Technique Tuesday–Creating the Spiral Rose

Whether you’re doing the Rose Hedge or the Rose Vine, the spiral rose is the easiest flower you’ll ever do!  I had a request to step out this rose, so LET’S GET STARTED!

Step One

This is the rose from the Rose Hedge.  Each bush will probably hold about 3-4 roses in addition to the leaves, which also are included.

Step Two

With the Reverse tweezers, that come in the Tool Kit, grasp the inside projection.

Step Three

Now start to roll towards the other end.  Stop rolling when you have about 1/4-inch left.

Step Four

Use a toothpick and apply a small amount of Beacon’s Kids Choice glue to the unrolled end of the rose.  Roll the rose closed and hold with the index finger and thumb of your opposite hand a few seconds to allow the glue to set.

That’s it!  All you need to do is use ECD’s small tweezers to hold the petal end, dip or use a toothpick to apply glue to the bottom of the Rose and set in place on the Hedge or Vine!

Add a few leaves and you have a finished Rose Hedge or Vine!

Elizabeth Craft Designs Supplies

Susan’s Garden/CountryScapes – Rose Hedge (#1196) and Flora 5/Rose Vine (#1130) 

Tool Kit (#808)

Beacon’s Kids Choice Glue

Ode to Summer with 3 Dies & Give-Away

It’s September 1st and I can’t help but think that Summer is coming to an end.  It was just a few months ago that I planted Geraniums in pots on my porch and now I see them starting to dry back; fall, then winter is coming.  Creating a card to honor their beauty is what I had in mind when I did my newest “Potted” plant.

If you’ve been following me on FaceBook, you’ve seen some of my projects of my Garden Notes flowers in my newest die, Potted.

   

I hope you get inspired after you see how easy these are to make and remember there are YouTube videos on Elizabeth Craft Designs channel on how to make ALL the flowers in my collection.

One more thing, as a special thank you to all my paper gardening friends, Elizabeth Craft Designs is giving away the three dies to make this featured project–Garden Notes Geranium and Potted, and Suzanne Cannon’s Four Seasons!  Post a comment and you will be entered to win…the drawing will be on Friday, September 9th.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

I chose Soft Finished card stock/Ladybug as my card and Els van de Burgt Studio “Through the Lens/Stone” for my project. I masked off the bottom of the “Stone” card stock and used Distress Ink/Walnut Stain to create a table to put my pot on.

 

Then, I adhered the Stone card stock to the card with Clear Double-sided Adhesive. Die cut two “Potted” in Smooth Finish/White 85 lb card stock that has Clear Double Sided Adhesive on the back.

Step Two

To create the look of a terra cotta pot, I use Copic Markers–E09, E15, E19, and E99 and shade the edges with the same Distress Ink/Walnut Stain.

Repeat the coloring for the saucer.

Step Three

I peeled the adhesive off the back and add four foam squares so the flower pot will have some dimension.  Use your fingers to curve the pot, then set it on your card. I use Prismacolor/Cool Grey to add shading to the the side of the pot and shadow it on the card.

Step Four

I created a “stencil” from the base of the Geranium die and dab the positioning of the flowers using Distress Ink/Forest Moss.

This gives me a good idea how the flowers will set, but it is optional.

Step Five

I decided on five flower heads, so I die cut five bases in 80 lb. card stock/medium green and five in 100 lb. card stock/light olive green. Doubling up on the bases gives a firm area to set the flowerets in place.

 

After shaping the base on the molding mat with the Large Ball Stylus, hold the base with your Reverse tweezers (from the tool kit) and use a toothpick to outline the edge with Beacon’s Kid’s Choice glue.

First, place the 100 lb. card stock bases over the stenciled areas, then the medium green ones.

Step Six

The leaves should be tucked around the bases before you add the flowerets.  I shade with Distress Ink/ Forest Moss, then place the leaf, right-side-down on my Leaf Pad and use my Leaf Tool to add stem lines.  Turn it over and crease the lines.  Add shading, using PanPastels/Bright Yellow Green.  Shape the petal, by pinching the stem end and bending the outer leaf.  Add some shading using PanPastel/Permanent Red on the edges. Dip the stem ends into the glue and place around the bases.

Step Seven

I decided to really do justice to the color of my geraniums, I would color each floweret, so I started by die cutting them on Soft Finished/White 85 lb. card stock, then used Copic Markers R14 and $29.  This takes some time, but really gives your project the “Mother Nature” technique:-D

There’s two sizes of petals; the larger petals are shaped, right-side-down, turned over and cupped, then placed on the base.  Repeat the shaping and cupping with the smaller petals and place them, off-set, on top of the larger ones.

Now, just repeat this and fill in the five bases.  For a final detail, you can add USArtQuest Prills/Ribbit in the center of each floweret (see large sample above).

