Christmas 'FLOWER GARLAND' card (November 13, 2007)
Once you know the nuts and bolts of this card, you can do anything with it.
You will need:-
BACKING CARD- pale colours work best, patterned/textured/marble - most weights will be fine.
STAMPS to make FOLIAGE/leaves (you could draw free hand)
PUNCH for HOLLY or ivy (or both - or stamps, and hand cut - if you really want to hand cut holly leaves!) (peel-off holly leaves can be added) - plus red 3D paint or similar to make 'berries' and green/black pen to draw leaf 'veins'
PUNCH or cut out FLOWERS suitable for winter/Christmas - gems for centre or glitter glue/pearl 3D paint etc
FOCUS decoration - candle/bauble/stars - peel-offs/cut-outs/sequins
BOW/ribbon
You will see that the list is vague and interchangeable - that is the whole point of this method. Read through the instructions FULLY before you start and then you will see what you have in your stash that you can use. Follow the instructions for the first time - then go with it and create your own. I warn you, it's addictive!
1 - Start with an idea of the line you want your final design to take. There are examples of round, straight ones and tiny ones in the Christmas shop.
Take your backing card and draw a pencil line following the line that you want your finished design to take. I had in mind a swag trailing over a mantle shelf. The backing I am using is actually a fairly heavy weight paper produced for ink use, it is an ivory colour, and is slightly shiny.
2 - You start to build up layers, rather like a flower arranger. Starting with the foliage.
With your foliage and/or leaf stamps follow the pencil line in a light and dark green ink to give you your basic background texture. I have used Morsels Stamps (connectors) and Whisper Watercolour pens (a dark and a bright green). You don't have to use stamps, you could hand draw a background.
Then add your focal feature - I have used a candle peel off on this one (backed it with a cream card, coloured it with Whispers permanent pens and glazed it with 3D Glaze) - but I could have used small bauble stickers dangling or stars dangling - even a small reindeer or Santa standing will work. Remember to keep you original line going - things that hang will be below - and things that stand up will be above.
If you have a few peel off holly leaves (the glitter green works best) now is the time to add them. It is only background decoration and not really essential, and you only need 2 or 3.
3 - Add the flowers
Punch out some flowers (or die-cut). When working with flowers always think odd numbers - you will need 3 or 5 or 7 depending on the space you have. Remember - it's only a highlight - not the main feature so don't go mad! Also, think about the paper you use to punch out on, as it will be part of the overall design. I used a bit of apricot colour parch marque that was left over from something.
TIP
Put your punched flower onto a soft/flexible surface - like a stamping mat and gently rub in the centre with your embossing tool/cocktail stick/cotton bub . The flower will curve up like a real one!
Add a centre detail to the flower and secure randomly along your original line with PVA. I like to use gems because it does add a certain extra sparkle.
4 - add the final layers
I have used an odd stamp that looks vaguely like an ivy, stamped it in black staz-on and dry brushed a bit of green watercolour over it. Then I cut it out and did the same raising technique as the flowers (from the back!), I mounted it with a tiny sticky pad to give height and preserve the curve. Again - you will only want 5 or 7 - not too many.
Add your bow at this point and use it to balance your design or where there you see a gap.
5 - Lastly the holly
You will need to punch out lots of holly leaves and dab a bit of red on for the 'berries'. You can use 3D paint or glitter glue or nail gems. When they are totally dry, bend up the leaves from the berries and use a bit of PVA to fill in along the original line.
6 -
Add your greeting
I have scribed a message in gold to tie the colour theme together. If you are not brave enough to write you could use a peel off or rub off.
Once you have mastered the idea you can cut corners and save time. I punch out loads of holly and add the 'berries' before I start, then they are drying the whole time. Then I do the flowers and the ivy.
TIP
Save the flat plastic 'blister' lids from packaging and use them as 'keep' trays for little bits and bobs while working on a project.
You can have 1 for holly, 1 for flowers, 1 for bows etc. Keeps your desk ordered!
Oh - the punches I have used are from the X-cut Border System
Click here to return to the News page
Design and 'how to' pages
