Today I want to talk about some of the 'cutting dies' in your craft room. We want to be able to use our products more than once, but not necessarily make the same card over and over. So, use different papers, different layouts, different sentiments you get the idea. I have some border dies I love to use and finding innovative ways is a challenge.

The first card is a Birthday card in white card stock with the border die used on the front, both the card and the decorative paper. This one is a soft pink and green. The pink from the inside shows up to add dimension

          

The second card is an anniversary card in pink, purple, green and gold. The decorative border has been used on the front card stock and designer paper also on the inside to give more dimension. When closed it looks like there are four different layers. Also the border die was used to make the focal ornament style tag.

These are just a few of the ideas I came up with, use your imagination  let it run wild!

                                                                                                    Enjoy!

                                         

Today the card I am sharing with you is called a 'double gate fold', is very easy and can be used for many occasions. Double sided paper is best used for this although is not absolutely necessary. I also made the flower and butterfly embellishments.

Even though I don't have my shop open any longer, I can't seem to stop from crafting. So many ideas floating around in my head trying to get out. If you have a need for a card or paper item let me know.                                                                            

                                                                                     Enjoy

Thought I would show you the cards I made for my DIL's for their Anniversary. Since I made the guys one also. There's always a good reason to make a card or two.

Top: an open book card. This was from a 'you tube video'. It is not hard just intimidating but don't let it get to you. You can do it.
                                                         This is a 5 x 6 1/2

The video is for a smaller card which is great also. I made one of those also. 

This is a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 

All you need to do is adjust your paper according to your base card size.

This card is for my other DIL. It is called a double curtain fold. For this you really need a double sided designer paper. Card stock is too heavy with all the small folds you need to make. Then decorate as you feel it.

This is a 5 x 6 1/2 card, but you can make it smaller also. I did and it works great. I have made several of these I really like this design it is so very feminine.

                       This is the 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 size.
                                                                                                                    Enjoy

Since we are doing masculine inspired cards for a few days now, I will add a couple more. These I made for two of my sons for Anniversary cards. But you could easily make them into a Birthday or Fathers Day.

The background is made using scoreboard and making it look like a wood wall. I then used ink pads and drug them along each panel to make it look more like wood. The first one I just used one color, the second I used two colors, my idea was to make it look like mold on old wood. I thought it looked good. The trucks are die cuts with metalic ripple holographic paper backing then glued down. I used vellum for the window.

Same background, same die cut, you have two different looks. Try it don't let those dies and stamps just sit there.
                                                                                                                            Enjoy

A little more complicated is this folded card. This I found on a 'You tube video' just look under 'Fathers Day Cards'. You will find several. This may look hard to make but it is not. It could be used for several occasions. The different colors and design paper is where your 'OAK' comes in. You personalize it by doing your own thing with the design fold. Have fun with your creations.

This can be made with just a single breasted look by cutting the lapel shorter. Your card your style.

                                                                                                                              Enjoy

A card can be a simple hello to an elaborate statement. This is where it becomes your personal statement. When making your 'Father's Day Cards' keep this in mind. Where you get your inspiration can be surprising, as simple as looking out the window to searching You Tube to Pinterest. Grab an idea here and there put them together with some of your own and it becomes 'OAK' (one of a kind).

In the cards, I am listing today they are just simple stickers or dazzles added to beautiful paper. They give a card some dimension. A flat card is great, I prefer a little more dimension and texture. This is where it becomes 'Your' design.

I hope this has helped you in some manner. Having fun and enjoying your hobby is the most important part of all.

                                                                               Enjoy 

Saw this on one of the blogs I am on, just had to pass it along.

Morning!
Been having some fun time with family the last couple of weeks. We all know that family comes right before crafting or along with.

Thought I would just attach a couple of cards I have been working on. Not hard to make at all but if you would like me to break them down for you just leave a comment and I will be glad to. I think most of it is in the decorating, the color theme, and the sentiment for the card. I hope you enjoy making these.

Working on a couple of Fathers Day cards and hope to have them up in a couple of days.

Showing how just a different color and paper can change the look of the same style of card.

This is called a 'Four Fold Card'.

                                                                                                             Enjoy!