Since this is an “Ode to Summer,” I used Suzanne Cannon’s Four Season/Summer to label my work.  It was die cut in Shimmer Sheetz with Double Sided Adhesive on the back.

https://www.elizabethcraftdesigns.com/collections/susans-garden/products/susans-garden-geranium-1019

Elizabeth Craft Designs Products

Susan’s Garden/Garden Notes – Geranium (#1019); Potted (#1225)

Suzanne Cannon’s “A Way with Words” 4 Seasons (#1199)

Els van de Burgt Studio “Through the Lens/Stone” (#TTL002)

Smooth Finished Card stock/Ladybug Red (#PSF115)

Smooth Finished Card stock/White (#PSF101)

Susan’s Garden Tool Kit (#808); Molding Pad (#809 or #810), and Leaf Pad (#811)

Shimmer Sheetz/Red Metallic (#SS 0214)

Clear Double-Sided Adhesive 6mm (#506) and 8 1/2″ x 11″ (#502)

Beacon’s Kid’s Choice

USArtQuest Prills/Ribbit

 

Other Supplies:

Ranger Distress Ink/Walnut Stain and Forest Moss

Copic Markers

Foam squares

 

 

 

Just for Him!

A few weeks ago, I posted a card on my FaceBook page (Susan’s Garden Club) that I created for my hubby.  The idea was not mine, but a fellow crafter who had posted on Card Making Tips.  However, I did spruce it up a bit with a 3-D flower in the lapel proving that even guys can enjoy flowers!

I received lots of comments, especially asking if this was hard to make.  It is not.  In fact, it took me less than an hour to put everything together, including hand coloring my Garden Notes Carnation with Chameleon Pens!  So, as requested…here is how I put this card together.

LET’S GET STARTED

Step One

The card stock I used is Elizabeth Craft Designs new Colored Soft-Finished; there are 36 colors to choose from.  Today, I used PSF 132/True Blue for the suit.  I trimmed a 12″ x 12″ piece to 6″ x 12″.  With the colored side down on your scoring board, score 3 1/4″ from the right side and 3″ on the left side. (Remember, men’s jackets close left to right!)

For the shirt, I trimmed an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of 85 lb. Soft Finish Cardstock/White to 5 1/2″ x 7 5/8″.  Score a 1-inch line across the top and fold down (for the collar). Press the score line again to make a smooth fold.  Cut 1 1/4″ from each side and fold the collar to the center.  Trim the shirt shoulders as shown.

Use ECD’s Clear Double-Sided Tape to adhere the shirt to the inside of the jacket.

Step Two

The tie is created using Washi paper.  I like using it for two reasons–it folds easily and it looks like a silk tie when finished.  First, the Washi paper is trimmed to a 5″ square.  Fold the square on the diagonal, open up and turn.  Fold again on the opposite diagonal.

Now, bring the sides together to meet in the middle.  Repeat this step once more.

Next, fold down the top to meet the folds.

Then, turn the tie over so the right side is facing you.  Fold down the top, about 1 1/4″ to 1 1/2″, then fold up so you create the “Windsor Knot.”

Flip the tie back to the wrong side up and fold in the sides once more, angling the fold slightly as shown.

While holding the knot side, push in the bottom corner to give you the correct angle.  Apply Double Sided Tape to the tie and adhere it between the folds of the collar.

Just in case this doesn’t make sense, you can go to YouTube under Origami Ties and watch a video…that’s what I did the first time!

Step Three

I folded the lapels on the coat, marking with a pencil, 1 1/4″ in from each side, the right side, 2 1/4″ down and the left side, 3″ down.  I used a straight edge aligned on these points for each side and creased the lapel.  Finally, I used my bone folder to press the folder flatter.

If you like, you can add a top pocket flap.  Trimmed same paper you used for the jacket to 1 1/2″ x 2″.  Fold over to create a pocket that is 3/4″ x 2″.  Fold a 2″ square of the same Washi paper on the diagonal, then bring the two sides together to form the “hankie,” trimming the bottom to fit the pocket.   A couple of strips of Double Sided Tape holds it in place. I also added buttons to my jacket and to help close it, a small piece of Hoop & Loop Tape by Velcro.  Now all you have to do is choose what flower you want in the lapel.  For this jacket, I chose my Garden Notes Hydrangea, but the first one was my new Carnation; so many choices!

Elizabeth Craft Designs Products

Susan’s Garden/Garden Notes

Hydrangea #994

Carnation # #1191

Els Van de Burgt Studio

Leafy Branch #1033

Colored Soft Finished Cardstock/PSF 132 True Blue

Soft Finished 85 lb. White Cardstock

Double Sided Tape

Beacon’s Kids Choice Adhesive

Other Supplies

Washi Paper

Small buttons

 

 

 

A White Sport Coat…and a Pink Carnation

The title of my post today comes from a Marty Robbin’s song ~ “A White Sport Coat and a Pink Carnation.” (You can listen to the words by clicking on the link!)  It’s a song of a young man dressed up for the dance, but his date, whom he asked long ago to go to the prom, changes her mind and now he’s blue.

