Fall Thank you Card and Sunflower Basket

 Hi friends,
Today I'm sharing a beautiful Fall-themed thank you card made with several dies from my stash.
This little card will accompany a small sunflower basket, and will make a perfect little gift presentation.
To make this card, I used the z-fold style to incorporate all of the beautiful elements...

Here you can see that not only the card topper is embellished, but also the smaller "hinge" panel, and the hidden background panel.
I used a card die from C.C. Designs to put it together easily, and also used an embossing folder from Richard Garay for the beautiful sweater-like texture.


To help the textured stand out, and give this card a fall-work look, I used Ranger Oxide inks on all embossed surfaces and edges...

You can see the layering, and the sentiment is also layered multiple times for added dimension!

Here is the pretty little basket that will go along with this card...

I love the versatility of this type of gift set! Any fall occasion would look spectacular with these little baskets adorning a table!

The back of the square card is shown here, as this is where my message will be written. 
I absolutely love making sets like these! 
If you are interested in watching more, check out my video!



For custom orders, I can be reached at:
Paintsandglitter@gmail.com
or 
Instagram: 
www.instagram.com/paintsandglitter

Be inspired, Be Blessed!
Raquel 

Masculine Cards in Fall Colors


Hi friends,
One of the greatest challenges people ask me about is: "How to make masculine themed cards?"
Well, I have to confess that I absolutely love creating masculine cards, so I have gathered some quick tips fror you that might help!
I like to follow basic rules of design, but above all, I love to add texture!! 
These are created using Graphic45 papers, with rich yet subtle colors...
My recommendation is that you look at the papers as if you were selecting an outfit for the "Man in your life"...all kidding aside, this works!
Above, you see I selected a "pin-stripe shirt" base paper, followed by a music sheet embossed "tie".
A black "slacks" paper is embossed in wood grain, and the olive green burlap ribbon could very well be a belt. Now do you see it?


Then it's time to accessorize! 
I topped this card with two elements that had to convey my message. This card is for a pastor and worship leader, so the microphone and Bible were must-haves. In order to make sure these elements were not competing against each other, I added the microphone on a shaped tag, and topped it off with a metal brad (can you see a cuff link there?) and a black floss bow. 

Here is a closeup of that microphone and Bible. Both were stamped with black ink. The Microphone was also heat-embossed. This changed it to a copper finish, and oxide ink was used throughout.
The Praise stamp finished my card.



This card was a bit easier, but the same elements are at play. I wanted to incorporate the same Bible stamp, but this time I placed it on a flat surface. (As if on a desk). Once I had this element, I created the background as I would decorate a festive wall display.
Again, adding texture is key, so I used banner dies with a stitched edge, and also embossed the background paper with a honey-comb shape. Oxide ink helped to make this stand out. To repeat the same element in the card and still keep it subtle,  I added the banner tag pieces in the same honey-comb shape. 

The sentiment was the centerpiece of this card, so I added it with two small button brads at the center of my card, and used the same olive burlap ribbon. 
I was quite pleased with both of these cards. The neutral color pallete made it easier to concentrate on adding texture, and I loved using the inks and embossing to give them special touches here and there.

What I used: 
Graphic45, Making Memories, 7Gypsies, Ranger Oxide ink, Sheena Douglass, Dove Art Studios for C.C. Designs, BoBunny, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders, & others
I hope that this post has been helpful to you. If so, don't forget to leave a comment and visit my youtube page for more inspiration!
Be inspired, Be Blessed!
Raquel



Swan Mini Album using Tonic Studios Keepsake Dies and Maggie Holmes' "Gather"

Hi friends,
Today I am sharing a mini album I made using One of my new favorite Die sets, as well as one of my new favorite paper lines!
I am not one to follow trends of any nature, but Tonic Studios has made me fall over myself in this category more than once! Recently, I added the Keepsake Memory Die set to my collection, as one of my favorite ways to share my love of paper arts is to make Mini Albums. I love the flexibility that this die set allows me to create a book as serious, or as whimsical as I like!!
The cover give the introduction. I love the story of the ugly duckling emerging as a beautiful Swan, so I created this beautiful embellishment to top the lovely paper using my Cameo. It has pretty pearls in soft colors, a bit of enamel and glitter to make it shine, and it's adorned with a crepe rosette, an acrylic flower, and a white feather. I'm already swooning!!
To close the book, I added a precious soft pink ribbon that I finished off with silver gems.

