Tonic Craft kit 11

For a lot more videos, inspiration and information regarding the monthly Tonic Craft Kit, click here.

Birthday card with butterflies

I made this card for one of my best friends a couple of weeks ago.

the base of the card is die cut using the Sizzix tim Holtz Tag and Bookplate die.

I used the Intricate Butterflies (Sizzix Thinlits Die Set 8PK - Butterflies, Intricate by Paula Pascual 659971),  Sizzix Framelits Die Set - Tab Cards 659970 and the Everyday Tab Messages CICSA6256 (Craftie Charlie | The Glitter Pot | Sir Stampalot).

The base of the card is a patchwork technique done with some of my favourite My Minds Eye papers from a few years ago. Love those pinks and greens together. Simple but made with love

Just beacuse

This week I don't think I will be able to post much. But I will try to share some past cards that I don't think I have featured yet on the blog.
This one, for instance, was from the Patchwork article I did for Card Making and Papercraft a couple of issues ago.

This month is Cardmaking and Papercraft...

Yes, it is, Patchwork Emboss and sand. It is issue 83, October.

By the way, tomorrow I will demonstrating at The Glitter Pot, at their new fab shop. There will be many other demonstrators so it is worth even if you are tired of me! Because I will be using die cutting products as well as my stamps and distress inks.

Cardmaking and Papercraft

Yesterday I got in the post the subscribers issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft, issue 83, October, in which I have the article on the Patchwork technique. It is actually called Embossing on page 54, but it does have the step by step photos on how to create the Patchwork panel and how to emboss it and sand it. 


Also, if you register to the Cardmaking & Papercraft website you will be able to download one of my previous projects, a Kioshi bird card -Issue 79- on their website. You can download the pdf file here.


Regarding Gap cards, another top tip. Get and use one of these Fine Tip bottles here. 

I find that the most important thing with gap cards is actually the glue holding it together. A wet glue will always be stronger bond than a dry one -double sided tape, tape runner, glue dots, sticky dots... But wet glue is messy, that is why having this little bottle dispense tiny amounts -pin head size- is indispensable.


The Fine Tip bottle comes empty so you can fill it and refill it with your favorite PVA glue. Personally, I like Aleene's Tacky Glue:

Beautiful Day

Sunny skies, lovely temperature, perfect day to enjoy outdoors with my husband.

But I would like to share this card, last in the series of Patchwork and Butterflies, that I made at the June Extravaganza at the Craft Barn. By the way, The Craft Barn is having another of the big weekend demos in September. It is worth making a planned visit for both days as it is so full of extraordinary demonstrators like Leandra from Paperartsy and Lin from LB Crafts.

The importance of...

There are so many important things in cardmaking. Personally, I think that a good knowledge of paper/card is the single most important. It's not essential, but once acquired paper crafting seems much easier. I am talking about knowing how paper works, the advantages of printed card, the best techniques to use on pearlescent card and so on. The best part of learning about paper and card is that it only takes practice, the more that you use it the more that you learn about the capabilities.

For this card I used printed card to create a patchwork panel. Thick Card (above 270gsm) is not ideal for this technique, and this card I used here it is around that gsm, however because it is a printed card, i.e. solid color printed on white card, still worked, although I had to use extra power on my die cutting machine. To reveal the white core, just sand the top off gently.

Butterflies

More butterflies using the same Marianne die as before onto a patchwork panel.

A close up to show how great the pearlescent gold mica powder shimmers on the black card.

Message: Mix and Match.

Die: Butterfly Marianne Designs.

Embossing Folder: Polka Dots.

Chipboard elements

Today I am busy, busy at QVC. I am not going on air, thank goodness! (I get way too nervous for my liking) but I am helping out Dawn and Lindsay Mason who has her TSV. It is gorgeous. So till later, need to run!

Die cutting Patchwork elements

This one is another card I made at the demo day at The Glitter Pot last month using die cutting and my own stamps. Because I am still in patchworkmania I did a lot of those cards during the two days demo. One of the things I tried was to die cut some of the patchwork panels, and they came out really well, like this A from the Serif Essentials.

Wishing you...

I am afraid more Patchwork, although this time without embossing. The message on the strip is attached at either end with a tiny amount of Tacky glue, because of the length of the strip is longer than the which of the patchwork panel, it buckles a bit without any help of foam pads it will keep the 3D effect. I am not sure that it would survive posting though, but if you are handing in the card, it should be fine.