Pretty Card Background Design Using Dies

Mar 11, 2021 | Die Cut, Flowers, Rubbernecker | 4 comments

An Easy Stunning Card Background Design You Can Use Over and Over

As much as I love making cards that use the beauty of one shows topping element, I recognize that the card background design used can have a lot of impact on the overall final project. This one, with the overall lattice look in white layered over white, is one that I will be using over and over because, honestly, is this not SO pretty?  To make this card I used the Rubbernecker Kittie Says Friends, Slimline Circle Lattice, Nested Scallop w/ Half Holes, Nested Rectangle, Mixed Flower Stack, Organic Shapeable Daisy ( foliage), Large Ivy and Flower Buds.

A beautiful card background design of a white on white overall die cut set with a 3D paper flower, all made with dies from Rubbernecker

Cut the Card Base, Frame and Lattice Background

  • Use white cardstock to cute the A2 sized card base, and two 5.50″ x 4.25″ pieces of cardstock for the lattice background and frame.
  • Place one white layer on the cutting platform and cut the Nested Rectangle w/ Holes die.
  • Line up and secure the Nested Rectangle die on the rectangle and cut to create the frame.  Pro Tip: I used my magnetic platform to secure the rectangle die in place for an even border on all sides of the frame.
  • Place the second piece of cardstock on the cutting platform.
  • Line up the lattice circle die on the cardstock and run through the die cutting machine.

 

  • Line up the lattice circle die right along the edge of the first cut and run through the die cutting machine a second time.
  • Remove all the negative pieces from the lattice circle layer.

The Frame and Lattice Background

  • Trim the lattice circle layer to fit behind the eyelet frame.
  • Apply 1/8″ double stick tape to the back of the eyelet frame and attach the lattice circle layer.
  • Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the frame and a few tiny square piece of mounting tape to a few key spots on the design and attach it to the card base.  Pro Tip:  securing small pieces of mounting tape to the die cut background will hold it up and keep it from collapsing down on the card base. 
  • Attach the frame and lattice circle layer to the card base.
  • Note:  I took the step by step photos after I created my card and rushed a little so the second cut didn’t line up as well as it did for my project.
  • Cut a strip of cardstock about 1.00″ x 4.00″ and place it on the cutting platform.
  • Line up the Nested Scallop die over the strip and run through the die cutting machine.
  • Stamp the sentiment, apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the strip and attach it to the frame.

The Flowers

  • Use bright pink cardstock to cut the Mixed Flower Stack and flower buds.  
  • Form the large flower by placing the pieces all face down on the molding pad and roll over the petals using a round stylus.
  • Turn the flower sections face up on the molding pad and push down in the centers using a small tipped stylus to push all the petals up.
  • Attach the flower sections together using glossy accents.  Make sure to offset the petals of each layer to create a natural looking flower.
  • Place the small flowers face up on the molding pad and form them using a small tipped stylus.

 

a card background design created by cutting card stock with a overall design die in white, layered on white, with a single flower made with dies, all from Rubbernecker

Complete the Floral Arrangement

  • Cut the ivy and large foliage sections using green cardstock, place the branches on the molding pad and gently form the leaves using the leaf tool. 
  • Attach the flower to the lattice background using a good amount of glossy accents.
  • Tuck the large foliage sections and ivy branches under the flower and attach using glossy accents.
  • Use glossy accents to attach the small flowers to the ivy branches.  
  • Attach a few tiny flowers to individual ivy leaves and attach one to the lattice circle and two the sentiment layer.

Check out my Lattice and Butterfly with Flowers card to see a project that I used the Circle Lattice die to create a similar background.

a white on white card background design made with dies from Rubbernecker decorated with a single paper flower made with a die set

Does this make you want to try experimenting with card background design using your dies? I would love to hear what you think!  

