Down Sunflower Lane: kalini

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.

I've die cut 5 of the Tall Basket Flowers from the Kalini range

and added them in opposite corners of the photo, adhering with glue spots.

Don't forget to use your Quick Release Die Paper when due cutting so your cuts just fall out of the die.

And we're done!

Thanks for dropping 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

CO724156 2mm Gemstones, Wisteria

CO721965 Doubled Sided Tape, 18mm

CO723816 Glue Spots, Craft Glue Spots

CO721964 Foam Mounting Tape, 12mm

CO723818 Quick Release Die Paper
CO723973 Paper Trimmer
CO721955 Pointed Non-Stick Scissors

Have a crafty day!

Tracey R

Monday, 13 April 2015

In the Garden Card - Couture Creations

Tracey R here you with today and I'm thrilled that my time on the
2015 Couture Creations Design Team has finally begun!

I feel so honoured to be in such creative company - these are some seriously talented ladies! If you haven't already, head over to the Couture Creations Blog and meet the whole team.

So without further ado, let's create!

My first Couture Creations project is a card with the new Elegant Card Cuts Die Collection.
I've used the Malvoisie Corners set. I love the intricacy & corner details of this die.
t's so pretty and cuts beautifully,

The card base is 6"x6". I've simply cut a 12"x12" piece of white co'ordinations card stock in half, and then folded one of those piece in half.

Taking the other half I have cut a 5.5"x5.5" mat

and placed this on my card front with 6mm double sided tape.

One of my favourite quickest techniques is distressing. I would use it on most of my projects and with the Couture Creations scissors you can get very easily distress as much or as little as you'd like. I just run one of the blades along the cardstock and voila! Instant dimension and depth.

I have squeezed some Violet Glitz' Glamour on to the card and wiped it across the middle to add a really nice but understated background - nothing like getting all glittery!

Next I've die cut my card cut using the Couture Creations Quick Release Die Paper and purple cardstock. I am seriously in love with this paper! No more poking out die cuts from the dies (and possibly ripping it) or picking out little bits of paper. It's a crafter's dream. For this die, a good tip is to only cut/tear your release paper and just add it under the corners.

I have adhered the card cut die to my card with the new Couture Creations Turbo Precision Glue Pen. It's super fine tip made it easy to apply glue to fine lines in the corner.

To make the embellishments for the card I've used dies from the Kalini range.

I've cut 6 of the Tall Basket flowers in green toned paper from the Vintage Rose Paper collection and adhered them in a very rough oval shape. The Couture Creations Craft Glue Spots were perfect for this.

I love the look of handmade flowers on my projects using pattered paper you can get

such a pretty effect. I cut the Falling Blossoms die twice using Vintage Rose Patterned Papers and scrunched the flowers in my hand and then layered them on top of one another. Using another glue spot i've stuck the flowers down and then used the Violet Glitzin' Glamour to add some sparkle to the flower.

The third Kalini die i have used is the Stained Glass Butterfly. So pretty and elegant. I've cut that in the same purple cardstock and added Violet Glitin' Glamour to that as well. A small amount of Turbo Precision Glue and the Butterfly is added to the card. You can also shape your butterfly's wings to give it a more 3D effect.

Lastly I have added bling to the card - what's a card without bling i say! I used theViolet 2mm Gemstones on the corner pieces. These tiny gems are fabulous for adding colour and come in 12 beautiful colours. I didn't have any purple bling to add to the flower or butterfly...so... you improvise!

And take a coloured permanent marker and colour your Crystal Classic Gemstones what ever colour you want. Ta-Da! Instant purple bling.

Couture Creations Products Used

CO723982 Vintage Rose Patterned Paper, Rose Header
CO723986 Vintage Rose Patterned Paper, Green Plaid
CO724099 Elegant Card Cuts, Malvoisie Corners (3pc)
CO724254 Kalini Intrictuz Dies, Tall Basket Flowers
CO724251 Kalini Intrictuz Dies, Falling Blossoms
CO724250 Kalini Intrictuz Dies, Stained Glass Butterfly
CO723818 Quick Release Die Paper
CO721973 Glitzin' Glamour Glitter Glue, Violet
CO721998 Classic Gemstones, Crystal
CO7241512mm Gemstones, Amethyst
CO72185 Double Sided Tape 6mm

CO724037 Turbo Precision Glue Pen
CO723816 Craft Glue Spots
CO721957 15" x 15" Self Healing Cutting Mat
CO721955 Pointed Non-Stick Scissors
CO723973 Paper Trimmer

Don't forget to enter the latest Couture Creations Giveaway on the blog - hello free stuff!
And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to keep up to date with all the last Couture Creations news and Design Team inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tracey x