Saturday, July 28, 2012

Wildlife Silhouettes

I made these cards about a month ago but I don't think I ever shared them. (If I did, please overlook my forgetfulness...LOL)





I originally made the deer silhouettes for the pocket watches, but decided they would look good on cards too. For the backdrop, I inked Ranger Gloss Paper with Scattered Straw, Wild Honey, Rusty Hinge, and Barn Door Distress inks. I cut the silhouettes from smooth black cardstock using my Wildlife Silhouettes cut files.


I makes an easy masculine card.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Peach Roses on Graphic 45 Paper

I was playing around with more of my Open Roses and remembered I had some Graphic 45 Le Romantique paper that would be perfect for peach colored roses.


Oddly enough I did not have a Distress Ink that matched the coral shade in the Graphic 45 paper. I ended up using Victorian Velvet and Rusty Hinge. It is a very interesting combination.

I also used my Diamond Edged Decoration border and square mat along with some K and Co paper for the bottom of the card. The square mat is raised slightly with foam.

Of course, with all the flowers on the front, the card does get quite bulky.


But then, I forget all about that when I look at those roses...


...they are so pretty that nothing else matters, LOL

I have a ton of other projects planned. I just have to work around Life. :)


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Open Roses


Well I FINALLY got the videos and cut files ready for the "Open Rose"

I spent soooo long trying to figure out how to explain how I made them. It was one of those things you knew how to do but could not describe it.
Well, I ended up coming up with a new solution that is even easier.

I am thrilled with the results.
Here are a few examples.




I am selling the cut files and links to the instructional videos in my Etsy store.
It cam out to a little over 1 hour and 20 minutes worth of instructions.
Of course it does not take that long to make one, I just wanted to explain everything really well and take my time so people could see what I was doing. :)

You can also make another flower with the same cut files. It is easier and is called an "open flower".


It is pretty quick to make too. You can use this same technique for most flowers that have broad petals.

Here is a video tutorial for the open flower.




If you have ever purchased flower instructional packages from me before, I will be emailing you soon with a 50% off discount code for the "Open Rose" package.

I am also offering all my blog followers a 25% discount on any purchase from my Etsy store.
I will be sending out an email later tonight with the discount code. If you do not get an email, just send me a message at papercompulsions@gmail.com and I will send it to you.

I also added several new files to my Etsy shop as well as the actual paper roses you see in the pictures and video.
You can also custom order flowers in any color and size. 
I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks to color my petals so if you want one of his colors but don't see it pictured, just let me know.

I will also be offering a chance to win some free flowers later this week!

Thanks so much for your patience.
I hope you enjoy the pictures and video.



Saturday, July 14, 2012

Glittery Butterfly Video

Hello crafty friends. I finally got a chance to make a video showing how I made the glittery butterfly card from my last post.

Hope you enjoy and thanks for watching!


Monday, July 9, 2012

Glittery Butterflies

Well the "Open Rose" stuff is going well! I finally found a way to explain them that makes sense. :) I should have it all together in a few more days. 


In the meantime, I wanted to share a couple of glittery butterfly cards I made last week. I got some glitter embossing powder and, oh my, did I have FUN!






I also got some DCWV Mariposa patterned paper. It was so pretty and had such great gold foil images on it that I just had to dress up the rest of the card to go along with it.  :)   


I used a black card base and cut a turquoise blue mat. I stamped some flourishes on the mat and embossed them with gold glitter embossing powder. I used one of the sheets from the Mariposa mat stack. I added part of a gold doily and  a short strip of my new diamond edged design cut file that I cut in black. I cut one of my detailed butterflies and embossed it with turquoise embossing glitter. (It is sooo shiny in person)


If you would like to see a video of me making this card, please leave a comment.


The papers were so pretty, I could not stop there. I had to make a few more. (Really...I HAD to... LOL)




More glittery butterflies on a dry embossed shape that I inked with gold chalk ink.




This paper was so pretty that I did not add anything. (These 2 cards were made using one of the 12 by 12 Mariposa papers that I cut down. )

I can tell that I am going to love this paper pack!
(Yes, I know it has been around for a while, but it is new to me :)


Hope you enjoy these. I will have more pretty stuff soon :) I think I have a new obsession with these glitter embossing powders. LOL

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Diamond Edged Borders



Isn't it pretty? I am loving it!
I am not exactly sure what to call this design. I started out playing with one of my old files that I called "Decorative Diamond Design". 


I turned it, twisted it, and modified it until I ended up with this pretty lacy decorative edge.




This is two different round decorations with shadow pieces stacked together. I topped it with my "Open Rose"


*****I am working on instructional videos for the open rose this weekend****** I should have it ready soon. (It has taken me months to figure out how to explain it.)


But back to my diamond edge design...


I also used the design on either side of the middle piece on this gate fold card.

I even used a strip of it to make a beautiful rosette.


Putting the rose on top of the rosette was just too much for the top of the card so I will use it somewhere else. LOVE the way it looks though!


The set is available at my Etsy store.


I already have great plans for this design. Borders, mats, edges of cards...wonder how it would look to run ribbon in and out through the curved slits on the sides?????


I will let you know soon. LOL








Friday, July 6, 2012

Late for the 4th

Well these 4th of July projects did not get posted on time, but better late than never. LOL



The card is a regular A2 sized card that I made a chevron cut file for along with a 3D star. I thought it was a cute take on the traditional stars and stripes.

The firecracker is a little treat box.

I also had high hopes for another card. It started out as a "good idea" ...
  
Striped paper with 3D stars. But then I thought it would be so cool if I made the front of the card with star cut outs and had the stars attached to the back layer.

It was not until I had the card made that I realized my mistake. If the stars are cut from one side of the card and more stars are attached to the other side, THERE IS NO ROOM LEFT TO WRITE! LOL

Oh well, live and learn. :)

Monday, July 2, 2012

Cross cut

You may remember a post I did a few months ago with this intricate cross cut file. (You can look at that post and get the link to download the file HERE.) 




I came across a wonderful cut file of this lovely intricate border that fits perfectly with my cross. 
I downloaded it a year ago and for the life of me can not find the site again. Sorry)

My Black Cat did a PURRfect job cutting it. I was so impressed as I carefully lifted the detailed cut images from my mat...

....Then it dawned on me that I now had hundreds of little tiny pieces of paper stuck to my cutting mat! LOL

Well it was worth it for one special card, but I am not sure if I will do it again any time soon. :)