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:

Lesley G said...

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

kjjc said...

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.

Susanne said...

Oh I love this idea.

Sandra said...

These are just fabulous

Lou said...

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

Mary B said...

they all look great and I love the idea

Sarah said...

These are fab cards - such a great idea!

Michele said...

Great idea - fab cards!

Maria Ontiveros said...

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

helena said...

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

Sian said...

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

alexa said...

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 :).

Tina Campbell said...

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

Jennifer Grace said...

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

Anonymous said...

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

happysnapper said...

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

Lisa-Jane said...

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

Sandie said...

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

Lisa said...

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

MiniOwner said...

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