Spring is in the Air - A Sneak Peek

(Click on an image for a larger view.)

Here is a sneak peek at the card the seniors will be constructing this week. In order to accommodate individuals with limitations in dexterity and/or vision, I do all the cut work and stamping, assemble card kits and guide them in assembling the finished card. For those of you who would like to create this card or one like it, the instructions are below. Happy crafting!

Spring is in the Air

After the long, cold days of winter, the soft, warm colors of spring are a welcome sight. The bright pink of this card provides the perfect backdrop for a collection of fabric flowers in black, white and pastel pink. The pretty decorative edge of the card front is created with a die punch edger. The same edger is used on the white inner liner of the card, adding a bit of visual interest. Two pink butterflies flutter in the left bottom edge of the liner, echoing the dominant color and motif of the card. This layout is fast and simple and lends itself to different color schemes and themes. With a change of sentiments and embellishments, this can become a card for any occasion.

Materials List:

1. A2 size card in fuschia (A2 is 8 ½” x 5 ½” open, 4 ¼” x 5 ½” folded in half)

2. White paper cut into two pieces as follows:

a. One 2 ½” x 4” piece (for card front)

b. One 4 ¼” x 5-3/8” piece (for liner)

3. Black marker

4. Black pigment ink, pink dye ink

5. Black embossing powder (EP) – superfine detail powder preferred

6. Studio G clear acrylic stamps – VC0023 Series 45 – Spring is in the Air

7. Small butterfly stamp

8. Five fabric flowers for embellishing: 1large, 2 medium, 3 small (Flowers used here are Petite Petals by Michael Miller Memories – item discontinued. Any other flowers can be substituted.)

9. Edge punch of your choice (Fiskars edger used here.)

10. Strong glue, glue stick or tape.

Construction

1. With edge punch, punch long edge of card front and one long edge of the white liner paper.

2. Align the straight edge of the liner flush with the straight edge of the inside card. The punched edge should be pointing towards the fold. Glue or tape in place.

3. With pink ink, stamp butterfly twice on lower left corner, angling them slightly in opposite directions. (See photo.)

4. With black pigment ink, stamp sentiment in center of smaller piece of white paper. Stamp butterfly above and slightly to the right of the upper right corner of the sentiment. Angle butterfly slightly to the right. Emboss sentiment and butterfly with black EP.

5. Slowly drag black marker around the edges of white paper, allowing the ink to soak into the edge and feather slightly. Glue paper to the center of the card front.

6. Arrange flowers in upper left and lower right corners of card front, placing the large flower in the upper left to balance the composition. When you are satisfied with your arrangement, glue the flowers in place.

Your card is now complete.

Ballo ergo sum
- Gitana, the Creative Diva