image & open fully before saving

Download Sheet Two - 'Tulip leaves'
click on image & open fully before saving

Download Sheet Three -
'Mothers Day Sentiments Tags'
click on image & open fully before saving

Coming next - 'Tag' Easel Card Tutorial.

Thank you for taking the time to visit, it's always appreciated.
Hugs,
 X

Saturday 26 March 2011

Spring has sprung - Tulips!

Spring is here - YEAH!!!
I haven't deserted you.
I've been working hard on this next project.
Hope these images give you an idea of what I've been up to...


It's taken me a while.
I've been working out how to re-create these beautiful flowers,
in the quickest, easiest way possible.
Boy - simplicity can be very hard!!!


I'm almost there...
I'll be posting templates and a tutorial
in the next couple of days.


(It's a quick & easy project)
Just in time for Mothers Day.


Back to putting the finishing touches together.

Hugs,
 X