 
3327 Kittie Says Friends
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5332-01D SLI Circle Lattice Die
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5320D Nested Scallop w/ Half Holes
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Nested Rectangle Die Cut Set 5003D
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5309-10D Mixed Flower stack Die
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5301-05D Organic Shapable Daisy Die
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5162-02D Large Ivy
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Flower Buds Die Cut 5147-09D
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Versafine Clair Nocturne Pad
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Paper Blossom Tool Kit 4/Pkg
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Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
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Glossy Accents .5oz
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Scotch Advanced Tape Glider & Tape
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Scor-Tape .125″X27yd
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Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting…
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How To Make Paper Flower Card Arrangements

Mar 4, 2021 | Die Cut, Flowers, Rubbernecker | 1 comment

How To Make Paper Flower Card Arrangements For All Kinds of Cards

Once you have learned some basic tips for how to make paper flower card embellishments, you can create all sorts of arrangements on your cards for just about any occasion. You can choose any color combinations – like this one of soft purple, bright pink and fresh green – or even all white blossoms, in all sorts of shapes and types and  be able to create a mood or feeling on your card creations.  To make this card I used the Nested Scallop with Holes, Flower #8, Flower #3, Small Flowers #3, and Kittie Says Friends clear set.

this white on white layered card with hot pink and soft purple flowers shows how to make paper flower card embellishments with die cuts

Card Base and Sentiment

  • Use white cardstock to cut the A2 sized card bae and the scalloped layer.
  • Stamp the sentiment on the scalloped layer using Nocturne ink.
  • Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the scalloped layer and attach it to the card base.

Modify The Paper Flowers #3

  • Use green cardstock to cut two sections of the Flower #3 and two sections of Flower #3 using purple cardstock.
  • Trim the flower sections off the green stems leaving enough of the sections to attach the purple flowers.
  • Trim the purple flowers off the the stems and attach them to the green stems using glossy accents.
  • Place the flower stems face down on the molding pad and gently form them using a large round stylus.
  • Check out my Color Paper Flowers post to see step by step photos of the steps I used to modify the stems.

 

These tiny paper blossoms made from die cuts arranged on a handmade card are the final project in today's tutorial on how to make paper flower card embellishments

Modify the Paper Flowers #8

  • Cut one section of the Flower #8 using green cardstock and one section using bright pink cardstock.
  • Trim the flower sections off the green stem leaving enough enough of the sections to attach the pink flowers.
  • Trim the bright pink flowers off the stem and attach them to the green stem using glossy accents.
  • Use bright pink cardstock to cut the Small Flowers #3, place them face up on the molding pad and form them using a small tipped stylus.
  • Attach the small flowers to the stem and attach using glossy accents.  Note:  adding the additional small flowers creates an interesting element of dimension.
  • Attach small white paper circles to the flower centers using glossy accents.  Pro Tip:  Whenever I cut a die that has eyelet holes I save the tiny  circles in a jar to use for flower centers, snowflakes, etc.  I place them on my molding pad so I can easily slip my tweezers under them to pick them up.  

Arrange the Paper Flower Stems 

I always test how I want to arrange the stems before I attach my stems to the card base.  It allows me to see how they will  look best on the card.

  •  Apply small sections of double layered of mounting tape to the back of all the flowers on the Flower #3 stems.
  • Apply glossy accents to the bottom of one stem and attach it to the card base and then set the flowers in place.
  • Cut the second Flower #3 stem into two sections and attach them to the card base so they fill in the arrangement.  Note: I used the double layered mounting tape and glossy accents to attach the two additional sections. 
  • Apply double layer mounting tape to the back of the top sections of the Flower #8 stem and glossy accents to the lower stem section and attach it to the card base to complete the arrangement.

 

A close up view of adorable tiny paper blossoms on today's handmade greeting card showing how to make paper flower card arrangements

There you have it – some basics on how to make paper flower card elements and NOW you have endless opportunities to create one of a kind cards for anyone for any reason. Try them out and let me know what you think!

