QUICK CARD USING THREE SQUARE BASE

Quick Christmas CArd

If you want to make a really quick card but one that still has great impact, the choice of card base is very important.
This licorice black 3 square card from Regal is the ideal example.  All you need to do is to add something nice underneath (I've chosen Fairway shimmer paper but you could chose a patterned paper or even fabric).  After that stick on a couple of stickers, (these are sparklelight from Regal), and you're done!

FUN FISH CARD

FISH STEPPER CARD

This card illustrates just how effective the clever use of a single piece of paper can be.  Trudy has used a Regal stepper card base, and covered the front with blue paper.  She has added a piece of patterned paper to the back panel.  Next, she has  fussy cut individual pieces from the paper, and stuck them on with dimensional tape, matching them to the same pattern underneath, for a 3D effect.

The finished card would be great for anyone who likes bright colours, young or old, male or female!

SINGLE FOLD ROBIN RED CHRISTMAS CARD

ROBIN RED SINGLE FOLD CARD

Kaiser puts out their papers and accessories in co ordinated releases so you can be sure that all the elements in the same set will match.

Tania has used three pieces of paper to decorate this single fold card - another of Regal's Christmas Robin Red series, (these are not in their catalogue but you can get them in the shop or ask for them to be posted).

Apart from the adhesive pearls this card is all about the paper, and its a great example of ways in which all those little scraps can be used.....or alternatively how you can produce a number of Christmas cards in a fairly quick time frame, if like me, you tend to be a bit prone to last minute efforts!!

3D CARD WITH Z FOLD FRONT

Z FOLD CARD

This is a different way to use your square base cards, and its super simple!  Just fold the front panel in half (make a valley fold) then stick a shape (in this case an oval but a heart or star or any other shape will work) half onto the fold, so that when the card sits up, a 3D effect is achieved.  (See the "top view" below.

In this case I've used a textured white square card base from Regal Craft Cards, and decorated it with a 3D sparklelight picture, stuck to an oval backing.

A heart cut-out and stamped red strip decorate the back panel.  You could use this card for mother's day, valentines a birthday, or even a wedding or anniversary (perhaps replace the red with a patterned white on white).

TOP VIEW

CHRISTMAS GATEFOLD CARD

Gatefold with 3D

Here is another one of Regal's special robin red Christmas Cards - this time a gate fold.

Tania has turned the front panels into "doors" with layered paper panels, corner stickers and with split pins with "handles."

Inside the card is a Sparklelight nativity scene - its off a 3D sheet (available from Regal) but with just a few of the layers used to add a bit of dimension but to enable the card to be closed relatively flat for posting as well.

Blue is not a traditional Christmas colour, but you can see that quite clearly this card is very much "of the season". Tania has used the colours of the feature picture to guide her use of colours for the rest of the card.

RIBBON WRAP DRESS CARD

RIBBON WRAP DRESS CARD

This is such a simple idea, and as with the best of them I hadn't thought of doing it before I saw Marilyn's card.  She had cut out the shape of a dress, and carefully wrapped it with blue ribbon, adding a sparkly blue ribbon "belt" to finish.

The finished dress has been mounted onto a white singlefold card from Regal Craft Cards.

I can't wait to start wrapping other shapes.....if you do Halloween, a mummy would be an obvious choice, but trees would be effective (maybe even wrapped in twine for a natural look) or maybe actually wrap present shapes for your
Christmas cards.  The possibilities are endless!

CHRISTMAS STEPPER CARD

CHRISTMAS STEPPER CARD

Yes....it is getting to that time of year.  It's really not too early to get started on Christmas cards so (if I'm able) I'll try to put up a special post between now and the day each Wednesday for folks that are looking for a bit of inspiration.

Regal has made 5 special Robin Red Cards with Christmas in mind - stepper, gatefold, singlefold, horizontal fold and swing cards.

Tania has done a great job with the new red stepper card, decorating it with patterned and patterned paper (inked on the edges), and some die-cuts and paper flowers.
The "Merry Christmas" greeting is an outline sticker coloured with alcohol markers to match in with the red, green and white colour scheme.

