Summer Party Invites

May 21st, 2013

For many of us, summer time is party time. Up and down the country, outdoor furniture and barbeque sets will be being dusted off in preparation for social gatherings.

Organising everything for your party, from the food to the entertainment, might seem like a daunting task. But, whatever type of party you’re having, there’s one thing you should always make time to invest time in – party invites.

Nothing cements an event in people’s minds like a specially crafted invite, and if you put the time and effort into yours, you’ll be sure to create a feeling of anticipation among your invitees – making your event the place to be.

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when designing and making your own summer party invites:

Use Bright Colours

When choosing your cardstock, select a light, bright coloured variety for your background. Light blues and yellows will give your creation a beachy, seaside feel, or, if you’re having your party in the park, try using a deep, grassy green. Remember that your featured elements should stand out from your light background, so use marker pens in bolder colours, or embellishments which are sharp and don’t get lost in your supporting shades.

Bold Lettering

Try to avoid thin, calligraphic lettering – these sorts of fonts are usually associated with formal events or winter. Chunky, thick lettering will give your design a fun feel, and let your invitees know what sort of party they’re in for. Cut out your own letter templates, or use thick coloured marker pens to achieve the specific style you want for your message.

Keep it Summery

When choosing embellishments, or even if you’re making your own, keep your summery theme in mind. Surfers, beach-balls, sunglasses, flowers – hot summer elements like these should be integral to your design, and will help to boost your invitees’ faith in the weather being perfect on the big day! Or, if you’re holding a party with a specific theme, such as a barbeque or outdoor music, try to incorporate these elements into your design with rubber stamp designs or illustrations.

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Creating Your Own Wedding Stationery

May 14th, 2013

The weather is warming up (phew!) which is a sure sign wedding season is on its way. Wedding stationery tends to be timeless, classic and most likely embellished. Tastes vary though and if you’re a creative person, chances are you will want to make your own wedding stationery. Your wedding invitation through the post can be the first indication to some of the people in your life that your big day is indeed approaching. The invites themselves will definitely hold sentimental and keepsake value, especially if they’re hand made.

You can also make sure your ‘Thank You’ cards co-ordinate with your invites and place cards if you intend on creating these yourself. It’s important to take into consideration the general colour theme you’re planning for the event including flowers etc. and whether this is something you would also like to incorporate in your place cards and invites. To make sure your special day is perfect right down to the stationery; the following is a selection of some of our wedding related products.

Stickers can be used on place cards or invitations and are a great way to add detail. We stock many wedding themed stickers, 3 dimensional, handmade and embellished with glitter, gems and beads. A further benefit many people find in using stickers is that it allows you to design the card how you want to your requirements.

We also stock a varied range of die cut wedding words in an array of colours and fonts. These are ideal for placing on the front of invites and cost 95p for a pack of 6. Each die cut card approximately measures 70mm wide x 60 mm high. The phrases ‘Wedding Invitation’, ‘Evening Invitation’ and ‘Order of Service’ are available to purchase. Available in the colours bronze, silver, gold, copper and turquoise.

Our wedding die cut decoupage could be the perfect accompaniment to the above items in decorating an invite. We stock a range of wedding themed die cut cards including images of bride and groom, flowers, cake, champagne and hearts.

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Stamps, Die Cuts and Inked Edges

May 10th, 2013

Those of you who follow our Card Making Challenge blog will know that the winner of the March Challenge used inks in not only inking the edges of the pattern created by the embossing folder she used but also to create the die cut flowers that toned so beautifully with the rest of the design.

Stamping to create a card topper and the use of inks as a decorative addition when card making are gaining popularity.  Elsewhere on this blog you will find an article on inking edges in our How To……. category but we thought you would like to see some cards made by Eleanor that shows what extra dimension can be created to a card simple by inking the edges.

Here the surrounding edges of the A5 card blank have been inked using Tim Holtz Distress ink in Broken China to coordinate with the Kingfisher card used as a mount for the stamped image of a lighthouse. The 2 anchors are stamped directly onto the card blank.

Both the kingfisher backing card and the stamped image card are cut out using a die cutting machine, such as the Big Shot, Cuttlebug or Grand Calibur, and Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Eight. The stamped image is glued centrally on the kingfisher card using photo glue and then mounted onto the card blank using 3mm 3D foam pads.

