Cottage Garden Archives - Kathy by Design

Heartfelt Creations April 2022 Alumni Blog Hop: Cottage Gardens Shaker Card

Hello, Friends! Welcome to the Heartfelt Creations April 2022 Alumni Blog Hop! The hop starts here! You’re going to find all kinds of wonderful ideas, instructions and inspiration as you hop along with the Heartfelt Creations Alumni Design Team!

How would you like to win a $25 Heartfelt Creations Gift Card? Simply leave a comment on each of the blogs in the hop before 11:55 PM EDT on Monday, May 2nd. At that time, we will randomly select a sweet comment from one of the blog posts in the hop. To double the fun, Heartfelt Creations will offer a second $25 gift card for a randomly selected comment on their blog post! The winner will be announced on the Heartfelt Creations Blog and Facebook page on Wednesday, May 4th. If you are the happy winner, you can claim your prize by emailing socialmedia@heartfeltcreations.us. Please write “Winner of the April 2022 Alumni Hop in the subject line. You will have 72 hours to claim your prize.

Now that we have all the business out of the way, let’s take a look at my Cottage Window Shaker Card.

Hydrangeas, Bluebirds and Open Windows with the Cottage Garden Collection

I love the Cottage Window Collection because it is filled with all my favorite shades of blue. And there are bluebirds and hydrangeas, too! What’s not to love? I decided to celebrate the open windows and sweet breezes of springtime by making this sweet shaker window card.

First, create a 5″ x 7″ top fold card base from light blue cardstock.
Next, mat a 4 3/4″ panel of Cottage Garden paper on a slightly larger cream cardstock mat.
Then die cut an Eyelet Lace Frame from cream cardstock and adhere over the patterned paper.
Now die cut the cottage window, blue birds on a branch, hydrangea stems and hydrangea garland from the paper pad. I also cut a circle from dark blue patterned paper to sit behind the open window, but that is optional.

Creating the Shaker Window

Once you have die cut the window, adhere a piece of clear cardstock behind the open panes. Use dries clear glue for this, as it holds well and will not leave marks.
Now place 3 layers of 1/8″ foam strips around the window opening.
Next, adhere the die cut circle over the area where you want the window to sit.
Then place your shaker mix in the center of the circle.
Finally, line up your prepared window over the sequins and press gently in place. You can prop the shutters open with foam tabs.
Adhere the rest of the die cut elements as seen in the photo.

A Peek Inside

A few simple additions to the inside allow you to turn a card into a gift!

Create a hidden pocket by gluing a card front behind a decorative panel on the top of the card. Then tuck a tea bag into the pocket.

Add a pocket to the bottom of the card. Then create a pretty little folio to tuck inside. Use a border strip as a belly band, then tuck in a tag and chocolate treat!

The mini folio is made by cutting out two card fronts and folding in half. It’s so easy, but really makes a lovely addition to a card. You can write notes here, or add photos.

I’ll add a linked supply list below this post to make it easy for you to find all the paper pretties I used to make this card.

On With the Hop!

Now hop on over and see what the lovely Vicki has prepared to inspire you. Here’s the entire hop list in case you get lost along the way.

Kathy (You are Here) ♥ Vicki ♥ Amarilys ♥ Carole ♥ Lisa ♥ Alissa ♥ Oksana ♥ Candy ♥ Heartfelt Creations Blog

To leave a comment on this blog, click on the blue REPLY link located just below the post title. Please be sure to add your first and last name so that when we pick a winner, we can identify you easily. Thanks!

You can find a linked supply list below

Enjoy the hop!

Cheerio,

kathy

Heartfelt Creations December 2021 Alumni Blog Hop: Wintry Cottage Garden Window Card

Hello, Friends! Welcome to the Heartfelt Creations December 2021 Alumni Blog Hop! The hop starts here, and continues through Monday, January 3rd at 11:59PM EST. The Alumni Team has prepared a wonderful array of projects to inspire you this month! Be sure to visit each blog in the hop and leave a sweet comment behind because ONE randomly chosen comment from a mystery blog will receive a $25 Heartfelt Creations Gift Card!

In addition Heartfelt Creations is offering a SECOND $25 gift card for those who visit their blog and leave a comment on the tutorial they have provided. What a great way to close out 2021 and welcome 2022!

The winner of each gift card will be announced on the Heartfelt Creations Blog and Facebook page on Wednesday, January 5th. Be sure to check those forums to see if you are the lucky winner! You will have 72 hours to claim your prize by emailing socialmedia@heartfeltcreations.us. Be sure to write “Winner of the December 2021 Alumni Hop” in the subject line.

**NOTE: Please comment with your first and last name so that we can accurately reward the winner of the gift card. Thank you!

Now, let’s get on with the hop!

Wintry Cottage Garden Window Shaker Card and Party in a Box

My inspiration piece for the hop is this Wintry Cottage Garden Shaker Window card. This is one of my signature “Party in a Box” cards filled with treats and surprises.

Although the Cottage Garden Collection has a definite springtime theme, I changed things up with a few simple steps.

First, create a shaker window filled with sweet little snowmen, snowflakes and ice crystals. I die cut 2 windows from the paper collection: one with the grid die in the center and one without. Then I backed the grid window with clear cardstock, added layers of foam tape, shaker elements and foam tape to secure it to the 2nd die cut window.
Next, add a snowy effect to the hydrangea blossoms with Dries White Adhesive and Rajni Chawla’s Frosted Crystals.

Now stamp and die cut some Leafy Accents and give them the same icy treatment. A bit of white lace trim adds to the snowy feel of this whimsical creation.

Save time by die cutting the hydrangea blossoms from the paper pad! Then you only need to brush on some glue and shake on the glitter!

Hot Chocolate Party!

Finish the inside of the card with a box pocket and a tag pocket cut from one of the fancy tags in the paper collection.

Fill the pocket with gift wrapped hot chocolate packet, note card, cookies, chocolate and a demitasse spoon. This sweet gift will warm up any winter day, don’t you think?