CUTE STEPPER CARD

CUTE STEPPER CARD

We have another of Trudy Meijer's creations for you this week.  This would make a lovely card for a little girl's birthday.

Trudy has used one of Regal's stepper card bases, and decorated it with a variety of papers and embellishments, including fussy-cut shapes, ric-rac and stickers.  Notice the cute little La-La Land Marci stamp which Trudy has coloured using alcohol markers, and the big white organza bow that adds that special finishing touch.

Even although this card looks quite complicated, everything is tied together with careful colour choice (pinks, lime green and white), and the use of the pre-made base.  Have a rummage in your craft box and see what you can find!

A SWING CARD FEATURING 3D JAPANESE LADIES

SWING CARD WITH JAPANESE LADIES

Here is an example of Regal's new (ish) swing card.
These cards are great when they're finished but quite hard to cut so its handy to know that you can now buy them with all the tricky bits done so you can get straight onto the fun bit of decorating them.

Trudy Meijer made this example, using some lovely Japanese papers, and Japanese ladies from a die-cut sparklelight sheet.  She has positioned the figures so that there is one on each side of the swinging panel.

REVERSE

USING A VELLUM OVERLAY

SCORED VELLUM

If you want to add a different look to an existing card, try adding a translucent overlay.
This paper (known as parchment paper or vellum, although strictly speaking it's neither of these) is available from the Regal Craft Cards website, and is useful for all sorts of things.

Most commonly used for parchment craft/"Pergamano" one of its properties is that when it stretches it goes white, which means that its great for embossing, either in a Cuttlebut/Big Shot etc., or by hand, or, as I've done here to add detail, just by using a stylus and scoring board to add some lines.

I've used thick parchment paper (its available in four thicknesses) with a paper insert (decorated with a Sparklelight sticker), but you could wrap a thinner parchment "coat" around an existing card or just attach it with split pins to the front!

BOX ZIGZAG BON VOYAGE

INSIDE TRUDY'S TRAVEL-THEMED CARD

Travel Card - cover

Trudy used a box zigzag card from Regal Craft Cards to make this great collage card - brilliant as a Bon Voyage greeting, a birthday card for a teenager or keen photographer or really just for anyone who appreciates a well-made card.  It features a die-cut butterfly, bird and kangaroo, as well as a selection of different papers and more.  If you like a well-decorated card, the box zigzag gives you plenty of surface area to play with, and Trudy's example will hopefully provide the inspiration to get started!

SPARKLELIGHT ART DECO LADY 3D

ART DECO LADY CARD

Another pretty card from Marilyn this week, featuring a sparklelight 3D Art Deco lady motif.

Marilyn has added specialty papers and some lovely floaty gold organza ripple ribbon to a DL card from Regal Craft Cards to make a card suitable for a special birthday.  Note how she has fussy cut "shells" from the embossed background paper to use as embellishment.

Just a quick note to let you know that double sided adhesive "Jac paper" is back in stock once more at Regal Craft Cards.  They have the big sheets, A4 and packs of A6 too!  Just writing this down makes me want to do "101 uses for Jac Paper" for a demo or on the Papertrek blog.....in fact as soon as the September demo (Stylish Cards) is done and dusted I'll get right on with it.  In the meantime if you use Jac paper already, you'll be as pleased as me that its available again, and if you don't, pop into the shop and I can give you a quick rundown of why its so very useful!

TEALIGHT CARD.

TEALIGHT CARD

Continuing on with last weeks theme........Here is another way to fold an aperture card that might come in handy for all sorts of occasions.

Secure some vellum behind the aperture - I've used some pretty patterned Christina Re paper but you could use plain, or draw your own design or print out a photo or clip art!  Its important for a fair amount of light to get through, so use a fairly thin paper and don't add too much heavy colour.

