Dog Lover Masculine Birthday Card

One of my first thoughts was of Fall when I saw this super adorable image by Dreamerland Crafts. I paired it with some plaid Halloween paper by Tim Holtz and Idea-ology. I decided to watercolor the image (with M. Graham watercolors), mainly so I could mix colors that would closely match those in the plaid background. I also tried to keep it to a limited palette.

For the painting itself, I used a fairly dry brush technique and glazing to get smooth transitions, building up the layers in the dark areas for contrast. I am working on a watercolor series on my YouTube channel - eventually I hope to show this technique. If you are interested in watercolor, you may want to consider subscribing to my channel so you won't miss anything (hit the bell icon, then you will get notifications when I post).

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Making the Card

0. Note: I made my card with the retired Sizzix Framelits Die Set 14PK - Card, Kind Sentiments Step-Ups (660718). I found a set on the Sizzix site that I believe matches fairly closely, Sizzix Framelits Die Set 15PK - Card, Cute as a Bug Step-Ups (660717)

1. Use main Step-Ups die to cut card base from black cardstock; fold as indicated.

2. Use decorative panel dies to cut plaid sheet from 8x8 Mini Paper Stash Halloween. Adhere to card as shown. Die cut stars strip from antique silver Deco Sheets. Adhere on sides as shown. (If you don't have the die set I used, you could cut other shapes, or even punch a design for the sides.)

3. Stamp Dog Lover (Dreamerland Crafts) on watercolor paper in Nocturne ink using a Stamp Platform. I used half of a 5x7 sheet of hot press watercolor paper since I will be fussy cutting the image.

4. Watercolor image with M. Graham watercolors (or other brand). M. Graham watercolors are professional watercolors, wet easily, and are lightfast. I love using them. In case you missed the post intro, I am doing a watercolor series on my YouTube channel and hope, at some point, to feature the techniques I used to paint this image.

5. Fussy cut image with detail scissors. Hint: move the paper while cutting to make it easier to get into small places and turn corners. Use a black brush tip Copic Multiliner SP (the SP versions are refillable, a better value in the long run plus they don't just go in some landfill) to go around the image from the back side. This hides the white on the sides and gives it a polished look. Adhere to card as shown using dimensional/mounting tape.

6. Using a Stamp Platform, stamp Happy Birthday sentiment (Miscellaneous 02, Dreamerland Crafts) on black cardstock using VersaMark ink. Emboss with Adirondack Clay embossing powder (retired, try Ranger Brick). Trim to a strip and add tails on either end (I cut off the cardstock 1/2 inch from each side of the sentiment, then added tails). Adhere to card as shown using dimensional/mounting tape. Hint: use a black alcohol marker, such as a Sharpie, to go around edges of tape before sticking to image - this will hide any white that may show.

7. Optional: from white or ivory cardstock, die cut another panel from the Step-Ups set. Adhere to back of card for a place to write (you could also put one inside the card).

Supplies

• Dreamerland Crafts Stamp: Dog Lover (D18021), Miscellaneous 02 (DS18039)
• Cardstock: Black, Optional - White or Ivory
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 15PK - Card, Cute as a Bug Step-Ups (660717)
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology 8x8 Mini Paper Stash Halloween (TH93595) - 2017
• Tim Holtz/Idea-ology Deco Sheets (TH93219)
• Strathmore Watercolor Paper 5x7 Hot Press 500 Series
• Stamp Platform
• VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink
• M. Graham Watercolors
• Detail Scissors
• Copic Multiliner Black Brush Tip
• VersaMark Ink
• Embossing Powder: Adirondack Clay (Possible Substitute Ranger Brick)
• Heat Tool
• Dimensional/Mounting Tape

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Layered Stamping with Memento Inks, Fall Card

Layering stamps is really popular. To create these cards, I used Memento Dew Drop inks for layering the samping since they come in a huge variety of colors. Their small size makes them easy to store. If you don't have as many ink colors, an alternative is to use embossing for the top layer instead.

