Sunday, 15 June 2014

Refreshing Cards

Happy Fathers' Day / Happy Father's Day

I'm never quite sure where to put that apostrophe ... most of us only have one father to make a card for (though I used to have two thanks to my lovely step-father) so it could be the apostrophe-S, but then there are hundreds thousands millions of fathers being honoured today so perhaps it's the S-apostrophe that's correct!

Not my problem though, as I have nobody left to make a card for.

Instead I have been having a playing with my June Counterfeit Kit using the 1st challenge over at the CKCB: using tone on tone as a background.  It's not a new technique for me to layer my cardstock with letters cut from self-coloured scraps; I love the subtlety it gives to (sub-)titles here.  Today, however, I've used it to create the background for an 18th birthday card:

Jimjams - 18th Card
Sizzlits Round-a-Bout numbers
I took inspiration from a Jennifer McGuire card I found via Kool Kitty Musings (a brilliant source of card inspiration).  I have other number dies so I gave it another go:

Jimjams - 21st Card
Sizzlites Broadway Melody numbers
These cards use up an entire A4 sheet of cardstock: half for the base A6 folded card and half for the extra numbers.
I wondered what it would be like to use the letters with a Queen & Co washi tape covered word:

Jimjams - Hello Card
Sizzlits Boys Will Be Boys letters
The trouble is that dies that are small enough to fit a word across the card result in a lot of sticking to fill the background!  I had another go after rotating the card base:

Jimjams - Hello Card
Sizzlits Round-a-Bout letters
Hmmm - it was still a lot of cutting and sticking, but a pleasant way to spend a rainy afternoon whilst listening to the radio nonetheless.

I'm also joining in with Jennifer's Refresh Your Craft Event challenges - keeping things clean and simple and using teal orange & white.

20 comments:

  1. Aw that me feel very sad :(
    Love your cards though, you are now in my inspirations folder :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. These cards are gorgeous. 1st of January is my birthday-lol.
    Thanks for your comment on my blog. I used one stencil and the rest was done using various makes of stamps.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ooh i do like these! Might have to give it a go x

    ReplyDelete
  4. they all look great and I love the idea

    ReplyDelete
  5. These are fab cards - such a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are great cards, but that washi tape application would drive me crazy!
    Rinda

    ReplyDelete
  7. they look fantastic - when I first saw them I though the background was embossed - I wouldn't have the patience to stick them all on straight

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yes, I thought maybe they were embossed too. Sticking them on looks brilliant. A perfect design to adapt for any occasion. Very clever!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's very clever, Jemma - the embossed look is a great textured background. I'm just thinking I could use up all my coloured Basic Green sticky-backed letters and then acrylic or gesso over the top for a clean look :).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well done on the cards just love this look the bold against the subtle background.

    ReplyDelete
  11. These look great Jemma, I love the one with the washi tape word! It really pops from the background, but the subtle letter behind keep it all interesting! Thank you so much for joining in the challenges at Jennifer Grace Creates! x

    ReplyDelete
  12. That's brilliant. I shall pin this, but which board - cards or techniques to try?

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hope you find a worthy recipient for these beautiful, time invested cards! They're simply stunning.

    ReplyDelete
  14. These are amazing! absolutely love them - they are striking and so effective. Definitely Pinned.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very clever, I thought they were embossed too!! I've been trying to find out how you did it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Such a great idea for cards. I will be
    Inning one of these for a future reminder. They are really lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow these are a great idea, Jemma. I might pinch the idea for next month's BtCR if that's OK? ;)
    Sue x

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for leaving a comment - I love hearing from you :D
Please ignore any Word Verification request (and that Robot thing) that you see ... your comment will reach me as WV is switched OFF!!