CALENDAR STEPPER CARD

CALENDAR CARD - EGYPTIAN

If you're going to make a special card for someone, it's nice to think that it might have a life beyond a couple of days on show on the sideboard.  If you include one of Regal's little calendars on one of their pre-cut and scored stepper cards, the chances of a long-life on display are greatly increased.

I've just added some blue and gold paper and border stickers to the card which features an Egyption-themed  Sparklelight 3D, once again from Regal Craft Cards!

The best part of all is that its really easy to make but looks quite impressive!!

STEAMPUNK INSIPIRED

A card with moving parts

I've used a plain white DL singlefold card from Regal Craft Cards as the base for this steampunk-inspired card.

The front has been covered with bronze shimmer paper, and then copper card, embossed with a Couture creations folder featuring hot air balloons and cogs.

The clock has been cut with a Kaiser die, and glued to a bronze circle.  The space between two of the numbers has been cut.
a strip of acetate has been attached underneath the bronze card and some die-cut cogs stuck to the end of it.  Clock hands have been die-cut from gold and glued on.

The whole assembly was then attached to a slightly larger circle of gold card (with a small circle between the layers to act as a washer) with a split pin.  (Its easier to pierce a small hole first).  An additional cog has been added to the centre of the clock, and a couple of pictures cut from Kaiser paper and a couple of stickers were added as further embellishment.  Its important to check that the clock will rotate freely before attaching it to the front of the card.

If you want, add some pictures or stickers under the revolving window.  In this example, I've made a "countdown" using little number stickers with a couple of starts and exclamation marks at the end.

This card could be used for birthdays, father's day or even for New Year.

SILVER CHRISTMAS TREE CARD

Horizontal fold Robin Red Xmas Tree Card

This another of the Robin Red cards released as a Christmas Special from Regal Craft Cards - the horizontal fold (in this case being used with the fold at the top).

Tania has added a silver diecut tree (also from Regal) which as been embossed.  Rhinestones have been added as decoration and stickers make up the remainder of the embellishment on layers of paper and card.

This is a fairly simple card, but very effective.  If you have a lot of Christmas cards to make, this could be the design you need!

SHABBY CHIC

SHABBY CHIC

Clearly this card is a bit of "too much is not enough", but I made this card for a recent demo to illustrate some of the things that characterize Shabby Chic style.

I started with square white Regal base card (the easy bit) then added lots more white - the flower the doiley, the flourishes (all fairly typical of the style), but also to my papers.

The background was a vibrant flamingo pink before I calmed it down with a thin coat of gesso.  Similarly the top pink panel began life as a normal pink before I painted over it with some white paint, embossed it (when it was dry) and then sanded the top layer back to reveal the darker colour beneath.

Add in various die cut bits and pieces, a greeting sticker, some pearls and some stamped bird cages and hopefully you'll be getting the shabby chic idea.........not that you have to (or indeed should) use ALL of these ideas on one card!!

ROBIN RED CHRISTMAS SWING CARD

ROBIN RED SWING CARD FOR CHRISMAS

BACK

FRONT

This Robin Red swing card base comes from Regal Craft Cards and is one of their special selection of Christmas cards released this year.  Its all cut and folded and ready to go so all you need to do is to go straight to the fun bit and add some decoration!!

Tania has used stickers, embossed papers and die-cut circles to decorate her card.

COLLAGE STAMPED THREE SQUARE CARD

COLLAGE STAMPED  CARD - Front View

COLLAGE STAMPED  CARD - middle

Collage stamping is a way to add the impression of dimension without adding bulk to your cards.  Anna Wilson has made an interesting example which illustrates many of the techniques that can be used.

The card base is a lime green 3 square card from Regal Craft Cards.  The panel behind the squares has been inked and stamped multiple times, ink has been spattered on the front, and the little squares have been decorated with stamps, stamped onto an inked background, and mounted on scallop edged orange backgrounds.

Inside the card, Anna has masked an area (probably using a post-it note?) and then spattered over the top which effectively highlights the greeting.  She's added a stamp to the bottom of this area, and popped on a fussy cut multi-stamped bird in a cage to highlight the opposite page.

Its easy to forget the back of the card, but do remember that even with a single fold card you have four possible panels to decorate so why just stop at the front?  Anna has spattered the back with a variety of inks and finished the card with a stamped feather and her signature!  Signing your work is a great thing to do - its a lovely personal touch.

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.