Hello crafters! In a few weeks it will finally be sweater weather here in south Texas and although we don’t get any real snow, it’s fun to create snowy scenes in cards. It’s also fun, and practical, to create interactive cards that double as gift-card holders. The Gift Card Accordion was designed to do exactly that.
Howdy crafters! It’s Karen Burniston here to scare up a fun way to use the Rectangle Pull Card for a peek-a-BOO! Halloween card.
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Shimmer Sheetz Sweater Cards
By Judi Kauffman
The minute I saw the newly-released ‘Sweater’ die set from the Joset Designs collection I envisioned it in school colors as a letter sweater or with the graduation year in large numbers. I pictured a fancy sweater for holiday parties with lots of bling. And I knew I wanted to keep going with topiary tree cards like the Gingerbread Man Topiary Tree Cards posted here on the blog on August 14, 2016.
The die set also includes a reindeer and snowflake for winter and holiday sweaters, as well as the charming coat hanger die. It’s so versatile! Just imagine cardstock ski sweaters with stamped patterns across the front or sweaters cut from soft, fuzzy felt. And how about making some for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, as gift tags for friends who knit, with ‘#1’ on the front to celebrate someone’s achievements? There are so many possibilities…
The three cards above show my first three ideas. Instead of giving detailed instructions, please use the images and my design strategies and tips to create your own customized Shimmer Sheetz Sweater Cards for any occasion.
DESIGN STRATEGIES & TIPS
*If you’re new to die cutting Shimmer Sheetz, review Els van de Burgt’s video TUTORIAL. A metal adaptor plate or Big Shot machine with a Precision Base Plate is required for this technique. Add Clear Double Sided Adhesive Sheet to the back of the Shimmer Sheetz before die cutting or use pieces of Clear Double Sided Adhesive Tape to secure the sweater on the card front.
*The alphabet stickers I chose for ‘YOU’VE GOT BLING’ didn’t include an apostrophe so I made one with a single petal cut from the largest Glitter Flower peel-off used on the sleeves and yoke of the sweater. The sweater is Purple Iridescent Shimmer Sheetz. I mixed Glitter Dots, Glitter Flowers, and adhesive-backed gems for the ‘bling’.
*To anchor the Silver Metallic Shimmer Sheetz hanger onto the card front, pierce 2 holes and use a needle to pull metallic braid through the holes; tie a small bow. Notice the tiny Glitter Dots along the raglan sleeve seam line. They’re the smallest size on the sheet of peel-offs.
*Tone down the sparkle on the Emerald Gemstone Shimmer Sheetz topiary tree sweater by lightly sanding BEFORE adding the leaves die cut from Light Green Velvet Adhesive Sheet as shown below. This card measures over 9″ and is sized for a #10 business envelope. (I did not sand the other two sweaters because I liked them shiny and sparkly. They are A2 size.) Refer back to the project instructions on August 14, 2016 for a complete how-to for Topiary Tree Cards.
*The contrasting numbers, neckline piece, cuffs at the sleeves and bottom of the school sweater are die cut from Blue Velvet Adhesive Sheet, providing a soft matte contrast to the sparkly Yellow Iridescent Shimmer Sheetz sweater.
*Your cards can be any size, as long as the sweater fits.
*Add some embellishments, printed stickers, layers of patterned papers and/or solid color cardstock, and your fun and easy card will be ready to mail!
*The supply list below covers materials used for all three cards.
