A daily papercrafting blog which features my handmade cards showcasing Creative Expression's products including my own line of cutting dies and embossing folders, Cosmic Shimmer, Ranger and more which use various techniques and ideas to hopefully inspire the creativity in you.
Tutorials
- Home
- My Ribbon Flower Tutorial
- Fancy Nestie
- Blossoms Five Flower Bud
- Blossoms Five Full Flower
- Easel Tutorial
- Wax Paper Embossing Folder Tutorial
- Caught In Crystal
- Shaving Foam Tutorial
- Quilt Card Tutorial
- Paved Pearl Technique
- Faux Leather Technique
- Plaited Ribbon Wreath Tutorial
- Paper Rose Tutorial
Saturday, 31 March 2012
Light Tomorrow With Today
Friday, 30 March 2012
Sewing Collage
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Flowers For A Friend
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
First Sneak Peek
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Beaded Lattice
and covered it with my adhesive sheet, cut the lattice accent piece, then peeled off the backing sheet and covered this piece with clear micro beads as well. I cut three Moroccan borders and made two flowers from them by rolling and gathering them using redline tape to stick them. I added some gold leafs cut using the damask accents. I tied a large bow using the new gold silky crush ribbon and added a gold button from my craft stash. A couple of decorative pearl pins finished off the bow as well as the card. Hopefully the past three days posts have given you some completely different ideas for my lattice motifs and accent dies. Hope you have enjoyed them. I still have several cards that I haven't posted yet from previous shows, but I think it is time tomorrow for a sneak peek for the shows that I will be doing starting Friday at noon. If you want to have a peek, be sure to check back tomorrow morning! All for now, Sue x
Monday, 26 March 2012
Patterned Lattice
Hi everyone! Another lattice sample for today! I wanted to see how it looked with decorative papers this time. I stamped my sentiment then I cut the lattice motif out of some blue patterned paper (I believe these papers are actually Stampin' Up papers from my craft stash) and matted it on a faux nestie of cream card that I made by tracing around the die itself and hand cutting it out. Use a bit of 400 grit sandpaper to take off any rough spots. using a coordinating decorative paper, I cut some of the Moroccan accents pieces and four corners. I used the corners to hold hands with the accent piece. I mounted this atop my lattice motif and mounted the sentiment on the very top. I used a bit of black soot ink to highlight the sentiment before taking it out of the die too. Using a piece of cream crocheted ribbon, I wrapped it across the middle of the card over some decorative striped card. I cut one Moroccan border and cut it into pieces to tuck under my crochet ribbon on both sides. I made a couple of ribbon roses out of the white silky crush ribbon using my redline tape technique. I used a piece of white seam binding which I dyed to match my paper with tumbled glass distress ink and a tiny piece of white grosgrain ribbon to make a messy bow base for my flowers. I put four large half pearls in the corners and filled in the edge between them with pearl PVA glue dots. I rather like the contrast between the large corners and the small dots myself. What do you think of the patterned paper look? All for now, Sue x
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Kraft Lattice
Morning all! I was trying to create a completely different look with my Lattice dies with this one. I have used mostly black card and kraft card, coupled with a few other natural elements. I stamped my sentiment on kraft card and cut it with the lattice motif die and inked through the die with black soot distress ink to bring out both the lattice pattern and highlight the sentiment. I cut another one from black card and cut it in half to mount to the outside edge as a shadow accent. I used a patterned kraft card as a background and did a messy sewn edge on it, overlapping the lines a few times. I cut a piece of hessian and removed some of the strands to loosen the weave and mounted it behind my focal element. I had several grungeboard swirls in my craft stash. I painted them with black Eco-Green brand paint and mounted them on the bottom of my card. I added three flowers, one was made from cotton hemp ribbon which I fringed before rolling. One was made from the new silky crush ribbon which I rolled and the last one was one of our zipper flowers. I used some of the suede leaves with them. The entire piece was matted on to black card which I added some black PVA glue dots around the edge as a frame and accent. Hopefully this may appeal to those of you which like a little edgier style. I liked the fact that the dies could work well in this style as well as others.
It's Sunday so you know what that means! Sunday Comment Game Winners! Today's winning names that were drawn were:
CraftygasheadZo!!!
Christine Hussey!!!
Jane Stillman!!!
