PICKPOINT CARDS

RED SQUARES - AN EASY 5 MINUTE CARD

RED SQUARES

I often look at the cards I make and think "Oh dear....", but I like this one.  I especially like it because its a great emergency card design for all occasions - just change the colour(s) and greeting to suit.

I've used a smooth white singlefold card from Regal Craft Cards as the base - they have lots of colours available if you fancy another alternative.

Next its just a matter of choosing a square hole punch or die (or ruler and craft knife) to cut some squares - any size will do - these are a little over 1 1/4 inch.  Any paper will do too, as long as yoy like it and think it goes together.  These are from a Kaiser paper pad, but experiment with old book pages, rainbow colours, embossed papers etc.

Arrange the squares in a way you find pleasing - I've put these on edge, left a little gap between them, and run them off the sides of the card, but there are lots of other choices - a grid, a portrait orientation, a mixture of small and big squares etc.

All that's left is to add a greeting.  I've used a pre-made one, but the circle is a good idea as it contrasts with the squares, and stands out a little more because I've popped it onto a foam "sticky fixer" and positioned it approximately a third of the way across, and down - a position that naturally draws the eye.

Give yourself permission to play!!

THREE PICKPOINT CARDS

THREE PICKPOINT CARDS

I featured some of Sandra Bell's lovely pickpoint cards some time ago.

Her attention  to detail and interesting use of colour mean that I'm always keen to see more of her work.

Fortunately when Sandra brought in a collection of her cards last week she said that she would be happy for me to share them on the blog.

If you enjoy pickpoint (patterns are available from Regal Craft Cards), then some ideas to "borrow" include the use of a variety of metallic threads to complete each pattern and a sewn greeting.  Two different ways have been used to mount the work - the first card is sewn on a textured three panel card (PT1), whilst the other two have been sewn onto cardstock and then mounted onto the top of singlefold cards.  (Note the rounded corners)

I've just posted a photo of just three of Sandra's cards this week, but keep looking back over the next few weeks for more examples!

SUNBONNET SUE

PAPER-PIECED SUNBONNET SUE

I've used one of Regal's scallop-edged cards as a base for this little card.  "Sue" is a traditional applique pattern - you'll find lots of variations on-line and in quilting books.  I just cut the pieces out of paper rather than fabric (much easier!!) and assembled them on an embossed background, stuck to some patterned paper.  All that remained was to add a diecut greeting and a little bow!

5 QUICK CARDS

5QUICK CARDS WITH 3D TOPPERS

I wanted to make some quick cards using the Art Deco Sparklelight 3D sheet (SLDC48750) and here they are!  I've basically just used a selection of Regal base cards and kept the "topping" super simple.

Going around clockwise from the top left hand card, I've used the Ivory textured corner oval with a gold border(XCOS51), the lattice special fold (XNO42) with one panel removed, XCOS51 again, then the scallop ivory card (XSCE2), and finally the Nightclub Purple Rectangle Two Square (XWIT2).

Once the hard work has been done with a distinctive and good quality base card it really only takes a couple of minutes for the "dressing."  I've put these cards in the 5 minute wonder category although it does rather depend on how quick you are at assembling the 3D toppers.  (They are die-cut so that certainly helps!)