Friday, June 28, 2013

Bloglovin'




Hi everyone! No card tonight, but I do want to talk about Bloglovin. As many of you are aware, Google Reader will stop as of 1 July 2013. Just a few days away, as a matter of fact. I treasure each one of you who kindly follow my blog. Each time I open my blog to share something new, I look at the pictures of you wonderful people, and I have to say that I am going to missing that aspect of my blog.

In preparation of this day, I started using Bloglovin' about a month ago. Bloglovin' is similar to Google Reader in that I receive a daily synopsis of new entries on the blogs that I personally follow, and I can open the individual blogs from there. When I signed up for Bloglovin, I was asked if I wanted to import the list of blogs that I've been following with Google Reader, and I answered yes. That was it -- easy-peasy, and supposedly all of my blogs have been switched over to the new reader.

The one thing that I have noticed thus far is that I don't get a list of the blogs that I follow. I am sure your Google Reader is the same as mine in that I see the full list of ALL the blogs I follow in a column to the left of the section that shows which blogs have a new posting for that day. This allows me to visit those blogs even if they have not posted something that particular day -- a handy reminder to me of the names of the various blogs I follow. I admit that I follow a lot of blogs -- there are just so many wonderful artists and crafters out there in Blogland -- and when you get as old as me, it helps to have a visual list to jog the memory! I haven't figured out yet what I'm going to do about the lack of a list -- need to figure out a solution very soon, though.

I won't keep you any longer with my ramblings. My purpose for bringing this up tonight is to ask you all to consider switching to Bloglovin' as your new reader before 1 July gets here. I sure would hate to lose you as a follower, but even more, I would hate for you to lose the blogs you love and follow via Google. I'm sure your blogs mean as much to you as my blogs mean to me -- they are a source of friendship, inspiration, glimpses into daily lives, and so much more. 

Take care and have a great weekend!

PS. Thanks to one of my sweet online friends, I've now learned something new and find that Bloglovin' does, indeed, have a list of ALL my blogs. Despite using the new reader for some time now, I'm still learning about it. I am now a "happy camper." All is well, once again, in my universe (smile)! Thank you so much, Jessi.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Flutter By Wednesday 246

Happy hump day, ya'll! Since I'm retired hump day doesn't have the same meaning for me as it used to (smile), but for those of you still in the work force, this is mid-week and you are on the down side towards the weekend! Our flutter by challenge this week is themed "SUMMER TIME." We want to see your beautiful creations featuring a summer theme -- of course, as always, REMEMBER you must use butterflies and/or fairies along with the theme. Of course that is easy-peasy since summer is the time for butterflies, right?

Before I get into describing my card, I have an announcement. Flutter By Wednesday will be closed for the entire month of July! But never fear, we'll be back on August 7, 2013 ready to flutter!!

Our wonderful leader, Danni, her husband Sam, and their children are making a major move across several states to start a new life outside of the military. The packers are due at their house tomorrow to start the process. It is going to be a busy and exciting new adventure for them; thus, the necessity for our taking a short summer break. I'll still be here sharing other projects on my blog (as will many of our other DT members), so don't wander too far (smile). As mentioned, we'll all be "fluttering" again on 7 August!

Now, what I did for my card. I started with a 5.5 x 5.5" white base and put a layer of DP matted with blue card on top. The DP is from My Mind's Eye pad called "Happy Day." The fish-tail banner was hand cut using another piece from the same pad and matted with the same blue card. 

My image (Linda Spring by Stamp Fairy) was colored with Copic markers and cut into a circle using a Spellbinder circle die. It was then adhered to a Spellbinder scalloped circle cut from the blue card.

Before adhering the image, I used yellow Stickles on the butterflies to give them a little more bling and emphasis. I paper pieced little Linda's dress but colored her hair bows. The sentiment is computer generated and matted with the blue.

I hope I've inspired you a little to join our challenge, but if I didn't, then you definitely should visit the Flutter By Wednesday blog and see the creativity of all the DT members. There are definitely some lovely and imaginative summer time flutterings going on!


Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tuesday Morning Sketch 204


Good Morning friends!  Happy Tuesday - it's such a great day!  This week our sponsor is CC Designs!

Christine Wooden is the owner and designer of CC Designs.  She has created fabulous lines such as Swiss Pixies, Kiki La Rue and Sugar Plums.  She has grown her business by adding other fabulous stamps selections, wonderful embellishments and now dies!  Christine is offering 3 digi stamps to our winner.
So here's the sketch we'll be using this week.  This one was created by DT member Laura, who is also on the design team for CC Designs (lucky girl!).


