Circle Trio of Cats

 

Birthday card made with a trio of small circular cat images

Lili of the Valley sell digi stamps through Etsy and this is a great way of getting images for your cards. They sell coloured or black and white images that you can colour yourself. So for this card, I've used a trio of cats image that prints just black outlines and I can then colour to match or coordinate with backing papers. Once downloaded you can keep on your computer and print whenever required. I have made a card previously with one of their pre-coloured images - if you'd like to see it click here)

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Secret Message Gift card

 

Make a card with hidden compartment to hide some money or a message

This cool little card is all made from one die and provides a little pull out tab that you can write a message on, or in my case, I folded a piece of paper money as a gift and hid it in this part.

The bonus of making your own cards, is you can use scraps of decorative papers, old wrapping paper and orientate it to the particular occaision.  I've made this one into a birthday gift but it would be equally cool as a Christmas gift card.

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Doodle Rose

 

Use Creative Expressions Doodle Rose Wreath die as a focal point for this pretty birthday card

This card shows how to use different parts of a die set to create the focal points of a card - the rest of the card is fairly plain but your eye is drawn by the white outlined wreath in the centre of the diamond.

 
Just be careful when colouring your green leaves that you do not colour too much into the wreath or your roses may also be green ! I didn't try it - but maybe glue the white outline to the pink wreath, then colour in your leaves.

 
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Stripy Birthday

 

Make a stripy birthday card using border stamps

This is a really bright and cheery birthday card which has been made quite simply using border stamps with some bright coloured ink pads.

You can use any colour ink pads and any style of border stamps. I've used quite colourful ink pads but you could make it with a several tones of one colour. If you dont have border stamps, why not use strips of paper or ribbons?

If you are using stamps just make sure you clean and dry them properly otherwise you will mark your card when re using them.

Follow the below link to find out how the card was made

Birthday Flower

 

Use Stampin Up's Paper Florist Die set to make a 3d flower to decorate a birthday card

This weeks card is a mixture of my favourite two items - decorative papers and a 3d element. I've used strips of decorative paper from the same paper pack, so they automatically coordinate but because I've used small strips, you can use up your offcuts.

The 3d flower element is made using some dies from Stampin Up's Paper Florist die set. It's quite easy to put together and the 3d element will make your card stand out from the rest of the pack :)

It's not a card to be posted though as it really wouldn't make its way through the postal system. However I am handing it to the recipient in a small gift bag instead of an envelope.

On a seperate note - how tidy is your crafting space?  If you are anything like me I tidy it and then as I make cards, it slowly builds with mess again.  It's got really bad recently so I made a concerted effort to have a thorough clear and clean - this included cleaning my cutting board (click here to be taken to my help page to find out how I did this).  I now have a really clear desk which really helps when you are trying to make cards!🤣   The self healing cutting mat has come up really clean too - got rid of all the gluey marks and ink stains.  I never thought I could clean the mat - I recommend you trying it if your mat was filthy like mine.

Follow the below link to find out how the card was made