This is a 5 x 7 card blank to which silver corner peel offs are added.

A piece of white card  cut out using a die cutting machine and Spellbinders Nestabilities Decorative Labels Eight is used to take the images stamped using Stazon and the Docrafts Clear Stamp Thank You.  The stamped image is coloured with marker pens.  The edges of the die cut are inked using Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Dusty Concord and the inks left to dry before the die cut is attached to the cad blank with photo glue.

Some of the materials used in the making of these cards.

The lighthouse stamp is a Kanban one and, unfortunately, no longer available.

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Embracing the White Space

May 9th, 2013

There are so many different styles when it comes to cardmaking, and you will certainly develop your own look the more you indulge in this craft. Some people like to change their styles and follow trends in the crafting world too, while others will not deviate from their usual look and will develop a very definite style.

But one look which is often avoided is the minimalist appearance. A lot of cardmakers will get carried away when they are creating their designs and will end up covering the card front with stamped images, bows, gems and embellishments. However, there is no reason to be afraid of white space.

How to Use White Space

The first time you make a card with a lot of white space, it might feel a little unnatural. However, you will soon see that these cards can actually have the most impact. Simply stamp an image onto the card, colour it and add a few gems and that may be all you need for a striking card. Avoid stamping in the centre of the card, always offset the image slightly to the left or right or even add it to a corner. This really helps to balance the card design and is much more eye pleasing. The same effect could be achieved with a die-cut.

When to Use White Space

White space is best used for modern designs. This is perhaps most suited to cards for younger recipients. As well as a younger audience, white space is perfect for wedding stationery. Crisp, white designs are always a favourite for this particular occasion.

When you get your craft stash out and sit down to make a card, it’s so tempting to use a lot of materials and embellishments. Although this approach might be the perfect one to take if you are making a vintage-style card, it might not be the ideal look for all occasions. So be brave and try to make the most of your white space. Embrace it and, you never know, you might just fall in love.

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Card Making Idea – Male Birthday Card

May 8th, 2013

Thinking of card making ideas for men’s cards can be difficult but most men do like to tinker with things so this card using the 3D M-bossabilities Cogs folder is a good one to use as the base for your next male card.

Jacqui has also added a couple of cog embellishments. It’s an easy card to make but you do need a die cutting machine. To make the card you just need a 5 x 7 inch (127 x 178mm) card blank, some Stardream Copper card,  brads, cogs and a topper.

Here are the instructions.

Using the correct sandwich for your machine (see below) emboss the copper card.

Make a hole in each of the corners of the embossed card and push through the brads. Attach this to your 5X7 card blank using photo glue.

Push out a die cut topper and glue it in the top panel using photo glue.

Attach the cogs using mini glue dots.

Please note that because of the depth of the 3D embossing folders you do need a different plate combination to either ordinary folders or the regular M-Bossabilities.  Here are the plate combinations.

Grand Calibur

Pink embossing plate
Raspberry plate

Do not use the C plate.

Big Shot

Multipurpose Platform Open
Grand Calibur Junior Rubber Mat (this will take the 5in x 7in folders)
M-Bossabilities Folder with Card Inside

Sizzix Texture Plate (Black Plate)

Choosing your cardstock

The best cardstock to use with this embossing folder is the Stardream metallic colours. Here Jacqui has used Stardream Copper but Stardream Silver, Stardream Bronze, Stardream Silver, or Stardream Antique Gold would work equally as well.

Adding your Embellishments

Pick a topper that fits the space at the top of the card.  It doesn’t have to be an exact fit – you can leave space around the topper or trim the topper to fit. Toppers, or even decoupage, with a mechanical theme will work best.  Vintage cars or trains would look good with this embossing folder.  Or, how about using a photo of the car the man in your life currently has? Print it out – using greyscale rather than colour and then go over it with Tim Holtz distress inks to tone with the card you are using. Tea Dye is always a good one to use and will work well if using the Stardream Copper card but there are other distress ink colours that will tone with the other Stardream metallic colours.

To tone in your brads with the design, if you don’t have metal brads handy, you can always colour other brads using Crafters Permanent Marker Pens. Although these pens are usually used for colouring peel offs they also work on all kind of surfaces.

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Creating Vintage Designs

May 7th, 2013

Vintage is all the rage right now. Whether it’s fashion or home accessories, many designers are currently striving to create an old, retro look when crafting something new. The vintage craze is big on the high street, as well as in the more trendy independent shops tucked away behind them.