Ladies, you must email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and claim your prize! Thanks to everyone for leaving such amazing comments, I really appreciate them! All for now, Sue x
All for now, Sue x
It's Sunday so you know what that means! Sunday Comment Game Winners! Today's winning names that were drawn were:
CraftygasheadZo!!!
Christine Hussey!!!
Jane Stillman!!!
Ladies, you must email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your address and claim your prize! Thanks to everyone for leaving such amazing comments, I really appreciate them! All for now, Sue x
All for now, Sue x
Saturday, 24 March 2012
A Variation On The Fancy Nesty Tutorial
Friday, 23 March 2012
Another Concertina Card
While I am on the subject of paper piercing, I have been getting quite a few emails asking me about it. I use the Tim Holtz design ruler which has holes in it. I line it up with the edge of the card that I am going to pierce and I anchor the ruler to my the outside of my card using push pins stuck into my foam mat. You have to have a foam mat under your card so the needle on your piercing tool has somewhere to go as it pokes through your card. I always start two holes in from the edge and end two holes in from the edge. I find that this gives the most even edge around my card. It doesn't always line up perfectly, especially if your cutter is a bit wonky like mine. Sometimes I will have to make small adjustments as I go along so it will come up even at the end. I always hold the ruler as I go even though it is anchored too as there is always a tiny bit of play in it.
The other question that I have been asked a lot is about the stamps. I am connected to Creative Expressions and all the producst that I use (unless I state it is from my craft stash) are from Creative Expressions, including every stamp set I use. The one exception is the decorative papers. If you are interested in where to purchase any of the other products, you can go on their website and look up the product and they will list the retailers that have purchased those products from them. There are several competing distributors that carry the same products for retailers, such as Spellbinders and Ranger products. If you like what I do, please support me and ask your local retailers to order the products I use from Creative Expressions. Please feel free to email me if you have any other questions. All for now, Sue x
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Sunshine And Laughter
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Gold And Black Joy
I split the background in to three panels with two small side panels and one large panel in the centre. I cut two different dies of the ribbon buckle set, one marge and one smaller. I fed the ribbon through one side of the larger one first, then through the entire smaller buckle, then through the other side of the larger buckle. The ribbon ends were secured around the back of the centre panel only. I cut two damask borders to go along the sides of the two smaller side panels. I stamped my sentiment and cut it out with the large Splendid circle die. I inked it slightly with antique linen, which is actually lighter than the colour of card that I used, but it becomes a shadow on it more than a distinct colour which I like. I cut a slightly larger circle in black as a mat (you could use the splendid circle to make a faux mat if you don't have the right size of circle to use). I mounted them both on 3D foam above my ribbon and buckles. No paper piercing today, but rather decided to use the new gold Cosmic Shimmer PVA glue to make dots around the edge to complete my card. Hope you like it, it's an easy one, but a useful general layout for any occasion. All for now, Sue x
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
I Like Your Style
Monday, 19 March 2012
In Love With All White
Sunday, 18 March 2012
Double Ship Cards and Sunday Winners
As it is Sunday, I have randomly drawn the weekly winners from the comment game. They are:
iRene M!!!
ValJ!!!
SueLewis-Paynter!!!
Congratulations!!!
Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to confirm your postal address and claim your prize. As I am still in the States for a while longer, I need to postpone the blog candy drawing until I return. Any comment game prizes will be sent out when I return also. All for now, Sue x
Saturday, 17 March 2012
More Micro Beads
Friday, 16 March 2012
Friendship Doubles Joy
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Just Because
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Nicest Thoughts
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Purple And Gold, Really!
Monday, 12 March 2012
Beaded Background Cards
Morning all! I've got a couple of versions of the same card for you today. I think it is fun to see the exact same card in different colour choices, don't you? When I finish a card that I was having some difficulties deciding on things like paper choices or layout, I always wonder if it would have looked better if I had done something different. The first card shown is actually the second card that I made. I finished the sample and wasn't completely happy with it so when I decided to do it as a demo for one of the shows but I changed it a bit. I think it made all the difference in it. I started with a piece of teal card, covered it with a piece of the self adhesive sheets. I cut about eight or nine of the smaller Persian motif pieces in black for the demo. The original card, I cut them in white. I peeled the backing paper off and laid them randomly all over the teal card without overlapping any of them. Where they went off the edge of the card, I trimmed them even with the edge (I used the leftover bits for around the edges too so nothing went to waste!) I pressed them firmly into the adhesive sheet then poured my clear micro beads over it to fill in the remaining areas of the background. The focal element was created using the motif and corners from the Persian set of dies and one of the splendid circles cut out of the same teal card. The difference in the two cards is merely the changing of white pieces to black pieces. I feel like the focal element done in the white just allowed it to pop more against the black and teal background. What do you think?
