Written in Wood - Engagement

When it comes to cards for couples - like engagement card for example, I like to keep it simple. I feel it needs to appeal to both man and a woman. And in this case I wanted to go for something romantic in a less conventional way. So here it is - written in wood. Like initials carved in a trunk of a tree to stay.

I used kraft cardstock for the base and the panel. I used some yellow, orange and light brown ink for some colour variation. I couldn't decide whether I should use background die or embossing folder for the woodgrain effect. So I did both and compared the overall look. I went with the die in the end, but here are pictures of both.

 I used Lil'inker Designs Stitched Woodgrain cover die. It's such a cute die and it was perfect for the card - did you notice the little heart in the pattern? I then die cut a heart shape and positioned it over cream card with the names of the couple printed. I mounted the panel on a craft foam for some dimension.

For the sentiment I used Mini Shadowed Sentiments by Sue Wilson. I used gold mirror cardstock for the shadow and cream for the sentiment. However the gold looked a bit too shiny and new for the rustic design I was going for and I wanted to make it look a bit tarnished. I used Antique Paste by Pentart which is a brilliant medium and can be used in many ways. If anything needs to look vintage, shabby chic or rustic - Antique Paste is your guy. I just rubbed some all over the die cut with a bit of sponge paying particular attention to the edges and let it dry. It muted the shine and gave it an antique gold effect. Depending on what it is applied with it can also leave some marks - like scratches or rust effect. 

Here's a close up of the finished sentiment. I should've taken a picture before I used the Antique Paste but I didn't think of it at the time.

I decided to add some dainty green branches with leaves for a bit of colour and interest. 

And here it is - the finished product.

The client was very happy with the final result and I hope the couple were too! 

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

Lattice Cards

I really enjoyed making these. It's not a new technique and I've made cards see through or lattice cards before. I like the final result so much, I had to do it again and play around with it a bit. I used the layering dies for this. However any background dies could be used, as long as they're not solid.

I came across this technique on Jennifer McGuire's blog and YouTube channel. I love Jennifer, she's one of my cardmaking gurus. Here's link to this particular technique.

Note: I apologise for the quality of the photos in this post. I make cards for sale and these sold out so quickly I didn't really get the opportunity to take nicer pictures. I also wanted to deliver them to my clients as soon as I could as some of them may need to post them in the current situation, rather than hand deliver.

I die cut layering background die from coordinating cardstock - I used these beautiful shades of green and glued them together. I also die cut all 3 layers from white cardstock to form the back of my card and glued them together as well. I then scored the top frame of the die and attached it to the from green panel, so that it forms a top opening card. I used the oval stitched die for the sentiment and also as a space for the personal message inside.

The other dies I used had a lot more empty space and I decided to fill it with vellum, so they're not completely see through. And they can be lit up from behind, which makes them look like a lantern or stained glass.

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

More Shaker Cards

I did go a bit mad on shaker cards. But this is the last batch.

I used the same die as previously on one card and a different die from the same set, but this time I cut it out of mirror cardstock. I love the effect of an intricate die with mirror cardstock, this precious metal jewellery look. I used quite feminine paper with blue flowers and damask pattern. I distressed the smaller one of the cards for a bit of shabby chic look and kept the other one pristine and clean.  I'm not great with words, so I'll let the cards speak for themselves.

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

Shaking up Mother's Day - again

I did mention in my last post that I went a bit mad on shaker cards. Here's more.

I used retro style patterned paper this time and placed sentiments inside the shaker window.
I used a round die to cut out the centre and die cut the shape from white cardstock. I coloured then with pearlescent watercolour paint.

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/