Faux Nesties

Spellbinder Nestabilities are an excellent addition to your cardmaking "Stash" but I have to admit that they are a little on the expensive side.

So obviously you want to get as much from these dies as you possibly can.

The Labels sets ... and it doesn't matter which ones you have ... are not always the size to fit what it is you want to do.  The Faux Nesties  will show you how to make them work for you.

So imagine that you have a set with five dies in it.... the thing to do is look at them again ... carefully.

You don't just have five dies in there ... you actually have fifteen, because you can use both the inner and outer edges to give you even more sizes. 

Maybe all you want is a thin border around your image ... like the character on the right then follow the steps to get the look.

This card has had the procedure done twice to give the double layered look, and it makes the image stand out really well.

The little girl has been coloured with Promarkers, and the organza ribbon is finished with  flowers from  Wild Orchid Crafts

Hugs Christina xx

Faux Stitching

Many times I want my card with just that little bit of something on it ... and that is a strange statement coming from me as I like to throw anything and everything on my creations.

But maybe just the look of some stitching can be all that is needed and you don't need a sewing machine to get the look.

Around the edge of this card the  Faux Stitching has been created with a white Sakura pen.

These are all the same length but you can vary the length and the style of them with the flick of your pen.

Add Zig-zag stitches for another look especially good if you want to give the look of quilting squares that have been joined together.

And if you  pierce the paper as well then it will take on the look of real stictching even more.

But what ever you do with them as a finishing touch to your designs have fun ... it's all part of doodling and seeing what you can create.

Hugs Christina xx

Faux Book Card

This idea is very effective but for some reason the card does not look straight on the photo... it is I promise you  ... and it looks much better in real life than here.

The Faux Book   is very easy to create and you could make it into a book with any theme that suited your recipient.

The sentiment on this is for a happy retirement but you could make yours as a Birthday book, for a Wedding/Christening/Anniversary ... or maybe a hobby book for a motoring enthusiast or a gardener.

The flowers on this card are made with the Spellbinders Spiral Blossom Die and they have been glittered up with Glamour Dust.

The ribbon has been wrapped around the spine and the background has been created with an Embossing folder  which makes a plain background stand out more.

This one is made in a rich Burgundy colour and says        "Just for You .."   and the ribbon is organza edged with silk.                                                                            

The flowers are again Spellbinders.

But it is another very easy to make card and one I hope you will  try.

Hugs Christina xx

Faux Wood Effect

Time to get the Distress Ink out again to create this Faux Wood effect

This is another easy to produce look that can be very effective on your male cards.

The colour of the ink you use will make the look different, and by varying the lines you can produce thick or thin planks of wood depending on what it is you want to do.

Then you can add whatever embellishments you want to the front

This is another effect that can be made to look glossy by adding the clear embossing powder ... just as you did yesterday with the Faux Leather Effect.

But I have to admit that even with the addition of some flowers this would not be very feminine look on your girly cards.... so give me flowers and "Bling" any day.

This faux wood panel has been embossed in clear powder and then wrapped with string.

The boy wizard has been coloured with Promarkers and he is kind of cute.

I have added the image with Pinflair Glue Gel to raise him up for a 3D effect.

With the addition of the gemstones stars and the Birthday sentiment I am sure he would delight some smalll boy.

Hugs Christina xx

                                    

Faux Leather Effect

Here is another Faux Effect and this one uses masking tape so you will need to raid the household box.

It is another easy to create look and is really good for your masculine cards as they are not really appreciative of flowers, ribbons and pearls .... or any other "Bling"  for that matter.

You will need some Versamark and clear embossing powder too ... but the effect is quite amazing once you get the powder melted, then you can add whatever you want to the card to suit the recipient.

If you make it in paler colours then it can be adapted for your more feminine cards but I have kept these darker ... just for a change.

Back to pinks and flowers later in the week.

The  topper with the dog  has  the Faux Tile effect from yesterday, and I have used the Aged Mahogany Distress Ink for the Faux Leather Effect.

The image has been coloured with Promarkers.

This image also has the Faux Tile Effect in the background.

Both these are from    KennyK Downloads   and there you will find some fabulous images for you to colour yourself.

The shapes have been cut with Spellbinders  ...  (so no surprise there then)  and added to the card with foam pads to raise them up.

You will of course notice the absence of pretty flowers ... and it will take me a week to get over that, but I couldn't resist the ribbons and a few gemstones in the corners.

I hope you will give this effect a try and combine it with the others from yesterday and those to follow. 

Well that's my post for today and now I am going to get ready to go out to dinner because.... It's my birthday and I am going out with my lovely husband .... who bought me the Spellbinders on Saturday for the occasion. 

Hugs Christina xx