Polka Dot Gypsy - Guest Designer Day 4

Good morning! Welcome to my fourth day as guest designer for Peachy Keen Stamps. Today I'd like to share some of my favorite things about card making. My first card is my most favorite to make. It is made from a small lunch bag and folded. The flap is tied with ribbon. I think I got the original idea from a SCS gathering that I attended many years ago. So this is not my original idea.

Open up the card to write a greeting on the inside panel.

Supplies

5" X 10 3/4" Bag

Gingham Ribbon

Potted Flowers Cottage Cutz Die

Cuttlebug

Front Panel

4" X 4 7/8" Brown Mat
3 3/4" X 4 3/8" Pink Print
2" X 3 3/4" Small Brown Mat
1 3/4" X 3 1/2" Solid Pink
Scraps for Flower

Inside Panel

4 3/8" X 4 7/8"

4 1/8" X 4 5/8"

Scraps for rick rack and corner flower

Card Instructions

Attach double sided tape to the lower edge of the bag.

Notice the flap. It will be pulled over onto itself and secured.

Fold the flap back onto itself and secure with the tape.

Cut the lower edge of the bag at an angle to the first fold. I usually cut 1" from the edge to the first fold. I have marked dots on the bag for cutting guides.

Cut from dot to dot forming an angle on the flap.

Fold the opposite end of the bag to the flap fold.

Fold flap over the top to create the card base.

Turn the card base clockwise and attach the decorated panels.

I used the Cottage Cutz Potted Flowers for cutting the flower, stem and pot. The die includes three Peachy Keen faces. This card is very easy to make and goes together very quickly. I cut all my pieces with the Cuttlebug. The face was colored with Distress Inks. I airbrushed the shadows of the flower pot and leaves with Copic Markers. For the inside I used the Cottage Cutz Rick Rack die and the flower elements.

I used the Potted Flowers die cut to make two more fall themed cards using the same layout. One is vertical and one is horizontal. I wanted to show you the difference that the direction can make to your layout. I photoshopped "Thinking of You" onto the card so that I could photograph both layouts without making two cards. I usually don't put my text on a card until I am ready to use it.

I'm really having a hard time deciding which card I like the best. I like them both.

The next card is a variation of the flower die cut that I am using today. This time the flower has been layered onto a black, scallop circle. The flower is wearing the pieced pot on his head. Paper rick rack was added to the bottom. I chose some retro colors for this card which measures 2 3/4" X 4".

My final card for today is another version of the Potted Flowers die cut. Using Pink and black cardstock I cut and punched 3 flowers. I used the sewing machine to stitch around the edge of the card. For the face I used one of the faces from the In Stitches Face Assortment and Copic markers.

Now you know what I like to use for cardmaking. Here's a list of my favorite things:

1. I like to use black for my background, be it a card or a scrapbook layout.

2. I love die cuts and punches. These are my favorite go to tools.

3. I love to work with paper bags. My all time favorite card is the first one in this post using a paper bag.

4. Very seldom do I put a message or greeting on my card until I am ready to send it.

5. I love embossing folders. They rate right up there with die cuts.

6. I love to use polka dots.

Again I would like to thank Peachy Keen Stamps for donating the In Stitches Face Assortment. I'll be drawing a random name on Saturday. So make sure to get entered if you want a chance to win this fun assortment of faces.

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post. Then hop on over to Polka Dot Gypsy and leave me a message and tell me what your favorite tool is. You know, that one thing you couldn't live without.

Today's post was all about my favorite card making things. I'm so excited about tomorrows post. I have been working on it from the very beginning. It's the grand finale. I hope you'll join me again for Halloween ideas.

Have a fantastic day! Jane - the Polka Dot Gypsy.