 
3327 Kittie Says Friends
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5300D Nested Scallop with Holes
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5204-08D Flower #8 Die Cut
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5175-03D Flower #3 Die Cut
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5309-09D Small Flowers #3
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Versafine Clair Nocturne Pad
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Paper Blossom Tool Kit 4/Pkg
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Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
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Scotch Advanced Tape Glider & Tape
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Scor-Tape .125″X27yd
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Glossy Accents .5oz
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Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting…
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How To Make Tiny Paper Flowers For Cards

Mar 3, 2021 | Die Cut, Flowers, Rubbernecker | 9 comments

Learn How To Make Tiny Paper Flowers To Use On Your Handmade Cards

Yes, this looks like a TON of work but once you learn some of my tips for how to make tiny paper flowers you will be looking at these totally differently. You will want to make batches of them to use as additional embellishments on cards or, as I have here, put a whole mass of them over a frame on a card front. I mean, imagine the person you send this to opening this up!  To make this card I used the Rubbernecker Berries, Small Flowers #3, Small Leaf Group and Best Friends clear set.  The Oval Stitched One Piece Combined is out of stock.  

Learn how to make tiny paper flowers from me and you can recreate this stunning handmade greeting card with an oval triple frame decorated with a mass of minute purple blossoms

The Frame and Sentiment

  • Cut an A2 sized card base and oval frame using white cardstock.
  • Use purple cardstock to cut a second set of the oval frame.
  • Turn the frame sections face down on your work table and attach them together using double stick tape.
  • Cut a piece of white cardstock to fit behind the frame, stamp the sentiment with VersaMark and emboss with gold embossing powder.
  • Attach the sentiment layer to the back of the frame.
  • Apply double stick tape to the back of the sentiment and frame and attach it to the white card base.  
  • Pro Tip:  You can stamp directly on the card base when embossing a sentiment but the heat warps the cardstock and is not a great look for the card. I like to use a separate piece of cardstock attached behind the frame to maintain the the crisp shape of the card base.

The Branches and Flowers

  • Cut two berry branches and leaf stems using green cardstock.
  • Use purple cardstock to cut the small flowers.  I think I cut four sections.
  • Place the flowers face up on a molding pad and form by pushing down in the centers using a small tipped stylus.
  • Attach the flowers to the berry branches using glossy accents.
  • Secure the two branches of flowers to the frame using glossy accents.  
  • Fill in bare spots with additional flowers as needed.
  • Tuck a few of the leaf stems under both ends of the arrangement and attach using glossy accents.
  • Use glossy accent to attach three individual flowers and leaves to the sentiment layer.

These itty bitty purple paper blossoms grouped in this arrangement over and oval frams shows what you can create when you know how to make tiny paper flowers
I love sharing my ideas and tips for creating beautiful cards and have wanted to share some details on how to make tiny paper flowers for a while. I would LOVE to know what you think. Do you want more tutorials like these? Do you want to learn other styles of how to make paper flowers? Leave me a comment and let me know and in the meantime, get your hands on some of these, try out my tips and tricks and let me know how your flower making sessions go!

 
3334 Best Friend Set
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5162-01D berries
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5309-09D Small Flowers #3
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Small Leaf Group Die 5110D
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VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad
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Paper Blossom Tool Kit 4/Pkg
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Paper Blossoms Molding Mat
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Scotch Advanced Tape Glider & Tape
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Scor-Tape .125″X27yd
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Glossy Accents .5oz
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Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting…
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A CAS Poppy Card – Quick and Easy!

Feb 23, 2021 | Flowers, Rubbernecker, Watercolor | 3 comments

Today I am doing something a little different and am sharing a CAS poppy card that is super quick and easy, can be done in lots of different colors and simply by changing up the greeting, can be used for so many different occasions. I used Color Fuse inks to color it in and added some little tweaks to not just make it my own but to add some pretty design elements that make a simple stamped flower something a little special.  For this card I used the newly released Rubbernecker Precious Poppies clear set, Best Friends clear set and Nested Scallop with Half Holes.  Hop on over to Rubbernecker to see the Full Release of wonderful clear sets and coordinating dies.  They are perfect for spring and Easter.

