Monday 30 January 2017

LOVE a simple Valentines card - Papermilldirect DT


Hello, today I'm sharing this simple idea for a Valentines card. The +Papermilldirect Design Team are working on the Valentines theme (don't forget to check out the Papermilldirect Valentines Craft challenge, simply create a Valentines project for your chance to win a £25 voucher).  

Step by Step:
Take a 4” square of Papermilldirect white card, I’m using the White Linen as I love the effect of stamping onto this card. Ink up your stamp using black archival ink and stamp onto the linen card towards the right hand side.  (tip: try practising onto copy paper first).


Die cut the red hearts design using PMD Intensive Red 160gsm. it's a lovely weight for diecutting.  I’m using a Tattered Lace Tuck Ins die set but any heart themed dies would work well.

Use a clear drying glue such as Cosmic Shimmer to glue the heart die cuts onto the linen square, positioning to the left of stamped sentiment.   Use double sided tape to mat linen square onto a slightly larger square of PMD Black card, to give a small border all around.
 
Create a card blank by scoring and folding an A4 sheet of PMD Black card and trimming down to create a 5 ¾” square card base.  Cut a 5 ¼” square of PMD White Linen and mat onto card base front using d/s tape to adhere.


To finish, mount focal panel centrally onto card front using 3D foam to create height.  A simple white liner with your chosen greeting will complete the design ready for posting.




Materials Used:
Black Smooth Card 250gsm – Papermilldirect
White Linen Card 255gsm – Papermilldirect
Intensive Red Plain Card 160gsm – Papermilldirect
LOVE clear Stamp (DCSTP013) – Dovecraft
Essentials Tuck ins Hearts (ETL173) – Tattered Lace
Black Archival Ink
Adhesives: D/S Tape, Clear Drying Glue, 3D Foam





Saturday 28 January 2017

Year of The Rooster, Dream Big! - Trimcraft DT


Hello, as it’s the Chinese New Year – Year of the Rooster for 2017.  I thought it would be fun to make a themed card that would also be suitable to give as a Birthday card or a Good Luck card.  The theme of a New Year and ‘Dream Big’ are quite motivational too.  Rather than reds, I have used the muted colours in the Simply Creative Sweet Dreams papers to create a modern card with silver to highlight.

 Step By Step:
  1. Take a Dovecraft Silver 6x6 card base (I’m using one from the Christmas Basics pack) using with fold across the top.
    Cut a slightly smaller square of pink ‘Sweet Dreams’ paper and adhere inside.  Cut another square of different pattern paper and adhere to card front using d/s tape.  

  2. Cut a 12.5cm square of pale pink polka dot paper and adhere to card front in the centre.
    Cut a strip of Dream Big paper and adhere across bottom third of card front using d/s tape.
  3. Using the nesting star dies (FEDIE137X16) cut 1 large from feather pattern paper and next size down from pale pink paper.  Mat smaller star onto larger star, and then again onto card front using d/s tape and glue.
  4. Die-cut the Rooster / Chicken (FEDIE065) from silver card twice (I’m using a spare card base to match) and glue both together to add depth before gluing to centre of star on card front.
  5. Using the Bird die set (FEDIE059) die cut 3 feathers (2 from silver card and 1 from Sweet Dreams paper.  Arrange feathers at right of stars, gluing only at the bottom so you can shape the feathers for dimension.  Top with a die cut star from silver card.
  6. Use Simply Creative adhesive stickers in silver foil to add lettering to spell ‘Rooster’ across top of card and ‘2017 across bottom.  On the sticker sheet there are some circles, add one to each corner of paper panel and add a star to the die cut star with the feathers.
  7. To finish, add a small clear adhesive gem to the eye of the Rooster.

    Products Used:
     
    • Simply Creative FSC Paper Pad 6x6 Sweet Dreams SCPAD040
    • Dovecraft Christmas Basics 6x6 Cards & Envelopes - Gold and Silver DCCAE011X16
    • First Edition Dies - Farmyard FEDIE065
    • First Edition Dies - Birds FEDIE059 
    • Simply Creative Alphabet & Number Stickers - Classic Foil Silver SCSTK018

Monday 23 January 2017

Love is in the Air! A Penny Spinner Card - Trimcraft DT


Hello, I'm back to share a Valentines card with you.  I love to make penny spinner cards, you may spot a few in my Trimcraft gallery or on my facebook pages, but this time I’ve made a valentines themed one using the new Simply Creative ‘Around the World’ papers which team perfectly with the Dovecraft hot air balloon die.

