Retiform

Hey everyone,
  Yesterday someone on our team page posted a card that used a technique called Retiform or Grid technique.  I had never heard of it before but it looked really cool.  So of course I turned to my go to crafty research app Pinterest!

  This technique really isn't difficult.  I'm not advanced at stamping, I'm still learning and have a long way to go.  So for this technique I chose a beach theme because I needed to make my SIL a birthday card and she loves the beach.   So I gathered my No Worries, Swirly Seashells, and Birthday Sparkles stamp sets.  I cut my white Daisy to 5x3 3/4".  The Seaglass is cut at 5 1/4"x4".  You'll also need a sponge dauber, two inks, a scrap of paper that has a longer straight edge, and some post it notes. This post is really photo heavy but you'll be able to see how easy it is.  Some tips that I have are that you have to watch if the ink is soaking through the post it note so you might want to try to use an additional scrap of paper.  I am going to try that myself next time just to see which I prefer to use.  The inks that I used were Sea Glass and Juniper.

  Here are the two cards that I created with this technique.  I used foam tape for a little dimension on these cards.  

  If you have any questions feel free to ask.  I've linked some of the products that were used below, or you can find more products on my site at justineharris.closetomyheart.com.   Thanks for reading.

-Justine

            Swirly Seashells                                No Worries

       Sea Glass cardstock                                     3-D foam tape

              2"x2" block

Make a Wish

Today I'm sharing a card that my crop attendees will be making.  I'm creating a set of cards for different occasions for them.  I know that I always seem to need a masculine birthday card and have none on hand.  If you find you have that issue too then let me recommend the Urban paperpack!  I love the colors and prints on these papers.  These papers definitely have a masculine feel to them.  

Now for the details on how I created this card!  I used a standard A2 size card in white daisy.  I cut the background piece of paper 5.25"x4".  I used the triangle image from the Crazy Good stamp set.  When I inked that image I tapped to get a decent amount of Saffron ink on the stamp.  Then I drug it across the stamp pad to get those little lines, you could also just stamp the image the normal way.  The piece of kraft cardstock was cut 1.5"x4".  The little strip with the image is the zip strip from the top of the background sheet.  I just cut that off the top of the sheet first, then cut it to 4" across.  I cut an additional piece of White Daisy to 2"x2".  I used Sapphire ink for the sentiment.  Make a wish is from the mini stamp set Wish.  After I stamped the sentiment I used a sponge and dabbed it in Slate ink to distress the edges.  I attached it to the card using foam tape.  I finished the card off on the inside with a saying from the Birthday Funnies set.  That set is a hostess rewards stamp set that you can get for $5 when you reach your party minimum.  

Do you find masculine cards a challenge?
~Justine


 
 

Blossom Birthday Card

I created a Birthday card last week for a friend.  I haven't created a lot of cards but I wanted to see what I could come up with using the new Blossom paper and the Stamp of the Month for April, Typed Note.  My lighting isn't the greatest here, but here it is.  I over think stuff all the time and told myself during nap time that I would go and just see what I could come up with.  I didn't let myself get hung up.  I just kept saying keep going and let the creativity flow, then if I don't like it I can always start over.  This isn't a difficult card so it didn't take me very long.

I wanted to use colors that all coordinated so I used the colors from the Blossom paper.  I used Sunset, Pear, and Juniper inks.  The diagonal striped paper is a zip strip, then I added a scrap with a dove tail end, and finally a piece of teal shimmer trim.  

The Stamp of the Month is just $5 with a $50 purchase and if you are purchasing a grab bag that counts towards that amount!

Here's are all the stamps included in the Typed Note stamp set: