Time to Skate with Cycling Team Member Laura Evangeline O'Donnell

We are very pleased to share projects from Cycling Team Member Laura Evangeline who created some amazing cards with our Winter Twig collection.  Laura was very ingenius at adding unexpected colors to our Winter Twig's frosty color palette.  But let's have Laura tell you all about it...

Hello, there! My name is Laura Evangeline, and I'm so very excited to be playing with the Winter Twig collection today. This collection has some of the most fun and cute embellishments I've ever seen. I absolutely love the blue, white, and brown color combination with a hint of green thrown in. This makes for a collection that can be used for many other occasions. I love that about this type of line. It's so versatile. The patterned papers are all great basics to hold on to in your supply. Here are just a few of my ultra favorite things...

LYB's patterned paper has a great weight and texture. My favorites are Winter Plaid/Mocha Java Sweater (even fun to say)...

...And Blue Forrest/Winter Pom Pom.

I've gotta have my journaling cards and spots to make cards, so of course I love these...

Oh, and Clear Cuts Shapes are way way fun. They're printed on clear acetate and they're glittered!

These Cardstock Stickers are cut into fun shapes and some of them have real little buttons to boot! (I even love that the backing of the sticker sheet is a clear piece of acetate. Recycle & reuse for later crafting, hmmm?)

Okay, now on to what you really came to see... what I made!

Let's start off with a card that sticks pretty much to the color scheme of the Winter Twig collection.

I added Skylark card stock and some velvet ribbon from my stash to enhance the added color. There are so many different shades of blue in this collection you could really add any blue card stock, ribbon, or embellishments that you already have, and it would be a near-guarantee that it's a match. Love, love!

Instructions:

1. Start with an A2 (4.25"x5.5") card stock base.

2. Trim a piece of Winter Plaid/Mocha Java Sweater patterned paper to 4"x5.25". 

3. Punch a decorative border along the bottom edge of the patterned paper, & trim off the bottom 1/3.

4. Flip the patterned paper over to reveal coordinating design, add two strips of over lapping ribbon (securing only the ends to the back of the patterned paper), and attach to card base.

5. Add decorative stitched border with sewing machine.

6. Create bow with loops of ribbon and attach with twine.

7. Slide journaling tag under ribbon and secure to card front.

8. Punch decorative border on "Happy Winter" sticker and trim to fit card front.

9. Attach pine cone embellishment under bow, and add chipboard bird with dimensional adhesive.

TIP: The sentiment sticker that I chose to use for this card was originally much too long for the balance I needed to complete my project. Don't forget that paper isn't the only thing you can trim and punch! Try your hand at adding fun borders and even punched shapes to the elements on your next project.

Supplies:

Scrapper's Floss	Clear Cuts Shapes	Cardstock Stickers - Fresh Verse	Journaling Cards	Chipboard Shapes	Winter Words/Brown Skate Scratch	LBP Cardstock - Skylark
Noteworthy Ribbon	Scalloped Border Punch	Upper Crest Border Punch

Okay, are you ready for some COLOR?!

 

How do you feel about hot pink and dark chocolate together? I just love it. Like I said, the individual pieces of this collection are so very versatile. It really makes adding a splash of colored card stock so easy and way fun! Take notice of the blanket stitch I used around the border. I chose it because it felt more home-spun and wintery to me with the snowflake sweater background going on.

Instructions:

1. Start with a 3.75"x5" piece of Mocha Java Sweater patterned paper & center if over a 4"x5.25" piece of Cheeky card stock.

2. Add a 1.5" strip of Cheeky card stock across the front approximately 1/2" from the bottom edge.

3. Add a decorative border around the perimeter of the card front and along the upper and lower edges of the strip of Cheeky card stock before attaching the card front to an A2 (4.25"x5.5") card base.

4. Add a border sticker centered on strip of Cheeky card stock and trim.

5. Attach metal rimmed tag, acetate flourish, gems, and chipboard pine cone to card front.

6. Secure "Forecast:" sticker with dimensional adhesive.

7. Peel lacquer from chipboard letters, ink with desired color, add glaze & glitter. Set chipboard alpha out to dry before adhering to card front with dimensional adhesive. 

