PYRAMID CARD

        Time has come round again for the challenge at Claritystamps. This month's theme is  A Shaped Card. Loads of possibilities really with this one, cards can be all shapes these days. I decided eventually on Pyramid Card, which at first glance does not look like a card but can be left flat for posting. It is very stable as well because of the triangular shape.  So many ideas as well for decorating, I opted for some parchment and used the new Groovi system from Clarity to help me. So relaxing and very very addictive. 
         
     

My finished design  

      Right I will try to explain as clearly as I can how I created this card.  I started by cutting some card into three 6"x 6"  squares although you can make them whatever size you like. Just remember if you are going to post it that it will need to fit an envelope. Next I used three shades of distress ink and brushed them over the card randomly making the edges a little darker. I then used a blending tool over the edge to get some real depth of colour. I used Rusty Hinge, Aged Mahogany and Wild Honey.

   
       Then using the Elder leaf stamp I stamped all round the edges added some clear embossing powder and heat embossed. Difficult to get a good photo.

      Next you need to score across diagonally on all three pieces of card. Use a scoring board and make sure the card will fold really crisply. Then the pyramid will form easily.

       The picture above shows how the pieces of card were positioned for assembly. The black lines showing where the creases are. I used double sided tape. If wanting to post the card put tape on the very last edge but don't form into the pyramid, just put a little note in with card explaining how to assemble.  If you are decorating at this stage, please be careful not to stick anything over the fold lines.   
   
       I chose to use parchment designs to decorate my card, so firstly cut two pieces of parchment into 5" x 5" squares. Using just a little bit of one of the border designs from the Groovi system I embossed around the edges and then used the Sprig design plate to fill in the centres. Just lightly embossing the leaves further.

 

                                                             

        I pricked and snipped with parchment scissors all round the edge but if you are not happy to do this cutting out with scissors will be fine. It will still give a nice finish.

  
         Position the triangles onto the card again making sure not to cover the folds. Also be careful if using parchment where any glue or double sided tape is put as it can show through.

            I have added some pearls as well along the scalloped edge.  Then I stamped the elderleaf onto some card with black archival and using a white pen traced the design several times onto parchment. Next from the reverse side emboss the design carefully. I also added some colour with Spectrum Noir pencils and then from the front again carefully pricked and 

snipped around the leaves. Took a while but very relaxing.   Mine are not perfect but I am still learning this part of parchment craft. More practice needed. 

     

 

        

        The finished leaves were glued to the front of the card along one edge again being careful where the glue was applied.  

           

                

    

             Took a little while to complete but I am happy with the result. Parchment is so pretty. 

        Items used are

                           Groovi system

                           Sprig plate

                           Lace Border Plates set 1 & 2

                           Elder leaf stamp

    All available from Claritystamp

        I hope I have given you enough information here to be able to make one of these cards. I can think of many ways to decorate them. Have fun playing. 

       Thank-you for having a look at my blog today. xx

CANDI CARDS

      I have spent a couple of hours this afternoon making a few quick cards. I like to have some ready for emergencies, those forgotten dates or even a little thank-you note. These few were made from a card candi pad I had from Craftwork cards, not my usual style of card these days but they are very pretty. If you have not used card candi before it is small discs of coloured card cut to look like brads. Just put a tiny sticky pad on your design and place the candi on top. I added some glitter in between and some pretty gems then mounted the design sheets on some contrasting paper, just finished them off nicely. For the backing paper I was able to use a few of those small pads of paper that we seem to accumulate, I have had several free on magazines, ideal for backing these little design sheets. 

          

        

  

                
                                                   A closer view of the card candi. 

                    

  

               I have quite a few of these made now, I am not going to put any sentiment on the front then I can use them for whatever occasion crops up.  A good afternoon's work I think. 