I pierced around the edges of both cards and matted them with teal and black. I really like the way the micro beads just add so much texture and interest to a simple card.
I thought you might get a kick out of this pic of Dean. I did ask his permission before posting this picture by the way too. He had sent me off to get ready for my demo and it had taken me so long to find what I needed that he made himself comfortable waiting for me. I believe the camera was doing still shots of the products while he was leisurely waiting for me. I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped this shot moments before he jumped down off the counter. What a character he is! You got to love him! All for now, Sue x
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Footprints On Our Hearts
Hi there my crafty friends! Here is another one of those buckle type cards. I really like the look of this tartan background paper with it's brown, green, red and yellow colour combo. It's a bit wild and made for a wild card, but I still like it as its different. I started with a piece of it and added the Moroccan border all the way around the edge, just peeking out. I cut the romantic rectangle and used the next size down to cut it into a frame. I cut a label 25 in red, then stamped my sentiment on the matching backing paper (actually the backside of the tartan paper) and cut it with the next smaller size of labels 25. I used that die to create a faux nestie for it in brown. I wove a strip of the matching paper with some red edged organza ribbon through the frame and the labels 25. I finished the card with a big bow on the side of the card. This is one of the new ribbons we have been carrying at Creative Expressions and it ties a really nice bow.
Now for the comment game winners! We have three winners for the comment game and an additional three winners from the post of March 8th!
Congratulations to: lestim, Mariannes Craftroom, Hellma and
tinaco, jollyjoyce, and nesscraftyqueen
Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to claim your prize! I still have a few unclaimed prizes from past blog candy and comment games, please be sure to check the lists (scroll back down the page to past posts) to see if you have won! All for now, Sue x
Now for the comment game winners! We have three winners for the comment game and an additional three winners from the post of March 8th!
Congratulations to: lestim, Mariannes Craftroom, Hellma and
tinaco, jollyjoyce, and nesscraftyqueen
Please email me at americansue1@gmail.com to claim your prize! I still have a few unclaimed prizes from past blog candy and comment games, please be sure to check the lists (scroll back down the page to past posts) to see if you have won! All for now, Sue x
Saturday, 10 March 2012
With Kindness
Good morning all! I'm not sure what the weather is doing in the UK today, but chances are you might need a touch of spring to your day! I have had this background paper in my stash for ages so I thought I would use it (can't for the life of me remember who makes it though, sorry). I started with a piece about 5" x 7" for this card, rounded the corners and matted it on to a couple layers of white card, one which I pierced. I used the two largest sizes of Labels 25 to create a frame. I cut strips of white card to create a trellis look in the frame. I did this by tuning the frame over to the back and taping the strips across in one direction. The next step is to go the other direction with the remaining strips, but to weave them over and under the first set already in place. This is very easy to do and especially because there aren't too many to begin with. Trim off any bits that my show from the front of the frame. I cut another piece for the bottom that included a faux nestie of the largest size that just peeks out from underneath and I used the same die size for the inner cut so that my background paper would show through. I stamped my sentiment on the background paper and cut it out with one of the smaller sizes of the labels 25 die templates. Mounting it on foam pieces, I set it in the centre of the trellis.