Making the Cards

1. Cut light yellow cardstock 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches (the final size will be 4 x 5 1/4 inches - I like to have a little extra space then trim later).

2. Watch the video below for stamping and embossing:

3. Cut red and brown cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold each in half to form two card bases 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inches. Adhere card fronts as shown.

Supplies

• Memento Dew Drop Inks: Rich Cocoa, Toffee Crunch, Peanut Brittle, Cantaloupe, Dandelion, Tangelo, Morocco, Potter's Clay, Pear Tart, Bamboo Leaves, Olive Grove, Lady Bug, Rhubarb Stalk
• Embossing Powder: Gold
• VersaMark Ink
• VersaMarker
• VersaFine Ink: Onyx Black
• Cardstock: Light Yellow, Red, Brown
• Stamps: Hero Arts Color Layering Grateful Leaves CL987
• Dies: Hero Arts Color Layering Leaves Frame Cuts DI315
• Optional: Stamp Press (e.g. We R Precision Press)

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Paper Smooches Color of the Season Card

I just love the colors of Fall. The trees look so beautiful at this time of year. I wanted the focus of the card to be on the colorful leaves so I made the background and tree the same color, just giving the tree a little dimension by stacking die cuts.

Making the Card

1. Cut kraft cardstock 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. Die cut 3 trees from kraft cardstock. Adhere these together to form a thick stack. Adhere to card base as shown.

3. Die cut a set of leaves from the following colors of cardstock: green, yellow, yellow/orange, orange, red. Ink edges with various colors of Distress Ink using an ink blending tool.

4. Shape each leaf over foam pad using ball stylus. Use pointy end of leaf tool or die pick to draw a line down the middle of each leaf.

5. Stamp sentiment in black (e.g. VersaFine Onyx Black). Adhere leaves to tree, a few at the base of the tree, and in a swirly pattern as shown.

Supplies

• Paper Smooches Die: Fall Tree
• Paper Smooches Stamps: Fall Sampler
• Distress Inks: Walnut Stain, Aged Mahogany, Candied Apple, Spiced Marmalade, Rusty Hinge, Fossilized Amber, Mowed Lawn, Peeled Paint
• VersaFine Onyx Black Ink
• Ink Blending Tool
• Foam Pad (or Rubber Mouse Pad)
• Ball Stylus, Die Pick or Leaf Tool

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Colorfull Fall Leaf Grateful Card

These Paper Smooches stamp leaf outlines work beautifully with Imagine Crafts' Memento Luxe Inks. Create this colorful Fall background, perfect for Thanksgiving or as just a note to a loved one.

Making the Card

1. Cut red cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half to form a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch cardbase. Cut brown cardstock 4 x 5 1/4 inches. Cut white cardstock 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches.

2, Die cut "Grateful" from red cardstock, one leaf (Leaves 2 dies) each from yellow, green and orange cardstock, and all three leaves from brown cardstock. Set aside for now.

3. Watch the following video for stamping:

4. Adhere "Grateful" and leaves as shown.

Supplies

• Memento Luxe Inks: Pear Tart, Olive Grove, Pistachio, Peanut Brittle, Dandelion, Morocco, Love Letter, Rhubarb Stalk, Rich Cocoa
• Paper Smooches Dies: Grateful, Leaves 2
• Paper Smooches Stamps: Fall Sampler
• Cardstock: White, Brown, Red, Yellow, Green, Orange

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Paper Smooches Fall Blessings Watercolor Card

I used the colors of Fall leaves for my watercolor background. The added veins (or branches) in gold are reminiscent of trees. I used the Paper Smooches new Leaf Frame die to inlay the pieces, while stacking copies from the Blessings die to pop up the word.

Making the Card

1. Cut white cardstock 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; fold in half for a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card base. Cut brown cardstock 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 inches. Adhere to card base.

2. Cut watercolor paper 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 (this is 1/4 inch larger than the final version, leaving 1/8 inch around for tape - if you need more room for tape, adjust paper size accordingly). Tape to craft mat or other surface.

3. Place Leaf Frame face down in the area it will be cut (mine is offset towards the bottom right corner). Pencil a line outside where you would like the watercolor to go - leaving about 1/8 inch or so room; you will need to erase the line but it will be difficult, if not impossible, to do so if you watercolor over it. Put the die aside.

4. Add water to the area you would like to watercolor. Work in layers - starting light, letting the paper dry some, add more color, dry more, brighter color. Finally add some FineTec mica in Inka-Gold with a medium brush; this may not show much. Dry completely then use a fine tipped brush to add FineTec mica Arabic-Gold: make the lines look like leaf veins or branches. Optional: Splatter with brown watercolor and Arabic-Gold, bang brush against your finger with some paint on the brush - but not too wet. I recommend trying on scrap paper first.

5. Once watercolor has fully dried, die cut using Leaf Frame being careful not to lose any pieces. Adhere outside frame to card base as shown, careful to center in brown layer. Die cut brown paper with Leaf Frame. Adhere brown Leaf Frame inside watercolored outside frame. Adhere leaf pieces.

6. Die cut "Blessings" in center of watercolored inside frame piece (you may want to use a little temporary tape to hold the die in place as you die cut). Be sure to keep all the pieces. Adhere big piece with Blessings cut out of it to the card as shown. Temporarily piece in the word Blessings (do not adhere). Adhere small inside pieces (l, e, and g).

7. Die cut 4 or 5 copies of "Blessings" from brown cardstock. Layer these on top of one another to form a thick stack. Hint: to glue the dot on the i stack, first stick it to some temporary tape. Adhere the watercolored version to the top of the stack. Adhere in Blessings place on card.

8. Take the small piece where the "to you and yours" will go and use water and paper towel to blot off some of the color. Dry. Stamp "to you and yours" in small piece as shown with Timber Brown StazOn ink. Adhere as shown.

I made the following quick card with the leftover frame from the above card and a test run scrap, from which I cut another "Blessings" sentiment. I also added a few enamel dots.

Supplies

• Paper Smooches Dies: Blessings, Leaf Frame
• Paper Smooches Stamps: Fall Sampler
• Watercolor Paper: Arches Rough
• Painter's Tape
• Watercolor Paint: Winsor & Newton, FineTec Mica
• Cardstock: Brown
• StazOn Ink: Timber Brown

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Fall/Thanksgiving Decorative Card

Made for the ECD Susan Tierney Cockburn Design Team

Susan's new leaf dies make really beautiful fall leaves. I wanted to make a wreath of all the different fall colors; Karen Burniston's Ring Accordion was the perfect base for such a card. I also wanted to use Susan's smaller leaves from a previous release to make matching shaker elements for the other side. The card makes a perfect decoration for fall or Thanksgiving.

For the words, I wanted to add foil in red and green. I have used Therm-O-Web's Deco Foil before but I recently bought some Heidi Swapp Minc foil on sale so I thought I would give it a try. Unfortunately this did not work nearly as well as the Deco Foil - at least not with my laminating machine. I even put them through 5 or more times. There were gaps in the coverage. I may try ironing it with a craft iron next time.

Making the Card

1. In order to do foiling (optional), you will need to print the words using a laser printer (toner based printer). I printed these on yellow/gold cardstock. Create a document with the words "Thankful" and "Grateful" using a fancy font, making sure they are far enough apart to die cut around each (I put one on each side of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheet). Print and foil as instructed. I made "Grateful" with red foil and "Thankful" with green foil. For more instructions and another card example of foiling, see my Rainbow Foiled Greetings Birthday Card post.

2. Using the Ring Accordion die set, cut two green ring accordion frames. Cut two more, one from yellow/gold cardstock and one from yellow/orange - you will only use the centers of these so cut the tabs off flush to the center circle. Using the circle die, cut the center out of the yellow/orange circle to create a circle frame. Again using the circle die, cut the foiled words from the yellow/gold cardstock. Cut eight border pieces from the yellow/gold cardstock. Train the folds on both green frames.

