Make Your Own Prima-Style Flowers!

I found this great tutorial on Valita's blog. My loyal readers may recognize Valita as the designer who used my Original Hawaiian Shirt template to created those darling cards -- the one with the slippers and the one with the paint roller. Well, Valita came up with a great idea on how to create your own Prima-style flowers using flower punches and handmade paper. (You can find the link to Valita's wonderful step-by-step tutorial here.)

I didn't have any handmade paper on hand, so I used some scraps of double-sided mulberry paper. Since this paper is rather thick, I first peeled apart the paper into two layers. That's two for the price of one! Also, my flower punch didn't make heart-shaped petals (like those on the famouse Prima flowers), so after I folded each petal down the center, I snipped off a piece at the fold with my embroidery scissors. A little dry embossing with a stylus and Voilà! A finished flower for a fraction of the cost, using supplies that I already had on hand!

Thanks Valita!

(Stay tuned for a quick and easy project that I created using these handmade flowers...)

Guten Tags

This was my third entry in Paper Craft Magazine's online "hello-themed" Gallery Idol contest this past April. For this "card" I decided to create a series of tags, each printed with the word "hello" in a different language. I also used a technique called dry embossing using Lasting Impressions' stencils to create the various 3D elements on each tag. I added color and contrast to my images by highlighting them with ink. I also added dimension to my project by using various levels of foam tape to adhere my elements. I accented some of the bugs with vellum wings and "antennae" made from silver florist wire. Finally, I bound all the tags together with two very large brads.







Want to see more of this project? Check it out in my online portfolio!

To learn more about dry embossing, check back for a future post...

Cards from Heidi and Susan

Hello Dear Readers! I just wanted to share with you a couple of beautiful handmade cards that I received recently...

Heidi in Virginia sent me this lovely card as a "Thank You" for sharing my Hawaiian Shirt Template. (Those of you who frequent Paper Crafts Magazine's gallery and message board recognize Heidi as GiftsByHeidi.) I love the dry embossing and the monochromatic color scheme of this card!

To see more of Heidi's beautiful creations, check out her Paper Crafts Showcase.

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Susan Neal designed this gorgeous card, which appeared in Paper Crafts Magazine's April 2007 issue. She sent it to me as a "Thank You" for my tip on Easy Faux Stitching.

Susan titled her card "Wedding - Blue Jewels." I love the rich colors, so non-traditional for a wedding card. And how could your eye NOT be drawn to those sparkling gems?!

To learn more about Susan, check out her Paper Crafts Celebrity Profile.

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Thanks to both of these lovely ladies for sharing their creativity and talents with me! I really appreciate the gift of your cards!