This was my first play with the clear micro beads. I used the spiral flower one for my sample test and I loved the way they looked. Pick the card you want to use, peel off a piece of the adhesive sheets and cover an area large enough for your die. Cut your shape in your machine. Peel the backing paper off and pour your micro beads over it. Push them firmly into your card and tap off any excess. For the spiral flowers, I recommend cutting off the base piece and using a piece of non beaded coated card. This will allow the base of the flower to adhere better. Use a glue dot to hold the cut end of the flower to the side. I put a pearl in the centre of the flower because the flowers won't roll as tightly with the beads coating them. The pearl fills the centre and adds a nice embellishment to the flower too. I used our green suede leaves to accompany the flower. These are really nice to use and you can pull them apart to make two leaves. They aren't felt, they are a suede material and allow a very tactile feel to your cards. I couldn't resist a few pearl swirls in the upper corner to complete the card. I hope it brings a bit of spring to your day! All for now, Sue x
Friday, 9 March 2012
Persian Motifs and Accents
Today is one of my favourite cards that has been done in a simple, not too over the top manner. No large ribbons or bows, no flowers, nothing too terribly sparkly. You are probably even wondering if I actually made this card as the only real tell tale sign of that is the piercing around the edges, huh? Yes I did and I really like to use the dies to simply emboss in to the card sometimes as it gives a really nice detail for the eye to wander around. These Persian Motifs do exactly that since they are beautifully detailed and rich looking. I thought I would have the embossing start off the card a bit so it almost looks like an afterthought. While the die was still in place, I used some antique linen distress ink to highlight the embossed detail and bring it out a bit more. I cut two of the Persian accent borders to go across the card, separating the sentiment from the focal element. I offset the border so that the more ornate part showed on both border dies. I stamped my sentiment underneath in the corner in black archival ink. I added a large black rhinestone swirl to the top of the card rising up from the borders to the far corner. A final bit of piercing around the edge framed and finished it for me. I know that the colours don't always come across in the correct way so just to let you know this card is black and taupe coloured. Both of these colours were part of the cardstock pack that was available on C & C at the beginning of the POTD shows. This card could work in simply any colour choice without issue. I hope you like it! All for now, Sue x
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Happy Birthday Dad!
First up, let's talk about the card. I love black and white and pink, and for some reason it always reminds me of Paris. I probably love it because it reminds me of Paris, which is where my daughter took me last June for my birthday! I started with a black and white striped background which I added a pink and white decorative paper down the centre. I cut two Moroccan border dies to add to each side. I cut a romantic rectangle in black for the background to my focal element. I cut the largest size of labels 25 and then used the embossibility folder to give it pattern and texture. I left the card in the die and placed it atop the opened folder. The folder must remain open for this technique or your die will cut into (and ruin) your folder. Very important not to close it! I topped it with my tan mat and I had to add a few pieces of card to act as a shim. Remember that the folder was open so it was not the usual thickness. I had to account for this so I added the tan mat and shims. Once embossed, I inked it with Spun Sugar distress ink over the top while still in the die. This gave me that nice crisp white edge. I layered it on to the rectangle. Next I stamped my sentiment and cut it out with a smaller size of labels 25. I very lightly inked this too. I cut two Damask Motif pieces and used them to clip on to the side of my sentiment piece top and bottom. I nipped the ends of these pieces off and attached them to the sides of the label die to create an interesting shaped frame around it. I glued all of these in place and added the piece to the centre of the card to complete my focal element. With a little bit of matting and layering and piercing around the edge, the card was complete.
Now, about my Dad.
I had the amazing opportunity to be part of a lovely ceremony in honour of my Father last Friday. I would like to tell you about it. When I was last home, my Mother had a memorial service for my Father at Bushnell Cemetery in Florida. It is a military cemetery and my Dad was a Lt. Col. in the US Air Force. There was an honour guard there and they presented my Mom with a flag in honour of my Dad's service.
He was stationed here in the UK at Molesworth for part of his duty. He was a fighter pilot and part of the 303rd bomb group that made up a large part of the Molesworth base back in World War II. At the entrance to the base, there is a beautiful monument to the 303rd bomb group. I've included a picture for you to see. I drive over periodically to put flowers on it. It is a nice connection for me with my Dad.
Several years ago, I made a presentation on behalf of my Father at Molesworth. He had spent over a dozen years researching the whereabouts of every man (over 3300) that was in the 303rd bomb group and tirelessly recorded the research in a set of seven binders which are now on display in the library at Molesworth. When my Father passed last year, I phoned my contact at Molesworth (Mr. Peter Park) to let him know. Peter arranged for the flag that was given to my Mother at his service to be flown over the base at Molesworth for the day on Friday March 2nd.. In a touching ceremony, that flag was taken down, folded and presented back to me at 4pm that day. The first Friday of each month, the enlisted men are in their dress uniforms and it also happened to be the anniversary of one of my Father's missions over Frankfort some 68 years earlier. My Dad flew over 30 missions while stationed at Molesworth, which was more missions than any of his peers and nine of those missions over the heart of war torn Berlin. To say that I am incredibly proud of my Father's bravery is an understatement. The fact that I am even here is a miracle since so many never returned from those missions to keep us free.
