Cards, Cards, and More Cards...Featuring the Avonlea Papers

Keep reading to see this whole card and find out what I used to make it.

As you may have heard from past posts, when I taught at Convention this year my whole class centered around the brand, new Avonlea paper packet. I am in love with this paper and I know you will be too. In fact, we will be using this paper in my September Play Group scrappin' classes to make three 2-page 12" x 12" layouts (check back in the next couple of weeks and all sign up information for that class will be posted).  Anyhoo, today I thought I'd share a few of the cards that were on display in my class at Convention. Enjoy!

For your convenience, I have linked the products I used to their page on my website so if there is on e (or two, or three) that you just have to have, you can easily add it to your cart. Also, don't forget that if you spend $50 you qualify for the beautiful August Stamp of the Month ($17.95 value) for only $5. 

The first two cards feature the Family Tree stamp set (D1526). I love this stamp set and used it a lot in my class. You'll see a layout I created with it later this week so be sure to stop back by!

1. Card #1:  This card is made totally with cardstock in the Avonlea kit. These are two colors that are only available in the Avonlea paper pack: Avonlea Green and Avonlea Teal. Aren't they just breathtakingly beautiful? I embossed my tree and sentiment with silver embossing powder, added some sparkles and ribbon, and finished the card off by using my ruler and the silver metallic pen to create a border. Simple, quick and easy. This card took about 10 minutes to make.

2. Card #2:  This 6" x 6" card is also made using the tree stamp and embossing.  I created the circle background behind the tree with our new pigment inks (basics collection). I just swirled a few together on the colonial white cardstock circle then grabbed a tissue and rubbed so they blended. Pretty cool. I then lightly sprayed it with the spray pen filled with a few drops of black reinker and a bit of water. Cool beans!  The tree is actually embossed on a piece of clear plastic. I used a transparency. It embossed with white daisy embossing powder and then I added some of our pearl opaques. I love our chocolate striped ribbon but it was a bit wide for this project, so I cut a strip off and voila: perfect size! I used my Cricut and the awesome Art Philosophy Cartridge to cut my circles and scalloped circle. Handy tool, that cartridge! The background cardstocks (Avonlea Teal and Slate) were dry embossed and then rubbed lightly with a piece of fine grit sandpaper.  I love that our cardstock has a white core and can have such a cool look when sanded or torn!

3. Card #3:  This 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" little dandy was made with very little stamping.  Instead, I chose to use our wonderful new Brocade Assortment (made especially to coordinate with the Avonlea paper) as my focus. I stamped a little sentiment in the bottom right hand corner, but other than that, I  let my cool metal accent pieces do the talking. Again, all the paper comes from the Avonlea kit except the chocolate cardstock. Don't you think the browns coordinate perfectly with this kit?  I also added a few of our mocha opaques and a bit of stitching around the edges.

4.  Card #4:  Who doesn't need thank you cards all the time?  I can't think of anyone who doesn't need one or two a week. This one (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") is so simple...no stamping required. The sentiment and the shape behind it were all cut with our brand new Artiste Cricut Collection.  Gotta have it! It has over 700 images, 3 coordinating stamp sets, and 3 sheets of coordinating chipboard shapes.  Did you know that most Cricut cartridges have 50-80 shapes and images on them? Well, both of our Cricut/CTMH cartridges have HUNDREDS! Yep, that's the honest truth.  All I did on this card was cut shapes, layer paper and accent with mocha opaques, Avonlea MyStickies canvas shapes. and petals paper flowers. Fast, simple, easy, and practical.

5.  Card #5:  This last card (5 1/2" x 4 1/4") finds me heading back to embossing. You probably have noticed, if you have followed my blog for any significant amount of time, that I am an embossing fanantic. Love it!  This little dandy features our brand new monogram stamps (this one, of course, is "X"). These little puppies are so much fun and only $2.95 per letter.   I love how they look like an old wax seal on an envelope. Stamping or embossing them on the flap of an envelope is a perfect use as well. The rest of the letters in the word are stamped using our classmate alphabet. I embossed everything with silver embossing powder and added three mocha opaques right in the center of the flowers on the little mint floral print from the Avonlea papers.  Yum!

I hope you enjoyed the cards. Have an awesome day!