My card uses a Sugar Nellie digital stamp called Annabel. I've used this image (as well as others in the series) before, but I just enjoy coloring them so much that I find myself using them over and over again. They are beautiful bust images of lovely little girls, and they just have so much personality in their simplicity and loveliness. I printed Annabel on X-Press It brand paper and colored her with my ever faithful Copic markers.

My card base is white with a layer of green. I then used some very old SEI paper that I have hoarded for a good six or seven years (not intentionally, it just happened that way). The SEI is double sided, so I used the reverse side for the strip under the doily. The doily was cut from green using QuicKut nesting floral doilies die (DC0434 from Dutch Paper Crafts). My sentiment is computer generated and double matted.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Hariette with Ice Cream


Crafty Sentiments Designs provided this adorable cute image on their blog for free with the only stipulation being that they would like everyone to use it to join in this week's challenge (Summer Fun). Since I was caught up on most of my DT work and had a little "free" time, I thought I'd give it a go. I knew I wanted to use sunny yellow, and of course, I just HAD to use the ice cream DP!

I printed the image to X-Press It brand card and colored in everything except the pinafore using Copic markers. I paper pieced the pinafore. My card base is white with a layer of green, then the pretty yellow gingham paper. I cut the ice cream paper into a 2" strip and matted it with the green. I then cut a flourish using Cheery Lynn die B117S (Mini Fanciful Flourish). I matted my image with green and then built my card with the layers. I topped it off with the pink daisy type flower and the circular birthday sentiment.

I think little Hariette looks quite summery in her green, white and yellow frock, don't you? Of course, I can eat ice cream all year round, but you have to admit, there is nothing like that cool cone on a hot day (and trying to get it all eaten before it melts and drips down your arm -- LOL).

Challenges:
Milk Coffee Challenge - Summer Fun

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Flutter By Wednesday #245


Good morning! Today is Wednesday, so that means it is time to flutter at Flutter By Wednesday. This week we have a sketch for your by our wonderful Kathy Curry. You may flip the sketch, and change the shapes -- just so long as we can recognize the original sketch -- and as always, you MUST use a butterfly or fairy. Here is Kathy's wonderful sketch for you:


The DT have done a fantastic job (as always) providing you inspiration with their FAB creations, so you will want to hop over there and have a look.

My card this week is super CAS. It is odd that when I'm supposed to be CAS, I can't accomplish it, but when I don't have to be then I can. Hum. Anyway, we have been involved this week in putting down new flooring in our master bedroom, so time got away from me, and I realized yesterday that I had not gotten my FBW DT card done. Yikes! A quick trip to the craft room, and this is what I made. Not too shabby for a quicky, right?

I used a 4 x 6" white card base and dry embossed the front using Cuttlebug's wicker weave embossing folder. I then took a piece of black card and used SU's scalloped edge sizzlet to cut the side. The two butterfly stamps that I used are both by JRL Design Co., and I stamped them onto white using Tuxedo black Memento ink. I then punched the images using McGill (large) and Creative Memories (small) punches. My sentiment is computer generated, cut and then matted with black. 

This was a fun card to make because I truly did not have time to stress over it. My family and friends can tell you that I tend to be a little OCD at times during my creative process (grin). So there you have it. Now run over to the FBW blog, get inspired, then go make a card! Just remember to use the sketch this week, and as always, add your butterflies and/or fairies!

Challenges:
City Crafter Challenge - Clean and Neutral
Flourishes - scallops
LEJ Designs - Add some texture
Victorine Stamps - In the Garden with Animals and Bugs

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Just My Style


Good morning, my friends. I am running a bit behind with my Tuesday Morning Sketches post today. We have been busy for about a week putting down new flooring in the master bedroom. DH started pulling out carpet last Wednesday, and with the exception of taking the weekend (Sat. and Sun.) off, we've been going at it daily. We put the last plank down late last night, and he is installing the molding around the room to finish it off as I type. Consequently, I thought I had pre-scheduled my blog (as I do each week), but come to find out I'd completely missed doing that. Silly old me!

So now let me show you the wonderful sketch before I go any further.

Isn't that another great one? You should see what the DT have done with it -- lots of FAB eye-candy to feast your eyes upon. Yummy! Even more is Paper Pretties  is our sponsor this week - so many cute images to choose from there.

