Masculine Cards

I had a card layout in mind and had originally planned to make it a feminine/girly card (as I usually do). But I ended up with, not just one, but, two masculine cards. The cards are pretty much exactly the same, except the colours are flipped.

Coincidentally, right before I made these cards, I came across a blog named {Lawn}scaping Challenge with an embossing theme. It worked out perfectly for me because I had planned to do some dry and heat embossing on my cards. So I'll enter this challenge/contest and see if my cards are good enough to win. =P

I first cut a semi circle out of some watercolour paper. Then I dry embossed it using one of Tim Holtz/s embossing folders. After that I used a brayer to roll some Perfect Medium (clear embossing ink) on top of the embossed image, hitting only the raised areas. Then I sprinkled white embossing powder on it and melted it with my head tool. I had to repeat that several times to achieve a smooth coverage. Finally, I painted it with watercolour paint. The heat embossed areas were resistant to the watercolour paint, therefore those areas stayed white. (I learned this awesome technique from one of my favorite crafters/card makers, Mel McCarthy)

I created my own enamel dots by drawing dots with a Sakura Luxue pen. It was the perfect colour for this card, a mixture of blue and gold/brown. After the ink dried I added some Glossy Accents to turn them into 3D dots.

I used the same technique for this card except I used a different dry embossing folder (I think it came in the same set as the clock one). I couldn't find the right pattern paper for the background so I created my own by rubbing Distressed Inks (in Faded Jeans and Tea Dye) on the white card base. 

The enamel dots on this card was created the same way as on the first card. 

So there you go, my two masculine birthday cards. = )

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Wishing You the Very Best

I wanted to try making a card using pattern papers and a honeycomb die I've had for a while now.

A simple design on a craft card base.

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Happy Birthday to My Hubby!

Long time no see. I've been busy making cards, but too lazy to post them, sorry! =P

Here is a card I made last week for my Hubby's birthday.

All of the pattern paper used in this card was altered using either Distress Stains or Inks. I learned the techniques from the recent Pattern Play online class.

I wanted the pattern paper in the background to be visible. So I cut a piece of clear plastic from some packaging and placed it behind the circle. Then I glued some die cut hearts on top.

The banner was cut using a Simon Says die.

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Just Because

I wanted to make a card using all the Japanese Yuzen paper I had. By placing small pieces of busy/bold pattern paper together I can create a harmonious background.

I also made these buttons out of Yuzen paper and thought they would go nicely with this card.

I love all the fun colours and patterns.

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Pattern Play - Lesson 5

Lesson 5 was about paper manipulation. I also combined some other techniques I learned from other lessons in this card.

In the background I weaved strips of patterned paper together and then placed a piece of vellum on top to soften the patterns and colours. I noticed in the end that the white circle in the mid-ground was too big creating too much empty space... = /

I cut some flowers from patterned paper to use as embellishments. I added some Stickles and Glossy Accents to make the middle pop.

This little fox was also cut out from a patterned paper. He is so adorable!

The thought bubble was perfect for this sentiment.

In this picture you get a better view of the patterned paper and the vellum in the background.

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Pattern Play - Lesson 4

Lesson 4 was about altering patterned paper. I bought some new BasicGrey paper and I just had to use them right away!

I had trouble with cutting the papers to the right size, but it turned out alright in the end. The background paper was too dark for my card so I used some Distressed Stains in Picket Fence to lighten it. I also use different Distressed Inks to darken the edges of the other patterned papers to make them brighter and stand out from each other.

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~

Pattern Play - Lesson 3

Wednesday's lesson was all about using bold patterned paper. I definitely had trouble with this one! But check out the card I made. I used a bold patterned paper at the top of the card and it turned out pretty cute.

This card have some really playful colours.

I am so in love with this little bear that comes in the stamp set that Kristina Werner designed. The set is called Circle Friends.

I cut the three little dots out of a large piece of patterned paper. Then I used Glossy Accents to make them look like store bought embellishments. It's a little hard to see in this picture, but I also added the Glossy Accents on the tiny blue dots on the scalloped boarder. They look like little beads in real life.

Thanks for visiting,

Cheryl ~