3. Using Garden Patch -7/8-inch & Mini Leaves, choose the small leaves that look the most "fall-like." I also used the leaf dies from Garden Patch - 1 1/2-inch & Mini Roses (even though they are for flowers, they look enough like fall leaves). Cut a variety of these leaves from Shimmer Sheetz (see Supplies list for colors and links). These will be part of the shaker elements.

4. Using the smaller Woodland Leaves dies, cut several sets from each cardstock color: light green, green, yellow/gold, yellow/orange, and red. Chalk them in fall colors (I used the fall leaf colors from all three Pan Pastel sets; see Supplies for links). Draw vein lines on each leaf with green or red colored pencil. Shape leaves by rubbing with large stylus on backs and drawing a line down the middle with the leaf tool for the main vein. Curl edges of some using edge of a die pick or handle of a small paint brush.

5. To create the shaker, insert "Thankful" circle inside a heavy duty presentation sheet protector (or other pocket material) and put the circle die on top to use as a guide. You may want to adhere a couple of the Shimmer Sheetz leaves over top of the word (I forgot to do this first so ended up using tweezers; I also went too far around, making it difficult to add the shaker elements). Use the Fuse tool to go around outside of the circle die, maybe half way around or so. Add seed beads, Shimmer Sheetz leaves, and chunky glitter as desired (in front of cardstock - anything behind will not show). Finish sealing the pocket. Cut around outside of seal, close but leaving a small space around the seal.

6. Adhere four border pieces around one of the green frames then the yellow/gold circle to the center (tabs to the right - remembering the flat side is the bottom). Cut off the tabs that are sticking out from the frame (one on the center and one on the frame outside). Adhere shaker using double sided adhesive to the center, then the yellow/orange frame. Adhere two leaves as shown.

7. On the other frame, laying flat with the tab to the left (flat part bottom), glue down the last four frame pieces. Flip the frame. Adhere leaves to "Grateful" circle as shown. Stick this to the center of the frame using dimensional tape. Now for the tricky part. You will glue leaves around the frame, noting that the ones at the bottom that over-hang will have to be folded up to allow the card to stand (i.e. don't leave much over-hanging) and leaving the tab area relative clear so it may fold (any leaves that hit the other frame will also need to be folded). Keep in mind the types of leaves and colors while gluing them to the frame so that they make a pleasing pattern (I tried to keep from placing two alike type or color leaves together). It helps if you lay them out first before gluing.

8. Using strong adhesive, stick tabs as directed to assemble the card. Finish by adhering the final leaves to the front of the card. I didn't mind that the leaves on the reverse side showed from the front of the card since it is intended to be used as a display piece.

Supplies

ECD Supplies

• 904 - Ring Accordion
• 1092 - Woodland Leaves
• 1004 - Garden Patch -7/8-inch & Mini Leaves
• 1001 - Garden Patch - 1 1/2-inch & Mini Roses
• Shimmer Sheetz: Yellow Iridescent SS 0108, Orange Iridescent SS 0109, Red Metallic SS 0214, Green Metallic SS 0213, Fire Opal Gemstone SS 0218
• Pan Pastels: Susan's Garden PanPastel Flower Coloring Kit 1 - 30115, Susan's Garden PanPastel Flower Coloring Kit 2 - 30116, Susan's Garden PanPastel Flower Coloring Kit 3 - 30117
• 808 - Susan's Garden 4pcs. All metal Tool Set in Luxury Case
• 810 - Large Molding Pad
• Double Sided Adhesive
• 803 - Cuttlebug and Big Shot Metal Adaptor Plate

Other Supplies

• Cardstock: Red, Light Green, Green, Yellow/Gold, Yellow/Orange
• Heidi Swapp Minc Foil: Red, Green
• Photo Sleeve Fuse Tool
• Heavy Duty Presentation Sheet Protectors (I buy mine from Costco)
• Colored Pencils: Red, Green (e.g. Prisma Color 925 Crimson Lake, 1090 Kelp Green)
• Chunky Glitter - Red (e.g. Martha Stewart Crafts)
• Seed Beads: Green
• Dimensional Tape