I've used a delightful Lili of the Valley image for my card. The white base has a layer of purple card topped with my stripy DP. The stripe paper and the purple card came out of my scrap bags. I then added a fun green with yellow dotty paper for my four squares (K&Company). I punched my squares and then matted them on the purple.

I changed my shape from a circle to an oval so that it fit on the card better. I cut out the image using a Spellbinder oval die, and then I placed it on top of a decorative oval cut from Marianne Cratables die CR1204 (from Dutch Paper Crafts) which I also cut from the solid purple. I cut my fish tail banner from the dotty paper and then matted it with the purple (yes, that bit of purple scrap went a long way). My sentiment is computer generated and adhered atop the banner pieces.

I do hope you've been inspired to go to the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and have a look, then to make your own wonderful creation using our sketch. We always enjoy seeing what all of you do with our sketches.

Happy crafting -- it now back to helping the Hubs finish up for me!

Challenges:
There She Goes - Anything Goes
Eureka Stamps - Anything Goes
Paper Makeup Stamps - Punches or Die cuts
Nana Vic's Challenge - Anything Goes
Avenue 613 - Anything Goes (optional male)
Crafting When We Can - Mad about Markers

Monday, June 17, 2013

Life Style Crafts Nesting Doily Release - Part Two

Back again with the second half of my release.


Everyday Holds the Possibility:  I used DC0433, DC0435, and DC0253 (0253 is from a previous release).



Using the largest die from set DC0433, I cut my card base. I then cut a single layer (pink) of the large die and adhered it over the card base so the fold did not show. I then cut the white from a previous release die DC0253 and adhered it on top of the pink. I then cut the nesting lace (DC0435) out of the pink and adhered it. The sentiment is cut using a Spellbinder circle as it fit nicely inside the nesting lace piece. Inside, I cut the pink using the DC0253 and then the white using DC0435. The flowers are a combination of Wild Orchid Crafts and Recollections brand flowers.

Be Still: Used DC0429 and DC0434



I used the middle size of both dies. DC0429 is behind DC0434. I used Joy Craft corner die 6002/0135 on the inside. (The Joy Craft dies can also be purchased from Darlene at Dutch Paper Crafts and are from a previous release which I also did.) The flowers are hand made using the La La Land rolled roses die and a Carl Crafts flower die. This card was one of my favorites in this release. The DP I used has a soft blue in it as well as the burgundy and looks very Victorian. Both dies are cut from coordinating DP, and I inked the edges of the inner circle (which was cut using Spellbinder circle die) with blue. My burgundy ribbon (Offray) is tied in a double loop bow.

Best Wishes: I used DC0432



This is the last card in this release, and it is a looped square. Starting with a square black card, I cut the largest die for the first layer in a brown DP. I then cut the second layer using the middle die from another piece of DP from the same paper pad. I turned the smaller square so that it forms a diamond shape and adhered it so that loops matched the larger square's loops. The cameo shape is cut into an oval and matted with black. My ribbon is, again, double bowed.  Inside I used the middle Nesting Lace DC0435 and the Joy Craft corner dies.

I hope my cards have shown you just how lovely and versatile these Life Style Crafts dies are. There is a simple elegance to them that adds a lovely background to your design/image without distracting from it. The largest die in each set is a good size for creating a card base, if you desire, but not too big to use ON a card (as seen above).

Below you will find the link to the video Darlene prepared of this release. I hope you will enjoy.



Life Style Crafts Doily Dies

Hello everyone. This is going to be a long posting. I have a Dutch Paper Craft's release to share with all of you. It is a beautiful release by Life Style Crafts, and Darlene has posted the video (see below) on her site. All of the dies can be purchased (at a very good price) from Darlene at Dutch Paper Crafts (click link on my side-bar to go there).

Card Toppers and Sample Card:  Smallest circle from sets DC0429 and DC0434







    
 The smallest circle of these two sets make really cute card toppers. I spent one evening just gathering bits and pieces of things in my craft room and creating the little toppers which can then be saved and used when you need a quick card. I’m only showing two possibilities plus the one that I used to actually make a card, but they are quick to do and can be made for any occasion (even holidays) because those dies are just the "perfect size." These would be great for using left over pieces from other card making projects before you put supplies away. I used flowers that I hand-made for the two that are not on the card (the red, rolled-roses were made using a La La Land die, and I'm sorry I don't remember what I used for the pink one). I cut a  butterfly for the one that is on the card. A 3” punch or die fits perfectly inside the Life Style dies, perfect for adding DP or even a small image. I've included a photo with a standard wooden clothes-pin standing next to the circles to give you a reference as to their size.

