Envelope Size
C4 – 229mm x 324mm
C5 – 162mm x 229mm
C6 – 114mm x 162mm
DL – 210mm x 99mm
Mini DL – 175mm x 74mm
Card Size
A4 – 27mm x 210mm
A5 - 210mm x 148mm
A6 – 148mm x 108mm
A7 – 105mm x 74mm
Showing posts with label Information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Information. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2012
What is a Colour Challenge?
A colour challenge is when you have a certain colours to work with and you only use these colours.
This might be 2 or 3 different colours.
This might be 2 or 3 different colours.
What is a Sketch?
A sketch is a term used to describe a basic card or scrapbook layout.
It is there to provide you with an idea on how to set your project out
It is there to provide you with an idea on how to set your project out
What is Quilling
Well its an economical craft that anyone, of any age, can take part in. You do not need vast amounts of equipment or materials to enjoy the craft of quilling. You don't even need much space! It could be described as the ideal craft.
Basically quilling is the art of rolling, folding, twisting or otherwise shaping narrow strips of paper and arranging them to create beautiful designs.
It isn't a new craft, in fact it has been around for hundreds of years. It was originally developed as a means of imitating gold and silver filigree work. Of course paper was much more affordable! In fact almost as soon as paper became easily available there has been reference to paper filigree.
The craft has long been associated with religious uses. In times past nuns were known to quill with gold-edged pages from their bibles, producing church artifacts and pictures. Moving closer to the present day, the Victorians loved to decorate household items such as tea caddies, boxes and even created plaques featuring their coat of arms.
There is a difference of opinion as to where quilling got its name. Some say it is because bird quills, or feathers, were used to roll the paper around, whereas others connect it to the native American art of using porcupine quills to produce decorative items.
Basically quilling is the art of rolling, folding, twisting or otherwise shaping narrow strips of paper and arranging them to create beautiful designs.
It isn't a new craft, in fact it has been around for hundreds of years. It was originally developed as a means of imitating gold and silver filigree work. Of course paper was much more affordable! In fact almost as soon as paper became easily available there has been reference to paper filigree.
The craft has long been associated with religious uses. In times past nuns were known to quill with gold-edged pages from their bibles, producing church artifacts and pictures. Moving closer to the present day, the Victorians loved to decorate household items such as tea caddies, boxes and even created plaques featuring their coat of arms.
There is a difference of opinion as to where quilling got its name. Some say it is because bird quills, or feathers, were used to roll the paper around, whereas others connect it to the native American art of using porcupine quills to produce decorative items.
Money Saver Ideas
An idea for the budget conscious is to scour your local markets and second-hand stores for ribbons and other haberdashery items. You may be surprised with what you might find.
Use felt and fabric to make your own felt flower embellishment.
Use felt and fabric to make your own felt flower embellishment.
Useful Hints and Tips
When tearing mulberry paper, use a ruler, paintbrush and water. Lightly score the paper along the line you want to tear then brush water onto the line. Use your fingers to tear along the wet line. This will give a fluffy, feathered effect edge.
Use sticky fixers or glue dots to give a raised image to embellishments.
To avoid unslightly glue when using vellum, use spray adhesive or glue intermittently and cover the glue areas with embellishments. Alternatively secure vellum in position by using outline stickers.
Use a cocktail stick or a pair of tweezers to peel outline stickers of their backing sheets.
When making wedding invitations use an inexpensive technique and a design that is quick to replicate and relatively light and flat for posting.
Using an outline sticker the same colour as your card will give an embossed effect.
Use gift wrapping ribbon (like you use at Christmas) for creating borders or just as plain ribbon. You can get it in a variety of colours, including holographic.
Stuck for inspiration when it comes to thinking up a verse or words of sentiment for yuor card? Keep bought cards and refer to them to inspire you.
Never ever stick anything down until you have e xperimented with it, and you are 100% happy with how it looks. Position it first, tweak it, then stick it.
Takeaway plastic boxes are excellent for storage because they are both see-through and handily stackable.
When designing a new card, use repositionable glue until you are completely happy with the way your card looks and - only then - fix it down permanently.
You can sharpen scissors on glass jars / bottle necks by running the blade along the glass as if you were trying to cut the glass. This does not harm either the glass or blade.
When you are matting and layering put your topper, or the bottom sheet of decoupage, to the edge of a cutter to get the sizing. Add 5mm to one long edge and one short edge to get your next size to cut your matt. This then leaves a nice 2.5mm border all the way around.
When you have cut a circle or oval shape, use the fine side of an emery board to smooth any rough cuts that may be left behind, just gently file along the cut edge.
On a quiet day, print out several items needed for card making and keep them safe in separate see-through plastic bags. Then you'll be ready for a quick crafting fix at a later date.
If you are stuck for a toper for a card check out the internet - there are lots of free downloads - just type what you are looking for in the search engine and see what comes up.
