Alone, white pigment ink on kraft shows pretty well. When you add dye ink on top but slightly offset, it produces an interesting effect. This technique works well with a variety of solid geometric shaped stamps. You could even use other shapes like hearts or flowers, just keep in mind that it looks best when done with solid area stamps (as opposed to open - line only - designs).
Making the Card
1. Cut kraft cardstock to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. Fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base.
2. Watch the video tutorial:
3. Try out different colors of dye ink over white pigment ink to see what you like best: stamp with white pigment ink first, clean stamp, stamp dye ink slightly offset over white pigment ink. Also try different shapes!
In the tutorial video below, I show how to color and shape flower die cuts for a realistic look. The dies are by Elizabeth Craft Designs and Susan Tierney-Cockburn.
Making the Card
Start by cutting the cardstock:
Kraft card base 7x10 inches
Dark brown cardstock 4 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches
Patterned cardstock 4x6 inches
From white cardstock:
Die cut one copy of all petal layers except the small (cut two) for the Magnolia - make 1 flower
Die cut two copies of each petal layer for each Chrysanthemum - make 2 flowers
Die cut one copy of all petal layers for each tulip - make 4 flowers
Die cut three sets of Ivy, plus as many leaves as desired for the flowers from green cardstock
Die cut one grapevine wreath from brown cardstock
Made for the ECD Susan Tierney-Cockburn Design Team
I love the effect Brusho crystals have when they are hit with water. I decided to use them to color cardstock for my lilacs. The variation in colors looks so pretty. For the large tag card base, instead of using the decorator die to cut through the top, I used the negative pieces to create a sort of ivy look.
Making the Card
1. Cut light purple cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half. Using the main Tags & More 7 die, line up and die cut just outside of fold and just below top of card, i.e. the cutting blade should be outside (not on the card) on the left but the hole and fancy top part should be just inside the cardstock at the top. Cut right side flush if necessary.
2. Die cut vine decorator piece from green cardstock; before removing die, trace around top edge. Cut along traced line. Line up traced edge with top of card and use as a template for gluing leaves (be careful to get glue only under leaves otherwise the template will not come off cleanly).
3. Die cut large decorator tag (Tags Pivot Card set) from patterned paper. Tie twine through hole and make a bow. Adhere to card where shown.
4. Spray a piece of smooth cream cardstock with water. Sprinkle the following colors of Brusho over surface: Ultra Marine, Purple, Violet. Add more water as necessary. Use a brush to move color over entire surface. Dry with a heat tool or let dry naturally. Note: the backsides will show; if enough color didn't seep through, you may want to color the back as well. Optional: if you do not have Brusho, you could use watercolor.
5. Die cut lilac branch from brown cardstock and 2 sets of leaves from green cardstock. Die cut 5 sets of petals and Hello sentiment from Brusho colored cardstock. Shape lilac and adhere to card, using the following video as a guide.
6. Adhere Hello to tag where shown. Tie trim (or ribbon) through top hole. Embellish with enamel dots as shown.
Makin's Clay is a no bake polymer clay that comes in several colors. I used black so that the iridescent Creative Mediums and irRESISTible products would really stand out. Use these embellishments for decorating cards and other projects.
Making the Embellishments
The following video is a step-by-step tutorial on how to make these embellishments.
Made for the ECD Susan Tierney-Cockburn Design Team
Hyacinths are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. Mine are just starting to come out. They are so beautiful and have a wonderful scent. In honor of Spring, I made this card featuring a pink hyacinth.
This is the first time I used ECD's Fitted Frames - they make great backdrops or frames for any card!
Making the Card
1. Cut dark pink cardstock 5 x 10 inches; fold in half to create a 5 x 5 inch card base.
2. Die cut one pink and one green set of Curvy Squares. Cut the flower patterned paper to 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 inches. Adhere the frames and patterned paper to front of card as shown (note, you may want to adhere the patterned paper behind the pink curvy square before adhering the frames on top).
3. From cream cardstock, die cut at least 3 sets of Hyacinth petals in both sizes; die cut leaves.
4. Color petals with Bubble Gum and Metallic Icing Gelatos. Use damp brush to blend. You may add color directly to the die cuts or to a craft mat then apply with brush (I did a combination of these).
5. Color leaves with Metallic Mint, Iced Pear, Lime, Margarita Mix Gelatos. I applied these directly then blended with damp brush until I achieved the look I wanted.
6. Shape and assemble flower as shown in the video below, adhering to card as shown.
7. Tie pink/green/cream twine into a double bow; glue where shown.
8. Optional: add a few strips of Washi tape to inside bottom right corner; adhere heart where shown using dimensional tape.