Once you open the first page, you see an inside cover with gorgeous music-sheet paper. The recipient happens to play the drums, so she will love to see music incorporated in this little book!
The first page is what I call a Barn-door style. I used a die from Sent with Love to add texture, and button dies to complement the gold colors throughout. A pretty flower applique and sequins finish off this page, with its own tab on the side. 

Open the page and there's room for your first photo. This was gifted to me, and it reads Smile. I love how it fit perfectly on this page!

Open that page, and there are two more pages ready for photos and journaling. I have also dry-embossed the white and green papers, and provided a tag for added notes. 

The second page has all the "pretty little horses". It's one of my favorite songs, and this paper reminded me of it!! To embellish its partner page, I added three tickets with my mini attacher, and topped them with one of my little camera embellishments. To make the tags fit in a little better, I also added a pink bow that I topped with a plaid brad. 

The third page is adoooorable!!! 
I made a side pocket with an edge die, and topped it with antique seam binding. The little note card inside is embellished with gold buttons and also opens to reveal two pages for more pictures!

This page has a top-folding flap topped with a beautiful sentiment:
Create Beautiful Memories
I topped it off with a fussy cut flower and leaf, and a beautiful dragonfly.


This page has a simple scalloped frame, but I added a banner with  handmade felt flowers, a felt bird, and little gems. 

Here I added another Picture frame, this time using the Photos and Filmstrip Die set.
To make it my own, I used it with pink vellum instead of images, and further embellished it with gems, glitter, and the sentiment: Love


That page also opens to reveal two more pages. One reads :
Celebrate
The other has room for a larger picture, or can be left blank.

Can I get a WOOHOO???
Yesss!! I added a shaker...I am in love!!
The little doe is from the paper collection. She is wearing a bow, so I added two more on the page, because...BOWS!! 🎀🎀 
The sentiment reads: Always be Joyful
I topped it off with sequins, stickles, and a small vellum pinwheel. 

To keep it consistent. I made a pocket on the following page with yes...another bow! 
This one houses lots of tiny little polaroid-esque  ephemera for her to write on, or use as a place for tiny pictures. 

This page appears more subtle in this book, but it has a lot of texture with tags that have stitched borders, and a belly band I designed using a Decorative Hinges die. I also added pink vellum to make the belly band appear softer, and topped it with a butterfly sticker.

Here I added some cattails that I designed and hand painted to match the papers, another photo frame, gold ribbon and pink washi, tiny little flowers, a blue swan I created with my Cameo, and a piece of flair that reads: Take Flight

To finish the inside of this book, I created another belly band. This time, with crepe paper and gold washi tape, topped with another camera from Magnolia Doohickey. The back cover also has a tag that reads With Love , using Sent With Love. 
I absolutely love how this book turned out, and I have enjoyed sharing it with you. If you like to see the spine, I have included that in my video. Feel free to watch it, 
Be inspired, and Be Blessed!!
Raquel 


P.S. Don't forget to share with your friends, like, and subscribe!!
P.S.S. I do not represent ANY company. My website and any items shown are only meant for inspiration, or promotion of my own projects, made and sold respecting angel policies. I am not affiliated with any craft company, and my opinions on any products are not for promotional reasons.


Tonic Surprise Bouquet Card Set...with LOVE

Hi friends, This is a short but simple post made with lots of love!
I am sharing the card set I recently made using Tonic Dies: Surprise Bouquet. They are versatile, elegant, and offer so many possibilities with only this one set. 

To make this card set, I used Vellum in vibrant colors, as well as Nuvo markers in coordinating glitter colors. I also used another adorable die set from Tonic to add small flowers to one of the card toppers. 
The results were amazing, and I am hoping my mother enjoys using them, as they were a small gift for her birthday. 

The gorgeous bee is from Spellbinders, and in my video, I share this, as well as other details and a bonus card you won't see here. Go on over, subscribe, leave a kind comment, and 
Be inspired, Be blessed! 
Raquel 



How do you Embellish??

Hi friends, 

Some of us are addicted to details, details, details!!

