Thanks Sew Much Greeting Card

Hi everyone!  Barbara Rankin here today on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog.  You know, there's nothing better than laser cut chipboard for adding dimension to your greeting cards without adding lots of bulk and height.  But don't stop there, it's also great for adding layers and cool shapes to all your scrapbooking and mixed media pieces.

First I cut up a piece of pink card stock to make a 5-1/2" square card.  Then I trimmed blue chevron paper to measure 5-1/4" square, and used a distressing tool to rough up the edges.  Set the pink card aside for now.

Using one of the small zipper chippies, trace around it with a pencil, then cut a "V" shape in the paper inside the lines, as shown.  I cut approximately 1/8" inside the lines.

Paint the outer edges of the zipper, first with a coat of Blue Green Light, which is opaque, then after that dries, paint a coat of Cobalt Teal Hue, which is transparent, over that.  Paint the zipper teeth and zipper pull with a silver leafing pen.

You can use the Translucent White to give the color a more pastel look, just by adding a light wash over the zipper edges.

Glue zipper to blue chevron paper.  Add a small piece of pink flower print paper beneath the zipper opening, distressing the outer edge to match the blue chevron layer.

Add a detail to the zipper pull with the Viva Décor Silver Pearl Paint Pen.

Tear white doily in half and adhere to right side of blue chevron paper.  Tear blue flower print paper in half and adhere both strips over torn edge of doily, and tear a few more strips of the pink flower print paper to the card front, as shown.

Cut out two printed decorative portions from one of the sheets and adhere to card, as shown below.

Cut away a small section from the Posey Panel.  Color each posey with a combination of the Titanium White plus Quinacridone Violet (purple flower), Titan Buff plus Diarylide Yellow (pale yellow flower), Titanium White plus Primary Magenta (pink flower) and last flower with only Titan Buff.  Cover all flowers with a wash of the Translucent White.  Let dry between coats.  Then use Faber Castell Pitt Pens in Light Skin over all the flowers except the yellow one.  Cover that one with Cadmium Yellow.  This will color the Translucent White paint and give it a shaded effect.

Paint the body of one of the dress forms from the  Dressforms 1 Miniature Shape Set the same way as the zipper edges and then color the dress form stand with a Pitt Big Brush Pen in Nougat.

Add tiny details to the drop pendants with the Viva Decor Silver Pearl Paint Pen.  

Adhere the dress form and poseys to the card front, as shown.

I decided to cut a few more poseys from the Posey Panel and paint the same way as the zipper and dress form.  

Glue these pieces over the posey panel, as shown, for added dimension.

Add some bling to the posey centers, as shown.

Trim one of the less busy patterned papers from the pad to 5-1/4" square.  I chose the wood grain paper for the inside of my card, and computer-generated the sentiment "Thanks Sew Much!".

Add a strip of lace along the top edge to finish the card off.  

Supplies Used:

GSL Dressforms 1 Miniature Shape Set
GSL Zippers (Coming Soon)
GSL Posey Panel
Lavender 6x6 Paper Pad (My Mind's Eye)
White Doily
DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics
  Blue Green Light
  Cobalt Teal Hue
  Translucent White
  Diarylide Yellow
  Quinacridone Violet
  Primary Magenta
  Titan Buff
Faber-Castell Big Brush Pen
  Nougat
Viva Decor Pearl Paint Pen - Silver

I know we all love those flower filled cards that end up requiring a box to mail them in, if you cannot hand deliver them.  This, to me, is an awfully beautiful alternative while still fitting in an envelope, and may only require a small amount of extra postage.  So, I hope I've inspired you to make some beautiful cards with your laser cut chipboard pieces, and like I said, they are fabulous on your scrapbook layouts and in your mixed media projects.

Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a super crafty day!

Hugs,
Barbara

A Stylish Surprise

I often hear how difficult it can be to create masculine things, whether it's a simple card for a special occasion or even a gift. In our family, June is a month full of celebrations. In addition to Father's day, there are many birthdays, a few of which are masculine. I am always trying to come up with new ideas for the guys, and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to share my stylish surprise. 

I use the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts double explosion box as a base for the project. This set is comprised of five pieces that arrive flat, ready for assembly. 

Each piece has pre-scored lines for ease of assembly. Once I have laid out the pieces, I like to fold along the score lines to get an idea of how the piece will take shape.

As always, the first step in my creative process is to generate ideas and get a feel for the theme I would like my project to follow. Because of the nature of the exploding box, this piece could go in so many directions; it's good to have a solid idea before getting started. The person I plan on giving this to is quite style savvy. I decide it will be fun to use Tim Holtz papers from the Dapper collection that I have in my stash. The next step is to begin thinking about what types of elements will be appropriate for the theme. I envision pockets and plackets, leather and linen, and buttons and zippers. 