 

A CAS poppy card made with stamped and hand colored images and a simple greeting

The Card Base and Sentiment 

  • Use white cardstock to cut the A2 sized card base and scalloped layer.
  • Secure the sentiment stamp and scalloped layer in the MISTI.
  • Apply Nocturne ink to the stamp and stamp the sentiment.
  • Use the heat gun to heat set the sentiment.
  • Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the scalloped layer and attach it to the card base.

The Poppy and Foliage

  • Stamp the poppy and foliage images on hot press watercolor paper using Nocturne ink.   Pro Tip:  I don’t watercolor nearly as much as I used to but when I do I love the smooth texture of hot press watercolor paper.
  • Use the heat gun to heat set the images.
  • Use Color Fuse Nectar and Fired Brick Distress inks to watercolor the poppy.  
  • Smash the Color Fuse ink pad on to a palette or a large acrylic block.
  • Pick up the ink using a wet brush and paint the whole flower image.
  • Use Fired Brick reinker to paint the darker shade of red to the flower center and along the inner edge of the second flower layer.
  • Paint the leaves using Color Fuse Mist and Clover inks.
  • Fussy cut the flower and leaves.
  • Cut a very thin strip of black cardstock to use for the flower stem.
  • Use glossy accents to attach the leaves to the back of the black strip and then attach the strip and leaves to the sentiment layer.
  • Apply a piece of mounting tape to the back of the poppy and attach it to the sentiment layer.
  • Finish the card by attaching pre made black Nuvo Crystal Drops using glossy accents.

 

This CAS poppy card was made with some simple stamped images and a few small design elements that make it a card useful for many occasions

 

Can you see yourself making this CAS poppy card in lots of different colors and with different sayings? I love cards that I can make a few of and have on hand for that last minute “gotta send a card!” moment. Try this out and let me know what you think!

 

 
5320D Nested Scallop w/ Half Holes
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3406 Precious Poppies
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3334 Best Friend Set
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Color Fuse Set #4
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Color Fuse Set #10
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Versafine Clair Nocturne Pad
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Hot Press Watercolor Paper Pad 9×12,…
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Fired Brick, Ranger Distress Ink Pad
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Clear Acrylic Block 4.25′ X 4.25’…
[ ELH ]
Amazon.com: Transon Round Watercolor…
[ AMZUS ]
Embossing Gun (Wagner), Hero Arts
[ ELH ]
Tonic Nuvo Crystal Drops, Black Ebony…
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Precision 5 Inch Scissors with…
[ ELH ]
Mini Glossy Accents, Ranger Accents
[ ELH ]
Scotch Foam Mounting Tape
[ ELH ]
Fiskars 01-005452 Recycled Bypass…
[ AMZUS ]
Teflon Bone Folder, Essentials by Ellen
[ ELH ]
Scor-Pal Measuring & Scoring Board 12×12
[ ELH ]
Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting…
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New & Improved Mini MISTI Laser…
[ ELH ]
 

How To Add Color To Paper Flowers

Jan 26, 2021 | Clean and Simple, Flowers, Rubbernecker | 1 comment

There are many ideas for how to add color to paper flowers and I just love using this easy and quick method of adding ink to die cut flowers that creates that random and realistic look. You can’t really make a mistake and as you can see, the variations in the layers of color really add a ton of pop to these tiny yet vibrant little blossoms. Read on for more details and for more tips on how to use one die for this multi-colored stem that is all this card needs.

