DAMASK CARD {MY LOVE line}

DAMASK is the last card from My Love line and it is by far my favorite.

I love pretty much everything about it: the off-white-blue-golden-brown colour palette ...

...the smoky gemstone...

...the vintag-y paper butterfly ...

...and the tiny off-white brad, hiding behind lace and rickrack

The card measures 4,5'' x 6,25', is blank inside, comes with a white envelope, and is still available at BRASS AND RUFFLES.

Happy Monday!
Anya
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To see other creations from My Love line click HERE

BUTTERFLIES CARD {MY LOVE line}

Butterflies card from My Love line is still available at BRASS AND RUFFLES Etsy store

I really like how two red patterns work together. Since the background of the card is quite busy I chose embellishments in similar colours: white and gold.

The card turned out very festive but light and joyful.

Visit Brass and Ruffles to see this or other cards from My Love line.

Anya

P.S. I would love to create something unique and special just for you.  Please email me if you are looking for a card, a photo album, or any other paper creations.

AWAKENING CREATIVITY {stepping out of comfort zone}

Last time, as part of AWAKENING CREATIVITY series, I've talked about the importance of making the first step of your creative journey, the importance of "simply beginning". Today I want to talk about a rather uncomfortable but extremely useful and important part of your creative awakening - stepping out of your comfort zone.

Stepping out of one's comfort zone is not an easy matter: we get comfortable and good at doing things a certain way, be it working with a familiar medium, using favorite colour palette in our paintings, or creating objects we've made before. Why would we want to break the routine that has worked for us all this time? Why do we need to change things?

As it turns out, imposing certain limitations makes our brain work in a slightly different way; it forces us to think and to adapt rather than to go through familiar motions.  It also forces us to change the familiar route and to arrive to a new destination.

Stepping out of the comfort zone would mean different things for different artists.  You are the one who knows your own process better than anyone else, you are the one who knows what feels comfortable and what would be changing.

When I craft there are two things that remain constant: I often take my time and I mostly use colours that I like.  If at the beginning of the project I do not have a palette that inspires me and brings images to my mind - chances are I would either never begin or would abandon the project half way though.  I depend greatly on colours and the palette of the project often dictates its success.  Time is another important condition for my work; I am not a fast crafter - I take my time adjusting and rearranging elements of my craft projects.  Most often than not I leave the layout for at least 24 hours and get back to it with a "fresh eye" the next day.  I need my time and I am not good creating fast or under pressure.

One day when I felt uninspired and had sort of a creative block I decided to step out of my comfort zone and create something in a colour scheme I didn't particularly enjoy and do it in one sitting, in less than an hour.

I went through my stash and found paper of an uninspiring shade of pink (pink is one of my least favourite colours).  I've had this paper for quite sometime and was sure I would never get a chance to use it.  Besides being pink it had the least interesting flowery repetitive design with yellowish-brown elements thrown in for a good measure.
After selecting the paper I gave myself a time limit: in less that an hour I had to create a card using pink paper as a background.  Let me tell you right away, I've failed the time limit and ended up spending almost 2 hours on the card, but the important thing that happened was me not putting it away for 24 hours.

The process itself was quite fascinating: after looking at the paper I decided to add dusty-purple as a complementary tint.  Since I was exploring unusual territory with colours I also thought of doing some heat embossing - a technique I like but do not get a chance to use often.  I've added a quote embellishment and picked buttons to decorate the card.  The project that seemed scary and intimidating at first turned out to be engaging and fun.  A couple of hours later, slightly past my time limit, the card was ready.

I was very happy with the way it turned out.  It definitely had elements of my style but at the same time it's colour palette was unlike any of my creations.

I do not expect this type of results every time I step out of my comfort zone.  I do believe, though this type of "exercise" to be extremely efficient in waking up my creativity.  I encourage you to give it a try, next time you feel "blocked" or simply have time to experiment - use an unusual tool, create in colours you do not like, or simply make something unusual...

STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!

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Two years ago: MAKE UP BAG

FELT VALENTINE'S DAY CARD

It's the last day of Valentine's cards but I still have several fun ideas and might be sharing more Valentine's day projects with you over the weekend or early next week. And before writing about the card I just want to thank all of you for visiting the blog, for liking SAS DOES on Facebook, and for all the repins of my projects.

Today we have a simple and fun felt heart. Like usual, you will need a card base and a square of thinner contrast-coloured paper.  This time you will also need a smaller square of thinner paper (I've used a page from an old book) as well as lace, and a felt heart shape.