TIP: If you're like me, you've collected tons of chipboard elements and alphabets. Try your hand at re-coloring your chipboard with ink, embossing powders, glitter, paint, or patterned paper for a brand new look. You can even mix and match left over pieces to create a whole new coordinating set that individually may have otherwise been unused!

Supplies:

LBP Cardstock - Cheeky	Winter Words/Brown Skate Scratch	Clear Cuts Shapes	Metal Rimmed Tags	Chipboard Shapes	Adhesive Jewels - Pink Fairy	Cardstock Labels with Buttons
LYB Chipboard Alpha	Dark Brown Ink	Iridescent Fine Glitter Set

How about... PURPLE!?

Do you believe me now about how fun this collection really is? Those little chipboard ice skates were just screaming to be played with. I immediately set them to the side when I was sorting through all my Winter Twig goodies. It wasn't until near the end of my cardmaking extravaganza that a mysterious piece of blue, green, white, and purple striped ribbon stuck to my foot. Perfect! That's how this new color scheme was born.

Instructions:

1. Start with a 4"x5.25" piece of Pom Pom patterned paper and attach a 1.25" strip of Winter Stripe patterned paper to the left edge before adding a stitched border with lime green thread and then attaching to an A2 (4.25"x5.5") card stock base.

2. Punch a decorative border along a 2"x4" strip of Petunia card stock. Center 1.25" strip of Wood You Be Winter patterned paper over card stock strip, add decorative stitching and ribbon, and secure to card front.

3. Stamp sentiment in lower right hand corner with VersaMark and emboss with silver powder.

4. Add journaling tag and bow secured with twine and button.

5. Using screw punch & twine, lace skates, and secure to journaling tag tucking twine ends under button.

6. Cut a Pom Pom in half and glue to skate tips.

7. Add a photo corner fashioned from Winter Wishful patterned paper in the upper right hand corner.

TIP: Don't be afraid to alter or even embellish your embellishments like I did with the chipboard ice skates. I like to buy simple embellishments because they're more versatile. You can keep them as they are or take them up a notch too. Adding to beautifully simple embellishments can really make your project extra special and unique.

Supplies:

Winter Stripe/Wood You Be Winter	Blue Forest/Winter Pom Pom	LBP - Petunia Cardstock	Winter Woods/Winter Wishful	Arch Scallop Edger Punch	VersaMark	Silver Embossing Powder
Journaling Cards	Chipboard Shapes	Screw Punch	Baker's Twine	Mini Pom Poms	Striped Buttons

Of course I had to play with GREEN...

I'm sure you noticed the lovely little hint of green throughout this collection, so I just had to emphasize it to go along with my color theme of cards today. I really love the little snowman with his glittery little pompoms. I put him in a little snow globe of sorts complete with snowfall courtesy of  the Winter Blue patterned paper and a few card stock hills. I didn't even have to add any other embellishments or ribbons because the striped patterned paper and buttons on the sentiment sticker were just perfect all on their own.

Instructions:

1. Start with a 4"x5.25" piece of Winter Woods patterned paper and add a decorative stitched border before adhering to an A2 (4.25"x5.5") card base.

2. Using a circle cutter, create nesting circles from card stock and patterned paper. Add decorative stitching and secure to card front.

3. Attach chipboard snowman.

4. Using a scallop punch, create hills along the top edge of a 1.75"x4" strip of Orchard card stock.

5. Add a 1"x4" strip of Winter Stripe and add decorative stitching before adhering to card front. 

6. Attach sentiment sticker with dimensional adhesive.

TIP: If you like to sew on your cards and layouts, try experimenting with different stitches. You can even change stitching patterns in the middle of a line like I did here on the snowman card as well as the other cards I made for you today. It really adds special little details that will only enhance the magic of your creation. 

Supplies:

Winter Woods/Winter Wishful	Large Circle Cutter	LBP - Orchard Cardstock	Skate Scratch/Winter Blue	Chipboard Shapes	Embossed Curve Edger Punch	Winter Stripe/Wood You Be Winter
Cardstock Labels with Buttons

Okay, you know we need RED for the holidays...

 

Once again, this collection is just begging for pops of color to be thrown in. It's just fun and simple, but makes for such a big impact.

