Tag Archives: Imagine

G45 Sneak Peek Week: Imagination Steampunk Card with Handmade Flowers

Imagination Steampunk Card with Handmade Flowers: New Collection!

Hello, G45’ers!  It may be the last day of April on the calendar, but it’s the first day of Sneak Peek Week on the Graphic 45 Blog!  Today through May 2nd, G45 will be revealing the Spring Release Collections.  I’ve had a sneaky peek and I know you are going to be super excited, too.  Lucky me!  I received a few pages of the new Imagine collection last week, and went to work making samples for the reveal party.  This Imagination Steampunk Card uses gorgeous papers and Ephemera Cards along with two of the new G45 Dies.  Let’s take a peek, shall we?

Imagination Steampunk Card Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Graphic 45 Photo 01

The color palette and images in this collection are inspiring!  It’s as though A Ladies’ Diary bumped into Steampunk Debutante, and Imagine was the result.  This is a softer, more feminine version of steampunk and I found it super fun to work with.

Imagination Steampunk Card: The Clock Focal

I am loving the vintage clock face paired up with this collection. The Square Tag and Clock Dies are fast becoming a “go to” item in my workbasket.  This time, I cut the doily frame from a pearlized bronze cardstock.  Then I cut the clock face from a soft floral pattern from the collection.

Each layer is raised up with dimensionals to give the clock a strong presence in the design.  The center dial is cut from one of the gear corners on the signature page.

And if you love butterflies, you are going to swoon over the gorgeous ones found in this collection.  I fussy cut quite a few, layered them up and added them all the way around the perimeter of the clock.

I’m finding lots of good ways to use the lovely little flourish from the Square Tag and Clock Dies, too.  These corner accents really help tie everything together as well as anchor the design.

The sentiment panel is made from one of the cut apart panels on the border strip page.  I matted this on kraft cardstock.  Then I backed it with waste chipboard to add height.  Finally, I fussy cut the “Imagination” plaque from a second panel, matted it on dimensionals and matched it up carefully.  I love the dimension and simplicity this adds.

Imagination Steampunk Card: The Handmade Flowers

I finally had a chance to play with the G45 Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flowers Metal Dies.  Oooh la la!  Look at these fun steampunk posies!  I cannot get over how beautifully these dies cut through G45’s heavy papers!  One pass through and you’re done!  I added button centers, some Prills and custom dyed seam binding ribbon.

By the way…did you know you can use G45 Decades Dye Ink Pads to custom color ribbon?  Here’s how I did it:

  • First, smoosh the ink pad on your non stick kraft sheet, glass mat or other non-porous surface.
  • Next, mist the ink with water until droplets begin to form.
  • Now, dip and scrunch white seam binding ribbon into this inky pool until it is all soaked up and well distributed.
  • Set aside to dry naturally, or if you are impatient (like me) gently heat dry.

I used Decades Precious Pink to color this ribbon, and it’s a perfect match for the papers.  You’ve gotta love that!

Imagination Steampunk Card: A Peek Inside

The ephemera cards from this collection are soooooo gorgeous!  These are the back sides, if you can believe it!  I’m in love!

Imagination Steampunk Card Supply List

Graphic 45 Supplies

Other Products: A Penny Saved Prills, Seam Binding Ribbon, Kraft Cardstock, 1.5″ circle punch, Bronze Metallic Cardstock, Copper Brad

I hope I’ve shared some tips, trick and ideas that you can use in your own paper crafting adventures.  I’d love to hear your thoughts and reactions to this gorgeous new G45 collection.  Please share with me in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

 

 

Imagine Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble

Authentique Imagine Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble
YouTube Video and Snapguide Tutorial

Hello, Friends!  I’m  a big believer in the old saying that age is just a number.  Today’s carousel themed birthday party ensemble is testament to that fact.  Made with gorgeous Authentique Imagine papers, this table centerpiece, birthday card folio and birthday quote wallet are the perfect gift for any woman who is celebrating an all important “milestone” birthday.

(There are loads of photos, a YouTube video tour and a Snapguide tutorial to follow, so you might want to go grab a cuppa and a snack before we begin.  Or, just scroll down to the bottom and watch the video tour. )

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 1

Normally, we connect carousel rides with little kids, but when I got my hands on this dreamy Imagine paper collection, my mind went right to grown up ladies.  Girls just want to have fun, right?

Carousel Themed Bendi Card Birthday Centerpiece with Snapguide Tutorial

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 2

I have discovered a new crafting obsession.  These oversized Bendi Card centerpieces are just too much fun to make, and I can’t stop myself.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 3

For this beauty, I combined  patterned papers, fussy cut images, Detail Stickers, chipboard elements, Petaloo flowers, Striped Chevron Ribbon and a button from my stash.  I’ll share a supply list and product links at the end of this post.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 4

Several of you have asked me if there is a tutorial for making this Bendi Card base.  Well, there is now.  I worked up a Snapguide Tutorial that you can adapt for use with the paper of your choice.

Here’s a good tip for you: Whenever I take a fancy fold card design for a “test drive” I create the base with my cheapest cardstock.  There’s always a learning curve involved, and I’d rather destroy a cheap piece of cardstock than a piece of my gorgeous designer papers.  Once you’ve made the prototype, then you can cut into your pretty papers.  And remember: measure twice, cut once!

Check out How to Make a Carousel Bendi Card Authentique “Imagine” by Kathy Clement on Snapguide.

Carousel Themed Birthday Card Folio

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 5

The focal image on this card inspired this entire project.  I was enchanted by this lovely white haired grandma riding the carousel with her grandson.  This is who I want to be when I grow up!

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 6

Because I really don’t enjoy shopping (unless it’s for paper pretties) I have developed the habit of giving a gift card or cash gift for most birthdays and holidays.  But I still want my gift to be special.  This desire prompted me to start creating what I call birthday card folios.  These are gifts all on their own, but I always include a spot to tuck in a gift card.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 7I begin these cards by building a  5″ x 7″ top fold card base.  Although this looks like a standard card front, I’ve designed a really fun surprise element in.  See that little brown binder clip? Remove it, and you’ll find a secret compartment filled with lovely surprises.

TIP:

I build my cards “inside out.”  Because I want to keep the cover of my cards clean, I create the entire cover, but don’t glue it to the card base until the inside is finished.  This way, flowers don’t get crushed, and I don’t accidentally pick up any mess from my crafting surface.  It’s also easier to work on the inside of a card before the bulky elements on the cover have been added.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 8

How fun is this?  I’ve created a little tuck spot by fussy cutting the pretty carousel pony silhouette from the designer paper.  It’s popped up on a piece of waste shipping package.  You can write a little note and tuck it in here.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 9Turn an image from the cut apart page into an open sided pocket when you glue just the bottom edge.  Then tuck this fun gift card tag behind it.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 10

Have you ever noticed how beautiful some product packaging is?  I just can’t bring myself to toss it in the recycle bin.  The base of this tag is made from Petaloo flower packaging.  I sanded it lightly, painted it with Distress Paints, then created a belly band with gorgeous papers and detail stickers.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 11Top the gift card tag with pretty ribbon and some green metal posies, and you’d never guess its humble beginnings.    Then decorate a mini file folder with designer papers……

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 12

…and your tag becomes a hidden gift card holder.  Fun, fun, fun!

A Peek Inside

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 13Now we get to open the body of this folio.  And what do we find?  Even more surprises.  I started by  sewing vintage buttons to a hand made button card. Then I tuckednext it into this pretty side pocket.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 14

Next, I went to work on the bottom half of the birthday card folio.  Stamped sentiments, a sweet little paper spool of ribbon to go along with the button card and some fun treats can be found here.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 15

When it’s your birthday, it’s OK to eat chocolate…even for breakfast!  LOL  I also created a sweet little tea bag holder that I decorated with one of the images from the cut apart page.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 16Of course, you could tuck anything into this little wallet, but I happen to love tea.  Now, let’s take a look at the final member of this Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble.

Carousel Themed Birthday Quote Wallet

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 17

I thought it would be fun to create a little quote wallet filled with all kinds of happy thoughts about growing older.  Also, I hate to deal with scraps….and I had just enough paper left on my desktop to create this little 4″ x 6″ quote wallet.  LOL

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 18

When I have design paper that is as gorgeous as this, I tend to save every little scrap.  Use a torn edge to make a pretty border on a page.  Cut small strips into banner flags like the ones that flutter beneath the sticker medallion.  They are just too pretty to waste!

Then you can just stamp (or write, or computer journal) your favorite quotes and add them to the wallet.

Here’s how I created this simple tri-fold quote wallet:

  1. First, cut a piece of cardstock to measure 11″ long x 6″ high.
  2. Then, placing the long side against the rail of your scoring tool, score at 4″ and 8″.
  3. Now burnish the score lines with a bone folder.
  4. Fold the right hand side toward the center and the left hand side over it.
  5. Decorate as desired.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 19Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Imagine by Kathy Clement Product by Authentique Photo 20

I also like to use small scraps to create cute little tags like the one I tucked into this pocket.

Carousel Themed Birthday Party Ensemble Video on YouTube

I share more tips, tricks and ideas in this 10 minute YouTube video tour of the album.

I hope I’ve inspired you to get out your pretty papers, scissors and glue and get your craft on!  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List and Product Links

(Note, I’ve provided product links whenever possible, but some items have been in my stash a long time, and are no longer available online.  I’m sure you can find a good subsitute in your own crafty stash.)

Authentique Products:

Other Products:

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