To make this card I used Rubbernecker’s Nested Rectangle Scallop with Holes and Flower #3 and Kittie Says Friends.

learn how to add color to paper flowers like these brightly colored simple blossoms on a green stem

The Card Base and Sentiment

  • Use white cardstock to cut the A2 sized card base and the scalloped layer.
  • Stamp the sentiment using red ink.
  • Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the rectangle layer and attach it to the card base.

The Flower Stem

  • Cut flower stems using pink and green cardstock.

This is an easy method for how to add color to paper flowers using sponge applicators and Color Fuse ink from Rubbernecker

  • Use a mini applicator to apply light pink ink to each flower bloom.
  • Apply a darker shade of red ink to each bloom but leaving the middle top section of each bloom lighter for a natural appearance.
  • Trim the blooms off the pink stems.
  •  

After you learn how to add color to paper flowers like these tiny ones in shades of red, you can trim your die cuts to add the blossoms

  • Trim the flower blooms of the green stem to make it easier to attach the pink blooms. 

Learn how to add color to paper flowers and then use the arranging technique shown here to add them to the same die cut stem from Rubbernecker

  • Attach the flower blooms to the green stem using glossy accents.

Learning how to add color to paper flowers is only the start - use the shaping technique shown here on the leaves for even more realism

  • Place the stem face down on the molding pad and form each leaf using the leaf tool.

Learning how to add color to paper flowers combined with shaping them as shown here makes your projects POP

  • Use a large round stylus to form each flower bloom.
  • Apply a string of rolled up double stick tape to the back of the two main stems.
  • Apply small pieces of mounting tape to the back of each flower bloom.
  • Attach the stem to the card base.
  • rolled double stick tape 2

Rubbernecker has several individual flower stems dies and I posted them in my LinkDeli lists.  It is amazing how striking the large stem pops on the all white card front.  The card is striking and was fast and easy to make.  You could also mix and match individual die cut flowers from other die sets and attach them to this beautiful stem.

Once you know how to add color to paper flowers like these bright and realistic looking red blossoms you can make simple cards POP 
I hope this helped you learn a little bit about how to add color to paper flowers of all sizes and shapes. The great thing about nature, especially flowers, is that the coloring is usually random and irregular so this method of adding more shades of color to your die cuts gives you great results every time! And since we are talking flowers you may want to check out my YouTube channel to see several flower videos. 

 
5175-03D Flower #3 Die Cut
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Nested Rectangle Scallop w/ Holes 5141D
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3327 Kittie Says Friends
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Color Fuse Set #4
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5175-07D Flower #7 Die Cut
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5175-01D Flower #1 Die Cut
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5175-04D Flower #4 Die Cut
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5175-02D Flower #2 Die Cut
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5175-06D Flower #6 Die Cut
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5175-05D Flower #5 Die Cut
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VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Tulip Red
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Mini Applicators, 12 pk, PanPastel Sofft
[ ELH ]
Sizzix – Paper Sculpting Kit
[ SBC ]
Mini Glossy Accents, Ranger Accents
[ ELH ]
Scotch Foam Mounting Tape
[ ELH ]
ATG Kit, Advanced Tape Glider
[ ELH ]
Teflon Bone Folder, Essentials by Ellen
[ ELH ]
Scor-Pal Measuring & Scoring Board 12×12
[ ELH ]
Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting…
[ RBB ]
Clear Acrylic Block, 2.5 Round w/…
[ ELH ]
 

I hope this helped you learn a little bit about how to add color to paper flowers of all sizes and shapes.

Big Impact From Tiny Paper Flowers!

Jan 17, 2021 | Die Cut, Flowers, Rubbernecker | 3 comments

When I started making this card I really didn’t foresee how these tiny paper flowers were going to make such a huge design impact on this card! Their delicate and dainty look echoes the overall feel of the embossing folder and I just love how they came together!  To make this I used Rubbernecker’s Nested Scallop with Holes, Wide Terracotta Pot, Leaf Group, Small Flowers #3, Small Butterflies and Kittie Says Phrases #1. The embossing folder is unknown.