When using duble-sided tape, only peel back a little on each side. Place the card, then peel off the rest. This ensures the card / topper is in the corre ct place -then you can pull off the rest.
Keep a photo of your handmade cards and put them in an album so that you have easy access to help you with all those orders you get from people who have seen your cards. Always make sure that potential buyers of your products can contact you when they want a card - so put yur contact details on the card in a prominetn position, such as the back of the card.
Crafting should be fun and enjoyable: have fun making your cards and experiment!
When cutting out your decoupage, use one of those small photo albums with the pockets to put them in. They are easy to see, keep nice and flat and are easy to store. Then you can just flip through and choose one.
When making birthday cards for friends and family, make a Christmas card for them at the same time. If that person has a significant other that you also make a birthday card for, then make a Christmas card at the same time, to be used for neighbours etc - as this helps keep the stress levels down.
Store your colouring ink pens horizontally so they don't dry out.
There are many unmounted rubber stamps available but many crafters still purchase wooden backed stamps. When these are new and unused, coat the wood with v arnish or cheap clear nail polish as theis helps keep ink off the stamp and keeps them in pristine condition.
If you are new to crafting check out your local area to see if there are any crafting clubs / groups - these are always good to attend because they are fun and you will learn new techniques.
When the high street accessory shops have sales it's time to check out the jewellery counters. Dangly earringsand pendants can be taken apart and made into pretty charms.
Keep your hands pristinely cean as your craft - wash them at regular intervals. And keep your work out of reach ofpets, kids, cups of tea, coffee or wine!
Always have a good air of sharp scissors on hand.
Use thin spaghetti to pick up embellishments - suck the end then touch the embellishment and it will lift it up, ready to be placed onto the glue.
If you are not very good at cutting decoupage and you are left with white around the edges, touch up with felt tip or a pencil crayon.
Use sticky fixers or glue dots to give a raised image to embellishments.
To avoid unslightly glue when using vellum, use spray adhesive or glue intermittently and cover the glue areas with embellishments. Alternatively secure vellum in position by using outline stickers.
Use a cocktail stick or a pair of tweezers to peel outline stickers of their backing sheets.
When making wedding invitations use an inexpensive technique and a design that is quick to replicate and relatively light and flat for posting.
Using an outline sticker the same colour as your card will give an embossed effect.
Use gift wrapping ribbon (like you use at Christmas) for creating borders or just as plain ribbon. You can get it in a variety of colours, including holographic.
Stuck for inspiration when it comes to thinking up a verse or words of sentiment for yuor card? Keep bought cards and refer to them to inspire you.
Never ever stick anything down until you have e xperimented with it, and you are 100% happy with how it looks. Position it first, tweak it, then stick it.
Takeaway plastic boxes are excellent for storage because they are both see-through and handily stackable.
When designing a new card, use repositionable glue until you are completely happy with the way your card looks and - only then - fix it down permanently.
You can sharpen scissors on glass jars / bottle necks by running the blade along the glass as if you were trying to cut the glass. This does not harm either the glass or blade.
When you are matting and layering put your topper, or the bottom sheet of decoupage, to the edge of a cutter to get the sizing. Add 5mm to one long edge and one short edge to get your next size to cut your matt. This then leaves a nice 2.5mm border all the way around.
When you have cut a circle or oval shape, use the fine side of an emery board to smooth any rough cuts that may be left behind, just gently file along the cut edge.
On a quiet day, print out several items needed for card making and keep them safe in separate see-through plastic bags. Then you'll be ready for a quick crafting fix at a later date.
If you are stuck for a toper for a card check out the internet - there are lots of free downloads - just type what you are looking for in the search engine and see what comes up.
When using duble-sided tape, only peel back a little on each side. Place the card, then peel off the rest. This ensures the card / topper is in the corre ct place -then you can pull off the rest.
Keep a photo of your handmade cards and put them in an album so that you have easy access to help you with all those orders you get from people who have seen your cards. Always make sure that potential buyers of your products can contact you when they want a card - so put yur contact details on the card in a prominetn position, such as the back of the card.
Crafting should be fun and enjoyable: have fun making your cards and experiment!
When cutting out your decoupage, use one of those small photo albums with the pockets to put them in. They are easy to see, keep nice and flat and are easy to store. Then you can just flip through and choose one.
When making birthday cards for friends and family, make a Christmas card for them at the same time. If that person has a significant other that you also make a birthday card for, then make a Christmas card at the same time, to be used for neighbours etc - as this helps keep the stress levels down.
Store your colouring ink pens horizontally so they don't dry out.
There are many unmounted rubber stamps available but many crafters still purchase wooden backed stamps. When these are new and unused, coat the wood with v arnish or cheap clear nail polish as theis helps keep ink off the stamp and keeps them in pristine condition.
If you are new to crafting check out your local area to see if there are any crafting clubs / groups - these are always good to attend because they are fun and you will learn new techniques.
