Valentine Card with Intricate Design

This Valentine card is an original design that I made and cut with my Silhouette Cameo machine.  I tend to prefer designs that are intricate and symmetrical.  I also like to test the capabilities of my machines by making cuts that are very delicate with lots of twists and turns. 

This was cut on thick pink shimmer cardstock. The cut settings were speed 3, thickness 33 and blade at 5 with a double cut. While this design appears quite complicated, it was relatively easy to create using the design tools in the Silhouette software.  I am curious to see what tools are available in the new Design Space that will control the Cricut Explore machine.  Just a few weeks to wait...

I wanted to raise the image above the card surface to create shadow lines showing the details of the cut.  The large foam dots fit neatly on the corners and I cut smaller dots in half to line up along the edges of the square.

I didn't happen to have any on hand but I think a thin foam tape would  be ideal for this type of application.  The trimmed dots worked well enough.  The card base is Core'dinations Cardmaker series in Scarlet Pearl and it is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches.

However, once I placed the topper on the card base, I did not like the way it looked from the side.  So I set about finding a way to hide the dimensional dots.

I had some thin satin ribbon that just fit between the topper and the card.  I wrapped it tightly around the sides (if I had planned ahead, I would have set the adhesive a little further in from the edge).

I adhered the loose end at the beginning to the foam dots and used 1/8 inch ScorTape to adhere the end of the ribbon to complete the enclosure.

My design included some heart cuts in the center,  These hearts could have been used for another card but I decided to stick with the original concept and add them to the card.

When you want to place an image exactly in the same position it is helpful to use the "offcut" as a template.  I adhered the thin outline of the heart directly to the card front (it looks like it is off center in this photo but that is just because it is at a slightly lower level).

I wanted the center heart to be raised at the same level as the frame so I used some more of the same brand of foam dots to raise it at the same height.

The interior heart cut helped me to center the raised heart.

These "leftover" bits could be used on another card.  I hate to let anything go to waste.

Here you can see the difference in the levels of the card elements.

The card design is very delicate but it needed just a bit of dressing up - I thought pearls would be perfect.  I had pink pearls and white pearls but these light tan pearls looked the best.

I had to laugh when I looked at this lovely vintage label - 1962 isn't that long ago is it!

One medium pearl on the larger heart, two small pearls on the two small hearts...

...and four large pearls in the four corners.  Seven is a lucky number so this seemed like just enough.

I was happy with the idea of wrapping the thin ribbon around the card to hide the foam - maybe I should have done that around the heart as well.  I didn't have a matching color ribbon but it is hidden from view when you are looking straight at the card.  When you see the card from the side it is just a nice little surprise and the card looks more polished.

Of course, you could add a different embellishment in the center framed by the lacy loops for a different occasion.

I hope you had a good weekend.  I didn't get this post scheduled correctly so it is going out Sunday evening - I'll get back on the normal schedule this week.  I did get to spend some time crafting and I have lots of new things to post this week.

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Autumn Wishes Card

Today is the first full day of Autumn (it officially began yesterday at 4:44 p.m.).  Our weather has been beautiful with bright blue skies and that touch of crispness in the air.

I had some errands to do in town and decided to walk with my camera, hoping to see some changing leaves.  The leaves are still mostly green but I did see one bright tree - I am sure there will be more to follow soon.

With the changing of the seasons, I change the wreath on our front door.  The current wreath is made from a garland of leaves and a few of them fell off when I put the wreath up.  They have been sitting on my craft table along with lots of other bits and pieces waiting to be put to good use.

A little over a year ago, I shared this card that I designed using the Silhouette Studio software.  You can see that post HERE.  I actually designed both a square and a rectangular version but I never put the square card together and posted it.  The colors of the leaves from the wreath made me think about my stack of semi-completed projects, so I pulled out the square card pieces in their autumnal colors at last and made this card.

The pieces were ready to assemble and I looked for a stamp small enough to fit on the front circle with the leaves.

I found a set that I bought quite a while ago and just never got around to using (do you have any of those?).  This set is from Papertrey Ink and is number 7 in the series of "tag-its" stamp sets (item #2404).  I think these small sets are a great value at only $5.

The card base is cut from Core-dinations textured cardstock and I inked it along the cut edges with Gathered Twigs Distress Ink to hide the lighter core color.  I heat embossed the sentiment in gold and I was pleased that it is quite legible embossed on the textured cardstock even though it is only about 3/8 x 3/4 inches.

The coordinating insert is attached to the back of the card so the cut out design is highlighted.

 
 A few gems clustered here and there add some nice sparkle to the card.

You have to remember to keep the inside sentiment in the center area so it won't show through the cut work pattern when the card is closed.

Happy Autumn to you!  I hope you are enjoying some beautiful weather too.

Important Note for Creative Memories Digital Center users

September 23rd was the original date given as the final day to order digital StoryBooks, Page Prints, Calendars and other Digital Center products.   Due to issues with the servers (so many people uploading at once) the date has been extended to Thursday, September 26th at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.  The Digital Center will be shut down at that time.  All items ordered will be processed and mailed but it won't be possible to access the Digital Center after Thursday to check on order status.

September 30th is the last day for the Creative Memories.com website and all consultant personal websites.  If you haven't downloaded any purchased digital content or programs you need to do it now before the websites go down.  For more detailed information about the digital programs and content see THIS POST.  If there are ideas or techniques that you want to remember from the help pages or project center you should copy them and save the copy to your computer for future reference.

