Timeless Valentine

This lovely card was made with lots of great stuff from Canvas Corp.  The base of the card was misted with red, pink and bronze Glimmer Mist and I also added lots of paper and embellishments from 7 Gypsies.

The challenge was to send a card to someone you usually would not send a Valentine to.  I had just had a nice long chat with my sister, so it was she that inspired this fun card that actually made it in the mail.

I crafted a layered heart with burlap, paper as well as some 7 Gypsies tissue paper that had been covered in Ice Resin.  I love the translucent look of this element.

I stumbled across an old clock die cut that was coated in gesso, embossed and later distressed and sanded that added nice compliment to the heart focal.  Sometimes having a messy work space helps my process unfortunately.

I added some 7 Gypsies paper tape to bring in more of the vintage colors and add more texture to the background.

Finally, I used my favorite pins, also from 7 Gypsies to attach my sentiment.  In order to add more fun to the recieving of this card, I enclosed it in a quickly made handmade envelope as well.

I am excited to surprise my sister with an old fashioned snail mail hello!

Cheers,

Rhea

Graphic 45 Steampunk Valentine

And the season of love is upon us!  I am not all that much of a card maker, but I am always up for the challenge of designing for Graphic 45.  

I have even made a snapguide outlining how I made this card if you are looking for a little more in depth inspiration.

Check out How to Make an Altered Masculine Valentine Card by Rhea Freitag on Snapguide.

One of my favorite elements was using my Dymo labeler.  I had forgotten I even had the thing!

Another secret in this card was my use of the Graphic 45 washi tape, see the snapguide for how I put this to use to make the card nice and sturdy to hold all the metal elements.

Cheers to you this Valentine's Day!

Rhea

Come Away With Me Gift Bag and Card with Tutorial

Sometimes the simplest of tasks can prove to be a challenge!  This was especially true for me as I stepped out of the mixed media zone and into gift bags and cards for Graphic 45.  My mantra for this was simple, just keep it simple.  I have such a tendency to layer on so much stuff that would probably not hold up to the heavier use of a gift bag.  

Supplies:

Come Away With me 12x12

Come Away With me Patterns and Solids

Come Away With Me Stickers

Come Away With Me Journaling and Ephemera Cards

Twine

Distress Ink

Xyron Double Sided Tape

Paper Flowers

Recycled Cellophane Packaging

This project was created with a travel theme in mind.  I had planned on making a book or journal to go with this project, but did not have the time unfortunately.  Perhaps that project will still come to be!  I think that a junk book with these papers would be just lovely.

I pictured the recipient either moving away or heading out on a long voyage.  The Come Away With Me papers were a perfect choice for this idea.

Since I took the time to make a handmade card, I decided to showcase it a bit by making it part of the decoration on the paper bag.

A little bit of cellophane left over from craft supply packaging made for the perfect pocket for my note card.

Here you can see how it looks inside the pocket.  I just love finding useful ways to use my garbage/packaging in crafts!

I also created a snapguide on assembling this simple project.  Enjoy!

Check out How to Upcycle a Gift Bag by Rhea Freitag on Snapguide.

Steampunk Valentine

I was inspired to make this card because of my new design team appointment with Xyron.  With the Valentine holiday right upon us, I decided to go with that theme.  Of course I had to put a bit of a steampunk twist on it, and here is what I came up with. I used 1/4 inch (6mm) Double Sided Tape and it worked like a dream, getting the edges perfectly.

My chosen paper was Steampunk Spells paper by Graphic 45, how cool that this Halloween paper can double for an edgy valentine.  I embossed some foil card stock I had on hand and altered it with Vintaj Patina, Liquid Pearls and a black acrylic paint wash.

Inside I added some of the Kraft Reflections paper along with some stickers and layered paper from the 6x6 patterns and solids, also from the Steampunk Spells line.

On the front I also added some stampings from Graphic 45 along with some of Tim Holtz's numeral rub ons. Metal corners I found in my stash help to ground and frame the card.

Another little secret, I actually used the back of the paper pack that is printed with the awesome gears and flowers, as a layer in this matte.  I just could not let that awesome imagery go to waste. Thanks for stopping by!  I truly hope you found at least tid bit of inspiration.

Cheers, 

Rhea

Good ol' Sport Card

Well here I am once again stepping outside of my comfort zone with a card.  I love how my design team appointments provide crafty challenges and cues, it helps keep me inspired and fresh.  Anyway, this is from one of Graphic 45's newest paper lines, Good ol' Sport.

I love the rich warm colors that this paper palate has.  I could not resist adding lush flowers from Petaloo to embellish the heck out of this card.

The black doily gear background is from Gina's Designs and I absolutely love them.

Of course I had to have some metal on my card.  To link the finishes together I added some patina gilders paste.

Most of all I love the quote on this card.  It is a great personal reminder for me right now!

Cheers,

Rhea

Steampunk Spells Card: Time Flies

Steampunk Spells Card: Time Flies

Steampunk Spells 12 x 12

Steampunk Spells 8x8

Steampunk Spells 6x6 Pattern and Solids

Staples: Keyholes

Staples: Key Charm

Steampunk Spells Card stock Alphabet Stickers

Steampunk Spells Card stock Banners

Steampunk Spells Card stock Tags and Pockets

Scor Tape

Distress Ink: Black Soot

Hinges

Brads

Gilders paste, copper and patina

E6000 adhesive

4 x 4 Chipboard Frame Set

I was really challenged to make this project with Steampunk Spells, as cards are not something I typically create.

 My approach here was to try and achieve dimension with collage and then finish with heavy metal elements.

On the inside of the card I really used my love for collage to decorate.

 Elements were cut from several different papers with the time theme, and then I layered away. 

Of course lots of metal embellishments were added along the way.

 I used the card stock banners in an unusual way by having them act as hinges for an additional flap on the cover.

I love the heaviness of this sturdy hinged card.  

It was really fun to step outside the box and make something that I usually don't.  I hope you are inspired to try something new as well!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Steampunk Peek-a-boo Cards

I really fell in love with the Well Traveled papers, so I just had to use them in my peek-a-boo cards for Alpha Stamps.  The paper's theme lends itself to a steampunk look, and as you know, this is a genre that I really love.

Collage sheets used include:  

Hot Air Balloons Collage Sheet

Steampunk Words Collage Sheet

Time Flies Collage Sheet

Gauges Collage Sheet

Vintage Gents Collage Sheet

Inside I have layered lots of charms and stuff.  I fell in love with the industrial gears.  The Hot Air Balloon charm is also a perfect addition. 

On the back I tried something new!  I ran my scrapbook paper through my printer with some of Alpha Stamps new Passport Stamp Set Download.  I have to admit, I was intimidated to try these digital images, but with my simple application I was able to easily use them and it enhanced my paper.

This is my Time Card.  In this sample I was striving to use the wild new black and white paper and I still managed to go the industrial route.  I was intending for an Alice in Wonderland theme, but it just did not happen.

These die cuts proved to be so much fun to work with.   The dimension that is achieved by using them was really nice.  

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave comments, it really does mean the world to me!

Cheers, 

Rhea