Handcrafted by Helen: 2020

Monday, 16 November 2020

Emboss Resist Christmas Card

I am finishing my Christmas Card series this year with an easy one, as long as you have some inks and any Christmas stamps you can do this card. I am using the Sunny Studio Classy Christmas stamp set to do my first card, but you can use anything you have. I stamped random stamps off this stamp set all over a card panel with versamark and embossed it with white embossing powder. I left an area in the middle where I will put my sentiment.

I then used some distress oxide inks, candied apple and pine needles inks and blended the ink heavier at the top and bottom, and fading into the middle where they meet. I think I should have faded it out a little sooner, so the colours didn’t meet, as the colour it produced was a bit muddied, but you live and learn.

I then rubbed the ink off the stamping with a paper towel, and see the white of the embossing pop! I went back and stamped my sentiment with versafine onyx black ink and clear embossing powder.

I trimmed down the card panel to be slightly smaller than the card base, so that I have a white edge around it, and stuck it to my card base, you could stamp straight onto the card base if you choose. I dotted a few clear sequins around it just to give it a bit of sparkle and that’s the card done. Easy.

I show another example where I stamped snowflakes onto a card panel, did some blue ink blending, and then made a scalloped edge with a die, and then attached it to a card base. You can do anything really to decorate your card panel.

I have a video of making the card.

If you would prefer to see it in full HD then hop over to my You Tube channel here.

----- SUPPLIES -----

These are the main supplies I have used in making this card. The affiliate links of some of these supplies or something similar, may be used at no cost to you. Product disclosure below.

5 x 7 card base

5 x 7 front panel (I used strathmore bristol water colour paper)

---- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/strathmore-bristol-smooth-paper-pad-9x12-20-sheets/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Distress Oxide

Candied Apple ---https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/tim-holtz-distress-oxides-ink-pad-candied-apple?ref=93 --- {krafters Cart}

Pine Needles --- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/tim-holtz-distress-oxides-ink-pad-pine-needles/?ref=93 --- {Krafters Cart}

Sunny Studio Classy Christmas stamp --- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/sunny-studios-classy-christmas-stamps?ref=93 --- {Krafters cart}

Double sided tape

Scissors

Couture creations Heat tool --- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/couture-creations-multi-purpose-heat-tool?ref=93 ---{Krafters Cart}

Craft knife

Metal ruler

Gina K Connect Glue--- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/connect-glue/?ref=93 ----{Krafters Cart NZ}

Pretty Pink Posh 6mm clear droplets----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/6mm-clear-droplets/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Pretty Pink Posh 4mm clear droplets----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/4mm-clear-droplets/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Ranger white embossing powder

Ranger clear embossing powder

Ranger ink blending tools and sponges

Versamark watermark ink----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/versamark-watermark-stamp-pad/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Versafine Onyx black ink----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/versafine-pigment-ink-pad-onyx-black/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Tim Holtz Glass Media Mat---- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/glass-media-mat/?ref=93 ---- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Second Card

Distress oxides

Blueprint sketch --- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/tim-holtz-distress-oxides-ink-pad-blueprint-sketch?ref=93 --- {Krafters Cart}

Salty Ocean --- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/tim-holtz-distress-oxides-ink-pad-salty-ocean?ref=93 --- {Krafters Cart}

Snowflake stamp - aliexpress

Memory Box stiched country borders dies

Karen Burniston – Merry Christmas Die --- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/merry-christmas?ref=93 --- {Krafters cart}

Nuvo Aqua shimmer pen

DISCLOSURE

All the products used in my videos are purchased on my own for my own use. I however am affiliated with several companies and show the links to these for your own convenience at no cost to you. I do make a small commission when you shop using those links. I do not work for any companies for money, and am not paid to make my videos. I try really hard to bring you quality videos based on my own personal experience. I choose to make these videos as I would like to pass on my knowledge of about 20 years of crafting and card making and feel we can all learn from each other.

So that’s the Christmas card series for 2020. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a relaxed and happy New Year holiday break. I will see you in the new year for some new cards.

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Poinsettia Circle Frame Card

This card could be done a lot simpler that I did it, my fussiness got in the way with this card, so I had to keep adding extra dies and panels to hide glue etc, but you definitely don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.

I cut out the frame on a card base where I want my frame to go, (this one I will use for another project), then cut another one out in a green card. I put some acetate inside the card so that the intricate die was more stable when I glued it into place. I then decided I wanted to cover this, so I cut out another frame on a piece of card to go on the inside of the card, matching up the circles and then cut it to size. I then decided I didn’t like seeing the glue on the inside of the card, so I cut another frame in the green and stuck that inside the card to sandwich the acetate between the two. Just remember you have to glue the inside one on the front of the die, and stick in down, so that the dies match perfectly. I was satisfied with the finished look of this, and you could stop there, but I didn’t haha.

I decided the card was better cut down to a square card, as I was going to have the sentiment on the inside of the frame, so I didn’t need extra space at the bottom of the card. I cut two of the sentiment peace die, that co-ordinates with the frame die, there are a few options you can choose from. One I stuck into the centre of the frame die, on the front of the acetate, and the other I stuck on the inside of the card, on the back of the acetate.

