Epic day This and That journaling

I have created the front cover of a new This and That journal. They are so beautiful to write in and so easy to journal your thoughts on a special day.

Up close I have used a sticker from the kit and cut out some images from patterned papers.

Hexagon is the new shape I am seeing in advertising and interior design pictures ... stampin' Up! have a hexagon punch that fits into the textured embossing on the cover of the journal. And I have used a touch of grey striped washi tape too.

The main colour is Calypso coral with a touch of  Basic grey, white, pool party blues.

Using my two butterfly punches for detail with a pearl for some soft bling.

Epic Day this and That journal $18.95

Epic Day designer stickers $8.95

Epic day Washi tape (3 rolls) $8.95

Hexagon punch $27.95

Little chicken

Happy Easter to everyone who visits my blog this week!

This is my virtual Easter card just for you.

Isn't it the simplest and cutest little chicken ?

I spotted a card on pinterest made by Sharon Burkett and I simplified the design down to this.

 My little chicken is made using the 1 3/8 inch (that's 3.5cm) circle punch and the bird punch (wings) with Daffodil Delight card stock.

My background is a technique called masking. Where you punch out two scallop circles and use them as a mask while you sponge a soft blue ink. Gradually moving the scallop masks downwards till you cover the page with fluffy white clouds.

Card Recipe:

Stampsets - Teeny tiny sentiments, Nature walk

Cardstock - Certainly celery, whisper white, Daffodil Delight, Concord Crush, Poppy parade (for the beak and legs) I was using up paper from my scraps box.

ink - Baja Breeze, Concord Crush

punches - 3.5cm circle, two step bird, Word window

and scallop circle for the cloud mask

big shot - Adorning accent edgelit

ribbon - Daffodil Delight stitched

Horses for courses

 Here's a card I made at a recent cardmaking session with my friend Teresa.
This stampset is one that I don't own.  It is a true art stamp though, and is a great stamp for all those people who love horses and the country. "Horse Frontier".

 I have made a simple background with the horse-shoe stamp on River rock cardstock.
And used the Apothecary die cut shape as a canvas for my horse.
I am practicing simple layouts here... no stitching, no Big shot embossing... possibly it could have done with some twine and metal brads but I am practicing restraint!

 Instead I tied a piece of baker's twine around Mr Edd's neck as a halter ??? ...lead rope - thingy (insert technical horse term here).

 You can see the holes I punched through the paper with the 2mm handheld circle punch. (check it out on page 184 of the Annual catalogue).

Mr Edd is ready to ride off the page......

Paper clips and patterns ...

 I have tried to create a masculine style card ... with colours like Gumball green and Midnight muse inks, textured vine leaves, green ribbon and a metal paperclip.
I thought the pair of jeans from patterned occasions would be just the ticket.
Perhaps it is a female card after all.
So I have copied the next one from pinterest... a happy mothers day card with patterned tea cup and hearts.

 I think the arrow paper clip works well here pointing at the tag and the arrow of the gumball green ribbon directing the eye towards the cup.

The Double gate fold card Tutorial

The double gate fold card is a fairly new fold circulating around card-making sites.

Here is what you need:

A double sided patterned paper measuring 5 6/8" x 12" (14.6 x 30.5cm)

White cardstock (1/2 A4 sheet)

Simply Scored tool with scoring stylus.

Bone folder.

Stampin' Trimmer or Tabletop cutter.

Anywhere Glue stick

Big shot and Apothecary accents dies

Butterfly punch

Stampsets: Friendly Phrases and Papillon Potpouri

Ink and sponges.

Step 1. Score your patterned paper at 2", 4", 8" and 10".

Tip: Using the Simply Scored Tool set the place markers at the measurements on the ruler along the top.  

Simply pull your scoring Stylus down towards you along the grooved lines. 

Step 2. Turn your paper and make a small mark at the 2 7/8" point

(or just pinch the piece in half at the top).

Step 3. Trim off the two corners.

Using your paper trimmer, just line up the pinch fold mark with the 4" fold diagonally.

 It will look something like this:

 Step 4. Fold the 4" score line over to the 8" score line. Repeat on the other side.

 Step 5. Then fold the flaps, at the 2" score, back to the outer edge to make the double gate.

 Looking a bit like this:

Step 6. Now, Take the triangle that you cut off the right hand side and glue it down onto the left hand panel.

Step 7.   Fold creases flat with your bone folder.

Now you are ready to embellish your double gate fold card.

 Step 8. Stamp one of the die cut shapes from the Apothecary Accents framelits

 with a sentiment for your card and sponge the edges in a coordinating ink colour.

I have used Raspberry Ripple to match my in-colour Foral District papers.

 Step 9.  For the insert you could cut a piece of whisper white cardstock to fit the inside panel.

(approx 5 1/2" x 3 3/4")

 OR

You can die cut the largest framelit shape from the Apothecary Accent Dies in your Big shot machine.

Step 10.  Adhere the sponged panels to your card.

Note: the front sentiment is only adhered by one dimensional on the left hand side.

I have stamped my inner panel with butterflies from Papillon Potpouri (in summer starfruit ink).

And sponged  the edges with midnight muse ink.

Step 11. You can punch or cut a butterfly shape and stick it on the right hand side panel to help with holding the card closed. The larger the butterfly the better the closure.

Enjoy!