For the first card I knew I wanted to use the tricycle print as the focal panel.  I paired this with the green/blue dot print as the background and the blue diamond print for the horizontal strip across the card.  Once all of the pieces were assembled, the top of the card looked too empty.  I thought about adding some brads or enamel dots but there was already a lot going on with the prints.  Also, for masculine cards I try to keep embellishments to a miniumn.  Instead I opted for a simple navy blue banner in the upper left corner.

The next card used the border strip print as the focal panel.  I again used the green/blue dot print for the background.  With the large orange stripe in the focal panel, I wanted to bring in another print with some orange.  After trying a few combinations, I liked the multi-color houndstooth print the best.  I added another bit of orange with the 3 small brads next to the focal panel.  This card used one of my favorite sketches and turned out to be my favorite card from this batch.

Since I had a large piece of the blue diamond print left, I decided to use it as a background.  As my choices of prints was limited I used more of the tricycle print.  For the banner, I used orange cardstock.  With the focal print being so busy bringing in another print for the banner would have been too much.  A large “hello” sentiment and a few more small orange brads on the bottom corner of the focal panel finished the card.

After using the paper pad, I have to say I found it a bit challenging.  At first glance I thought there were several prints that I could use as focal panels.  Once I got started I realized that some of the images (cut-aparts, newpaper print) that while cute, wouldn’t work for the type of cards I wanted to make.  Once those were eliminated as focal panels I was left with mainly busier prints.  The prints worked as background panels but could be a bit much if more than 2 were combined on a single card.  By using larger blocks of the prints I think I was able to make it work and really do like how the cards turned out.

I’ve used the Spring Market collection kit before and knew that the patterns and prints would be perfect for a set of spring cards.  I choose the Stampendous True Friends stamp set as the flower related sentiments worked well with the theme and were general enough to use for mulitple occasions.

For the first card I used my favorite paper from the collection (the rain boot and flower bouquets) paired that with a peachy-pink pattern for the background.  For some texture and dimension, I added a chiffon ribbon around the panel.  I then punched a green scallop border for matting on one side of the bouquet panel and used a gold Love from Lizi peel-off for the other side.  The sentiment was stamped using Versafine Vintage Sepia ink and die cut using a Spellbinders label die set.  Everything was then matted on a piece of kraft cardstock.

For the second card I used a fun garden tool print as the background.  A Spellbinders border die was used to create the large scallop border from a wood grain print which I added to the top and bottom edges of background.  I then tied a piece of white chiffon ribbon around the panel.  I used the same ink to stamp the sentiment and cut it out using a Spellbinders oval die.  Everything was then matted with brown cardstock.

The next card used a small strip of the peachy-pink paper and more of the wood grain print paper for the scallop detail.  I used another floral print from the collection kit for the large panel on the card.  More chiffon ribbon was tied around the panel before it and the sentiment were matted using brown cardstock.

The last card uses a larger floral print for the main panel.  A small strip of the peachy-pink paper was punched using a Fiskars scallop border punch.  A peach Love from Lizi peel-off was added along the top edge of the floral print panel.  The sentiment was stamped using Versafine Onyx Black ink and then cut into a banner shape.  Everything was matted on black cardstock.  For dimension a floral die set and pearls were used to create the flower embellishments.

I liked how the cards turned out and they fit the Spring Fling theme perfectly.

For the first card, I used a wood panel print for the background and a floral print for the focal panel.  To soften the edges of the focal panel I used a border punch to create a scallop border from white cardstock.  On the opposite edge I added the thinest width Love from Lizi peel-off in a teal color.  The sentiment is stamped using Versafine Vintage Sepia ink on a die cut oval and matted with dark teal cardstock.  To add some dimension but keep the card easily mail-able, I added 2 taupe buttons that coordinated with the background paper.

I used the same layout for the next card.  Instead of a scalloped border I used a white chiffon ribbon to soften the left edge of the focal panel.  The right edge features a gold Love from Lizi peel-off.  For additional embellishment I added a few pearls.

I think both cards turned out well and are appropriate for the occasion.  The colors and prints worked well for sympathy cards but I think paired with brighter colors and different layouts the Home Again collection could be used for any type of card.

