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Faux Cabinet Card Tutorial

Todays tutorial was born from one of my collections. I collect antique cabinet cards. Cabinet cards were a style of photograph which was widely used for photographic portraiture after 1870. It consisted of a photograph mounted on a thick card. Many times the cards were very ornate and beautiful. Sometimes you can even find them with advertisements for the photography studio on the back. I have bought them from antique shops, thrift stores, ebay, and estate sales. I love to make collages and mixed media. My style is vintage and grungy. Cabinet Cards seem to be a perfect addition to my projects. However, I'm a bit of a vintage hoarder and just can't seem to use my real stuff in my work. So through playing experimenting I have made my own.

 Begin by cutting 110 lb cream or manila cardstock to 5x7 (Note: or what ever size you need) to fit in the embossing folder you are using. Then I misted it with water using a mini mister. This helps get a deep impression.

I used my Sizzix Big Shot and the Spellbinders Embossing folder Persian Splendor. There are a lot of other embossing folders that would work great for this project too. Tim Holtz has several that would be perfect.

 



 

I have the new Sizzix Magnetic Platform and I LOVE it. Its especially great for this project.  Start by placing the embossed paper on the platform and one clear plate face up or what ever sandwich your machine requires. Next I placed the largest oval from Spellbinders Gold Ovals One. When I placed it, I looked for patterns in the embossing that I could use as markers. This helps keep everything even.

 Inside it I placed the next size of Gold Ovals One. The first two ovals just emboss. This step can be eliminated. However I like the extra detail it adds.

Last I placed the largest Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Oval. This oval will cut a window into the card.

 Send it through with the proper sandwich for your machine.

Using Distress ink in your favorite colors ink edges.

 Don't forget to ink the inside of the oval window.

Use a mini mister and some Distress reinker to spritz on some spots.

 Very sparingly use a dye spray to add a few dark spots.

Dry it all using a heating too.

Send the mat through a Xyron Sticker machine to add adhesive.

Before I peel off either plastic I like to burnish it. This  makes sure the adhesive sticks.

 I also use a sharp object to get the adhesive out of detailed spots.

A double mat is a lovely extra touch. Simply cut a coordinating color cardstock to fit the mat. Peel the backing of the mat and adhere the cardstock.

 Use the next to largest oval to die cut a window. Yay! Your faux cabinet card is ready for decorating.

Add adhesive to the back and place the image you want. I used a new tag from my ETSY shop.
 I don't have a picture but then you run the mat through the Xyron again. After that cut a piece of chipboard the same size and adhere.

 

 

 I made some wrinkle ribbon.

Punched some holes at the top. 

I then added felt flowers and greenery  using Tim Holtz Spring Greenery and Tattered Flower Garland dies.

I used a Tim Holtz Nature Adornments butterfly. I dabbed Scattered straw Distress paint on it. Next I coated it with Clear Rock Candy Paint. Last I added Milled Lavender Ink. The photos do not do it justice. Its gorgeous in person.

 I used some rub-ons to complete the collage.

 I really love the pretty punch of color it adds to my studio. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and have fun creating your own cabinet card collage.

*I was not paid or compensated in anyway for this post. All opinions are my own.

 

Trendy Celebration Card Kit

I thought I would share with you a fun kit I added to my shop. I'm calling it Trendy Celebration Card Kit. You can made 6 birthday or graduation cards with it. The kits has sequins, streamers, balloons, and confetti.And everything else you need except the adhesive.

Heidi Swapp Tutorial

Hi. I am doing a Heidi Swapp Color Shine Show IN Tell Sunday March 17 from 1-3 at Michael's in Abilene, TX. Its free! I'm so excited about this because I LOVE Heidi Swapp stuff. Michael's now carries  it and I must admit I have purchased a bunch! I thought I would put together a quick little tutorial on how a made a card using Heidi Swapp supplies and Color Shine.

First I took a Mini File, opened it and cut it down the crease.

 

 Next I took a scoring board and bone folder and scored the half with the tab a 4 3/8 inches. The wonderful thing about the mini files is they are reversible! Good luck trying to decide which side to use. But, because we cut the file in half you could make a card using each side!

 

Then I took  one of the sheets from Color Magic 8 x 8 paper pack and cut three one inch strips. I used four colors of Color Shine to color the strips. I cut them into 2 inch pieces and cut the bottoms to make a banner.

 

 

I added a 3 3/4 x 3/4 strip from the 12x 12 Sugar Chic Paper Pad on top of the banners. And a 6 x 1 inch strip across the card from the same paper pad. I added a Color Magic butterfly that I  sprayed with Primrose Color Shine. And some embellishments from the Chip Board Stickers. The enamel dots are from My Minds Eye.
If you want to see it in action come by on Sunday to see me!
* I didn't receive free product or compensation of any kind for this tutorial.

Come Join Me

I am so excited to anounce that I am the new Papercraft Instructor at my local Michaels store!!! I feel like this job was made for me. This Saturday March 2nd I will be hosting a Scrap IN. It is from 3pm to 9pm. Come CROP, CHAT, & CREATE. The cost is only $5.00. I'm so super excited to meet other papercraft lovers. If you live in the area I would love to meet you!

3433 Catclaw Dr

Abilene, Tx 79606

I will be offering weekly papercraft classes soon. I will post all the info on my blog in a few days.

I hope to see you there!

 

Books & Buttons

Just some photos that have been hanging out on my computer. I never tire of old books and buttons.

See Me In Better Homes & Gardens

Photo credit: BHG.com

Photo credit BHG.com

Photo credit BHG.com

Photo credit BHG.com

It seems like I have been waiting forever to make this post. The moment has arrived and I'm still pinching myself. My work is in the Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication: Halloween Tricks & Treats. On page 78 the article Welcome All Spirits begins. I made the invitation, napkins, drink labels, paper for menu, and Welcome all Spirits banner. I can not believe two full page pictures, feature my work along with bits and pieces throughout. Its on the BHG web site too! They have templates and instructions to make your own invitation, napkins, and drink labels. Of course if you would rather buy them you can find similar items in my shop. (yes I know shameless plug) I'm especially proud to say they found me through my ETSY shop. I absolutely adore the whole party set up in the magazine. Its soo me! Cream and black, lace covered pumpkins, scary and a little morbid but not gross, Victorian, and spirits. A lot of people have been asking me to "share my secret" on how to get published. I will give you my humble advice on that in a later post. You can purchase the magazine just about anywhere, walmart, grocery stores, etc. Its full of How To party ideas. You can find the templates and instructions here.