Breaking all the rules

I’ve been playing about with the most beautiful paper this week. You know the kind that’s just so pretty you never ever want to cut it? The kind you can just ooh and ahh over. You see I had a few cards to make, one for my nan, and a couple that a friend asked me to make. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed creating these although I did make rather a mess doing it! Well, you have to get ALL your stuff out don’t you? And I seem to accumulated quite a bit of stuff already, even though paper crafts is relatively new to me.

As with many things, making cards is something I’ve just been making up as I go along. I’ve not researched it, done a course or even looked on YouTube for tutorials. I’m very aware that I’m probably breaking lots and lots of card making rules so huge apologies to those of you who do it ‘properly ‘ (I know there’s at least a few of you clever clogs who read my blog). I’m just drawn to a certain style of card, which is quite basic, simple and modern. They’re the type of cards that I’d go for if I was buying in a shop. Now I’m not trying to take anything away from all those very talented card makers out there, cos trust me, I know what a lot of work goes into making them. Also, my painting, drawing and colouring skills are about the same as a 6 year olds so they wouldn’t turn out very good !

Here’s the first one I made.

The brief was tea pots. I picked this gorgeous green paper and used a punch on the corners to give it some interest. I used my big shot to cut out the hearts and  letters and then used teapot embellishments to finish it off. Inside I stamped a simple ‘happy birthday’ in silver.

For the next one I used a brown kraft card. I used die cutters for everything apart from the baby butterflies which were made with a punch I’ve had for years. I love this patterned paper, so beautiful. I used a coordinating paper for the 3D butterfly and finished it off with a couple of diamanté style gems on its tentacles (is that the right word?) I stamped the same greeting inside and decided a bit of blue bakers twine would finish it off perfectly.

And finally, this one was for my nan, Florrie. (Namesake of Florrie and Rene) She’ll be 92 years young on Friday 10th February. I’d love to be able to give her this in person but it’s a good 5-6 hours drive so Royal Mail it is.

I used this beautiful peacock die which I’m quite in love with, and some colourful dotty card. I used a fancy punch in the corners which looks pretty but hopefully doesn’t take away from the main event. Again, I stamped the greeting inside in silver.

I’m really looking forward to making more cards, think I’ll do some for Mother’s Day to sell. But first, I MUST crochet some more. I know, it’s a dirty job but someone has to do it 😉