I struggle making masculine cards, but when I finish one, I realize just how much I love CAS cards without all of the various forms of bling that I like to use. Of course, CAS can have bling, just that it makes me realize that I need to create more CAS cards.
I have made a lot of hand-stitched cards in the past couple of years, including a large set of approximately 50 cards, 44 of which were in a collection that I made as a special gift to my Mom, a master cross-stitcher, and I need to upload all of those. I worked on that project for about 18 months and gave them to my Mom in January, 2019. This is one of the first hand-stitched cards that I have completed since then, mainly because I broke my wrist in an accidental fall, and the next year was filled with full-time rehab. I am also in the midst of a major reorganization of my stamps and dies as well as my small crafting room. Anyway, I am very happy to be uploading this hand-stitched card that I gave to Bill on Saturday on the occasion of his 84th birthday. Bill is the Dad of my good friend, and this family is much-loved and very wonderful friends. The bunch of peonies in the photo were picked by Bill's wife, Sally (my previously uploaded card was for one of her birthdays) from their garden, and she kindly gave me the flowers to take home. The photo was taken on their back deck, where we celebrated Bill's birthday with just his wife, two children, and myself, where we all maintained proper distancing to keep everyone, but especially Bill and Sally safe.
Some of my cards have been made for Bill's son, who doesn't mind some glitz, but Bill is more of a man's man, and I chose the colors of the hand-stitched stripes with him in mind. I especially love the addition of the blue in this combination. I SHOULD choose stitching yarn based on the colored cardstock that I have, but instead, I choose the yarn/floss combination based on the colors I have, then I sometimes struggle to match up my cardstock. But I really love Gina K Designs cardstock, and I particularly am loving this Blue Raspberry cardstock!!! I do wish that this cardstock still came in packs of 24 sheets, and especially that they still came in Ziplock-type storage bags. Whenever I make cards using hand-stitched backgrounds, my preference is to use a bright white cardstock for the stitched base, as well as the card base. I have used for all of my hand-stitched cards these wonderful heavyweight card bases that are 200 pound weight from Scrapbooking Made Simple's Simply Defined Distinctions card base sets of cards and V-flap envelopes (I do prefer envelopes with a rectangular flap, but the bases are so superior to others, that these are the sets I use). For this card, I used the 5 by 7 size, but I have also used the A2 card bases sets. These come in packs of 25 card bases and envelopes in A2 and A6 for $8.99, and the 5 by 7 size package is $9.99. These are made in the UK, but are only available at SMS. This small store is run by the most delightful Stacey, and I have especially loved her Simply Refined dies and stamps collections that were manufactured by Tonic. Right now, that line is not in active production, but I do hope that it will return. She also has a Simply Defined line of dies/stamps manufactured by Sizzix, plus other cardstock and a host of other products. I would encourage you to shop there online (they are located in CA), she and her family have been through so many tough times, they lost their home in one of the CA fires, then their insurance company refused to rebuild it. Then, her husband had a massive stroke a day after having major heart surgery, and she had to let go of their insurance company lawsuit, so that she could concentrate on supporting her husband's ongoing rehab. She's just a wonderful lady, and I would highly recommend their store, and they have some amazing sales. They cannot ship quickly especially if you buy during their giant sales, but to me, the wait is worth it. I have never written about a crafting store like this before, and I beg your indulgence because I think that they truly need the support of our crafting community. I like to know that when I shop that I am supporting great people, and I can think of no better than Stacey of Scrapbooking Made Simple!!!
There are a number of stitching dies on the market. I have used the Paper Smooches die which fits nicely on an A2 card base, but you have to cut the edges yourself. This card uses Altenew's Pegboard die which has a cutting edge on this die, which I personally prefer for ease od cutting the edge. It's also a much larger die, made for 5 by 7 cards. Altenew also has a Cross-Stitch die, but the holes are much smaller and are much more closely spaced. One would need to use a much thinner floss for the Cross-Stitch die, FYI. I purchased the Cross-Stitch die, but I have honestly not played with it yet. If anyone knows of a stitching die similar to the Paper Smooches die for A2 cards but has an outer edge cutting die, I would be very grateful to hear about it!
I have been using fun-foam as the material for the main sentiment on many of the hand-stitched cards I have been making and this one is no exception. Although this material is quite gentle and it's easy to damage, I really like the dimension it gives to the main outer sentiment. I have in the past covered this fun-foam with a clear epoxy-type product. See the grad card I made several years ago, another CAS card, this one for my nephew's junior high graduation. But I liked the simplicity of leaving the die-cut of fun-foam alone for this card for Bill, and I was happy with the simple dimension it gave to the happy birthday message.
This pattern and color combination is my own.
For the inside of the card, I kept it very simple, and on a rectangle of the blue raspberry cardstock, I stamped a happy birthday message. On the envelope, I embossed the V-flap with the same embossing folder as I used on the front of the card but in blue raspberry cardstock.