With this in mind, it’s no wonder cardmaking and vintage go hand in hand. For more creative types who like to get practical with their arts and crafts, the vintage look is a popular choice. Additionally, incorporating a vintage theme into your card design, be it for a birthday or other special occasion, will help to bring an earthy yet sophisticated feel to your creation – and let your intended recipient know that their card is something you’ve spent time and effort on.

There are a number of methods and design motifs you can use to give your card a retro theme. Here are some tips and ideas you might consider:

Birdcages

These are a hallmark of many vintage creations. Use readymade embellishments or card toppers, or make your own, using dies, card and  inks.

Fashion Motifs

Dress forms and art deco themes will provide your creation with a vintage, old time look, but will also give it a fashionable edge. Choose from a range of decorative stickers or rubber stamps , or again, make your own using pens and cardstock.

Distress Inks and Markers

The markers come with a brush tip and are great for giving your design an aged look or shade in around your diecuts.  Distress inks are ideal to add  colour around the edge of your card .

Ribbons and Lace

Textile embellishments made from ribbons, bows and lace will help your creation to look like the luxury cards of old. Use them as borders, or cut holes into your cardstock and thread them through to provide a more crafted, sewn look.

Using Colour

Always choose your colour scheme carefully before you begin. Distressed shades of brown and pink are usually the best direction to take when going vintage – brown will remind your recipient of old, wooden furniture, while light pinks will help to give your card a shabby chic feel.

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Making Children’s Party Invites

April 29th, 2013

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There’s only one thing more exciting than Christmas for a child, and that’s their birthday. Most of them will count down the days, hours and minutes until it arrives and spend all their spare time compiling wish lists – and, of course, when it comes to their special day, organising a birthday party is a must.

A lot of work goes into arranging kids’ birthday parties, including organising party games, food and goody bags – but one of the most important things to get right is the invitations. Your child will love having a big pile of invitations to hand around at school, so it’s important to get the design right, and ensure that your child’s party is the place to be.

Birthday Invitation Inspiration

When it comes to birthday party invites, you’ll normally find that the brighter they are, the better. This means investing in plenty of brightly coloured cardstocks and patterned papers. You can also choose from a range of colourful paints and inks.

Glitter is always a good choice when it comes to party invitations for children. All kids love a bit of sparkle and you can opt for girly pink or sparkling blue, depending on the birthday boy or girl. Choose from either loose glitter, or glitter glue for that neater finish.

Add a bit of fun using pom pom embellishments, or tassels. There are plenty of readymade tassels available and you can even add a bit of sparkle to them – or you can make your own from scratch using wool and either cardboard rings or a fork.

There are plenty of stamps to choose from when it comes to invites and cards for children. Use your child’s interests and hobbies as inspiration – perhaps your little boy can’t get enough of dinosaurs, or maybe your little girl is in love with all things princess related.

So, if your little one’s birthday is coming up, get creative with the invites. It’s a great chance to get them involved in some crafting too and they will love bringing their ideas to the design. Have fun and make your invitations the talk of the town!

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Choosing the Right Cardstock

April 27th, 2013

When creating your own card, it’s always important to choose the right cardstock for your design. Your chosen card forms the background of your creation, and the colour and effect of it will influence what you choose to do with your layers and embellishments.

You should always ensure you plan your design beforehand, and select a type of card which best befits the occasion. Here is a selection of the most popular choices, and which designs they are most suited to:

Soft Coloured

If you’re putting together a design for an older person’s birthday, then a softer, more neutral coloured card might be the best choice for you. Similarly, for more basic wedding ceremony invitations or other formal events, such as anniversary party or christening invites, a simple white or cream cardstock will convey the correct message and let your chosen embellishment do the talking.

Bright Coloured

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For those louder, younger birthday card designs, you’ll want a cardstock which makes an immediate impression. Bold, bright colours will set the appropriate tone for your design in these cases, and likely be more fitting to your intended recipient’s tastes.

Glittered Cardstock

When you’re hosting a fancy dress party or creating a Christmas card, sometimes you’ll want to add a touch of magic to your card by including some sparkle. Glitter paper is a great way of giving your design that enchanted, wintery look.

