Masculine Cards, You Totally ROCK!!

Today I am showing you one of many options when making a Masculine Card. Perfect for Father's Day!

I have made this tutorial easy, and you can tailor the cards to suit your needs. If you're anything like me, you likely have many supplies right at your fingertips that you can easily substitute for the ones I've used. 

I began with a primary-color palette. This is always the easiest route to take when making masculine cards. Save the frilly colors and textures for the girls! 

For the front of my card, I first stamped the Guitar image in Ranger Archival ink in Black, followed by heat embossing in Green embossing powder. 

If you can't bring yourself to use dark colors, or simply don't have them, don't fear. Give those light-colored papers some masculine touches by either adding a wood-grain, or cutting shapes that can be interpreted as having a masculine touch on your cards.

This gorgeous guy got all his coloring from Tim Holtz Distress-Oxide Inks. He is also embossed in an awesome copper tone!

I used Cricut Pearl paper, which is shimmery and soft in color. The difference: I cut it with my Tonic Memory Book dies, in a shape that echoes the shape of my stamp. Graphics can change everything!

These cards also have a touch of fun, but it's not the focal image. I used Sheena Douglass stamps, and the dancers are stamped in a matte black. The only shine here are the added enamel dots. This still allowed me to keep my card classy and elegant. Not dainty. 

I added other touches on the inside, and made sure to leave room for a message. What sets these cards apart: Triple matted inside layers, which echo the textures the front of the card has as well.

Follow my Video instructions if you like, and let me know what you like about these cards, or if there's any other type of card you feel challenged with. I am happy to show you what I have learned along the way!!

Be inspired, Be blessed! Raquel 

Carpe Diem and Bloom Mini Album

Hi friends, This is an exciting post for me! I am sharing my latest mini album with you, made with tons of love, and I sure hope you enjoy looking at all the little details I packed into this small treasure!

I began with the adorable Camera image from the Carpe Diem Collection of papers used throughout album. To ensure this would be sturdy, and have dimension, I made it into a dimensional piece backed with heavy chipboard. I then went crazy making handmade flowers, for a floral scene that is full of texture. Only two of these flowers were pre-made. 

To begin your story, I made this awesome shaker, which doubles as a hiding place for a picture. The quote reads: Your Life is Your Story, Write Well, Edit Often.

The sequins add shine and the sequin bow and ribbon complete the closure.

All pages have pull-out tabs, and they all have lovely details that play off the paper colors and textures. Here I created a lovely scene with additional glossy dots that I added to the ephemera, so as to create a realistic milk-glass image. 

This page has a journaling tag complete with layers of vellum, and gold hearts topped with a vintage button. The yellow flower is glimmered up and pearls add a delicate touch.

Kindness and Love, a little stitched tag topped with a polka dot brad, and the little doe has a nose that shines!

This little book reveals more small pages, and can only be seen by opening the small gold locket. There is a golden edged vintage lace peeking through the layers of images. Reminiscent of an old-world journal.

Monarchs and flowers adorn this page, with removable die cut. You can decide where to place your images, and whether or not to mat your pictures!

Behind this mat is an actual banner, and the adorable teacup has added texture with enamel dots and glitter. 

Here this sweet little bird adds whimsy to this layout, and the paper clip is removable. Two additional banners top off the handmade embellishment.

LOVE!! A banner with Cotton panels, all with little fringed edges, and a swipe of pink!

Do you see the tiny little stars?

This gorgeous layout has more butterflies, and a delicate blue shimmer in the ribbons and bow. 

A floral Collage tops this flap, which reveals yet another space for a photo.

Happy Souls Shine! Reads the added dimensional photo mat. This can also be placed where you like in this book!

If you like to journal, then this page offers you opportunity to do so, and another place to add your pictures. This one, with a darling little clock. I added gems and sparkle to the wings, as well as the teacup.

The last element is another peek-a-boo page, with a great quote from the late Robin Williams, and another camera, this time in the floral and black, with tons of dimension!

Here is a picture of all the added photo mats, and these do not count the 6 inserts already available!

I hope you love this mini album as much as I have loved creating it! 

Please be sure to visit my Etsy Store if you are interested in taking this one home!

UPDATE ***SOLD***

If you prefer to see it in video, watch and share:

Be inspired, Be blessed!

Raquel

Peek-a-Boo Lace Brassiere Card

 Hi all,
This is a very special card that I made for a special someone. The woman receiving it underwent a double mastectomy. We all know, this is a  a traumatic experience for anyone and also a time when any degree of gentleness that can be bestowed upon the recipient is absolutely important.

Gentleness is the sentiment I wanted to convey with this beautiful card and envelope, and as it was requested, a little humor as well. Laughter is the best medicine of course!

I began with a brassiere that I designed and selected a soft pink pattern for. 

To make it even more delicate, I added several layers of antique lace, tulle, and texture throughout with soft embossed papers.

For a very feminine touch, the corsage included pretty flowers and a feather. It was important to me that it still keep the message that she is beautiful.

The shaped card does open, and there is a secret message inside just for her that reads: 

"I'm here to support you". This was customized just for this card, and the larger background also opens to provide room for a larger message to be written.

This card is very layered, so I was sure to make a matching envelope that would fit it nicely, and closed it off with a floral bouquet made from ephemera, a doily, and an antique bone button. This is all set on a beautiful background of floral and pink papers.

I hope that you have enjoyed this post, and that you are always inspired by my blog to spread gentleness to others. 

Be inspired, Be Blessed! 