I have made a little video to show the card in action: https://youtu.be/NJWp0D1ySyA

and here's the Step by Step:
  1. To create the penny spinner base card you may find it easier to follow my previous Trimcraft Tutorial link here: http://www.trimcraft.co.uk/articles/first-edition-travel-notes-penny-spinner-card-tutorial Use cloud pattern paper from the Simply Creative ‘Around the World’ 6x6 paper pad for the background and to cover the central circle.
    Use the hot air balloon pattern paper from the same pad to cover the raised panel.
  2. Die cut the hot air balloon from different papers in the pad and again from Kraft card, glue the papers on top of the kraft card to give strength to the piece.  Dovecraft red glitter card has been used for the heart on the balloon.
  3. Die cut 2 clouds from white card using the First Edition Weather die set. 
    Stamp letters to spell out ‘LOVE’ on 1 cloud using black ink and the S/C Alphabet stamp set. 
    Stamp letters to spell out ‘is the Air’ on the other cloud. 
    Glue the ‘LOVE’ cloud at top left on card front and the other cloud into the centre circle.
  4. Use perma fix tape to adhere a 1p coin to back of hot air balloon shape, add 3D foam to centre being careful to only place in the centre and add the 2nd 1p coin.  Slip the bottom coin under the channel on card front and test the spin. 
    You can carefully pull apart to adjust the foam if required, you may need a double height of foam.
    I have made a little video to show the card in action: https://youtu.be/NJWp0D1ySyA


    Products Used:
     
    Simply Creative FSC Paper Pad 6x6 Around the World SCPAD046

    Dovecraft Kraft 6"x6" Cards & Envelopes

    DCCE024

    Dovecraft A4 Kraft Card

    DCBS103

    Dovecraft A4 White Laid Card

    DCBS100

    Dovecraft Die – Hot Air Balloon

    DCDIE070

    Simply Creative Alphabet Stamp - Typewriter

    SCSTP001

    First Edition Dies - Weather

    FEDIE052

    Dovecraft A4 Glitter Card - Ruby (Red)

    DCGC05



Thursday 19 January 2017

Back to Blogland with this Butterfly GAP Card - Trimcraft DT



Hello, yes it's me! I'm back again after a little break.  A lot happened towards the end of 2016, some good (Cardmaker of the Year!) unfortunately some sad (a very dear friend passed away). But with a New Year comes new beginnings and new inspiration and I'd like to start by sharing this  +Trimcraft Ltd project with you.


Have you seen the free Dovecraft die set on the cover of Crafts Beautiful magazine (February Issue #302)?  It consists of 2 dies, a large and detailed butterfly die and a ‘With Love’ sentiment.  I thought I would update my Butterfly GAP card style with a modern look, so have teamed vibrant Cerise glitter card with the black & white papers of FE ‘Black Out’. The turquoise inside panel adds just a pop of contrast colour to peep out from the ‘gap’.  Gap cards don’t always have to involve straight lines, you can easily alter the look by using a gently curving line like this one.

Step By Step:
  1. Score and fold Dovecraft A4 black card and trim down to create a 7 ½” x 5 ½” card base with fold across the top.
    Cut a panel of turquoise paper from First Edition ‘Story Teller’ 8x8 paper pad and adhere inside card using d/s tape.

  2. Cut a panel of floral black & white paper from the FE ‘Black Out 8x8 pad and adhere to card front using d/s tape around the edges but also glue on the reverse particularly along where the diagonal line with go.
  3. Open up card blank with card front paper side upwards and using a craft knife or scissors carefully cut a simply wavy line across the card front, see photos. (You may wish to pencil the line first to guide you).
    Remove the bottom part and trim a small strip off the bottom so the wavy line is now a small gap when positioned against the card base.
  4. Using the free Dovecraft die set, cut 1 sentiment and 3 butterflies from Dovecraft Cerise glitter Card (DCGC18). 
    Using a clear drying glue, adhere the sentiment and 3 butterflies onto Dovecraft Vellum and cut each out leaving a border all around. 
  5. Next cut 3 more vellum butterfly outlines and use these to ‘attach’ the top and bottom of the card front, you will need to use a clear drying glue and position them at angles so they look to be flying across the card.  (Use something heavy to hold down the card front whilst the vellum butterflies dry.

    When Gap card is attached, add the 3 glitter & vellum layered butterflies on top of their matching vellum shapes along the ‘Gap’.  Fold up the wings on each butterfly and glue only along the body.  When dry you can bend up the wings a bit more.
  6. Adhere the Glitter & Vellum layered sentiment to card front at top left.
    Add a length of purple ric rac ribbon across the bottom of the card (Santoro) using clear drying glue and allow to dry.
  7. To finish, add a sprinkle of Bohemian Sequins gluing in place. 
    Note*If you wish to add more strength to your card front, then just cut a piece of Dovecraft Acetate the same size as card front and use a strip of perma fix tape along the top only and attach behind card front panel to give an extra independent clear layer.  (You could also use this to add a hidden sentiment if you wish).

Products Used:
Free Cover Gift - Dovecraft Die Set - Crafts Beautiful Magazine

First Edition 8x8 FSC Paper Pad Black Out

FEPAD141

First Edition 8x8 FSC Paper Pad Storyteller

FEPAD138

Dovecraft A4 Black Card

DCBS102

Dovecraft A4 Premium Vellum

DCBS78

Dovecraft A4 Acetate Sheets

DCBS106

A4 Glitter Card (Cerise)

DCGC18

SANTORO®'s Willow Ribbon Box

SNCR003

Dovecraft Bohemian Sequins 

DCSEQ002