Finally I decided to do the poinsettia that came with the frame die set. So I cut out one outside and two of the centre dies for each flower, bent the ‘petals’ slightly, to give dimension, and then glued them on top of each other, alternating the petals. I then stuck them down onto the frame where the poinsettia are on the green frame. Finally I put some liquid pearls into the centre of each poinsettia. Card done!

When it is opened, you can see right through the frame, and it looks really cool.

I have a video of making the card.

If you would prefer to see it in full HD then hop over to my You Tube channel here.

----- SUPPLIES -----

These are the main supplies I have used in making this card.

Card base 5“ x 7”

Poinsettia Frame die from Memory Box

Peace circle die from Memory Box

Tim Holtz paper Guillotine

Pokey tool (any)

Gina K Connect Glue

Skewer

Liquid Pearls - Rouge

Scraps of red card

Scraps of pearlised green card

Big Shot Sizzix

Piece of Acetate

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Snow Globe Deer Scene Card

I start off this card by doing a lot of cutting. I cut out the globe shape out from a card panel, I cut out the two snow bank pieces and the two smaller deer from the Sizzix thinlet set.

I then do some ink blending on a small piece of Strathmore bristol smooth water colour paper, and use some blues going from a medium blue to a darker blue to make it look like a night sky. Once I'm happy with that, I will cut out the snow sky background die in the same set.

I wanted to have the base of the snowglobe to have a woodgrain effect, so I used the Sizzix 3D texture fade called lumber, and ink up one side with the versafine onyx black ink and put it through the big shot and it gives me a woodgrain look so I can cut out the snow globe base piece.

I decided to try using the Go press foiling machine to do the sentiment for this card. I haven't actually used it a lot. I had a stamp set that I got from Aliexpress and so I will use one of the sentiments from that set, and use some holigraphic gold foil to do the sentiment.

Finally I can put the card together, I put the snow banks in behind the base of the aperture that I cut out, and then stuck the card panel onto some craft foam. I worked out where I needed to put the ink blended backgound and stuck that down onto my card base and then stuck the card panel over it. Finally I can stick my deer onto each snow bank and the wood grain base to the snow globe and that is the card finished.

While I was doing all the cutting, I cut out the snowman pieces that came with the snow globe set and made up a card using that, this time I made it into a shaker card, it made a very sweet card. You could also make the deer scene one into a shaker card if you wished to also. Such a cute card.

I have a video of making the card.

If you would prefer to see it in full HD then hop over to my You Tube channel here.

----- SUPPLIES -----

Card base 5" x 7" or 12.7cm x 17.7cm

Card panel slightly smaller 11.8cm x 16.8cm or 4 11/16 x 6 5/8

Piece of Strathmore bristol smooth water colour paper

Extra white card for scene pieces and kraft card for woodgrain

Sizzix big shot

My favourite things Die-namics classic snow globe die

Sizzix thinlets Winter wonderland

Sizzix 3D texture fade - lumber

Altenew mini cube - persian blue

Distress inks - blueprint sketch, salty ocean and chipped sapphire

Ranger mini blending tool and sponges

Nuvo deluxe adhesive

Craft foam

pencil

Craft knife

Scissors

Couture creations GoPress foil machine

Couture creations gold foil

Foil stamp from aliexpress (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000203301353.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.1a844f09HyHMH2&algo_pvid=85bf1460-cddc-4a2f-8d51-9183e02e4cd7&algo_expid=85bf1460-cddc-4a2f-8d51-9183e02e4cd7-0&btsid=0bb0623616017635954468706ed16f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_) not same but similar

Thursday, 8 October 2020

CAS White and Gold Wreath Card

I stuck down the sentiment top and bottom of the circle aperture and that is the card finished. I quick and simple one to do.

For this card I am using the Impression Obsession Twig Wreath die set but instead of using colour like I did last year, I am going to keep the card very clean and simple and only use white and gold.

I got my card ready, by folding a piece of A4 card in half and then cutting the length to be the same size as the width, which is about 6" x 6" or 155mm x 155mm.

I then cut out a card panel the same size and cut a circle aperture with an inside outside stitched die, as I want the stitching to be around the outside of the aperture I cut, and also the same circle out of a piece of craft foam.

I cut out 3 of the twig wreaths and glue them together so that they make a more substantial die cut that will have a little more dimension that a single die cut. While I was doing the cutting I cut out some gold twigs and holly leaves from the twig wreath die set and also a sentiment form an old poppy Stamp die set (folk merry Christmas) out of the same gold mirror card.

Now it is a simple matter of putting the card together. I mounted my card panel onto the craft foam and then onto my card base. I stuck down the white twig wreath. I then couldn't decide if I wanted to put the twigs as well as the holly leaves, but ended up deciding on the holly leaves only, as I wanted the clean and simple look, so I didn't want it to be cluttered looking. Less is more!

I have a video of making the card.

