LIVE BEAUTIFULLY CARDS TUTORIAL & TIPS
Welcome! I am thrilled you stopped by for a visit! Over the next few posts, I'm excited to share with you some of cards, tags and layouts I've made with the Live Beautifully collection. Since this collection will only be available May 1-31, consider this a bit of a sneak peak! Yay! These papers feature rich floral patterns, gold foil designs, Art Deco, and more.
Today, we'll look at two of the cards that will be part of an upcoming Card Workshop for locals and as kits for those unable to attend.
Let's start with the "hello" card. I really like how this (and the others-lol)!) turned out. I've layered sea glass, gold foil floral, white daisy, and gold foil dots papers. The colors and patterns of these papers work so well together. I used the "hello" thin cut with seaglass cardstock for the sentiment. As you'll recall, thin cuts are metal dies that quickly and easily cut specific paper shapes. They work well with most die-cutting machines. I used my trusty Sizzix. I like that the dies come on a magnetic sheet in a clear sleeve--easy to keep track of when crafting!
I love the subtle color combination on this "be your own kind of beautiful" card. For this card, I used a classic diagonal striped paper with white daisy. I stamped my flower with Pixie and the leaves with Sea Glass. I then cut them out and used foam tape to adhere the rose. The sentiment is stamped with Desert Sand. These stamps are part of the Live Beautifully collection, shown above. Using my Sizzix, I embossed White Daisy cardstock with the Happy Thoughts embossing folder. Embossing is a great way to adds another element of dimension. 
If you have not used an embossing folder, I would like to share a little tip with you. When you are using papers with a white core, which all Close to My Heart cardstock colors have, be sure to follow the grain of the paper. If you emboss against the grain, you are more likely to crack the paper, allowing the white core to show through or even ripping the paper. Now, of course, if your intention is a distressed, shabby chic look, go right ahead! However, if you want smoother embossing with little to no white core peeking through, emboss with the grain. So easy!Not sure about the grain? Well, no worries! This is quite easy to do. Just balance the paper on your fingers and observe how your paper naturally curves. The grain runs perpendicular to the arch. If needed, mark the direction of the grain on your paper. Then, cut to the size you need, taking note of which way the grain runs. Place your cut piece of paper inside the embossing folder, with the grain running vertically (toward the fold). Place the folder between the plates, and run through the embossing/die cut machine. Woo Hoo! So easy!
Whether local or not, just let me know if you'd like to join in the fun of this Card Workshop, May 5 at 6:30 PM or May 6 at 10 AM. I will be preparing extra kits "to go" while supplies last, as the Live Beautifully collection components are only available during National Scrapbooking Month, May 1-31.
Along with the items mentioned above, I also used a Paper Trimmer, Non-Stick Micro Tip Scissors, My Acrylix Blocks, Tape Runner and Foam Tape Adhesives.
Until next time --
Thank you so much for visiting!
I enjoy hearing from you! Have a wonderful day!
Happy Papercrafting,
Gayle Piron
"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."
Story of a Soul, Chapter VIII
