CARD# HPJ-2014-04: Precious

 The closed card measures 4.25" x 4.25". 

The second commission I accepted was for a first monthsary. My friend and former colleague wanted to give her girlfriend something 'unique' and thought of a card (made by me. Hehe.).

The girlfriend's favorite colors are black, white and gold. And so the papers and embellishments I used were of these colors.

Since what was wanted was a unique card, I thought of doing something different. A special fold card was the very thing for this project. I looked through different folding techniques online (most of them I have already tried) and came upon this card called Napkin Fold. At first I did not know what it was called and I badly wanted to know what it was so I could look for a tutorial on how to do the folds. I found out the name after a couple of searches. You can check out the tutorial of Carol Hurlock of Splitcoaststampers here.  

I used an 8.5" x 8.5" base instead of the 12" x 12" in the tutorial. Aside from not having a 12" x 12" card stock on hand, the closed card would be so big using the original measurements. 

I placed a die cut at the center and adhered a white card stock stamped with flourishes from the Bo Bunny Clear Stamp Botanical Odyssey set. I then added some small pearls. This would be where the message will be written.

I made a matching box to go with it. I decorated the lid with one of the papers I used on several panels inside the card, a length of black baker's twine and a stamped tag.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: White and black board paper, Bo Bunny Enchanted Collection, All About Scrapbooking It's All About Love, Kaisercraft Pickled Pear Collection, Tsukineko Brilliance Dew Drop Galaxy Gold, Ranger Archival Ink Jet Black, die cut, lace, baker's twine, metal charm, pearls, beads, Bo Bunny Clear Stamps Botanical Odyssey, Spellbinders Nestabilities Fleur de Lis Square, Spellbinders Shapeabilities Fancy Framed Tags One, Martha Stewart Punch Edge Arch Lattice, Cuttlebug Machine V2

CARD# HPJ-2014-03: Fly Away 2

I incorporated several balloons on the third card as requested by Hes.

I looped some black thread around the paper balloons and tied them onto a die cut with the Happy Birthday sentiment on it.

A green silk ribbon and crystals were attached at the bottom of the card to add more flair to the project. And there you have it--a simple and cute birthday card.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Ivory board paper, My Mind's Eye Six By Six Away We Go, patterned paper, Color Box Cat's Eye Queue Pigment Ink Sky Gray and  Olive Green, black thread, black pen, silk ribbon, pearls, hole punch, craft scissors, Spellbinders Shapeabilities Fancy Framed Tags One, Cuttlebug Machine V2

Here is a photo of the cards packed in acetate boxes. I didn't want them to get smashed while she was commuting to work. 

CARD# HPJ-2014-02: Flower Garden

This is Hester's second card.

This is another fancy fold card which is called the easel card. You can find a fine tutorial from Beate Johns here. Hester wanted flowers and butterflies on this card and I came up with this one.

I layered die cuts from the Spellbinders Nestabilities Collection (Fleur de Lis Square) and used some flowers from my stash. I added metal charms for the leaves and lace.

I placed inserts on the bottom of the card for the messages and added bronze-colored studs for the stopper. 

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: Ivory board paper, colored paper, My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Two Blush and Breeze, My Mind's Eye Six By Six Away We Go, wooden flower, paper roses, die cuts, tag, lace, crystals, metal charms, studs, Color Box Cat's Eye Queue Pigment Ink Dune, Spellbinders Nestabilities Fleur de Lis Square, Cuttlebug Machine V2

CARD# HPJ-2014-01: Green Delight

      This is the first card I made for Hodge Podge Jenna. My friend and former housemate Hester asked me to make her three cards for her colleagues' birthdays and this was the first in the set.

      It is a special or fancy fold card called tri shutter. She liked the many folds and she asked to incorporate the floral design of one of my previous cards on this one. I used the papers from the Kaisercraft Pickled Pear Collection for this card. I did not put much embellishments on the inside panels. I just added some stickers with foam tape for dimension and lace. The patterned papers are just so lovely. I want to make more cards using the same collection. 

      I added a pocket on the back side of the card (behind the main panel) to hold sheets of paper for the messages to the celebrant and added another sticker from the same collection.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS USED: White and black board paper, Kaisercraft Pickled Pear Collection, vanilla colored paper, paper doily, lace, bead, Color Box Cat's Eye Pigment Ink Antique Pewter, Spellbinders Shapeabilities D-Lites Frame One, Cuttlebug Machine V2