My Dad has always supported my in whatever endeavour I have undertaken. I will never forget when I was much younger and he was retiring from his job as a stockbroker and financial planner, he wanted me to take over his clients for him. Now mind you, I have three brothers, but he thought that I would be well suited for the job. I said that I wanted to do something more creative and start a rubber stamp business. There was no argument, he simply said to me that he wanted me to do whatever would make me happy. He knew that I would have been more successful financially if I had followed in his footsteps, but at what cost. I have never looked back at that decision. Thank you Dad for allowing me the security of choosing a career path that has always made me incredibly happy. I feel truly blessed.
My Dad used to send me these incredible emails that either had beautiful pictorial slides, amusing anecdotes or life lesson stories. I always looked forward to opening emails that he sent and usually having a kleenex nearby as they were always very sentimental and touching. I'm a big softy for those kinds of things. When I started my blog, the third post that I ever made included the except below. I would like to reprint here. I think it is very true and I have often gone back and reread it when I needed a boost. With your permission, here it is cut and pasted from my original blog post of June 2009:
My Dad, who is 89 years old, sent me this. I thought that I would like to share it with others even though it is quite long. I hope you take something from it with you. LESSONS OF LIFE .Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles.3 4. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come.. 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift." Remember that I will always share my spoon with you! Friends are the family that we choose for ourselves I think that we all need to take a few moments every day and be grateful and appreciative of what we have.
I love you Dad!
All for now, Sue x
I love you Dad!
All for now, Sue x
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Lovely Lattice
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Earthtone Medallion Card
Hello everyone! Back to earthtones for today's post. I like this one, especially all the fun Spellbinder layers. I started with the romantic rectangle (the largest one in the set), cut it and then layed it across the die (like in a plus sign), roughly lined up the four holes (it isn't perfect, but it is very close) and cut it again to make a square shape. I added some black rhinestones on each corner to hide any imperfections. Next comes the Lattice Motif (sneaking it's way back into my posts!), cut in rust coloured card. Layered on top of that is two of the Persian Accent pieces with the points up and down. Next is another piece from my Lattice set, it was cut in black and layered up in a diamond shape fashion. Last layer is another of the Persian accents, but this time, I added a very small piece from the set in the centre and just embossed it, adding a rhinestone to the middle. I layered this one offset to the others ones too. This created a nice medallion look for an interesting focal element. I added a few swirls to the top and bottom for interest. I stamped my sentiment in black to the side and added a big black double bow out of satin. The two beautiful stick pins were a gift made and sent to me by Lindyloo. Aren't they gorgeous!! I added a couple of black glints to the top and bottom to finish the card. Super simple just a matter of playing with the layers until you find a pleasing look you are happy with. All for now, Sue x
Monday, 5 March 2012
Blog Candy Winners
Hi guys! Just a quick post to get the new Blog Candy Contest Winners announced. If you have just logged in for the day, there is a card project that was posted this morning, just scroll down to the post below. Be sure to check to see if you have won candy first though!
I'll make it quick. The THIRD place winner is.............................................
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Cazann49!!!
The winner of the SECOND place prize is...................
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Sandra (Misty)
and now , finally the WINNER of the FIRST place Grand Prize is........
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LEXIE!!!
Congratulations to all of you! You must email me at americansue1@gmail.com to claim your prizes and confirm your addresses please. The blog candy contest rolls on and the next drawing will take place when we reach 2600 followers! Thanks for all your support. All for now, Sue x
I'll make it quick. The THIRD place winner is.............................................
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Cazann49!!!
The winner of the SECOND place prize is...................
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Sandra (Misty)
and now , finally the WINNER of the FIRST place Grand Prize is........
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LEXIE!!!
Congratulations to all of you! You must email me at americansue1@gmail.com to claim your prizes and confirm your addresses please. The blog candy contest rolls on and the next drawing will take place when we reach 2600 followers! Thanks for all your support. All for now, Sue x
Quilt Card and Tutorial
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