During the month of May, I’m sure there are lots of young people preparing for this big dance.  Do you remember your first Prom?  I do.  I made my dress, white Dotted Swiss covered with flowers (yes, I was a flower nerd back then too!)  I had my hair done in French Curls and my date brought me a corsage with pink carnations.  The card I designed today, brings back that memory.  I used Elizabeth Craft Designs “Lots of Dots” embossing folder on Soft Finish White 100 lb. card stock (for my Dotted Swiss dress) and Els van de Burgt Studio “Bead Strings 2” die cut in the same card stock, then shaded with Distress Inks to represent crepe paper streamers that we decorated the gymnasium with.  A few Robin’s Nest “Drops” of pink adds the sparkle that the night held…and then, there’s the Pink Carnation, one of my new Garden Notes that will be available shortly.  I’ve stepped out how easy it is to put this flower together and hope you find some inspiration to make some memories of your first dance.

LET’S GET STARTED

A Simple Rose

Mother’s Day is just a few days away and a bouquet of Roses would make a beautiful card for her.  This is my Garden Notes~Rose 2, a low relief flower that is perfect for card making.  Even though I have a YouTube video for creating this flower, a follower emailed me and asked if I could explain the steps a little better…with photos.  So, here it is:

It’s All in the Technique!

I tell everyone, “I was a gardener before I was a paper artist,” and this is why my flowers come as close to nature as I can possibly make them.  Not only dimension, but the paper I use, products for shading and coloring, and today, embossing powder to create a natural-looking wreath to set my flowers on is important to me.  Going that extra distance makes me HAPPY!

This project today started with creating an unique background using a plastic mesh bag that I bought new potatoes in.  Dabbing Distress Ink over the bag made the interesting pattern that I placed my wreath on.  I don’t throw anything away that may be used for backgrounds, something I’m sure you can relate to.

LET’S GET STARTED

SPRING!

Spring is the season following winter and for most people it is welcomed after dealing with the months of cold weather and snow.  The Spring Equinox came this year on Sunday, March 20th and even though it was a bit chilly here in the South, this season also brings up for me, ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, and renewal.

Our trees are flowering–Red Bud and Dogwood are my favorites, but also the Forsythia and Daffodils speckle the landscape with golden yellows that warm my heart.  My project today is a Robin’s nest encircled with the flowers of the season–some of my favorites.  With the help of Joset Designs smallest Easter Egg die, I created Robin’s eggs in the nest…a sure sign of Spring for me.

LET’S GET STARTED

In Honor of the Bulb

The bulb contains the food that produces the blooms of many of our Spring flowers.  So, I had this idea to pay tribute to it on a tag that would be a lovely addition to a gift you might give for the Easter Season or just to say “Welcome Spring!”

“And then my heart with pleasure fills,

and dances with the Daffodils.”

~William Wordsworth

My daffodils have been poking up for some time now and it won’t be much longer before my garden is in color again.  I love looking forward to this time, just as I did when I was growing up.  The field in front of my grandparent’s home was filled with these naturalized blooms that we picked.  There are so many varieties with contrasting single or double coronas , but the large yellow Daffodils are still my favorite.

LET’S GET STARTED

Wagon Wheel

As card makers, we are able to capture a memory that will last; my card today does just that.  Three years ago, my husband and I moved cross-country from the Pacific Northwest to North Carolina to be closer to our family after we had lost our youngest daughter to breast cancer.  When my dear friend, Els (van de Burgt) found out, she told me of this song by Darius Rucker entitled Wagon Wheel.  “A must to listen to!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvKyBcCDOB4

The lyrics start out…

“Heading down south to the land of the pines

I’m thumbing my way into North Carolina

Staring up the road and pray to God I see headlights

I made it down the coast in seventeen hours

Picking me a bouquet of dogwood flowers

And I’m a-hopin for Raleigh, I can see my baby tonight”

Well, with our car packed up, including our Ragdoll, Rosie, we headed to this land of the pines to build a home and set down roots.  Every time we crossed into another state, we played this song.

LET’S GET STARTED

Winter~Day 4

I’m not a cold weather person, but I do appreciate winter as a time to rest and regroup.  I’ve put the garden “to bed,” mulching and dead-heading all the perennials, made notes in my journal as to what plants did well or were moved to another location, and break out my knitting and quilting projects!

“Winter is the time for comfort, for

good food and warmth, for the touch

of a friendly hand and for a talk beside

the fire; it is the time for home.”

~Edith Sitwell

My scene today reflects the sweetness of Winter; the smiling snowman built by your children, the critters changing to a wise old owl and a very sly fox, and in a good sense of humor, the sign changing to read “Gone South!”

LET’S GET STARTED