When the high street accessory shops have sales it's time to check out the jewellery counters. Dangly earringsand pendants can be taken apart and made into pretty charms.
Keep your hands pristinely cean as your craft - wash them at regular intervals. And keep your work out of reach ofpets, kids, cups of tea, coffee or wine!
Always have a good air of sharp scissors on hand.
Use thin spaghetti to pick up embellishments - suck the end then touch the embellishment and it will lift it up, ready to be placed onto the glue.
If you are not very good at cutting decoupage and you are left with white around the edges, touch up with felt tip or a pencil crayon.
How to use embossing powders
Using embossing powders for your card making ideas is just one of the ver satile techniques commonly used by crafters. Embossing powders are a wonderful addition to and card makers or scrapbookers craft box.
Embossing powders come in a huge variety of colours and textures and can easily be used by beginners and professional for cardmaking ideas.
Using embossing powders for your projects can create many different efects but you will need to purchase a few basic materials.
The main item you will need to be able to use your embossing powders is a heat gun, these can be found at most craft stores or stamp companies. Some heat guns are better than others, when you are purchasing a heat gun it is worth asking for recommendations from other experts that have used them for their cardmaking ideas.
You will need to have an ink pad, ink pads come in many different colours. You can use a clear ink pad however if you are a beginner you can start with a colour so you can see where yuo have stamped.
Stamps - a stamp is essential when using embossing powders as this is the foundation of the design, rubber stamps can be found at craft shops and tere are simply millions that can be bought over the internet.
Of course you will need embossing powder, again these come in a hug variety of colours, try to match the colour with the theme of the stamp where possible.
To begin embossing it is advisable to wipe the area wher you are going to stamp with an anti static bag.
Once the area is prepared it is time to ink your stamp. Choose your colour of ink preferably clear but if you are new to carmaking ideas then a matching colour to your embossing powder will be fine. Always take your ink pad to the stamp rather than pressing the stamp into the inkpad, this will give the stamp an even coating.
Once you have inked your stamp you can then press it firmly onto your project, hold your hand flat over the stamp to ensure the entire image is printed, press firmly using the palm of your hand, lift the stamp carefully away from the project and make sure you are happy with the result.
Carefully undo the lid of the embossing powder and generously sprinkle over the stamped image, if you are using a tidy tray tip all the excess embossing powder can be easily tipped pack into the pot. Try folding a piece of paper.
Gently tap the back of the project or card to allow any excess embossing powder to ocme off if you can see any odd bits of embossin powder still in places it shouldn't be, use a small paint brush to gently remove it.
Use your heat gun to heat the image until it turns shiny, hold your heat gun approximately 6 inches from the paper sweeping backwards and forwards until you see the embossing powder melting. Do not over heat the image as you can cause the paper and embossing powder to burn.
Once you are happy that all the embossing powder had melted you are done. Step back and admire your finished project.
Embossing powders come in a huge variety of colours and textures and can easily be used by beginners and professional for cardmaking ideas.
Using embossing powders for your projects can create many different efects but you will need to purchase a few basic materials.
The main item you will need to be able to use your embossing powders is a heat gun, these can be found at most craft stores or stamp companies. Some heat guns are better than others, when you are purchasing a heat gun it is worth asking for recommendations from other experts that have used them for their cardmaking ideas.
You will need to have an ink pad, ink pads come in many different colours. You can use a clear ink pad however if you are a beginner you can start with a colour so you can see where yuo have stamped.
Stamps - a stamp is essential when using embossing powders as this is the foundation of the design, rubber stamps can be found at craft shops and tere are simply millions that can be bought over the internet.
Of course you will need embossing powder, again these come in a hug variety of colours, try to match the colour with the theme of the stamp where possible.
To begin embossing it is advisable to wipe the area wher you are going to stamp with an anti static bag.
Once the area is prepared it is time to ink your stamp. Choose your colour of ink preferably clear but if you are new to carmaking ideas then a matching colour to your embossing powder will be fine. Always take your ink pad to the stamp rather than pressing the stamp into the inkpad, this will give the stamp an even coating.
Once you have inked your stamp you can then press it firmly onto your project, hold your hand flat over the stamp to ensure the entire image is printed, press firmly using the palm of your hand, lift the stamp carefully away from the project and make sure you are happy with the result.
Carefully undo the lid of the embossing powder and generously sprinkle over the stamped image, if you are using a tidy tray tip all the excess embossing powder can be easily tipped pack into the pot. Try folding a piece of paper.
Gently tap the back of the project or card to allow any excess embossing powder to ocme off if you can see any odd bits of embossin powder still in places it shouldn't be, use a small paint brush to gently remove it.
Use your heat gun to heat the image until it turns shiny, hold your heat gun approximately 6 inches from the paper sweeping backwards and forwards until you see the embossing powder melting. Do not over heat the image as you can cause the paper and embossing powder to burn.
Once you are happy that all the embossing powder had melted you are done. Step back and admire your finished project.
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