SUPPLIES
Elizabeth Craft Designs –
Shimmer Sheetz in colors of choice
(Shown: Peridot Gemstone, Silver Metallic, Purple and Yellow Iridescent)
Joset Designs ‘ Winter Sweater’ die set
Els van de Burgt Studio ‘Leafy Branch’ die
Els van de Burgt Studio ‘Numbers & More 2’ die set
Susan’s Garden Club ‘Garden Notes – Potted’ die
Velvet Adhesive Sheets in Blue and Light Green
Clear Double Sided Adhesive Sheets and Tape
Glitter Dots peel-offs in Pink/Silver
Glitter Flowers peel-offs in Pink/Silver
Through the Lens Metal series 6 x 6 cardstock (background layer, school sweater card)
Other –
Solid color cardstock in assorted colors
Fine ribbon and cord for ‘Bling’ and ‘Topiary Tree’ cards
Needle to pierce cardstock and to pull cord through cardstock for ‘Bling’ card
Coffee stir stick for topiary tree card
Faceted adhesive-backed gems in Purple, 3 sizes for ‘Bling’ card
Lightweight cork sheet for flower pot
Assorted printed stickers, alphabet stickers, and plaid paper from Graphic 45
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A Way With Words Els van de Burgt Studio Joset Designs Shimmer Sheetz Soft Finish Cardstock
Gingerbread Man Topiary Tree Cards
August 14, 2016Gingerbread Man Topiary Tree Cards
By Judi Kauffman
I’m back as today’s guest designer with a project that takes the new Joset Designs Gingerbread Man die in an unexpected direction: As a shape for topiary* trees. Did you know that one of Santa’s elves is a gardener when he’s not getting ready for the holidays? Well, that’s how I imagine it…
These cards are designed for someone blind or with impaired vision, as well as for the sighted. For those who ‘see’ by the sense of touch, the textures tell the story: Shimmer Sheetz, a wooden stir stick, felt, Velvet Adhesive Sheets, cork, woven and knotted seam tape, layered rectangles made of heavy cardstsock. I shut my eyes as a test and was able to figure out everything but the greeting, though I think I would have had a tough time with the leaves if I hadn’t already known what they were. (*Dictionary definition – “Topiary: The art or practice of clipping shrubs or trees into ornamental shapes.”
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Shimmer Sheetz Seashell Pocket Cards
By Judi Kauffman
I’m back with cards that use a couple of the extra Shimmer Sheetz seashells I made for my blog post on July 17, 2016*.
This time, each shell is positioned atop a pocket, and combined with assorted pre-printed tags and layers of designer paper and glittery cardstock. Polka dot Washi tape in soft colors echoes the beachy blue tones. Bright primary color brads echo the strong primary colors in the pockets and tags and tie things together. There is a larger brad on the tag, three small ones at the other corners, forming a visual frame.
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Hello crafters! Karen Burniston here today with a fun tutorial for doubling the width of the Hanging Charm Pull Tab die set to make room for wider charms (or multiple charms).
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Shimmer Sheetz Pinwheel Party
By Judi Kauffman
Hello, all! I’m back as guest designer with a simple and versatile project: Shimmer Sheetz Pinwheels. These can be used on place cards and napkin rings or as cupcake and sundae toppers. Replace the lollipop sticks with longer waterproof plastic beverage stirrers and decorate your favorite party drinks with colorful Shimmer Sheetz Pinwheels. Or add some sparkle to a plant or flower arrangement. (Shimmer Sheetz is waterproof and colorfast, so the Pinwheels will last a long time.)
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Els van de Burgt Studio Joset Designs Pop it Ups Soft Finish Cardstock
Rocky the Crab Hanging Charm Pull Card
June 10, 2016
A Way With Words Els van de Burgt Studio Joset Designs
Shimmer Sheetz Cupcake Birthday Cards
June 5, 2016Shimmer Sheetz Cupcake Birthday Cards
By Judi Kauffman
Hello, everybody, I’m back as today’s guest designer with a recipe for zero-calorie cupcakes! They’re not as yummy as the ones my neighbor bakes, of course, but hers can’t be attached to a birthday card and sent through the mail while these are just perfect for that purpose…
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By Jeanette Horner
This card was designed for a dear friend of mine. She gave me a beautiful bracelet and I just want to say Thank You. Linda Ware, you are such a dear friend. Thank you for being in my life.
Although this card was inspired for my friend Linda, it can also be made for lots of occasions. So let your creativity run wild…
Let’s get started.