Instructions:

1. With decorative stitching, add a 3.75"x5" piece of Winter Pom Pom to a 4"x5.25" piece of Skylark card stock, secure the ends of a strip of ribbon to the back of the card front, and adhere to an A2 card base.

2. Layer  1" strip of Winter Stripe over a 1.5" strip of Winter Wishful.

3. Add journaling tag and decorative stitching before securing to card front.

4. Attach snowflake flourish, chipboard character, and adhesive gems to card front. 

5. Create a ribbon wave embellishment over ribbon strip and cinch tail end with twine and button.

TIP: Always secure your ribbon tails to the back of the card front leaving the middle space under the ribbon free. This allows you to add knots, bows, and other embellishments as you're going through the creative process without having to rip off what you've already glued down. It saves money on adhesive, and you can always go back and "tuck a little tack" here and there as needed.

Supplies:

LBP Cardstock - Skylark	Blue Forest/Winter Pom Pom	Winter Woods/Winter Wishful	Winter Stripe/Wood You Be Winter	Journaling Cards	LBP Cardstock - Grenadine	Clear Cuts Shapes
Chipboard Shapes	Lost & Found Buttons	Baker's Twine	Adhesive Jewels - Cardinal

Well, I hope you enjoyed my play on color collection of cards featuring my beloved Winter Twig collection. It really was fun, and I hope to see you again soon! 

Happy Holidays, and Merry Crafty Wishes!

We hope you have been inspired and have immediately added Winter Twig to your Wish List for the holidays.  We will be back tomorrow with a BRAND New Training Reel with some holiday gift giving ideas. Please visit Laura Evangeline's blog Life and Art for more inspiration.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Liz

Comments

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I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and have my children check up here often. I am quite sure they will learn lots of new stuff here than anybody else!

[Missy]

3.

Oh, what great cards & photos! Do you have any photo taking tutorials? I really love how they look so professional. It just makes your cards look so wonderful.

[Vangie]

4.

I have been a fan for a while and you continue to grow as an artist. It is like watching a fashion show collection for Cards. Keep up the great work.

[debbie]

5.

Laura's cards are ALWAYS BEEEE-a-U-tiful!!...I am always totally impressed with her designs and color combos!!

[Lea-Lea]

6.

What great cards! I love all the bling & color you added. So very fun!

~Lea-Lea

[Jan]

7.

WOW, these cards are beyond just great. Which sotores cary your product line? Would like to purchase them.

[Michael]

8.

I love these designs. My wife and I would like to know where we can purchase some of your cards. They as just lovely.

[Chelsea]

9.

I love Laura's artistic talent! So cute!

[Lisa]

10.

I just keep coming back to look again and again at all the little details & layers. I notice something new every time. I love them ALL!

[Sara B.]

11.

OMG I absolutely love what you did with those ice skates. I'm just CRAZY about them!

[Julie in Edmonds]

12.

Spectacular!

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13.

Well done!!
These cards are stunning. I love all cards color and specially button idea great.
Thanks for sharing.

[Renee Zwirek]

14.

Beautiful, Laura!

[sandra m.]

15.

Laura, this post is amazing! Not only are the projects BEAUTIFUL but the directions and especially the TIPs are terrific. Thank you so much for all the time and effort you put into this posting. I love the use of purple!

[Darlene Satkewich]

16.

Fantastic cards! Love love the color combos!

[Marcia Dehn-Nix]

17.

Winter Twig is definitely on my wish list! Your cards are gorgeous Laura!

[Susan]

18.

Your cards are simply wonderful! Thanks for sharing them with us.

[Jennifer Reynard]

19.

Brilliant, just brilliant!! I would like one of each please!! LOL

[Katrina]

20.

Wonderful cards Laura! I love all the color pops!! Hugs, Katrina

[Chris Dring]

21.

Wow! These cards are gorgeous!!! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!

[Lynn Shokoples]

22.

These cards are just too cute!

[Michele]

23.

Love the COLORS!!!!

[Marielle]

24.

goodness,your cards make me swoooooooon !!! love the addition of hot pink ,purple and red !!

[Stephanie Patterson]

25.

Gorgeous cards! Such unexpected colors but they all work so beautifully.

[Vanessa W]

26.

Great Cards! I love all the winter without a holiday :)

~Vanessa W

[Maja]

27.

These cards are adorable!