Kaisercraft Wandering Ivy Friendship Card

Hello, Friends!  Happy April!  March was such a busy month for me, that when I managed to meet all my deadlines I decided I deserved a treat!  So I pulled out a paper pack that’s been lurking in the Closet of Shame for months now, and let myself have 3 whole days to create exactly what I wanted to make! No assignments, no deadlines…just playing with paper for the pure pleasure of it!  This Kaisercraft Wandering Ivy Friendship Card is one of 4 projects that I managed to finish on my “break.” I’ll be sharing 3 of them here with you this week.

I dug deep into my shabby chic style while making this pretty card.  Distressed edges, painted metal embellishments, a fabby die cut frame and a bodacious bow cluster really amp up the shabby chic vibe of this 5″ x 7″ top fold card.

I just love the sentiment focal!  Since blue is my very favorite color, I just had to have this “Wandering Ivy” collection pack from Kaisercraft.  While I was shopping, the “Wandering Ivy Collectables” may or may not have fallen into my shopping basket.  (Ahem. )

Kaisercraft Wandering Ivy Friendship Card: Bringing the Shabby Chic!

Another great way to create a shabby chic vibe on a card is to add a die cut layer.  This Spellbinders Nestabilities “Laced with Love” die added a nice, airy layer on the card.

Paint metal embellishments with white chalk paint to add another layer of shabby chic to a card design.  Chalk paint is great to use because it goes on smooth, and does not need a primer.  It also dries with a flat finish.  I love that look!

Texture is also important in a shabby chic card.  And there’s no easier way to add it than with a bit of crocheted lace.  This snippet is just peeping out from under the card focal like the hem of a pretty petticoat.

Every shabby chic card needs a great bow cluster, in my opinion.  Ivory Checkerboard Satin Ribbon is so soft, and I love the texture that the subtle checkerboard pattern adds to the mix.  I topped the base bow with a 3/8″ wide Royal Blue Diamond Stitched Satin Bow.  Then I piled on White Magnolias, Blue English Roses, White Bead/Berry Clusters, and lots of little Sweetheart Blossoms.

Kaisercraft Wandering Ivy Friendship Card: A Peek Inside

This is one of my “two pocket” cards.  And just look at all those yummy shades of blue!

The top pocket holds a little gift card wallet.

In addition to a gift card, you can tuck in a tea bag and mini chocolate.

Put the scraps on your table to good use by adding a tag to your card pocket.  I had a 3″ x 6″ scrap of nice, sturdy white cardstock.  Turn it into a tag by rounding the corners with a Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper.  To shape the top, I used my Scallop/Cloud Corner Chomper.  I use these Corner Chomper tools almost every time I craft.

Itty bitty scraps can be cut into banner flags, larger ones can be used as layers on your tag.  I even added a scrap to my honey stick to dress it up! The best part of it is, you have fewer scraps to clean up when you’re done creating!

It felt really good to create just for the fun of it.  Of course, I always have a good time whenever I get to play with paper, but not having a deadline or an assignment made it really special.  I did go ahead and load this card up in my Etsy shop in case you are interested.

I hope I shared some tips, tricks and ideas that you can use in your own crafty adventures.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy