Negative Space on Purpose

I made this card by running my small star die through the machine three times. Then I used the negative space instead of the actual cut out stars. Instead of my usual heavy white cardstock, this one is actually a lighter weight cream with a slight texture. It works fine because the layers on the front are small and minimal. Black and white twine and the subtle pattern red star add just the punch needed to make this card pop.

Open Stars

Using a small star die inside a large star, I created open stars for this fun-for-any-age card. I used my scoring board to add subtle lines to the white layer. Matching buttons, lightweight string and a tiny tag greeting finished off the simplistic, clean look. And did you catch the visual triangle (small green stars?)

Fun with Chevron

Another versatile greeting on a non-gender specific card. Could be used for get well, thinking of you or birthday. I used one line of atg adhesive to stick the strips to my Creative Memories cutting mat. Then I used the CM circle cutter to cut the circles out of the strips. I cut circles from the plain paper and trimmed slightly to make "buttons" that would fit inside the spaces. My 1/16" served as button holes. Hemp twine around the project added a bit of a rustic touch and some texture.

Stacks of Presents

Masculine birthday cards are hard. But who doesn't love gifts? And stars are as much a fall back for guys as flowers for women. I got to utilize some hard-to-use papers. And the lightly patterned paper looks pretty cool when embossed.

Birthday Candle

I have had this card on my Pinterest board for awhile and saved to my phone for almost as long. It is so simple and yet the large candle makes a big statement. Combined with the matting in the same paper and it's a win. Double win when you realize it took longer to find a paper that works than it did to assemble the card. I really wanted to use polka dotted paper but I didn't have one with random dots...only uniform and I didn't think that would give the same look. So I opted for this fun piece. I cut the angle on the candle as well as the flame freehand, but I'm sure if that thought freaks you out, you could find one on a cricut cartridge. The gems add sparkle, a bit of depth and texture.

Controlling the Scrap, Version 2.3

Another simple card but I just loved the banner and the partial circles of all kinds of patterns! I did two takes because I was going for a masculine/boyish look and didn't succeed with my first try - pink and flowers don't work for most men, lol! I am actually much happier with my second set for two reasons. #1 I made the mat smaller, allowing more of the card base to show. #2 I used a dark card base and I think it looks much better that way. So...here is take one:

And take two will follow the dimensions--

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 4.5"
Colored mat: 4 1/8" x 4 1/8"
White mat: 4" x 4"
Partial circles: 2" trimmed to .75" high

I placed, adjusted then adhered my circles. Then I stamped my sentiment while the surface with still flat. Last, I went back and added a strip of glue and ran my twine, wrapping it along the back and taping the edges with good old scotch tape to hold it in place on the back.

Controlling the Scrap, Version 2.2

Back to using up scraps, I thought this card was fun with all the colored circles. And then the repetition of that shape with the addition of gems for texture and dimension was a nice finishing touch. Since I don't have all different sized circle punches, I used my Creative Memories circle cutter. I think you could set up a template with the Cricut just as easily.

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 6.25"
Mat: 4.25" x 6"
Circles: 1", 1.25", 1.5", 2" and 2.5"

I cut circles a little bit larger from the patterned scraps and placed them underneath. I think if I did more of this style, I would try cutting the same size and simply insetting them.

Controlling the Scrap - Version 1.0

My scrap pile from card making was getting wildly out of control. So when I came across a few samples on pinterest I loved that looked like they would put those scraps to good use, I set up a mass production system on my workspace.

My first card was one that used various sized squares and rectangles, including a background mat that could have detail in one corner.  I can always use a stash of "generic" cards. So I pre-stamped seven penants of each sentiment (get well, good luck, celebrate and thank you) to have on hand so I can grab them, adhere them, print a pertinent inside and run out the door =) I went a little crazy weeding out any scraps that coordinated and were in the right dimensions. I did TEN takes on that one!

Card dimensions: 4.5" x 6.25"
Mat: 4.25" x 6"
Top rectangle: 2" x 1.5"
Bottom left rectangle: 2" x 4"
Bottom right square: 2" x 2"
Other supplies: scrap ribbon, misc buttons

Lighthouse Birthday

Card size: 4.5" x 6.25"

Image: Lighthouse 3 by Cornish Heritage Farms

Supplies:
markers, Spectrum Noir
hemp, gear, paper and cardstock, misc

Two Oh!

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridge:
number banners, All Occassions Cake Art
stars, Gypsy Wanderings

Supplies:
text and aqua  patterned paper, Dear Lizzy Neopolitan
orange subtle patterned paper, India Bloom by Basic Grey
cardstock, twine and string, misc

Challenges:
Unscripted Sketches, challenge #172
ColourQ, challenge #151

"Deer" Birthday

Card size:
4.25" x 5.5"

Cartridges:
label, Martha Stewart All Occasions Cake Art

deer, Give a Hoot


Supplies:
pink dot patterned paper, Neighborhood Collection by Crate Paper

flowered patterned paper, Dwell SixBySix by My Mind's Eye

sentiment, Everything Happy set by Stampendous

butterfly gem, American Girl

twine, The Twinery

border punch, Recollections

cardstock and yellow patterned paper border, misc


Challenges:

Skipping Stones Design, color challenge

{PIN}spirational Challenges, photo challenge

Tuesday Morning Sketches, sketch challenge

Just a Note on Your Birthday

Card size:

4.5" x 7"

Cartridges:

none

Supplies:

chipboard butterfly, Colorbok

gems, studioG at WalMart

white cardstock, ribbon, misc

Happy Bee-lated Birthday

Card size:

6.25" x  4.5"

Cartridges:

scalloped circle, Martha Stewart All Occasions Cake Art
bee, Create a Critter

Supplies:

embossing folder, dotted swiss by Sizzix

patterned paper, My Mind's Eye

white, kraft and colored cardstock, chipboard photo corners, misc

B is for Birthday

Card size:

6.25" x  4.5"

Cartridges:

scalloped circle, Martha Stewart All Occasions Cake Art
bee, Create a Critter

Supplies:

patterned paper, Neighborhood Collection by Crate Paper

twine, The Twinery

white, kraft and colored cardstock, button, misc

Bday w/Star

Card size:
5.5" x 4.25"

Cartridges:
"Bday", Birthday Bash font
star, All Occasions Cake Art page 58

Supplies:
dotted embossing folder, from Sizzix Dots and Flowers set
corner chomper, We R Memory Keepers
kraft and colored cardstock, button and string, misc