My favorite paper from the paper pad is the plaid print I used for the background.  I created the focal panel using a larger sentiment/image print and the bone print cut from the sheet of border strips.  To keep everything from being too rectangular, I used a border punch to create the parenthese edge on the focal panel matting.  I stamped the “just for you” sentiment using Versafine Vintage Sepia ink and added a few yellow glossy dots.

For the next card I was wanted to use a newer to me card sketch.  The blue and rusty red diagonal stripe wasn’t my favorite, but it paired well with the pet name pattern paper.  As I was working on the card I remembered I had a dog themed stamp set and pulled that out.  The set has a few short sentiments and for this card I used “pawsome!”.

For this card I used 2 printed papers and another border strip.  The tag and dog images were fussy cut from one of the pattern papers.  I had found the print too large to use as is, but the images were the perfect size for fussy cutting.  The polka dot paper and tag both feature a gloss finish which adds some shine to the card.  I used the “Yappy Birthday” and paw print stamps to create the sentiment panel.

I’ve taken all of these cards to my antique booth and there must be some dog fans as all of the cards have sold.  I’ll have to pull this paper pad out again and make a few more cards, maybe I’ll try a cat theme next time.

To get started I used one of the sample cards for inspiration.  As I tend to like a “cleaner” look, I used fewer pieces of ephemera on the card.  I still like the look and with duplicates of most of the ephemera pieces, I was able to make 2 cards.

The next card is also based on a sample.  I switched up some of the sentiment pieces and included fewer hearts which keeps the card general enough so that it could be used for a birthday or wedding.

For the last card I used a sketch for inspiration.  The larger vase of flowers fit nicely on the vertical panel.  Using the floral print for the strip across the card added more flowers and color.  A Fiskars border punch was used to create the matting for the floral print.  A few of the included sequins added some sparkle and finished the card.

No surprise I still have tons of ephemera left and haven’t tried the included stamp and die sets yet.  I’ve put the kit away for now as I have plenty of spring cards to take to my antique booth.  It’s definitely a go-to kit for spring, wedding or feminine themed cards.

I decided to try a “structured” collage look for the first card.  Instead of overlapping the different pieces of ephemera I loosely aligned the pieces leaving some of the background visible.  I started by grouping the ephemera by color and by mixing the pink and aqua ephemera pieces was able to come up with a layout that I liked.  It did take a bit of auditioning to select pieces that included a nice mix of shapes and sizes.  To give the piece some dimension, I also popped up a couple of pieces like “Sydney” and “Tokyo”.  I’m sure this style won’t appeal to everyone, but as I tend to lean more towards the clean, linear look this worked really well for me.

In fact, I liked the first card so much I decided to do another collage piece.  This time I focused on blue and peach ephemera pieces.  Instead of a white background I used a blue tone-on-tone map print which matched the color and theme of the ephemera.  Including pieces with different profiles (zig zag edge on the map, rounded edge on the pins) as well as paper die cut and chipboard pieces make the layout more interesting.  Popping up a couple pieces, like the map and suitcase, added some dimension.

The focal panel on the last card features a more traditional definition of collage.  Here I selected several pieces of ephemera and overlapped them on a circle focal panel.  To keep it interesting, I trimmed the map but allowed the elephant feet and trunk to extend beyond the circle.  I added a few tags cut from pattern paper and the simple “Vacay” sentiment.

As the kit includes 2 of each die cut piece, I was able to make doubles of each card.  With the first 2 cards using about 10 ephemera pieces per card I used up quite a bit of ephemera.  There is still plenty left, but I did use enough to consolidate everything into a smaller container.  Yay!

I wanted to make just a few cards to have in my antique booth for spring.  The first card pairs a pretty floral with a fun geometric print.  I used a peachy orange cardstock for the matting and the scalloped strip across the card.  For contrast I stamped the sentiment in purple ink.  For embellishments I used peach satin ribbon, a Love from Lizi peel-off (along the top edge of the scalloped strip) and a few Queen and Co. bubbles.

I switched to a purple palette for the next card.  I really liked the swirling print as a background.  I paired it with the tassel garland print and a strip of striped paper from the cut-apart border sheet.  Both are matted on purple cardstock with a parentheses border created with a Fiskars border punch.  I used the same purple ink for the sentiment and a few more Queen and Co. bubbles for embellishment.