Metallic Cardstock

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Having a party with a futuristic theme? Then why not try using foiled cardstock to really set off your design and give it a space-age feel? You might also consider using metallic, shiny card for those glitzier birthday card designs – great for teenagers and younger adults.

Pearlescent Cardstock

With its light shimmering qualities, pearlescent card is ideal for those more subtle, luxury card projects. If you’re hosting a glamorous cocktail party, or wishing some a happy milestone birthday, then this type of card is perfect for marking those momentous occasions.

Textured Cardstock

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Making your own wedding invitations often requires a cardstock with a weightier, more luxurious feel. Utilising textured card in your design will let your recipients know that the occasion they’ve been invited to is an important one for their diaries.

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5 Quick and Easy Cards to Make

April 18th, 2013

In our Gallery you will find that we have just added five card making projects that are all suitable for a beginner or when you just want to make a few cards and don’t have much time to spare.

Four of the cards use card toppers and the fifth one uses decorative stickers. Although three of the cards do have elements cut on a die cutting machine don’t worry if you don’t have one. The die cutting isn’t essential and we will suggest alternatives when making the card.

The first three cards are made using the Hunkydory Butterfly Sorbet Luxury Card Making Kit. This is a fabulous kit and you should get at least 20 cards out of it which, at only £17.99, makes it excellent value for money.

Irene has made this as a wedding anniversary card but it could also be made as a birthday card simply by changing the peel off sentiment.  Although this card is made using Spellbinders Labels Twenty Three and a die cutting machine you could still make this card if you don’t have one. Simply cut a rectangle with the pink card, and then a slightly larger one with the silver mirror card.  If you want a fancy edge use decorative scissors to cut the rectangles.

Irene made this card using the Butterfly Garden and Beautiful Butterflies sheets in the Hunkydory Butterfly Sorbet Luxury Card Making Kit. It really is an easy card to make as all that is needed is to cut the backing card to A5 and glue it to the front of an A5 card blank. The push out the toppers and fix in place.

This is the third card Irene made using the Hunkydory Butterfly Sorbet Luxury Card Making Kit and this one uses the Flight of the Butterflies Die Cut Foiled Toppers and coordinating backing card. The mounts for the two small butterflies are die cut but these are optional so just leave them off if you don’t have a die cutting machine.

This card was made by Madeleine using the Springtime Sensations Butterfly Song card toppers which are foiled and die cut so all that is needed is for them to be pushed out and glued to the card. A really quick and easy card.
This card was made by Madeleine using Poppies decorative stickers. The “lace” below the ribbon is die cut in Stardream Opal card to match the Opal Farfalla butterfly embossed card background.  If you do not have a die cutting machine you can still make this card – just use real flat ivory lace in place of the die cut one.

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New Card Making Projects from Mary for April 2013

April 13th, 2013

This month we have six new card making projects in our Gallery made by Mary.  We promised that in this batch of card making projects there would be some easy makes for beginners.

The six new card making projects  have been made using both the Hunkydory Midnight Elegance and Shimmering Watercolours card topper sets.

There first three cards made by Mary are absolutley stunning and use card toppers sets from the Midnight Elegance range.

Both these cards are made using the Midnight Elegance A Song for You – Blue Topaz card topper set but, as usual, Mary has added her own little touches using ribbon, gems, and border peel offs.

An large square card and the Midnight Elegance Congratulations – Glistening Gold card toppers created this card with it’s double front. Mary only added some silver mirror card and a Kanban Bling gem.

Mary has also been busy making cards using the Shimmering watercolours card topper sets. These topper sets – two of which are foiled and two are glittered – are really pretty.

Both cards are A5. The one on the right is an easy make card suitable for a beginner and here it’s the small additions, the lace and the pearl border, that really make this card stand out.

For the card on the left Mary has taken the Apple  Blossom topper from the Shimmering Watercolours Floral Frame card topper sheet.   The frame for this topper already has folded edges lending itself to being used to raise above card.  This provided a great chance for Mary to use acetate sheet to form a bowed front to card – a rose placed between the acetate and the topper creates the captured blossom.

Mary made this card as an A5 tent fold card. The toppers for this card also come from the Shimmering Watercolours Floral Frame sheet and, because it already has side openings, is perfect for threading through the lilac pleated ribbon. Mary used the coordinating backing paper from the Shimmering Watercolours Premium Inserts and Background Paper pack.

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