Measure and fold half way along on the side panels. Measure the piece of card you'll need to fit the back (paper clip card in place, move the card to how you would like it to sit, then mark with a pencil to show where to cut).
You might want to use a metallic or gloss card to reflect more light.  (I used shiny silver).  Then add some decoration - I've kept it very low key with just three ribbon roses, but clearly you could add as much in the way of embellishment as you like.  All that's left to do is to add a battery powered tealight candle.  I WOULD NOT ADD ONE THAT INVOLVED FIRE - IT IS AFTER ALL MADE OF PAPER!!!!!!!!

You don't, of course, have to use an oval card - Regal Craft Cards have lots of different shapes available (everything from rectangles to dolphins!) or you can get blank three panel cards and use your dies to cut whatever shape you want.

I think this would not only be useful just as a card, but also as a placecard or decoration.  I have plans (whether or not they'll translate to reality is a different matter) to print out some photos and make some to put on the dresser for Christmas

A NEW WAY TO FOLD AN APERTURE CARD

OPEN REVERSE OVAL CARD

CLOSED CARD

This week I've put up a couple of pictures of a way to use an oval aperture card, that's a little different to the norm.

The folding is easy - just add an extra fold to the middle of each of the outer panels, and fold them back in a zigzag .  The "front" of the card becomes the back and the folded side panels are now the front.!

I've used a 3D Sparklelight sheet (Regal Craft Cards have a good variety available) but instead of building all the pieces onto the base picture, I've put the base behind the oval aperture, and distributed the other pieces over the two front panels.

I've added an embossed red panel to the back of the card (you can't see it in the picture) and secured some red organza ribbon underneath so it can wrap around and securely close the card.  I've also added embossed red card to the inner halves of the folded front panels.

If you've got some half-forgotten aperture cards hiding in a drawer at home, why not get them out and play.  If not, you can always buy some from Regal Craft Cards.

SPARKLELIGHT WATERFALL CARD

SPARKLELIGHT WATERFALL CARD

 This is a waterfall card I made, using a die-cut Sparklelight sheet and a Sparklelight base card - both products available from Regal Craft Cards.
Waterfall cards are made of panels that flip over when you pull the end tab, and are far easier to make that they look.

The instructions come in the pack, but I modified them a bit, by mounting the pictures on some black lightweight card to add extra stability, and also by positioning the "waterfall" run across the card, rather than the more usual vertical orientation.  If I was making the card again, I would put the pull on the other side, as we're all so used to the way that book pages open, this doesn't quite look quite right, even although there is clearly no absolute right and wrong.

Other than that, I haven't really had to add much more other than a bit of "bling trim" (from Green Tara via Regal).

This would make a nice engagement card, but would do for all sorts of occasions.

AN ELEGANT CARD FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

ELEGANT SPECIAL OCCASION CARD

This lovely layered card could be used for all sorts of occasions, but engagements and weddings spring immediately to mind.

Marilyn has used a collection of layered materials to decorate the front of the card, creating a variety of textures and patterns which are tied together by the use of the black, white and silver colour scheme.

Working left to right there is printed organza ribbon, cotton mesh, black satin adhesive leaves, specialty paper, white organza ribbon with silver glitter hearts, and a congratulations peel-off sticker, coloured black.  Two paper flowers with rhinestones added to the centre have been added as a final finishing touch.
(All materials including the smooth square base card came from Regal Craft Cards).

SCALLOP EDGED HANDBAG CARD

SCALLOP EDGE HANDBAG CARD

Marilyn has found a quick way to make a handbag card.

She has covered one of Regal Craft Card's scallop edged cards with patterned paper, added a wooden button, and used a necklace chain as a handle.

If you make one of these cards, you could leave it so that you can open it out to a 2 1/2 panel card (This would be great if you wanted to have extra decoration inside, or had a lot to say, or wanted to use the form as an invitation.)

Another alternative would be to add strips of double-sided tape to the inside edge of the striped panel so that the top of the card opens to reveal a pocket - perfect for small presents such as paper flowers, pearls or gift cards.

UPDATE

A Wednesday update, just for a change!!  I thought I'd let folks who have been asking (and of course, those who haven't as well) that whilst we won't be at the Craft Fair in Launceston this weekend, Regal Craft will be open as usual on Saturday, and of course, Monday, and we'll have some extra special bargains for those who drop in to say hello.