Raquel 

Swan Mother Mixed Media piece

Hi friends!

I had a little request to make a mini album with a Swan theme, and well...it led to this!

I wanted to find the right image and decided that rather than search the internet for the "perfect one", I should just paint my own. After all, this is what I LOVE to do!

I used Canson Mixed Media paper, my Sennelier Watercolors,  Ranger Oxide inks, Spectrum Noir Markers, and gold acrylic paint, among other things...

I added little details as I like with texture paste, and made sure I gave it my personal touch with different design elements. This was simply for fun, and I look forward to incorporating this painting into my other projects just as I have before. I love doing this, as I get to make one-of-a kind items that you won't find anywhere else. Let's face it, swans aren't a new "thing", but this one has a lovely gaze, as her little baby looks into the water. 

My message behind this piece is simple. Tranquility is sometimes found in simplicity.

May you be inspired, and Be Blessed!

Raquel

Special Little Girl Square Easel Card

Special Little Girl

Hi friends! Today I am sharing a special little card I made for a young girl using my Santoro London Gorguss Girl Stamp : No. 55 All These Words. These adorable little girl stamps add so much whimsy and beauty to any project, and they seem to say a lot with their sweet little faces.

I began by coloring the image in soft lavender colors, and making the background a soft-watercolor-like wash using Ranger Oxide Inks. To make the image pop even more, I added Recollections Glass Glitter on the star in her hands. 

I used Stitched-and scalloped dies nested on top of each other to add texture, and dimension, while keeping within the color scheme.

For a touch of femininity, I also added flowers, specialty yarn, and pearls. To continue the theme of the stamp, I was sure to include little stars, stitched in silver, as a little wand, and also a two-layer tag topped with star-themed paper.

The inside also got the star-treatment as a space for a little note, and the sentiment in silver reads:

Praying for you. 

I say this is a complete easel card that would brighten anyone's day!

I hope that you have enjoyed this little card, and if you like to see live images, here is a video:

Thank you for stopping by!

Be inspired, Be Blessed!-

Raquel 

The Love Story Mini Album

Oooh La La!!

Can I say any more about this awesome Parisian style Mini Album?

It has the cutest details that were just begging for a super girly project!

Here I will share with you what I made...

As you can see, the cover has beautiful layers of a variety of flowers, all cascading on the front-right hand side, with added details and layered pieces. The title: The Love Story. Who gets to write it? You of course!

I have included a beautiful Eiffel tower, in gorgeous shimmering silver paper, as well as a film strip created with Vellum. This is all backed up with layers upon layers of beautiful sturdy card.

This mini album with hold all of your treasured memories for a very long time. No need to worry about the structure, as it has a very sturdy spine, finished in lovely laces, and even a dangling charm with added baubles, flowers, pearls, and Eiffel towers. 

The inside pages vary in size. Some have antique laces, as you can see in this picture...

I balanced the pages with plenty of room for pictures, because you don't want to forget any of your special moments, and that is what this mini book will help you do!

For those special little notes not everyone needs to see. I have included tags that you may personalize with a small note, date, or message to the one you love.

There are trims, laces, and pearls for the added special touch...

Who can resist the lashes!! These images are flirty and playful, with a classy elegant balance. 

Just for fun, some of the pages expand, but have embellishments like the one above. Strolling along Paris on a bicycle is every girl's dream! This page has additional hiding places for more pictures!

To frame a more elegant picture, there are added pages with shimmery, romantic frames. These remind me of the decadent laces only found in France.

To finish the last page with a fun twist, I created a shaker tag. It includes golden seed-beads, as well as flower-shaped sequins. It is topped with the sentiment : LOVE

This album was tons of fun to make! Please watch the video if you like to see live images. 

Let me know what you think, and if you have to have one, I am happy to personalize it for you in your language of choice! 

Be inspired, Be Blessed!- Raquel

Contact me via e-mail for special orders at: paintsandglitter@gmail.com

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www.instagram.com/paintsandglitter

All orders must be pre-paid, Paypal Only. For serious inquiries, feel free to email me with the address provided. All items are handmade and will vary due to their unique hand-made nature. Postage is included in final pricing**

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Gorguss Girl Pocket Tags

Hi all,

I am sharing some Pocket Tags I made for a recent swap. I decided to use the Simple and Clean style, as well as some adorable stamped images from Santoro London's Gorguss Girl Collection.

I simply loved how they turned out, and hope that you also enjoy them!

First, I used my Cricut Explore Air 2 to cut out scalloped edge tag pockets. This image cut out with a small window, but I decided that a matching scalloped tag would be the perfect addition as a backdrop to the required embellishments and sentiments.

Here is my 1st pocket:

I stamped and colored the Gorguss girl, and added a banner, heart, butterfly and bow dies from Brenda Walton's collection for Sizzix. I am loving this set, and thing it's absolutely adorable!

On the inside tag,I used a Sizzix embossing folder to add texture to the backdrop of the Postage Stamp shaped tag. To finish it, I also added the bicycle embellished with pearls, and topped it with a tiny heart tag and twine.  

I followed the same design with my second tag, which I also embellished with a second, smaller tag created with my Cricut. This time I embellished it with a Tim Holtz heart shape cut in silver card, as well as a gem, an acrylic red flower, a silk red flower, and another Gorguss girl. The sentiment, from Heidi Swapp, reads Cherish Each Day, and the inside of the pocket is finished with my Swiss dot embossing folder.

Following are some videos that display these makes, as well as the entries of the swap and other details. Be inspired, Be blessed! -Raquel