Tags, Flowers, and More

Michaels (the craft store) recently held an open house. The class instructors showed samples of what they teach in their classes. I showed some of my scrapbooking pages, tags, flowers, and cards. Many people do not realize that Michaels holds classes in their stores. Below are a few of the samples I made.

The tags are from a Tim Holtz inspired Distress and Shimmer class. We make 7 tags in the class (only 5 samples are shown here).

Distress and Shimmer Tags

The Flower Wow class teaches you how to make paper flowers using a variety of techniques, from hand cutting to using dies. With a few simple techniques you can take plain card stock to WOW! (Sorry, just had to say it - by the way, I didn't make up the name.)

Flower Wow

This is a card sample from the Cricut Sophisticated cartridge card making class. This simple yet elegant design is easy to make with the help of the Cricut electronic cutting machine.

Cricut Sophisticated Card

Check your local Michaels store for classes in your area.

Valentine Bear

This is a card I made for my husband last Valentine's Day. The image is a Dustin Pike design. He has some really cute digital images - dragons, penguins, monkeys, and more. He occasionally has freebies as well (I subscribe to the RSS feed for his blog so I get them as they are announced). I colored this one with Copic markers. The rectangle (bear image), scalloped rectangle, and circles were cut using Nestibilities. The sentiment circle was rubber stamped with three different stamps (circle of leaves, hearts in the background in pink, and "Love you").

The background stripes I actually hand colored with Copic markers on a black and white stripped paper (I saved marker by not coloring behind the bear). The side strip of loops was done with a Martha Stewart edge punch. The lips, XOXO, and hearts were cut using my Cricut out of white paper; I used the Copic airbrush system to color them (fun!). I added the white ribbon bow, red heart button, baker's twine (red/white), and key embellishments to finish the card.

Gift Giving Tilda Birthday Card

This is the image I had used for the watercolor background example. It is from Magnolia stamps: Gift Giving Tilda. I used Spellbinders Nestibilities to cut out the image and the purple Fleur de Lis frame behind it. I printed the sentiment, stamped the circle of hearts and cupcake (colored with Copics) and cut it and the lacy border out with Nestibilities. The fancy white design I cut using my Cricut (Art Philosophy Cartridge by Close to My Heart). The flower layers and leaves I cut out using Sizzix Dies (Tim Holtz, Tattered Florals, the leaves were from Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die Autumn Gatherings). I painted them with Distress Crackle Paint. The card and envelope were both cut with Sizzix Pro dies (A7 size). The card stock is from Bazzill.

Wishing Anniversary Card

Here is a card I made for my parents' recent 50th wedding anniversary. I colored the main image with Copic markers, then added some Stickles to the stars. I was rather proud of how the hair turned out. I printed the sentiment on my computer, stamped the heart circle and stars, watercolored the blue background, and colored the stars with Copics. I added some Spica glitter (clear pen) to the stars but it doesn't show up in the photo. I cut out the circle and lace design behind the sentiment with Nestibilities - ditto for the main image.

By the way, I almost always cut out my cards and envelopes with my Sizzix dies. Usually I use the Movers & Shapers Pro Dies Card A7 and Envelope A7. I like these larger cards (5x7) especially for Magnolia images since they take up quite a bit of space (a bit too much for A6 sized cards - which are closer to 4x6).