Assembling the card is quite easy: first attach lace to the paper square (similar to the way we did in origami card), then glue felt heart to the small paper square (double-sided tape works great for this). Finally glue both squares to the card base.

And voilà you felt Valentine's day card is ready.  Fast and easy - perfect for a last moment Valentine's card idea.

What last moment Valentine's crafts are you making this weekend?
Anya
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A year ago: SUNNY SMOOTHIE
Two years ago: 14 DAYS OF VALENTINE ... DAY 8

ORIGAMI VALENTINE'S DAY CARD

I think today's card is my favorite of this week's collection and surprisingly it is not very difficult to make.

You will need a card stock base, a square of thinner contract-coloured paper, lace, and paper to fold an origami heart.  I've used old music sheets but thin coloured paper or old book pages would work as well.

First - glue lace to the paper square.  Cut a piece of lace slightly longer than the width of the square, fold the ends and attach them at the back.  You can secure the ends with masking tape or use small pieces of double-sided tape.

Now it is time to make the origami heart.  Stephanie from Homemade gifts made easy has step-by-step folding instructions for this project.
For dimensions: 4.5"x10.25" piece of paper will make a 3.5x3.5 folded heart.

All you have left to do is glue the heart to the dark-coloured thin paper and then attach it to the card base.

After making the first card I've decided to experiment and made a similar one using burlap and corrugated cardboard.  I really like the mix of rustic and romantic on this one.
Note: the burlap I've had on hand was very loose-woven; it was quite challenging to work with.  I recommend you getting a tighter woven burlap similar to the one used for coffee bags.

Here are two card side-by-side.  I think they work great as Valentine's cards but also as wedding invitations or anniversary cards.

What material would you use for these origami cards?  I would love to see your creations!
Anya

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A year ago: PAMPER
Two years ago: 14 DAYS OF VALENTINE ... DAY7

PAPER PATCHWORK VALENTINE'S DAY CARD

Today we are making a paper patchwork card. If, like me you enjoy jigsaw puzzles, you will have tons of fun making this Valentine's day card.

Similarly to yesterday's card you need a card base, a square of thinner contract-coloured paper, and a heart shaped template.  You will also need three sheets of paper in coordinating colours (leftover scrapbook paper works great for this project).

After making the card base (you can see instructions here and here) and lightly tracing the heart shape onto the thinner contrast-coloured paper, you will need to make a patchwork guide by drawing straight lines on your heart template.

Once your guide is made use it to cut 3 heart shapes out of patterned scrapbook paper.  Stack 3 shapes coloured side down, put the patchwork guide on top, and use x-acto knife to cut all the hearts in pieces.

The next step is optional but it adds a cute personal touch to your card:
Instead of using coloured square as is write a personal message, a poem, or lyrics of your favorite romantic song.  To give your card some visual interest write diagonally.

Use a glues stick, or any other glue that does not stick immediately, to cover the heart shaped part of the thinner paper and glue pieces of hearts down, varying paper colours.  If some pieces do not adhere well, use a dab of stronger glue.

All you have left to do is to adhere the top part to the card base.  Leave the card under pressure (a couple of thick books would do the trick) over night to make sure that all pieces get glued together.

Note: If you've used 3 different coloured papers for your patchwork you can use leftover heart pieces to assemble 2 similar cards.
Happy crafting!
Anya

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A year ago: WEEKLY KALEIDOSCOPE
Two years ago: 14 DAYS OF VALENTINE ... DAY6

LEAF CARD {MY LOVE line}

LEAF was the first card I've made for MY LOVE line.  I fell in love with the polkadot navy cardstock but it seemed too serious, too masculine for the romantic and lyrical line.

So I decided to add lace, light blue paper, and a delicate coral epoxy embellishement.

The card looked less serious but was still missing somethings.  This is when I decided to add a copper leaf skeleton, a gold-coloured heart, and a gold-coloured frame.
Together with polka-dot flowers these embellishents added a nice feinine touch to the dark-coloured card.

This and other cards from MY LOVE line are currently available at MY STORE.
Anya

WASHI TAPE VALENTINE'S DAY CARD

Day 2 of Valentine's week at SAS does. If you've enjoyed yesterday's easy embroidered card you will definitely have fun making today's washi tape card.

The top photo shows what you will need for this project: the card base (similar to the one I've made for the embroidered card), a square of thinner contrast coloured paper, a heart template, and several rolls of washi tape.  If you do not have any washi tape you can use strips of thin patterned paper (wrapping paper or even recycled magazine pages would work great).

