Friday, January 7, 2011

Simple notecard - waste not, want not


I have been working with all sorts of pink and red products this week as I am getting ready for my Guest Design spot next week which will be all about Valentine's Day.  For a break, I picked up another "leftover" and made a card with not a bit of red or pink and no hearts in sight!


In early December, I posted a card that I made with a stained glass effect.  I created the file using "hide selected contour" and I thought the end result was really pretty.  Here is a LINK to the original post.  The directions for creating the file are at THIS POST.


Another version of the card and the files are at THIS POST.  If you can't download the files, I think you will be able to make the card by following my directions.  The cartridge I used for this design is the "Twinkle Toes" Cricut Lite cartridge.  I can't guarantee whether the files will be available since 4shared seems to be incapable of discerning the difference between a music file and  files for die cutting and my account could be frozen at any time with no notice to me.


The cutouts on the mat made such a pretty pattern that I saved them on a piece of vinyl transfer tape.  I found the tape with the bits still on it while I was searching for one of the embellishments for my Valentine's project.


I just added some adhesive to the cuts and then applied them to an A2 card.


I thought I'd show you an easy way to make sure that your design will be properly centered on the card when you flip the transfer tape over and apply the pieces to the card front.  I used an A2 card which is 4 1/4 (4.25) inches x 5 1/2 (5.5) inches when folded.  I have several self healing mats that I use in my craft area.  This one is from Creative Memories.  Any mat with a grid will work.


I placed my card on the mat so that it was centered with the bold lines indicating the center of each side.  Half of 5 1/2 (5.5) is 2 3/4 (2.75) so the card is placed with 2 3/4 inches on either side of the bold vertical line.  Half of 4 1/4 (4.25) is 2 1/8 (2.125) and the card is placed on the mat with 2 1/8 inches above and below the bold center line.  There is not a grid for 1/8 inch increments on this mat but it is easy to "eyeball" the measurement.


Here you can see the the center of the design is aligned both horizontally and vertically.  You can extend the line formed along the center of the design to the mat and be sure that it is lined up properly (placing a straightedge on top of the transfer tape will help you to see this if you are having any trouble).


Once the design has been placed, adhesive side down, on the card front, you burnish it to the card and peel back the tape at an angle.  The transfer tape can be reused several times.


Here is the plain card.  It is pretty as it stands but could use a "little something" to give it some spark!

I am making an effort to use the things I have accumulated in my craft space (and trying not to buy more until I have made a noticeable dent in my stash!).  I have a lot of these Prima flowers that I got on sale at Michael's a while ago.  I also have lots of gradient gem stickers from Creative Charms.


First I tried the flowers alone but they just needed a bit of sparkle to really set them off.


I added a green gem sticker to the center of each flower for the finishing touch.  I can write a note in this card or stamp a sentiment in the corner to make the card suit a special occasion.

Just a few more things to share...


If you were one of the many people who wanted to try the ProMarkers but didn't get selected as a winner this week on my blog, you can go visit my "evil twin" Okie's blog.  She has made the most adorable card and she has a set of the same markers to give away to a lucky winner.  So hurry on over to Okie's blog to enter - tell her I sent you!  The deadline is midnight on Saturday, December 8th.


If you are a Facebook user, Creative Charms has a chance for you to win a great gift this week.  The prize is a free Kit of the Month and all you have to do is to post on their Facebook Page about how much you like this month's kit and you will be entered.  The deadline is Sunday at midnight Eastern Standard Time.

Be sure to also check out the Creative Charms Blog for some great ideas on how to use the Kit and Deal of the month.

I have had more questions from readers about Design Studio and the grouping and resizing that I showed in the video last week.  I am hoping to be able to post another video explaining some of the "quirks" of the Design Studio software and how I work around them later today or tomorrow.

Have a great weekend!

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7 comments:

  1. super cool ideas! Love those markers but I don't own any.

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  2. Such a wonderful all round card for any occasion. You can change it so buy just a few extra decorations. Thanks for shareing.

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  3. I love how you do those reverse images. That is really neat. Have no idea where to get transfer tape, but I'll have to look for it, and watch your videos too. Very pretty cards!!

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  4. You have such creative ideas and I learn so tips from you. Thanks for the tip about the transfer tape. I've got to get me some of that stuff.

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  5. I know what you mean about taking a break from pink and red. I'm doing a Valentines card swap and all I'm seeing are hearts!!!

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  6. My gosh how creative is that? LOL
    I wish I could be as disciplined with my scraps of paper etc. I used to save them but finally was being run out of my scraproom with all the "leftover" stuff that I finally gave it a toss!
    So pretty

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