And I am so sorry to have missed you at my appointed time in April--it was indeed a cruel, cruel month, so I am welcoming May with open arms, kind of the like the sweet new cat stamp, Flora, from Waffle Flower featured in my cards below!
I made these cards with my students in mind. For most youth, the desire to fit in and not appear different is pretty typical. But working with young people diagnosed with learning disabilities (LD), the feeling of being different and all the emotions that go along with it are turned up to 11! So the kids need lots of positive reinforcement, which is why making cards is so fun.
I often use card making as a reward for some of my kids who meet learning or behavior goals as many enjoy playing with ink and paper and creating cards for their parents or friends. It can also be a good way for kids with fine motor difficulties to work on their motor control by manipulating stamps, scissors, and aligning images, or coloring in lines. I am not an occupational therapist, but do need to incorporate fine motor exercises for some of my kids, and what better way to do it than making art?! Learning is hard work, but it should also have some element of fun-- so that's how we roll in my studio!
For my first card, I have incorporated three new offerings from Waffle Flower, all available in the store-- Layering Marble, Magical Butterfly and Flora Cat Play! While I didn't use it here, you can get the same circle window effect by using Waffle Flower's Inverted Circle die.
I love the marbling stamp, though it does take some practice, and having the guide (available at Waffle Flower's website) does help with aligning stamps if you are particular, but really, you can mix and match to create your own unique marbling effect. I have achieved that here with layers of pink ink and Delicata Gold, which was heat embossed for extra sheen.
The magical butterfly die is so sweet, and I love that you can inlay the wings or make them dimensional. I decided to layer them so I could get a 3-D effect.
I kept my cat black and white as to not compete with the busy card front, which was cut using the Gina Marie Cross Stitch die-- I love these dies as they are inexpensive and she has some really fun offerings.
I'm obsessed right now with lacy backgrounds and wrappings, as well as creating my own envelopes. So I wrapped up this sweet card with some gorgeous two-sided 12 x 12 paper cut from a new Neat and Tangled die. I really like how it looks with the butterfly and the intricate design of the cat.
Next up, You Do You!
While I was at it, I made a second card, which features Flora, whom I have foiled here-- a new technique for me. I fussy cut her and placed within the Gina Marie Circle Cross Stitched die.
The back has been stamped with a bold Kaisercraft subway style sentiment. I love these stamps, and Tonya has a few from them in the shop!
And that's a wrap!
Hope you've found some inspiration here today, and don't forget to check out our latest challenge which started yesterday!
Keep on rolling!