It was an honor and a pleasure to create this hand-stitched card for Bill. All of these hand-stitched cards came from first watching a YouTube by Jennifer Mcguire regarding how to use the Paper Smooches cross-stitch die from approximately August, 2018. She has made some subsequent videos on her hand-stitched cards, which I think are the best instructional videos on this subject. I sincerely hope that she will be creating more instructional videos on this subject. She enjoys Hand-stitching as I do for its relaxing effects, although I began stitching on paper purely to create cards that I hoped that my mother would treasure, and that she would enjoy using the large set of assorted hand-stitched greeting cards to send to her friends.
I apologize for this much too lengthy narrative. I learn so much from the multitude of extremely talented artists here on Splitcoaststampers, and I am so very grateful. When you take the time and the trouble to leave a comment, and to express your opinions and/or leave suggestions, know that you are quite literally making my day!!! I try to do the same when I am spending some time viewing the wonderful cards uploaded in the SCS gallery. Thanks so much for looking at my card, and for leaving a comment.
Stay safe and stay healthy as much as is possible during these difficult and very unusual times.
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 GMT Views: 1350
Favorited:3
Paper: Gina K Designs Blue Raspberry, 110 lb white, Scrapbooking Made Simple Simply Defined Distinctions card base 5 by 7 bright white, yellow fun foam
Registered: March 29, 2011 Location: Covington, WA Posts: 32470
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 @ 9:45 AM
I'm sure your bright, beautiful card delighted Bill! Love the bold rainbow colors for the cross stitched bg. The die cut happy birthday really pops. That must have taken some time! Hope to see more cards soon, Joanne. Take some breaks from your craft room organization to treat yourself and us ;)
------------------------------ Carla ~ Proud Fan Club Member and Dirty Dozen Alumni.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni My Pinkie is Inkie in Boxertown
Registered: April 4, 2006 Location: Boxertown USA, IL Posts: 67360
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 @ 11:20 AM
Oh, my, Joanne, your card is beautiful. You really put a lot of work into this hand stitched card. I love the colors and how they pop. Great job!!! I know Bill will love this card and will make him feel special with the fabulous stitching you put on it. Your flowers in the vase are gorgeous, too.
Registered: February 5, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 92694
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 @ 11:50 AM
This is truly INCREDIBLE!! At first, I thought it was a very 3-D DP.....until I read your description. I cannot imagine the time and patience it took to create this card. It is a real treasure that is meant to be saved....if not put in a shadow box frame to be admired evry day.
Registered: December 30, 2017 Location: arizona Posts: 1412
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 @ 2:51 PM
Hello, your cross stitching cards are fantastic!! so glad you posted again, after a blank space. I hope you are well and thanks for inspiring us all with this interesting technique: ) I will look at your friends store, and try to support her. such a sad story. STAY well, thanks for the nice comment left on my tea bag watercoloring journal page. I hope you can craft and enjoy the summer. Teresa
Registered: April 6, 2009 Location: Weyers Cave, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley Posts: 31237
Thu, Jun 18, 2020 @ 4:55 PM
Oh Joanne, what a delightful card this is, and I'm sure that Bill was impressed by your handiwork! You do beautiful cross stitching and I adore the rainbow of colors you placed on your card. A true treasure to be admired by all who see it. I have made many cross stitch pictures and framed them over the years so I know the work that goes into them. Hugs, Joanne, and thank you for your sweet comment on my card. It brightened my day for sure~
------------------------------ ~Roberta
�Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.�
― Lou Holtz
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: January 7, 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 42928
Fri, Jun 19, 2020 @ 10:50 AM
As a former cross-stitcher, I really appreciate this card. I am glad you were able to come back from your wrist fracture to be able to do all the things you love. I hope you do upload the other cards you mention as I'd love to see them. TFS.
------------------------------ Kathy Stamp n Sip with me
Registered: October 12, 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 70794
Fri, Jun 19, 2020 @ 5:33 PM
Fabulous hand-stitched panel! Love the bright, happy colors. The HB die-cut on top looks great. Welcome back to your gallery. Hope to see more creations soon! Hugs. TFS
Registered: July 9, 2008 Location: Stars Fell on Alabama Posts: 75074
Tue, Jun 23, 2020 @ 7:52 PM
Holy Smokes! This is awesome and I love the colors you've used on this card, including the card stock. How pleased your friend must have been to receive this card. And, you have made 50 and 44 for your mom. I bet she was so excited to receive them, especially being a stitcher. This is just awesome. Sorry about your broken wrist. I had one some years ago and my sis is now in therapy for one after her dog knocked her down on concrete. Yikes!
------------------------------ My Blog---My Gallery---My PinterestI'm a Punchkateer! (Prez) FOREVERDirty Dozen Alumni2014 CAS Spring DT--- Inspiration Challenge Co- Hostess 12/02/17-12/28/19 Watercolor Wednesday Design Team Hebrews 13:2Brenda