I am guilty of looking at embellishments in a store, and walking away a bit...underwhelmed. To ensure I'm not left with that feeling, I like to challenge myself, and when this happens, I always discover something fun I like to do!
Here I found out that my dies like to have a "Buddy"
This stash of embellishments that will be ready for me when I want to add that special little something to one of my projects. After all, a girl can never have too many pretty things!

 I looked for dies in my stash that fit the same theme, and made the most of them with beads, sequins, flowers, you name it!
I used my Cricut , several dies, Maggie Holmes papers, and several coordinating items.
 The idea here is to have fun with the items in my stash, and layer items that I feel "fit" well with each one another. 
It can be color, texture, shape, or theme. Find something you like, and then, find its buddy!

Making sure to keep things balanced, and adding sparkle her and there with pearls and sequins allowed me to keep these ultra girly pieces looking cohesive and not overdone.

These TUTU rosettes just came to me, and I am sooo in love with the results! I can now add these to gift bags, mail, wands, or the cover of a card or mini album! 

The same is true for these shaker cameras. They look great just sitting on my desk, but I must make room for more!
I hope that you had fun looking through these pictures! Prefer a video?
Watch me here:


Be inspired, Be blessed!
Raquel

Memory Dex Card and Gorguss Shaker

Hi friends, 
I am sharing some of the latest embellishments I decided to make in a rosette style, as well as an adorable Shaker topped Card  and Memory Dex card I made to go share with a fellow blogger and youtuber.
These little embellishments were easy and fun to make!
I began by uploading a designed I liked to my Cricut Explore Air 2, This allowed me to cut several ballerina shoes. I decided to make them in Gold mirror Cardstock and Vellum. This is always my preferred way to make delicate embellishments.

I also added leaves from a different die set, and topped the rosette with the die cuts, tulle, and several sequins. To make the shoes "pop" I embellished them with pink seed beads, sequins, and enamel.
It all got finished with little flowers and bows.

To make this set, I also used a Gorguss stamp, and a Tim Holtz die in the shape of an antique Clock. To make it a shaker, I filled it with sequins, and layered it with acetate, creating the perfect window effect. To cut the background, I cut the same shape using my Cricut and a scanned image of the same clock.

Here is how I packaged this lovely card set. It's a great way to share a little about yourself and your personal style.

I made a frilly embellishment by fussy cutting the sentiment image. I also added three little pearls for sparkle.

I love adding dimension to my cards, This one has it all! Leaves, washi, crochet lace, tulle, and even a hand-painted leaf I made using plaster.

Here is a close-up of the shaker with the perfect twinkle!

I hope that you have liked this post. 
To see more, feel free to watch, like, and subscribe to my youtube channel where I shared this project!


Be inspired , Be blessed!
Raquel

Gorguss Tick Tock Project...and the reason behind my projects


Hi friends, 
I am so very thrilled to be able to share my work with like-minded crafty friends, artists, and the like. 
Much of what we do brings meaning to our every day lives, and for me, it goes a little deeper.
My true hope is that every item I gift bring along with itself a feeling of love, encouragement, and a reminder to take the time to appreciate the little details that make each of us uniquely made by God.
My message with this is :

We are a Blessing to others when we Commit to God 
ALL that we are. 

How? 
Live for Him, and God will provide you with a sense of fulfillment in all that you do. 


Live for God, and He will surround you with inspiration.


Live for God, and each minute you dedicate to seeking Him will be a moment well spent.



Isaiah 40:31 says:
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint...

What a wonderful promise from up high. I hope to rest in the promises of God in my daily walk, and in turn, inspire others to never give up, regardless of circumstances that may have shaped them, or affected them in any way...

This is the reason I can appreciate paper arts. There is something that happens when we convey love in a tangible way, It helps others remember a moment in which they have felt loved, and little images, little details, however small, can add up to make a positive impact in the lives of others. 


I try not to take these little moments for granted, rather, make the most of them. After all, they add up to be expressions of my thoughts toward others. 

Isn't it good to fill your mind with positive thoughts, and your life with actions that mimic what you're thinking?

For me, it is an ongoing goal. 

You are special, made by God. His love for you is eternal and has no end.

May your day be surrounded by moments that remind you of your uniqueness in God. 
Be inspired, Be blessed
Raquel


Here's my latest project!

Boots & Bouquets, TCK#74

Hello friends, Today is reveal day for Tonic's craft kit: Boots & Bouquets. This is easily the greatest value available for exclusiv...