Since I am using papers to cover the different faces of the piece, before I begin to glue the flaps of the lids and the smaller inner box portion, I trace an outline of these flattened pieces on the papers I will be using. This will serve as a template and facilitate the process. All of the flat panels are measured and the paper pieces are cut. When creating pieces that have multiple levels, I tend to work one layer at a time. I find this easier to know which papers go where and also to keep it in a manageable format. This project has so many flat planes to be covered and embellished, it could easily become overwhelming. I found it easiest to add the base papers to each tier/level before moving onto the next. Then, once all of the base papers are in place, I add the embellishments, one level at time.

Working my way from the outermost box inwards, I cut the squares that will be adhered to the outside. The squares are all 3 inches. I select coordinating but different patterns for the insides and outsides and a different pattern altogether for the interior base square. Each square is inked along the edges and attached to the chipboard with collage medium and then the piece is set aside to dry. 

While that is drying, I consider the box top. I want this to coordinate with the pattern paper I use on the outside, yet give a glimpse of what is to come. I decide to die cut a floral pattern that will mimic the floral of the sides. I cover the middle flat of the box top with a piece of linen. This will show through the openings where the negative space of the flower is. The paper is trimmed and scored, then adhered to the outer portion of the main box lid.

 

Before embellishing the large box flaps, I cut the squares for the next tier, ink their edges and adhere them. This second tier can be attached to the first, larger piece; however, I decide not to. Therefore, I cover all sides and panels of each piece. If you want the layers to be attached to each other, the bottommost square of this (inner) tier does not need to be covered. 

While I have all of my papers out, I select the coordinating pieces for the small box that will be located inside both tiers. This small box and its lid are covered in the same manner as the main lid. I trace the outline of the flattened pieces, cut out, score and fold and ink all the edges. I then  use a quick dry glue on the box flaps and secure in place, creating a 3-D box. Once the box form is dry, it is ready to accept the paper covering. Make sure that it fits correctly before gluing onto the chipboard piece into a 3-D form, you may need to make a few adjustments; these are much easier to do while the paper can lay flat. follow the same steps to complete the small box lid. I like to cover the inside of the lids as well as the outside. This is not necessary, I feel it makes for a much better presentation.

Depending on the theme you choose for your double explosion box, there are so many ways to embellish the flaps. Keep in mind that the inner tier, when open, rests on the outer tier flaps. Try not to add anything that could be crushed or alternatively, anything that would be so heavy that it would crush what is underneath. With this in mind, it is a good idea to keep placing the tiers into their respective locations as you go, so that you can easily see how they interact.  Each of my outermost flaps focuses on elements that can be found on an outer garment. 

I emboss a gypsy soul laser cuts zipper (coming soon) and pull with oil rubbed bronze embossing powder. After it is cool, I cut a piece of denim patterned paper to fit the void and adhere it to one of the panels. 

I create a pocket with denim paper trim, then die cut a square of linen with the stitched square die. The decorative edges are painted with faded jeans distress oxide ink. This square is folded like a handkerchief and stuck into the pocket.

Using the base paper, I create a collar element that is trimmed with the denim paper and attached to the top of another interior square. 

Using a stitched ovals die, I cut a piece of faux leather paper and ink around the edges to give it a broken-in feel. This is attached to the last panel to mimic an elbow patch found on a jacket sleeve.

In order to keep the second tier/layer from opening immediately when the main lid is lifted, I sew buttons on two outside corner edges and use a piece of elastic cord on the adjacent flaps to create a fastener that secures around the sewn buttons. I also later add a paper lid (not part of the laser cut set) to prevent the inside from being seen and to add to the "surprise" element when opening the box. 

The inner tier panels of my box focused on the finer details of mens dress shirts. 

I create a diagonal pocket to hold collar stays on one panel. 

Another panel has a "scrap" cut of linen covered by a faux leather piece that rotates on a jeweled "cuff link". This might be the perfect spot for a hidden message to the recipient. 

Another diagonal pocket holds an extra piece of "scrap" linen as well as a button card. 

The last panel of this tier contains a coordinating shield/logo. This may be a nice location to add a monogram for a personalized touch.

The "piece de resistance" is, of course, the inner gift box. I created this box with the thought that it may be used to house special mementos, cufflinks, or perhaps an heirloom pocket watch. 

Here are a few pictures of the pieces when they are stacked inside one another:

Once I decided upon a theme, this "stylish surprise" came to life. Knowing the likes (or dislikes) of the recipient can make such a difference when coming up with creative ideas, regardless of gender. I  have a feeling that this set may need to be a staple among my crafting supplies; I already have ideas for an entirely different theme.

I hope that you can savor each moment, the days pass quickly. 

 Don't forget to make time to explore your creative side.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.

~Ann  

Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Used:

Double Explosion Box

Zippers (coming soon)

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