Thanks A Million

Hello everyone, Christine here with my first post for Elizabeth Craft Designs in 2018.

Weather here in Maine has been bitterly cold, actually record cold for December, and it is going to continue.  Dreaming of warmer days, my post today uses Susan’s Garden Dahlia 2 and Black Eyed Susans which were in her last release along with Suzanne Cannon’s Flourished Frame and Els van de Burgt’s Thanks and Berry Branch.

Here is how the card was created, followed by the supply list:

1. Cut White Soft finish Cardstock  7″ X 10″ score at 5″ fold on score line to form card base (5″ X 7″).

2. Using Els van de Burgt Berry Branch cut 3-4 branches from brown cardstock.  Using Nuvo Crystal Drops or Pearl Pen add berries to both sides, one side at a time and drying thoroughly between sides.

3. To create background for Flourished Frame, use Elizabeth Craft Designs Watercolor Paper and Distress Oxide Inks in colors of your choice (Peeled Paint, Fossilized Amber, Wilted Violet and Seedless Preserves used here).  Rub each ink onto mat, spritz with water, then pat the paper onto the inks to pick up color. Repeat to pick up more color, but take care not to let the colors get muddy. (Use the heat tool between each application if desired.) Air dry or use a heat tool to speed the final drying.

4. Use the Flourished Frame to die cut the inked paper. Save and keep track of the position of all of the smaller pieces. Set aside the frame to use on another card.

5. Die cut the same Flourished Frame twice from 100# White Soft Finish Cardstock backed with Clear Double Sided Adhesive sheet prior to die cutting. Adhere the two frames, one directly on top of the other, to add dimension. Adhere to card front. Now add in all of the colorful background pieces from Step 4. (This is an ‘inlay’ technique within the dimensional frame.)  

6. Cut 3 sets of Black-Eyed Susan petals from 85# White Soft Finish Cardstock using Susan’s Garden Notes Black-Eyed Susan Die Set. (Alternatively, die cut yellow cardstock and shade with PanPastels.)  Color petals with yellow alcohol markers. Copic Sketch Y19 used here.  Using Susan’s Garden Deluxe Tool Kit, Molding Mat and Leaf Mat shape petals.  Tip: Watch Susan’s video  Adhere layers of petals using Kids Choice Glue making sure they are offset to create the fullest possible flowers. From black cardstock die cut seed/florets several times and shape them using the smallest ball tool and a rubber carving block or eraser as the work mat.  For the center I put a small cone of Yes Glue to give it more dimension and used fewer seeds but you definitely can achieve the same cone-shaped center by layering extra seeds.  Attach seeds using Kids Choice Glue around center.  Cut several leaves; shade and shape. 

7. Use Susan’s Garden Notes Dahlia 2 to cut pieces from 85# White Soft Fiinsh Cardstock.  Cut 3 each of 3 largest petals, 2 each of next 2 sizes and 1 stamen (center piece).  Color using alcohol markers (Copic Sketch BV08 and V09 used here). Alternatively, die cut from colored cardstock and shade with PanPastels.  Shape using Susan’s Garden Deluxe Tool Kit along with her Molding Mat and Leaf Mat.  Assemble flower.  Susan’s Facebook Live video tutorial for the Dahlia is here

8. Cut several leaves from 85# White Soft Finish Cardstock (or from colored cardstock), color with Alcohol Markers (Copic Sketch YG 97 and YG 99 used here). Accent the stem line with Yellow/Green PanPastel  from Set 1.  Shape leaves, adding stem and vein lines. Make sure the leaves curve, especially at the tip.  

Assemble card as shown, using Kids Choice Glue to hold adhere the berry branches, flowers and leaves.

I certainly hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and it has inspired you to create!

Until next time – Happy Crafting!

Christine

Supplies:

Elizabeth Craft Designs:

Other:

Copic Sketch Markers Y19, BV08, V09, YG97, YG99

Pearl Pen

Distress Oxide Inks (Peeled Paint, Fossilized Amber, Wilted Violet and Seedless Preserves)

Yes glue