Down Sunflower Lane: July 2015

Monday, 27 July 2015

Seasons Greetings Card - Christmas In July for Couture Creations.

#couturecreationsaus

Welcome to another day at Couture Creations Headquarters.

It's hard to believe that we are already half way through the year. And like me you might be thinking where the heck did that 6 months go?? Before we know it, Christmas will be here. So I'm determined to get an early start on my Christmas cards this year.

Today I'm going to share with you a very easy and quick Christmas card.

Couture's Christmas Emporium Collection is just gorgeous, and I'm

excited to be working with these gorgeous papers in blues and greys.

To start my card, I've die cut lots of diamonds with the smallest Nesting Diamonds die in various patterned papers. This is perfect for using up scraps and left overs pieces that
might not be big enough to use elsewhere.

I've cut 40 diamonds to fit my 5x7 card, and have then inked around the edges.
I'll have a few die cuts left over to use as corner bits.

I've covered the front of my card with 18mm double sided tape.
This will make it very easy to assembly my pattern.

Starting at the left corner, I've lined up my diamonds with the corner of the card and then along the top. Once I was happy with where the top line was in place, it's just like fitting together a jigsaw puzzle. But the best part - there is no wrong place! You can add your pieces how ever you like. I tried to make sure that the same patterned paper didn't touch,
so it looks very random.

Continue arranging the diamonds until the card front is full.

If there are any little gaps just add some

Of the extra diamonds and cut off necessary.

Turn your card over and trim the excess paper flush with the card.

Mount the "Seasons Greetings" onto coordinating paper and then back with
12mm foam mounting tape for dimension.

Place the greeting down the bottom of your card and add
large pearls at the intersection of each diamonds.

And we're done!

It's quick & easy (perfect if you need to make several) and a fantastic way to use up your scraps. Which means we can save money...which means....more money for new stash!
I can't wait to use this design to make up some birthday cards as well.

How soon will you start on your Christmas cards?

Thanks for stopping by.

Be sure to check the Couture Creations Blog to be inspired

by the amazing ladies on the Design Team.

You can also follow Couture Creations on

Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter.

Couture Creations Products Used
CO724553 Christmas Emporium 12 x 12 Paper Pad

CO721998, Pearls 50 Pieces, Moonlight

CO721965 Doubled Sided Tape, 18mm

CO721964 Foam Mounting Tape, 12mm

CO723828 Non-Stick Craft Mat
CO721957 15"x15" Self Healing Cutting Mat
CO721955 Pointed Non-Stick Scissors

Have a crafty day!

Tracey R

Thursday, 9 July 2015

Love - Couture Creations & Hearts Ease

Hello again crafters!

Thanks for joining us again at Couture Creations.

Today I'm sharing a layout using the beautiful Hearts Ease Collection.

I just love the rich purples hues and script pattered papers, and thought it was perfect for

this wedding photo of mine. It's certainly doesn't seem like it was nearly 16 years ago!

So let's get making!

I love buying paper in paper pads, but then I sometimes get a bit overwhelmed

by the prettiness of the papers, and I want to use them all!

This layout let me use 10 different patterns, so I can finally use lots of gorgeous papers at once!

But it would also be perfect to use up those off cuts of paper we love so much and simply

can't bare to throw out. (Please tell me i'm not the only one!)

To start with I've chosen 8 of my favourite papers in the Hearts Ease Collection.

And because they are double sided I'll also be using the back and front of a few.

Are they just beautiful? And coordinate so well together.

My favourite two at the moment are Small Pansies & Pansy Tune.

I've cut strips of the patterned paper in varying sizes (no right or wrong people!)

and distressed one edge with my non stick scissors.

Grab a piece of cardstock (it won't matter what colour/type as it will be completely hidden) and cut down to 11" 1/2 x 11"1/2. Start to stick down your strips, layering them over the piece before, so that the distressed edge is showing. I've used the 18mm double sided tape to stick down my pieces.

When you are happy with the overall design, flip over your cardstock and

trim off any excess patterned paper.

I've used a piece of Core'dinations cardstock in Purple Majesty as my back mat and distressed around all edges. I love the way the deep purple compliments the patterned paper, and the lighter distressed edges add more detail.

I splattered dark purple spritz over page and adhered 2 pieces of book paper over the strips.

To add some dimension and depth to my photo, I first matted it on a few layers of tissue paper, then on another 3 layers of Hearts Ease Patterned paper. Another layer of tissue paper and the stack has been mounted on 12mm foam tape, and placed it on top of the book paper.

On the lower right corner of the photo I've placed the 'Love' sticker from the new Hearts Ease Sticker Sheet Combo, and a chipboard arrow sticker from the new Hearts Ease Chipboard Shapes.

I've added some 2mm gemstones to the arrow and in the corners.