      Thank-you for having a look today. xx

DISTRESSED FLOWERS

      Hello, hope this finds you all well. Lovely sunny day here in late September, which is great. We need a little sunshine as the summer has not been brilliant. It is my eldest daughter's birthday today and as it was our youngest son's a couple of days ago we are having a family meal later. We love to celebrate Birthdays, make the day a little special. 
     
     So on that note I am sharing the card I have completed for my daughter. I started this one when I was on the Clarity retreat back in August so it is not my design but one that Barbara Gray showed us all how to do.  I did not get much of it finished back then as the colouring takes a while.

      

         The flowers are stamped onto a page from a dictionary, just have to be careful which page you choose some words not appropriate. The edges are distressed and then inked with a blending tool. I love using the blending tool , I like the effect it gives. Mask off the flowers and shade a little around the outside of them as well. Makes them stand out. 

   I added some gold cord to the corners with a little bow and the mounted onto beige and black card. I love the effect so thank-you Barbara Gray for sharing your ideas. Just hope my daughter likes it now.  Thank-you for dropping in and having a read of my blog.  I am off to decide what I shall wear for our get together later. Enjoy your day. xx

FAIRY WISHES

       Hello, rather a quick visit today to share this fairy card with you. I have been meaning to get this one done for a few days now as the deadline approaches at SWEET LILAC flowers for their challenge. The theme has been FANTASY. I found these lovely fairy stamps in amongst my ever growing stash and thought they were ideal. 

  

           I created the background by using one of the stencils from Claritystamps. I masked off most of the stencil just leaving one circle free. Then I brushed several different colours of ink through the circle, moving it around the piece of card. 

      

    I used two shades of blue and a bright pink, overlapping them. It made an interesting background.  Once finished I trimmed the card into a smaller square. 

    
      Then it was just a question of adding the design. Think I had these stamps off a magazine but they are pretty. Around the edge I only used part of the design. 

     Lastly of course I needed to add some of the beautiful flowers from Sweet Lilac. I chose all lilac shades to match the card colours.

                                               

  
          Thanks for having a look at my blog. Hope you like this fairy design. Must dash off now and get this entered into the challenge. One day I will be organised but not sure when that will be.   xx

SAILING

  
     September is such a busy month for me, there are so many family Birthdays. the next one on the list is my nephew's. He loves his sailing and spends a lot of time at weekends enjoying his pastime, his young daughter is also very competent with a boat as well. So of course I wanted to make him a boat themed card.

 A little close up view of the details, not sure what colour his boat is but red is nice and bright. It is a little difficult to see the waves on photo but they are there. Maybe I should have been a little braver with colour. 

 
      Well I hope it meets with approval, pretty sure it will. So just a quick visit from me today but thought I would share this one with you before I drop it into the post.
   
          Thank-you for visiting. xx

PURPLE GEESE

       A little bit of artistic license with this card, purple geese. Love this stamp from Claritystamps, especially the beautiful patterns on it. I have coloured the geese in purple because I want to enter this card into the challenge at Fantasy Stampers, which is the colour purple. 

     First of all stamp the geese into place and the ones flying as well. I used Black Archival for this. Then using the masks that come with the stamp I masked them off. Make sure you position the mask carefully takes a little time but worth the effort.

        Next I created a background using my Gelli plate. Firstly brayered on some shaded lilac distress ink and blotted it with crumpled copy paper. Then pulled off my first print. Then I added some Adirondack Eggplant to half the plate and again blotted it with  well crumpled copy paper. Carefully replaced my card and took off another print. This gives a lovely effect and a nice easy background. Now you can remove the masks from the geese.

                                      

       
          I coloured the birds using Spectrum Noir pencils and used a Sakura glitter pen on their legs. Take your time with the shading using the pencils lightly.

                          

          Finally I trimmed the card and mounted onto some purple glitter card and then a white blank card base. Using a fine black pen I added some little squiggles in two corners to match the design on the geese.

                                

         

                Stamp used------Geese + mask unmounted set

           Quite an easy little card to make but effective. Hope you like it, please leave a comment if you have time. Thank-you  xx