If you would prefer to see it in full HD then hop over to my You Tube channel here.

----- SUPPLIES -----

These are the main supplies I have used in making this card.

Card base and panel 6" x 6"

Craft foam 6" x 6"

Circle inside outside die set (marianne designs) but any will do

Impression Obsession twig wreath die set

Poppy stamps folk Merry Christmas die

Gold mirror and spare white card

Nuvo deluxe glue

Craft foam

Cutter Bee scissors

Sizzix Big Shot

I hope this card has given you some inspiration with how you can use what Christmas supplies you already have, you just need to think about them differently by keeping to no colour or just using part of a die to make it look completely different. Happy Christmas Card making.

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Christmas Card Series 2020 - Christmas Tree scene card

This is a very simple card to make, with stamping, a little bit of masking and ink blending and the sentiment any way you want to do it.

I used the Plentiful Pine stamp from Altenew, which is a layering stamp, but you could make this card with any tree stamps you had.

I started off by stamping the tree I want to be the Christmas Tree, and then masked that off.

Next is to do a couple of trees further back to look like they are in the distance. You could do a trio or line of trees if you had that sort of stamp.

I stamped one, masked it off and then stamped the other in behind, so it looked like it could be further in the distance.

I also masked off with a cut piece of masking paper, across the card where the third tree was stamped, and lightly ink blended with a pale grey ink to look like a hill or the ground where that tree was growing, then did the same with a slightly different shaped piece of masking paper where the 2^nd tree was stamped so that it looked like that tree was on that hill or part of the ground. Then repeated the process once more in between where I stamped the 2^nd tree and the first. Then finally the area where the main tree was. This give the scene dimension and makes the trees look like they are back in the distance.

Lastly I put a gold star (punched out of some gold paper) and some red and gold flat back pearls dotted over the main tree to look like they are baubles on a Christmas tree. This could equally be done with some nuvo drops if you had them, or tiny enamel dots, whatever you have in your stash.

For the sentiment I have done it with a We r memory keepers Quilling pen and some gold foil, but you could use a stamp or die cut in whatever colour you wanted.

I have a video of making the card.

If you would prefer to see it in full HD then hop over to my You Tube channel here.

----- SUPPLIES -----

These are the main supplies I have used in making this card. The affiliate links of some of these supplies or something similar, may be used at no cost to you. Product disclosure below. I will also have the links on my blog https://handcraftedbyhelen.blogspot.com

Card base 5“ x 7”

Scrap of Gold foil card

Altenew Plentiful Pine Stamp

--- https://shrsl.com/2ib5p -{Altenew}

--- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/altenew-plentiful-pine-stamp-set/?ref=93 -{Krafters Cart NZ}

Mini cubes - Green Valley

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/green-valley-mini-cube-set/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

----- http://shrsl.com/260my -----{Altenew}

Full sized oval stamp set – Green Valley

----- http://shrsl.com/260n0 -----{altenew}

Mini cube set - Rock Collection

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/altenew-rock-collection-mini-ink-cube-set/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

----- http://shrsl.com/260nz -----{Altenew}

Full sized oval stamp set – Rock collection
----- http://shrsl.com/260o0 -----{altenew}

Cutter Bee Scissors

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/cutter-bee-scissors-5-original/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Gina K Connect Glue

--- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/connect-glue/?ref=93 ----{Krafters Cart NZ}

Inkadinkadoo masking paper

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/inkadinkado-stamping-mask-paper-7x5-12pkg/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

We R memory Keeper Quill Freestyle starter kit

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/we-r-memory-keepers-foil-quill-freestyle-starter-kit-no-free-postage/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Tim Holtz blending tool and sponges

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/mini-ink-blending-tool-1/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Double sided tape

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/scor-tape-125x27yd/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

Jewel picker

----- https://krafterscart.co.nz/product/jewel-picker-double-ended/?ref=93 ----- {Krafters Cart NZ}

We R memory Keeper Gold foil

4mm flat back pearls in red and gold from stash

DISCLOSURE

Thursday, 10 September 2020

Double frame cards with left over flower stamps

These cards are using the left over flowers from making the cut border cards from my last video.

I started by cutting out 2 frames out of gold mirror card using 3 different sized rectangle nesting dies and then repeated it so I had two of each size. You could do them a lot thinner than I have, but I wanted to be able to put foam tape on the back to raise them up, and if they were too skinny it would be very difficult. You don’t necessarily have to raise them up though, so if you weren’t you could make them thinner.

I then stuck each pair together, slightly offset, so that they made a kind of ‘crystal’ frame. I then put some foam tape onto the backs of these. Before I stick them down onto my card base, I want to do a light colour blending in the area where my flowers are going to go, radiating from that point up into the framed area a little. Then I stamped my sentiments where I wanted them, and then I was ready to stick down my frames.

The last thing to do was to make an arrangement with my left over stamped flowers and leaves, and then stick them down either with glue or with foam tape.

These frames could be done with any shaped nesting dies, hexagon or that sort of shape would be really effective. Use what you have and you will be thrilled at the result!