Fairy Ring: Used sets DC0429 and DC0435



I’ve used the medium size doily from DC0429 behind my fairy picture (graphic from online; flowers from WOC). On the inside, I used the middle size die from DC0435 (Nesting Lace Ring) behind my sentiment.

Oh Boy: Used sets DC0429 and DC0435


I used the middle size DC0429 as the background for my little hAngler image (I traced around the die and made the backing for it). On the inside, I used the center of the nesting lace ring (DC0435) for my sentiment. DC0435 is the only one of the dies in this set that cuts out the center portion. The center does NOT cut out of any of the other ones.

There are still three more cards to share with you from this release. However, I've decided it will make this blog entry WAY too long, so I've decided to break it up and create a second blog entry for the other dies. This will make it a lot easier on all of you and will showcase the dies better. I am, however, going to link the video here (and probably also on the 2nd blog entry). The video shows the inside of the cards (which I keep mentioning, but forgot to photograph).

Video can be seen below:




Wednesday, June 12, 2013

CAS for Flutter By Wednesday


I admit that I have a hard time with clean and simple. It seems that when that requirement is asked, my mind totally ignores it. What can I say? This little card is not over-the-top, but I'm pretty sure that it doesn't really qualify for the CAS requirement (although it is a bit more CAS than a lot of my cards since I only used one patterned paper, eh?).

Anyway, the requirement this week for our weekly challenge at Flutter By Wednesday is to make a clean and simple card. Of course, as always, we ask that you use a butterfly and/or fairy on your card.

OK, once again having shamed myself by not totally following the "rules," here is what I did. My image is a sweet little Lili of the Valley image. I received a whole "packet" of LOTV images last year in an UK magazine that I purchased. I really like LOTV images, so was really tickled to get the freebies, but for some reason, they got put away and not used. Since I'd promised a (short) break from ADFD fairies, I went looking for other fairy images that I could use, and lo and behold, I found those LOTV images in my uncolored images file. Whoohoo! I did have fun coloring up this little charmer.

My card base is white with a layer of melon card topped with DP from "My Favorite Things" pad by My Mind's Eye. I, once again, used the beautiful Noor Joy Crafts die (6002/0147 from Dutch Paper Crafts) as my background (you may remember it from the Mother's Day card I shared). It is, again, cut from blue card (different blue than before as blue seemed to show up best against the flowered background paper). I cut the LOTV image into a circle the size of the inside of the Noor die. Lastly, I simply added 5 roses from WOC. (Notice I didn't add my usual leaves or swirls or ribbon or jewels -- so that counts as simple for me, right?)

Do plan on visiting the Flutter By Wednesday blog and have a look at what my DT mates have to share.  They do take CAS to such a creative and lovely level that you won't believe. You'll definitely be running to your crafty space to make your own lovely CAS card. Make sure, when you're finished, that you share it with us!

Happy crafting, ya'll (did you catch my southern accent?)

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

TMS Challenge 202

This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches, we have another FAB sketch for you. In addition, this is a judged challenge, so you know what that means -- prizes! This week Raisin Boat has generously offered some of their fun images as a prize to our challenge winner -- whoohoo! We just ask that in addition to using the sketch, you make your card for a male, masculine, boy, man -- you know, that "other" sex.

This is our weekly sketch for you to use:


Pretty neat, eh? Again, a wonderful sketch that holds all kinds of possibilities, and we'd like to see how you interpret it.

Raisin Boat did not send images for the DT to use, so I've chosen a Some Odd Girl image. This month my youngest grandson celebrates his 15th birthday, so I had that in mind when making my card. I've colored the image with Copic markers after printing it off onto X-Press It brand card. 

I've layered green card to my white card base and topped that with DP from My Mind's Eye pad called "Playdate." The two colorful strips are also from that pad, as is the inside of my square and my sentiment circle. I used a QuicKutz nesting square die (L-CC-003, available from Dutch Paper Crafts) to cut my square shape behind my image. I fussy-cut my little guy and adhered him with foam dimensional adhesive so that he stands away from the background slightly. I cut my circle sentiment and then added a circle to the middle with the stripy yellow DP. I topped that off with a green button tied with green and white Baker's twine.

Please take a few minutes to visit the Tuesday Morning Sketches blog and see the wonderful cards made by our other DT members. As always, the designs are varied and outstanding -- no lack of talent in this group -- so I'm sure that, whatever your style, you'll find inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by. Happy crafting!

