Framed Thank You

" 'Tis better to give than to receive", but when we do receive it is simply the nice thing to do to express our thanks to the giver with a lovely card.  As today's designer for the Card A Day Blog, I have a lovely and quick card for you which can be adapted for most any sentiment.

My card is done in the standard A2 size (5 1/2 x 4 1/4).  I started with an ivory card base (inked around the edges), and used a kraft paper for the mat which I embossed with my Cuttlebug and inked lightly.  The frame was made with a two-sided designer cardstock since both sides would show after folding.

To make the frame, I started with a five inch square.  Each corner was folded to the center, and then folded back on itself to reveal the inside.  You can determine the inner dimensions of the frame by how much you fold back each corner.  In this case, the corner measures 1" from the center of the fold to the point.

I next used a piece of the same ivory for the centerpiece.  I stamped a flower for a light background, and used a scrap piece of gold card for the die cut sentiment.  You can also stamp the sentiment in a darker ink, or use embossing powder to make it stand out. Once the sentiment is taped to the center, the frame is secured with foam tape to give it just a bit of dimension.  The outer corners are secured with two-sided tape (or they can be left loose if desired).   Here is a slightly closer picture for you:

I don't have a shot of the inside of the card since it is left blank for a personal message.  As you can see, this is a card that is quite easily reproduced if you need several of the same kind. 

And here are the supply details:
          Cardstock:  K&Company 'Ancestry' and Stampin' Up Ivory
          Ink:  Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa; TH Distress Ink Antique Linen
          Stamp:  Gina K. Designs 'Nature's Greetings' set
          Die:  Cuttlebug 'Thank You' by ProvoCraft
          Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug 'Mini Floral'


Thanks so much for joining me today.  I hope to see you again very soon!

Do remember always keep your creative genius happy and well-fed!!

CHRISTINE

Nouveau Dad

Hi again!  I hope all you moms out there had as beautiful a Mothers' Day as I did.  And today's card, for the current theme of Fathers' Day at the Card A Day Blog, is for a first-time dad in our family.  I decided to combine the CADB theme with the current CDAC Progressive Challenge.  One of the images in this challenge is a sweet baby face from Glitterbabe, which I decided would be perfect for my card.

Since this card was being made for a man, I decided to start with a black card base (standard A2 size) and kraft cardstock for the mat.  I ran the mat through my Cuttlebug and inked it a bit to enhance the embossing.  I colored the main image with Copics and used stamps from two different sets to add some fun.  The digi image, as well as one of the stamped images, were cut with dies, and the other pieces on the front of the card were cut with decorative edged scissors.

I created my own sentiment, and inked all the pieces around the edges.  I used two sizes of foam tape to layer the different images.

For the inside, I added a kraft liner and brought in the dot pattern with a cute border stamp.  I printed my sentiment on the same white stock as the outside, cut it out with another die, and inked it as I did the outside pieces.

 I took some time deciding what to do for my card, but once I had the design in mind, creating it was really fun and easy.  I hope you have lots of fun creating cards for all the fathers in your life.

Thanks for joining me today.  Here are the details:

The dies are Spellbinders Deckled Edge Rectangles and QuicKutz Nesting Eyelet Circles.

Stamp sets used:  TCP Studio 'Baby' and 'Dots & Stripes' and Paper Studio 'Nursery Icons'

Do remember to always keep your creative genius happy and well-fed!

CHRISTINE 

Thoughts and Prayers

So glad you decided to visit.  I'm the designer again, today, for the Card A Day Blog, and we're starting a new month, with a new theme, and new opportunities for prizes!!  Our new theme is SYMPATHY, not usually the favorite type of card for most of us to come up with.  Personally, I like to keep them simple, and I think I've succeeded in doing that with my card.

I decided to feature one of the images from the current Crafter's Digital Art Center Progressive Challenge.  Do check them out; it's a great way to sample digi images from various designers, share your projects and have a chance to win more great prizes!  The camelia image I used here came from the Wax Fruit Company, and was just perfect for my card.

I began by coloring the image in a paint program with two shades of yellow, after checking to be sure that there actually are yellow camelias.  I printed the flower on bright white card stock, and did a little color enhancement with colored pencils.  I then over-stamped with a script stamp.  I used the same script stamp as a background for my sentiment, which was stamped in black.  Both pieces were layered on black cardstock, and mounted with foam tape to the kraft base card.  Here is a slightly closer shot:

I kept the inside of the card very simple by adding a white liner with the stamped sentiment.

  

As you can see, your sympathy cards can be made very simply, but still be very elegant.  Thanks for looking today.  Here are the other details:

          Stamps:  My Favorite Things 'Clearly Sentimental About Sympathy' and Clear Stamps by Kaisercraft 'Script'

          Inks:  Tim Holtz Distress by Ranger 'Mustard Seed' and Versafine 'Onyx Black'

Have a fabulous day, and keep your creative genius happy and well-fed!!!

CHRISTINE