Using a grouping of tiny paper flowers like these bitty pink blossoms on greenery in a flowerpot can have loads of impact on your hand made cards

Card Base, Sentiment and Frame

  • Use white cardstock to cut an A2 sized card base and a 5.50″ x 4.25″ piece for the embossed layer.
  • Place the single layer in the embossing folder and run through the die cutting machine.
  • Apply ATG adhesive to the back of the embossed layer and attach it to the card base.
  • Use white cardstock to cut the scalloped frame.
  • Cut a 1.25″ white strip and a 1.50″ pink strip and attach them together using ATG adhesive.
  • Stamp the sentiment using black pigment ink, sprinkle with clear embossing powder and heat.
  • Apply strips of mounting tape to the back of the frame, attach the sentiment strip to the lower portion of the frame and attach to the embossed card base.

The Terracotta Pot

  • Use yellow cardstock to cut two of the largest pots in the set.
  • Cut the top lip of the pot off of one of the pots and discard the bottom.
  • Use a mini applicators to apply light orange ink to the whole pot and the additional pot lip.
  • Add additional shading to the pots using darker orange and brown inks using mini applicators.
  • Apply a strip of mounting tape to the back of the additional pot lip and attach it to the whole pot.

These tiny paper flowers in a tiny paper flowerpot on the front of this handmade card are adorable on their own but set against this embossed background make them stand out

The Tiny Paper Flowers Arrangement

  • Cut three or four sections of the leaf group die using green cardstock.
  • Trim the individual branches off of each leaf group sections to use for the foliage background.
  • Begin attaching smaller branches to the back of the pot using glossy accents.
  • Continue adding larger branches to the pot and foliage arrangement using glossy accents.  
  • Cut a couple sections of the small flowers die using pink cardstock.
  • Attach a couple small branches with glossy accents to hang down over the top of the pot.
  • Place all the flowers face up on the molding pad and form them by pushing down in the center of each with a tiny tipped stylus.
  • Use tweezers to pick up the flowers and attach them to the foliage using glossy accents.
  • Use pink cardstock to cut a small butterfly and attach it to the card base using glossy accents.
  • Pick up the small white circles with tweezers and attach them to the flower centers and butterfly using glossy accents.  Note:  I save the die cut circle sections left over when I use an eyelet die on a project.  They come in handy for flower centers and falling snow.  

Using tiny paper flowers against an overall-embossed background gives them a ton of impact on your handmade cards

Look through your dies and see if there are any images you’ve been overlooking due to their size. Then make a little pile of tiny paper flowers and see what kinds of design inspiration strikes you. I am betting you will come up with something so sweet!

 
5300D Nested Scallop with Holes
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Wide Terracotta Pot Die Cut 5147-17D
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Leaf Group die 5118D
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5309-09D Small Flowers #3
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Small Butterflies Die 5147-08D
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3308 Kittie Says Phrases #1
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Color Fuse Set #2
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Color Fuse Set #3
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Mini Applicators, 12 pk, PanPastel Sofft
[ ELH ]
Embossing Gun (Wagner), Hero Arts
[ ELH ]
Ranger Super Fine Embossing Powder,…
[ ELH ]
VersaFine Clair Ink Pad, Nocturne
[ ELH ]
Sizzix – Paper Sculpting Kit
[ SBC ]
Mini Glossy Accents, Ranger Accents
[ ELH ]
Scotch Foam Mounting Tape
[ ELH ]
ATG Kit, Advanced Tape Glider
[ ELH ]
Teflon Bone Folder, Essentials by Ellen
[ ELH ]
Scor-Pal Measuring & Scoring Board 12×12
[ ELH ]
Crossover II Fabric & Paper Cutting…
[ RBB ]
Clear Acrylic Block, 2.5 Round w/…
[ ELH ]
 

Tiny paper flowers can make a big impact on a card front.