First, you will need to make the base for the card.  I've used 9''x12" sheet of heavy-weight textured card stock to make four 9x3 strips.   Folded in two each strip made a cute 4,5x3 card base.

Next, use thinner paper of a contrasting colour  to cut out a 4"x2,5" square.

Make a heart template and trace it onto the thin, contrast-coloured paper.  Cut the heart shape out (you can keep it for another project) to create a heart-shaped "window".

Next, lightly trace the heart onto the card base.  Glue strips of washi tape onto the card base.  Make sure to erase pencil lines since they might be visible through the washi tape.

Final step - glue the heart "window" onto the card base. Your washi-tape Valentine is ready!

Let me know if you have any questions and feel free to pin or share the tutorial.
Anya

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A year ago: {BREAKFAST CLUB} ASPARAGUS EGGS BENEDICT
Two years ago: 14 DAYS OF VALENTINE ... DAY5

JOY CARD {MY LOVE line}

JOY is one of four greeting cards from the new MY LOVE line available at BRASS AND RUFFLES.  

I really liked the quote card that was a part of My Mind's Eyes embellishment kits. I was originally thinking of using it in one of my albums or mini books but at the same time I thought it deserved to have a special spot on its own.  A greeting card turned out to be perfect for that.

I also really liked the red epoxy brad with a white heart.  I think it looks really nice on this card and it definitely matches the colours and overall "feel" of the card.

This card is perfect for the upcoming Valentine's day or any other occasion, when you want to remind that special person about love and joy they bring to your life.

Please visit BRASS AND RUFFLES to see more creations from MY LOVE or other lines.

Anya

Textured handmade cards

During short breaks from gardening I get back to my paper crafting. This week I continued playing with textures, taking the vintage texture technique one step further.

To make textured handmade cards you will need:

• thick paper (I chose white watercolour paper but you can experiment with colours and paper thickness)
• acrylic gesso and white acrylic paint
• acrylic medium (I used modeling paste for the "hello" card and glass bead medium for the "joy" card)
• mod podge
• crackle paint
• cardboard letters or other embellishments
• lace, paper, cheese cloth, magic mesh
• acrylic paint to create a colour pattern (I used blue and grey paint diluted with water) and a small spray bottle or two for applying it
• brushes

Cut the watercolour paper to the dimensions of your card.  Fold in two.
Follow THE VINTAGE TEXTURE TUTORIAL to create a white textured background for the card.
For the "hello" card I've applied several thick layers of paint, alternating with cheese cloth, lace, paper, and magic mesh.  I've also used modeling paste to create textured "smudges".

Let your imagination guide you and do not forget to allow the mediums to dry completely between the layers.
To finish, apply white gesso and let dry.

Now let's play with colours: using a spray bottle apply colours in a random pattern.  I strongly recommend you to test your spray bottle on the scrap piece of paper.  But keep in mind that you can always "start over" - simply cover your card with a new layer of white acrylic paint, let dry, and spray again.
If using letters cover them with crackle paint or a thick layer of white acrylic paint.
Attach letters or other embellishments to the card.

For the "joy" card I've used a glass bead medium instead of modeling paste and lace.
I really like the textured effect created by the beads.  I also opted for slightly darker colours and more pronounced splashes.

If you notice your card warping, leave it under press (leaving it under a thick book) over night.

Pretty simple, isn't it?  Let me know if you have any questions.  I will also be very happy to see your projects using vintage texture.

xxx
Anya

{Lovingly line} Bird card

This bird card is one of those creations that "just happened".  Somehow the colours, the shapes, and all the embellishments got assembled almost on their own ...

When I looked at the finished card I couldn't believe I was the one who made it.

It just doesn't look like any of my typical cards

Having said that, I absolutely love how it came out and hope that you like it too.

And if you do, you can buy this one-of-a-kind card at my ETSY STORE.


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More items from Lovingly line:
BUTTERFLY CARD
LOVE YOU CARD

{Lovingly line} Love you card

I feel that this card is very manly.

It would make a perfect gift for a serious, manly-man of your life ...

But to keep things fun and surprising I added a pocket with a tag for your very personal, sweet, loving message.

The back of the card can also be used for writing, but I really like the idea of having a place for more intimate words.

This and other items from Lovingly line are available at my Etsy store - BRASS AND RUFFLES

More items from Lovingly line:
BUTTERFLY CARD

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