Challenges:
Ladybug Crafts - Men in Your Life
The Crafter's Cafe - Male
The Cupboard Trilogy - Birthday
Cards for Men - Boys Will be Boys
Kaboodle Doodles - For Your Favorite Guy
Paper Playtime - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create - Anything Goes (Optional Celebrations)
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Perfect Sentiments - For the Boys

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Bunnies and Butterflies

This week at Flutter By Wednesday, we are sponsored by 2 Cute Ink who provided images for the DT to use and will be giving a prize of 3 digi's from the 2 Cute Ink store to one lucky challenge participant. My image, this sweet little bunny, is colored with my Copic markers and cut into a circle using a Spellbinder die. I then matted it using a second Spellbinder (scalloped circle).  My paper, this time, is by Basic Gray and is from a 6" x 6" pad called "Hopscotch."

I've started with a white card. I've matted my DP with solid brown. The middle strip (from the same pad) is also matted with the brown. Because my background paper is rather "busy," I've kept my coordinating DPs to a solid or tiny, almost solid pattern. I've added small flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, but punched my leaves from cardstock the color of the butterflies in the patterned paper. I added two butterflies (Martha Stewart) punched from the same paper and the middle strip.

I've chosen not to add a sentiment at this time because I don't have a "use" for this card in mind at this time. However, there is room at the upper right to later add a sentiment.

I hope you will join us in this week's challenge at Flutter By Wednesday. REMEMBER to use a butterfly or fairy on your creation. Sometimes we will add an additional element to our challenge, so please read each week's requirement carefully; however, we ALWAYS require you use either a butterfly or a fairy on your work.

Thanks for stopping by -- now go craft something (smile)!

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Tuesday Morning Sketch #201

Hello! Tis me again! This time I'm sharing our Tuesday Morning Sketch with you. We have another great sketch (well, aren't they all?) to tickle your Mojo. I just know you are going to enjoy using it over and over, so without further procrastination, here it is:


Just imagine all of the possible combinations of papers and images that you can use for this. Even your embellishments at the bottom can be a variety of things (not just flowers). For my card, I've chosen to use an adorable Wryn from Tiddly Inks. (Can you tell from my last several cards that I am SO happy that spring/summer has come to Georgia? I was so tired of the cold. Of course, by August, I'll probably be bemoaning the heat - LOL.)

Anyway, I had fun coloring Miss Wryn with my Copic markers because I tried a new hair combination. I have to confess that I'm partial to red-heads (real or fake), so I really liked this new combo. The deep, rich, auburn color is so opposite from the blondish-red that I use often. I cut the image using the Spellbinder Label  Ten die (same as my previous card) and matted it with black card. The DP I used is from the "Fine and Dandy Girl" 6" x 6" pad by My Mind's Eye (I think I must have hit a great sale on this brand some time last year because I have a LOT of those pads). I've used black card to mat all my papers. I used a LifeStyle Crafts die to cut my fish-tail side pieces and then hand cut the matting. My little flowers are a combination. The middle one is by Recollections from Michael's Crafts, and the two side blossoms are from Wild Orchid Crafts. I used an orange Copic marker on the two smaller flowers to give them a little color as they were plain white. 

There you have it! Please take the time to stop over at the Tuesday Morning blog and have a look at the wonderful cards the DT has made. Each one is lovely and a joy to behold. Then, get into your craft area and make something!

Happy crafting.

Challenges entered:
Lia Stampz - Add Flowers
One Crazy Stamper - Summer Fun
Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
Created With Love - Anything Goes
Kaboodle Doodles - For the Kids
Squigglefly - Summer
Stamp and Create - Summer Fun
The Squirrel & The Fox  - Summer or Winter - Summer

Happy Summer


It is time for another Twist of Faith challenge. Did you all visit the TOF blog during the week and see the lovely cards the DT team made? We didn't have many participants in our CAS challenge, but the ones we did have were all quite lovely!

This week our challenge is:

TEMPLATES AND DIE CUTS!

In this challenge, we want to see what you do using templates (cutting templates, doodling templates etc) and/or die-cuts!  Remember our 'twist of faith' and make sure your creation includes a scripture, quote or an uplifiting sentiment.

We are always happy to have our current sponsor with us -- StampArt Design by Kathryne! Our random prize winner will receive their choice of 4 images from the SADK collection available at Whimsy Stamps. Kathryne's designs are always such fun to use, and did you know that she also offers FREE sentiments and verses weekly on her blog? You really SHOULD check it out.

