Sunflower

The weather is getting milder, the snow is melting away and I’m looking forward to Spring!  I’ve been spending a lot of my free time in my craft room making cards for birthdays, special occasions and even Christmas.  Along the way, I’m trying different things and learning new techniques particularly with inks and glimmer mist. 

I thought I would walk you through the steps of my newest flower creation – an amazing sunflower. I want to thank Elizabeth from 217 Creations for her wonderful tutorial that I followed and adapted.  To view her tutorial 217 Creations



To begin, you’ll need a white cardstock – I used an ivory 110 lb cardstock from Staples.  Some Glimmer Mist in Jingle Bells and Distress Ink in Photo Vintage.  You can use a punch, Sizzix die or Cricut for the main petals.  I used Stretch Your Imagination cartridge cutting one at 2 1/2”, another at 2” and smallest at 1 1/2”.  Each petal is then sprayed liberally with glimmer mist on both sides.  Then dried with a heat gun, and inked the edges with distress ink.


Next, to make the center part, you’ll need a kraft colour cardstock which I sprayed with Heirloom Gold mist.  You can again use a die or Cricut for the star shape.  I used Accent Essentials.  Each flower will take about 18 to 20 of these small flowers.  You then need to squish the flower around the end of a stylus or pen, dip it in glue (I used Aileen Tacky) and then place on the outside of the center of your smallest petal. 


Then you simply assemble each layer putting some glue in between.

To use this sunflower on a card, I decided to add some greenery and feathers.  I cut the greenery from Damask Decor and at times not all pieces are attached (see the left corner piece below).  An easy trick to keep the shape intact is to use drywall mesh when removing the pieces from your mat.  You can easily flip it over to add glue before placing it on your card.

So here is the final image, assembled and embellished. 


I can’t show the card yet as it is for my sister’s birthday….in June! 

Hope you're enjoying your free time too!

Family Day!

It’s Family Day for us in Ontario yet it doesn’t apply to everyone so unfortunately my dear daughter and husband are working.  I’ll be playing Wii with my son soon – uh oh! I’m really not very good at video games.

As it has been awhile since I’ve posted, I will share my Valentine cards with you. Since the beginning of January, I’ve been taking part in a card challenge on the Cricut boards and have learned so much. 

Here is the card for my dear Valentine and loving husband:

Cricut – Accent Essentials for flowers; Sweethearts for Cherub, Elegant Edges for frames.  SEI Oasis cardstock and K&Company SW Nature

For my children, I gave them these cards along with some chocolates

Cricut – Doodlecharms for Heart and Elegant Edges for Frame.  Ribbon was ruched by hand-stitching a diagonal stitch.  Hearts was cut in foil, embossed and then ink with Alcohol inks. 

A shaped butterfly card by welding 2 butterflies from Cricut Gypsy Wanderings.

For my dear brother and his family, I made a non traditional card with a very loving sentiment.

Cricut – Ornamental Iron 2 for the frame, Jubilee for the banner and Joys of the Season for the lovebirds.  SEI Oasis paper and DCWV Shimmer Stack.

For my dear sister and friend – I used a similar Cricut cut from A Child’s Year cartridge but then created two distinct cards. 

Hope you’re having a great day!  It looks like Spring is around the corner!