Hi there, my name is Ruby McGuire (otherwise known as Ruby 2 Shoes!) and I’m here today doing my very first guest blog appearance while Jenn takes some time out. (Thank you Jenn for this wonderful opportunity! )
I’ve been making cards for far too many years to mention but it’s only really in the last couple of years, since starting my blog, that it’s become my passion and I’ve slowly started to see my own style develop. I used to be very set in my ways of designing cards all based on around 4-5 designs. I then discovered sketches and colour challenges which really stretched my imagination and helped me develop a style which I feel comfortable calling my own now, although I do still dabble in different styles to mix it up a bit! I am currently on four design teams, The Play Date Cafe, Etsy Inspired, Color Me Creative and The Stamp Attic.
I live in the United Kingdom, about forty minutes from Windsor and an hour or so from London. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful man that supports my card making addiction, (he needs to, I’d do it 24/7 if I could get away with it!) a beautiful 11 year old daughter who also loves to make cards, two gorgeous stepdaughters, a 9 month old grandson (am I really that old?!), plus a little dog called Lulu.
So enough about me, let me tell you what I’m here to show you, a happy owl card for a friend!
I have always loved the idea of circles cut into cards with little stamped images showing through. I recently purchased the latest Critters in the Forest set from Lawn Fawn. When I saw the little owl in the set I started to put together some ideas for this card. I will take you step by step through the process of making the card from start to finish.
Start by matting a card base with patterned paper. My starting card is 15cm x 15cm. I just love square cards. I always leave a white border (not sure why!) so I cut the patterned paper to 14.5cm x 14.5cm before attaching to the white card with adhesive tape.
Cut another square, 13.5cm x 13.5cm in a contrasting patterned paper. Using a 2†circular hole punch I cut out a circle just slightly off the edge of the patterned paper. (Do not attach to the card at this stage, there is still work to be done J)
Using the smallest circle Nestie die cut 2 circles from the patterned paper in the position where you want your mini stamped images to be. If you look closely you will see that I marked the two I wanted with a little pencil mark. I use a non-permanent sticky tape to hold down the die while putting it through my Sizzix Big Shot machine. This is even more important with this paper where it has circles otherwise it would be very obvious if you made a mistake!
At this stage it also helps to know where you want your ribbon so that you don’t cover your little images up. I decided I would put my ribbon at the top of the card. As you can see I position my stamps on the paper, building up the design as I go, so that I know where I want to place things. I did the same thing with the little dragonfly and butterfly stamps before deciding where to mark with my pencil.
This is a close up of the first circle cut out and the second one ready for cutting. By using the tape I was able to get a well cut circle where the cutter didn’t move.
I stamped the sentiment in green and then cut it out with scissors, leaving a white border to add a bit of contrast to the card. At this stage nothing further has been stuck down. I then stamped, coloured and cut out my owl, this time leaving no border. I did the same with the butterfly and dragonfly images.
I coloured my images with my Copics, see colour list below, but you could just as easily stamp and paper piece the little butterfly and dragonfly on pretty patterned paper, and the owl too if you wanted to. Paper piecing is such good fun.
This is the best bit, where it all starts to come together. I positioned the paper with the circles onto the main card base, and stuck down the little butterfly and dragonfly in the centre of the circles.
I then stuck down the sentiment (flat onto the card)
I tied on a yellow ribbon at the top of the card.
Before sticking everything down I added foam dots to the entire panel and then attached it to the card.
Finally I added the little owl. I had thought about making him 3d with foam dots, but I decided he looked better flat.
Here is a reminder of the finished card…
I hope you’ve enjoyed my mini tutorial today and that it’s inspired you to play around with different ideas using circles and mini images.
You can see more of my work over at www.ruby2shoesdesign.blogspot.com. If you do make something up pop over to my blog and leave me a link, I’d love to see what you’ve created!
Supplies list..
Stamps: Lawn Fawn ‘Critters in the Forest’ (owl), ‘Critters in the Burbs’ (butterfly & dragonfly), ‘Hello Friend’
Inks: Memento Black, ColorBox ‘Golf Course’
Papers: Cosmo Cricket – Mini Deck ‘Salt Air’
Copics: YR047, YR07, YR09, E31, E33, E35, E25, Y23, YR30, Y13, Y15, Y17
Accessories: Ribbon from local Haberdashery, 2†hole punch