I am using one of Kathryne's newest images called LuLu. Isn't she a pretty young lady? I'm also using one of those free verses that I mentioned. I printed LuLu onto Neenah smooth white card and colored her with my Copic markers (do I need to keep tell you all that - LOL??). I then cut the image using Spellbinder's Labels Ten die. In order to get my mat for the image, I traced around the die and hand cut the mat. The next size die would have been "too big," whereas the traced image was the right size.

My card is a 5.5" white square. I've layered it first with brown card and then with two different DPs (both from the "Away We Go" 6" x 6" pad by My Mind's Eye). I added the aqua ribbon (Offray) to the middle where the two papers meet. The two corners are cut from a beautiful Joy Craft die (Noor Design 6002/0135 which can be purchased, at a really good price, from Dutch Paper Crafts). The ribbon and the sentiment finish off the design.

I hope I've inspired you to go craft a card of your own. However, if you still need more eye candy to tickle your fancy, then you will DEFINITELY want to head over to the TOF blog and see what my teammates have to share.

Challenges entered:
A Gem of a Challenge - Summertime
Crazy 4 Challenges - Summertime Inspired
A&T Emerald Faeries - Dies or Punches
A Lotta Rubber Stamps - Summer Feeling
Shining the Light Challenge - Prayer, Scripture, Uplifting Verse
The Squirrel & The Fox  - Summer or Winter - Summer



Monday, June 3, 2013

A Flower or a Wad of Paper?


I'm on a personal quest. I want to learn to make my own dimensional flowers. I've made some here and there over the past year or so, but have not really devoted full attention to the craft. I've, of course, done the "flat" ones that have been around for ages and used them on cards and scrap pages, but now I want to really step up my game.

I have, in the past couple of months, invested in dies as well as dusted off old punches. I've pulled out my Susan Tierney Cockburn flower making books (which I've had for several years), and I've watched every You-tube video that she has made (repeatedly). I've also collected a vast number of different tips, techniques and how-to sites (blogs and videos) on my Pinterest board (which I've viewed/studied for hours). I've actually created a monster because I have some DT projects that I need to be working on, but I'm driven to try to "perfect" those darn flowers.

My conclusion? I need MORE practice and patience (and hours in the day). My biggest problem? I want them to be perfect NOW! Anyhoo, I'm putting the ego aside and sharing some of my journey. Here are a couple more photos showing a little closer look.



The top photo shows the flowers on the left side of the larger photo. In this picture, you will see three of the flowers using the Susan Cockburn dies (I have 8, but have only gotten as far as those three). The three are a poppy, a hibiscus and a daffodil. I quickly realized the flowers are going to be much larger than I originally anticipated and really won't fit card making real well. I also realized I've got a long way to go before they look as realistic as Susan's do. The little colored flowers in front of and to the left of the larger flowers were made using the flat paper flowers that were sold several years ago by Prima and Kaiser Krafts. I've used a couple of those type on recent cards. The last little grouping (the white flowers in front) were made by me using a Carl Crafts punch. Those are a bit fiddly to make as the punch is small and the four layers have to be shaped, twisted and glued together.

The second photo shows mostly roses which I've made using a variety of techniques. Some are rolled roses, some are layered punches, some are molded punches or dies. I like the look of some of the roses better than others, and I definitely found some of the techniques to be easier than others. The little flower in the front left corner is supposed to be a zinnia type flower. 

I have learned that the roses are easier if the paper is "conditioned" with the flower stylists first (even the rolled ones). Some of the flowers look prettier with slight inking on the edges. Most card weight paper tends to be too "dark" in color, so white card softly inked or chalked looks softer and often more realistic. (All of the ones in the photo are from colored card, so you can see how dark.) The tiny, "scrunched"  flowers really don't need more than 4 layers (otherwise they start getting too fat looking). If you don't use hot glue (which I don't), then you need a fast grabbing glue, and even then, you still need a bit of patience for the glue to take hold. Also, the smallest dab of glue you can use (enough to hold good, though) the quicker it will "grab." 

If you don't use hot glue (I don't like it because it is stringy), then three suggested glues are Crafter's Pick, Aileen's Quick Grab, and Aileen's Turbo. These will still require you to hold the piece for a bit, but far less time than other's as they do set fairly quickly compared to other types.

Don't know if I'll ever get really adept at this flower making or not. I keep thinking how much easier it is to hit the "buy" button at Wild Orchid Crafts, but (for now) I will persevere and keep trying. I can be a pretty stubborn old cuss at times (smile).

See you tomorrow with some new DT cards to share.

Happy crafting!