The next card paired another floral with a geometric print and used the same peachy orange cardstock fo the matting.  I used another Fiskars border punch to create the scalloped edge on the floral print.  The sentiment is stamped using Versafine’s Vintage Sepia ink.  For embellishments I used the same peach satin ribbon and a few small shiny peach buttons.

The last card is another purple card.  This time I paired several geometric prints together.  The small strip across the center of the card is another strip from the cut-apart border sheet.  I used some more of the peach satin ribbon and Queen and Co. bubbles for embellishment.

I made doubles of all 4 cards – 1 set for the booth and another set to donate.  I really liked how all 4 cards turned out and think they have a nice spring feel to them.

The first card uses a fun mix of pattern paper.  The background paper, the busiest print, is toned down by the gingham and green papers used for the focal panel.  A border punch was used to create the scallop strip across the card.  A couple floral and “ticket” die cuts, a Happiness sticker and a few gemstones finish the card.

For the next card I picked out a few die cuts with coordinating colors – navy blue and bright green.  The 3 pieces were a bit small on their own.  Adding the turquoise/white flower and placing everything on the turquoise doily die cut created the perfect focal image.  A Love from Lizi peel-off separates the pattern papers and brings in a bit more of the gold from the die cuts and gemstones.

I wasn’t planning to make more Easter cards but…  There was 1 strip of the blue egg paper left so I decided to finish off the Easter specific paper.  I paired it with the purple gingham paper and added a punched border for separation.  A few die cuts, gemstones and a polka dot bunny sticker completed the card.

These cards “finished” the kit.  There is still some ephemera and a couple sheets of paper left, but I can now consolidate everything into a smaller container and free up space in my craft room.  So I can buy more fun supplies.

I’ve used this Spellbinders kit before and as with most of their older version card kits there was more than I could possibly use in a single card making session.  There was still quite a bit of Easter specific elements and with Easter coming up I decided to focus on those pieces.

For card one, I selected paper and ephemera pieces that matched the colors in the “Happy Easter” sentiment die cut.  I used the included die set to create the background for the butterflies and the gold flowers sprinkled around the card.

Card two is all about the paper and ephemera.  To keep the bunny and egg from blending into the background, I placed them inside the gold oval created with the included die set.

Card three used some of my favorites – the purple gingham paper and the cute egg carton.  The hearts and additional sentiment were stickers included in the kit.

Card four is all about the ephemera – die cuts, stickers and gemstones.  The carrot paper, a busy design in muted colors, was the perfect background for all of the ephemera.

I think the cards are all quite cute and I used up quite a bit of the Easter specific items.

I usually start by making one of the cards on the instruction sheet but they weren’t really my style.  Instead I used one of the cards for inspiration.  The background for the alicorn (a winged unicorn.  Who knew?)  was created using the dies included in the kit.  The constellation patterned paper was matted on gold metallic cardstock.  A cloud, stars and heart from the included die cuts were sprinked around the alicorn which was popped up for dimension.  A few sequins for a bit more sparkle and the card is complete.

This card featured another alicorn die cut.  The card started with a periwinkle grid pattern paper for the background.  A darker night sky pattern paper provided the focal panel for the alicorn.  More die cuts including a cloud and gold foil moon and stars surround the alicorn.  A die cut “dream” sentiment and a few gold puffy twinkle stars add some texture.  There isn’t anything specific but I think this card has a baby shower feel to it.

For the next card I wanted something different.  The die cuts included several pieces featuring pretty floral images which I thought would work well for an anniversary card.  The background is another periwinkle paper.  A triangle pattern paper, matted with a gold metallic cardstock scallop border, is placed across the center of the card.  I stamped and embossed an anniversary sentiment on the tag and placed the tag horizontally on the triangle paper.  A few of the floral and sprig die cuts around the tag and the card is finished.

I only made a few cards with this kit so far.  I found the kit difficult to work with since it’s just not my style.  The colors and papers are all very pretty but I’m just not a magical creature/astrology kind of girl.  I’m sure I’ll be able to use the paper, die set and stamps for other projects.