DIY Bright and Cheery Cards

Bright, Cheery, Happy Cards

After a long and dull, cold winter, I need a big dose of color - bold, bright, happy color.  Thus I set off to make myself happy.  Happiness is easy to achieve when I use my favorite  Petaloo products.  

I have some short DIY instructions to show you how you can achieve these looks at your craft table.  

I created two cards using the same background stamp, just applying different colors and different coloring techniques to complete the project.  

My background stamp is from JustRite PaperCraft Succulent - Background Cling Stamps  and is great for experimenting with technique.  The large floral pattern is great for pairing with any Petaloo flower.    The possibilities are limitless. 

Below is a closer look at the Petaloo florals that adorn this card.  

Here's How I made this

Step. 1 - I stamped the image onto " Specialty Stamping Paper for Inks"  using Clear Embossing Ink and the  Misti Stamping Tool ( Most Incredible Stamping Tool ).   This helps provide a clear and crisp image.  I am not looking for a distressed image - I really am desiring a crisp clean image.   For this reason, I also did not choose to use distress embossing ink. 

Step. 2 -  I coated the specialty paper with clear  super fine embossing powder (white embossing powder works nicely here as well).   Heat and set with a heat embossing tool/heat gun. 

Bonus Tip - With products like embossing powders, glitter and beads, I find that clean up is much easier when using a craft tray to help catch all the extra product.  I'm not really great at sweeping and vacuuming so I like to avoid that one task when possible. 

  

Step. 3 -  Pick some Distress inks and start blending.   I was able to blend gorgeous color combinations on the specialty stamping paper using various Distress Inks and blending tools.   

  

Step. 4 -  Moving on to the embellishing phase.   I die cut two decorative ovals from JustRite PaperCraft and scored them at the center so they could be crisply folded and used as flaps to hide a surprise sentiment. 

Step. 5 -  Secure the decorative ovals  to the stamped card .  To do this, align the fold against the side of the card.  Once in place, they will act like "flaps" to hide a surprise sentiment when closed.  

Here is an image of the front and back of the card once the ovals are attached.  

Step. 6 -  Embellish as desired with coordinating and colorful Petaloo flowers.  After you are done embellishing, add a Velcro dot to each side of the flap so the card stays closed.  I purchased the Velcro dots in the notions section of a big box store. 

These are the gorgeous flowers I used: 

Petaloo - Darjeeling Collection - Pink Dahlias 1467110

Petaloo - Textured Elements Collection - Yellow Burlap RS1208-203/6

Important Tip - as you add flowers, trims, bows and various embellishments to the flaps, make sure the flaps still open.  Do not make the mistake I made of gluing this and that to the flap without a care, then assume it will open like it should.  I was thankful my glue had not set up and could still move the products around.  phew!  

Here are a few more close shots to help understand and see the dimension of the card.  

Here is the sweet surprise you find once the card is opened.  The  "hello" sentiment is a die from JustRite PaperCraft - Hello Decorative Oval Frame Die.

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This is my second card - made using the same background cling stamp from JustRite, called Succulent  but with a different technique applied  in coloring the background.

Just as in the first card, I  used Clear Embossing Ink  and Clear Super Fine Embossing Powder  but stamped on Cardstock  for Watercolors .   I did not use the specialty paper for stamping  which was used on the first card.  That specialty paper for stamping is not good to use with watercolor paints.  

 At that point, I cracked out my Prima Confections and water brush and had some fun.  I knew Petaloo flowers would be perfect matches for my watercolor choices.  

The flowers used on this card were:

Petaloo Darjeeling - Garden Rosette Mini- Purple 1491104

Petaloo Penny Lane - Forget me nots - Robin Egg Blue 1837-056

Petaloo Penny Lane - Forget me nots - Purple (Soft Lavender) -0837-057

In addition to the JustRite Background Cling Stamp used here, I added some die cut circles also from JustRite's - Four in a Square die set   for accent and  as a place to add a stamped sentiment. 

 There is a lot of color, movement and bold pattern happening on this card.  I believe the solid circle dies  act as "anchors" for the eye to help draw the eye to the Petaloo flowers.  

Thanks for stopping here to look and share your time with me.  I appreciate this a great deal.  

Petaloo - Darjeeling Collection - Pink Dahlias 1467110
Petaloo - Textured Elements Collection - Yellow Burlap RS1208-203/6
Petaloo Darjeeling - Garden Rosette Mini- Purple 1491104
Petaloo Penny Lane - Forget me nots - Robin Egg Blue 1837-056
Petaloo Penny Lane - Forget me nots - Purple (Soft Lavender) -0837-057
JustRite PaperCraft - Background Cling Stamps  -Succulent -CL06001
JustRite PaperCraft - Hello Decorative Oval Frame Die -DIE05064
JustRite PaperCraft - Dies - Four in a Square
Clear Embossing Ink
Heat It- Heat Gun Embossing Tool
Tray Mate - Craft Tray PP11710
Clear Embossing Powder - Super Fine Gloss
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Squeezed Lemonade
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Picked Raspberry
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Spiced Marmalade
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Fossilized Amber
Tim Holtz Mini Ink Blending Tools
Clearsnap Colorbox Fingertip Daubers ( Blending Tools)
Tsukineko Fantastix Blending Tools
Mini Scoring Board and Bone Folder
Specialty Paper for Stamping
Misti Stamping Tool ( Most Incredible Stamping Tool )
Prima Watercolor Brushes
Ranger Specialty Cardstock  for Watercolors
Prima Watercolor Confections  -Pastel Dreams 590253
Prima Watercolor Confections - The Classics 584252
Watercolor Paper
Core'dinations Cardstock - Gold 12x12 GXCF-75R
Bazzill Cardstock ( Candy Hearts and Marmalade)
Pink Gingham Ribbon