Do you have any fall colors showing in your area yet?  The colors of the changing leaves are so pretty - if only they didn't have to fall and then be cleaned up from the lawn!

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Butterfly Birthday Card

This cheerful birthday card was designed with a butterfly shape from the group of images that were included with my Silhouette SD and the Grenouille font.

I tried two versions - one with a sentiment and one with blank space for stamping.  I altered the butterfly shape to have just the wings cut into the card front and created a separate body.

The letters were modified to make them cut like a stencil so the centers would not be lost.

 I used a double cut and the tiny letters cut cleanly except for the tail of the "y."  Fortunately, it was easy to trim the tiny piece that was "stuck."

The wings are gently lifted so they "fly" above the card.

It takes some time to alter the cuts and set up the file but when you are finished the design can be used over and over for a quick card.  The card base is Core'dinations white gemstone cardstock, the green and orange glitter cardstock is from DCWV and the top layer is solid cardstock from CTMH.

The layer of glitter cardstock used as a mat adds sparkle quickly and easily.

No adhesive was used on the antennae of the butterfly to add a little more dimension.  I found that I needed to do two double cuts to make a clean cut of the butterfly body in the heavy glitter cardstock.  I checked before unloading the mat after the first cut and realized that a second cut was needed.  Since I hadn't unloaded the mat I simple pressed "Cut Again" to make the cuts in exactly the same place on the mat.

This card can be mailed easily and should "fluff up" when it is removed from the envelope.

I couldn't resist adding gems in three corners but you could leave these off or use dots punched from glitter cardstock for the corners to make the card more "mailing-friendly."

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for directions on creating the file with the Silhouette Studio software.

Happy Patriot's Day (in Maine & Massachusetts) and Happy (?) Income Tax Day.  If you are getting (or have already received) a refund will you be spending any of it on crafty purchases? 

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Christmas Medallion Card

I finally had a chance to visit my craftroom so I could do a test cut of the design I shared yesterday.  The original design was quite large - filling a 12 x 12 mat - and I needed to size it down to fit a card.

I drew some squares in the Silhouette design software to represent a five inch card base with two layers (4 3/4 and 4 1/2 inches).  Then I grouped the layers of the medallion design and sized it so the bottom shadow layer was four inches.

One thing that I have learned about cutting intricate designs is that you will get a better result with a shallower blade depth/lighter pressure and a double cut.  I made two trial cuts of this design.  The cut on the left was a single cut at blade depth 5, speed 3 and thickness 33 on the Cameo.  Everything cut properly but I had to do lots of "poking out" to finish the medallion.  On the right you can see that when I used a double cut, the result was perfect - I simply lifted the finished cut off the mat and every bit of the cut out design stayed on the mat (yes that is a Cricut mat - I use them interchangeably).

Both cuts were lovely when they were finished - the double cut on the right is a little cleaner at the points.  I used the first cut to make this card.

I cut three layers for the medallion.  The top lace is cut from Core'dinations Gemstone cardstock.  The red layer is American Crafts foil cardstock and the green plaid bottom layer is from the DCWV Christmas Combo stack.

The card base is Core'dinations Core Couture glitter cardstock cut at 5 x 10 inches and folded to 5 x 5 inches.  The red layer (4 3/4 x 4 3/4 inches) is the same American Crafts foil cardstock that I used in the medallion.  The top white layer (4 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches) is white embossed cardstock with little swirls and dots.

I assembled the layers of the medallion and then pierced a hole in the center so I could insert a gem brad.  The colors of the brad gems influenced my choice of cardstock for the card with the dark red and sharp green.

I inked the edges of the green and red medallion pieces with distress ink to cover the cut white edge.  Since the layers are formed with the offset function in the software, I needed to line up the layers properly so I put a pencil mark on the back to show how they fit together.

This is the fully assembled medallion.  I thought it needed some extra gems to line the center of the design so I alternated clear and bright green gems at the points of the inner circle.

Here is a closer view of the center with the added gems.  The gem brad is from the Christmas Cheer collection by K & Company.

I added large foam circles to adhere the medallion to the card front.

The medallion stands out from the base and creates a shadow line.  If you wanted to make this cut as a tree ornament you could attach it to the card front but include a hanger (and finish the back of the ornament).

 

The red foil cardstock is so shiny that it is tricky to get a clear photo that shows the true colors.

I'll have to try some other color variations.  I think this would be pretty in shades of blue too.

Year End Clearance Sale

Last night I got a notice about the year end clearance sale at Creative Memories.  There are quite a few items at greatly discounted prices of up to 60% off.  You can find the complete list and more information on my Creative Memories website HERE.  The sale ends December 27th at 10 p.m. Central Time. 

You can sign up now for $39 and get an immediate credit for $39 (making the club essentially free).  Every order you place will earn you a credit of 15% for a future order.  This offer is available until January 1, 2013.  You can get all of the details and sign up HERE.

We had snow and ice yesterday - I took a few photos of the ice coated shrubs.  The ice is so pretty but also dangerous.  I am still working on Christmas trees and need to get out to do some shopping before it is too late.  I hope you are getting everything done that you need to do!

I saw a lovely tribute to the Sandy Hook school victims done by the judges and contestants from the TV show "The Voice" - here is a LINK if you'd like to see it.


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