SWEET FEMININE CARD

FLORAL NECKLINE DL CARD

Sharon has made this sweet feminine card on a Regal Craft Cards DL card base.

She has combined a pretty floral paper with gathered lace, pearl trim and an organza ribbon bow to make a simple but very effective card.

You could adapt this idea as, for example, a suit and tie for a man, or a clown frill and pom poms for a child.

FRIDAY UPDATE

Hello again.  Well stocktaking is finished in the shop...and new things are already arriving.  This week we have new Fabscraps paper  which is really different -  there are three different botanicals in blue, white and black, black and white sewing themes and a lovely rustic country/cooking set (sunflowers. pomegranates etc).  All the Kaiser products from the July release have are out in the shop too.  You can see them all on their website.  There are three interesting paper releases (including a super cute set for little people), and stamps with pictures (I do like words but its great to have something to colour).  Believe it or not, next month will see the start of the Christmas releases!!

Regal's next demo is with Trudy Meijer.  She'll be using a lot of the cards that Regal manufacture, particularly their newest release stepper and swing cards and showing some great ways in which they can be decorated.  The demo is on Monday August 3rd, and I'll post some more details closer to the time.

CENTRE STEP BIRTHDAY CARD

Sharon made this cute card using Regal's centre step card as a base.  (They also make a side stepper card).  You can, of course measure, cut and fold your own cards, but its so much easier to buy a pack pre-cut and scored (with envelopes to fit) and proceed straight to the fun bit!

Sharon has covered the card with a paper from Kaiser (note how she's made the best of it being two sided at the front), and embellished with wooden buttons, split pins and gold peel-off stickers.  This would make a lovely card for a young girl - either to give or for her to make for her friends.

A MULITFOLD CARD FROM SINGLEFOLD CARD

MULTIFOLD LAYERED CARD

 If you like to add a lot of decoration to your cards, here is a simple variation of a single fold card that might appeal.

SIDE VIEW

The back panel is scored and folded in half, the front panel is scored into two small sections of the same size at the end of the panel, and two slightly larger sections each measuring half the width of the remaining front section.  I've probably made it sound harder than it is, as the aim is simply to get three folds of ascending size from back to front.

 I've used a sewing theme for my embellishments which include stamped and fussy cut images, real buttons and stamped paperclay.  Because I have added a fair bit of weight to the front of the card, it tends to want to flatten out, and fall over.  To stop this happening I've threaded some twine through a button at the front and tied it behind.  This adds to the overall design theme, but if you had a more delicate theme you could use gold metallic thread, or make slotted pieces of the cardboard to the sides.

As usual, I have used a card from Regal Craft as the base - in this case, an ivory single fold.

BUTTERFLY ANNIVERSARY CARD

BUTTERFLY ANNIVERSARY CARD

The photo doesn't really do justice to this card, which is much prettier, and certainly a great deal shinier in "real life".

The leaf border and greeting have been sewn on using part of a pickpoint pattern.  Embossed lines have added subtle detail (I used a score board for a nice deep impression).  The butterflies are from a die-cut Sparklelight sheet, I've raised the wings of the bottom one to add dimension.  Six little rhinestones in two groups of three finish the card.

The base is a plain black singe fold from Regal Craft Cards, which is also where the other "ingredients" were sourced.
I've added a purple insert to pick up the colour of the rhinestones, thread and lower butterfly.

THE NEW SWING CARD FROM REGAL CRAFT CARDS

SWING CARD FROM REGAL CRAFT CARDS

 Here is a picture of one of Regal Craft Cards new swing cards, which are available in packs of ten or fifty.

The card is pre-cut and scored so you can get to the best bit (decorating) straight away!  I've used some specialty paper from Christina Re as well as plain (Kaiser Ballerina) embossed with a Kaiser folder.  Numbers and backing were also die-cut and the card was finished with some adhesive pearls and some lace from Green Tara.  A peel-off sticker features on the back of the panel, which swings around when you pull the sides of the card apart.

Its a super card, but surprisingly effective!!