The newly released Shady Tree Studio floral images are so beautiful!! I couldn't decide which one I wanted to craft with first. So, I chose all 5 and made a set complete with a matching gift box. (Sometimes indecision can be a fun thing!)
Each card has the same elements, i.e. black self-adhesive flatback pearls, black grosgrain ribbon and bow, a strip of Memory Box "Parsley" cardstock, a corner and 3" X 1-1/2" panel of designer paper (dp). Here is each card individually. The images are truly wonderful. The Copics used to color each image are shown directly below that card.
What you can't see in the pictures is that each image was completely outlined with my Stardust Glitter Pen. I love the shimmery effect that this pen gives to a card, but it is so hard to pick it up in a photograph. For that reason, I zoomed in on one of the flowers. Don't you just love that sparkle!!
Often when I have used my glitter pen, I will brush the card (very gently) with a tissue or my fingers (if they aren't inky... yay right! lol). This spreads a small portion of the glitter onto the image and even the background. It gives a very subtle and beautiful shimmer to the whole card.
To complete the set of cards I made a gift box and decorated it with some of the same dp that is on each of the cards. For the box, I used a wonderful template that was created by Leslie Miller.
Oh and speaking of dp, it makes me sad when I end up with lots of little bits and pieces of it which are then generally wasted. So to prevent any waste, I came up with a template not long ago that uses 2) 6"X6" pieces of dp. This works well with all of the 6"X6" paper pads available now. And all of the pieces of dp used on the box and the 5 Shady Tree cards came from those 2) 6"X6" pieces.
This started out as a 12"X12" piece of dp from Cosmo Cricket's "Hey Sugar" Kit. I quartered it and then chose my two favorite sections. This particular dp was double sided.
Here are the templates.
I used ALL of the paper on both of the 6"X6" pieces of paper. Even the little 1/4" square was used on the box with the brad.
I have used this template before but made 6 cards with it rather than just 5. Instead of having corner pieces on the cards, I had 6) 3" X 1-1/2" panels. So only 2 corner pieces remained with that template.
For the box and card base Neenah "Solar White" cardstock was used. The images were stamped in Memento "Tuxedo Black" ink.
Here is the complete set.
Happy crafting!
Oh, WOW! Susan, this is a fabulous ensemble--you ROCK!
Posted by: Debbie (aka debbiedesigns) | February 05, 2009 at 08:43 AM
OMG this is BRILLIANT!!! I am so going to use this template - genius!!!!! Love the sparkle too - it is all so beautiful and beautifully done!!!!
Posted by: Cindy Lyles | January 31, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Wow! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Anita | January 30, 2009 at 09:42 PM
These are GORGEOUS! Thanks for showing the Copics you used.
Posted by: Linda C. | January 30, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Fabulous idea. I have bookmarked it for layer use!!
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | January 30, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Susan, these cards are stunning and versatile. I love that they are artistic but clean-lined, not too fussy but with a little bling factor.
Thanks for the fabulous template. I love using my beautiful 6x6 DPs, but never want to waste any of my precious stash. I need 4 sympathy cards and I’m definitely using your cutting template and design ideas today.
-mary s.
Posted by: -mary | January 30, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Beautiful set!! Thanks for the template.
Posted by: Elizabeth S. | January 30, 2009 at 09:30 AM
Gorgeous set, Susan -- love the colors and all that sparkle!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | January 30, 2009 at 05:38 AM
This is great! I LOVE my 6x6 pads but almost never use them because I don't want to use a sheet up on just one card. This will ease the pain...lol.
Posted by: Gerri K | January 30, 2009 at 05:29 AM
Beautiful cards.
Posted by: Karen | January 30, 2009 at 05:18 AM
These are just beautiful. I love the use of black.
Posted by: Kerry H | January 30, 2009 at 04:07 AM
this is super. Thank you so much. I certainly can put the templates to good use.
Posted by: Mo Moss | January 29, 2009 at 08:22 PM
This tutorial has been SO HELPFUL. I feel a little crazy sometimes - I buy all this beautiful paper, but then I never use any because then I won't have it any more!!! Making all those cards AND the box with two 6x6 pieces is something I CAN do. Imagine, all that and I'll still have HALF of the sheet of 12x12 paper left - that is not threatening at all! Your template showing how it was all laid out has been a real learning experience. THANKS!
Posted by: Lynne | January 29, 2009 at 07:29 PM
These are fabulous!!! Just love the colors. Cathy
Posted by: Cathy Green | January 29, 2009 at 07:26 PM
What a great idea. I love the colors. Those flowers are gorgeous.
Posted by: Karen Q | January 29, 2009 at 07:06 PM
Susan, this is a wonderful project! Great colors and a terrific use of paper! I can't wait to get my hands on these stamps! Great job!
Posted by: Robin Kirkpatrick | January 29, 2009 at 06:17 PM
What a great project-- thanks for the template to cut the 6 x 6 paper. I really must give this a try.
Posted by: Sheryl Hengen | January 29, 2009 at 06:04 PM