This month our theme is “New Year’s Resolutions” which left quite a lot of room for interpretation. Every year I`m determined to improve my organisation and so I decided to create a perpetual calendar as my contribution to the IDEAS tutorial bundle PDF. With a perpetual calendar you write down birthdays, anniversaries and other events that occur on the same date each year. But unlike a traditional annual calendar you can keep using it year after year. My version includes twelve individual month sheets that you can store in a file in plastic pockets or in a box. Each month it’s easy to see the events you’ll need cards for. Then as you make or buy a card for a particular person or occasion, simply store them in the appropriate month ready for when you need it.

So with my perpetual calendar project in the PDF, I thought that I could start off your card collection with this card.

SIMPLY ELEGANT

There’s something quite special about cards with metallic foil, and this design could work for anyone.

I started by choosing the art deco style pattern from the Simply Elegant 12″ x 12″ Specialty Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. First I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece, and using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) attached it to the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I cut off the excess paper using the edge of the flap as a guide.

Next I cut a 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of the DSP. After fixing it to the right-hand edge of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card with liquid glue I set the assembled piece aside for a moment.

By this point I’d decided to create my card base from Basic Black Card. So using my Paper Trimmer I cut and scored the card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Now I could add the Basic White layer to the inside using more liquid glue.

That just left the front of the card to do and for that I cut one final piece of DSP at 3-1/8″ x 5-3/8″. Using liquid glue I attached the DSP to the front if the card base leaving an even border at the top, bottom and right-hand side. Then I wrapped some gold Simply Elegant Trim around the black section on the left of the DSP and tied it in a simple bow.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

For my sentiment I decided to use “A day to remember” from the Days To Remember Stamp Set.

Using VersaMark ink I stamped the sentiment onto a piece of Thick Basic White Card. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with black Stampin’ Emboss Powder and tapped off the excess. After removing a few stray specks I melted the rest using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

To add a little more interest I cut out the sentiment using a die from my favourite Ornate Frames Dies set. Once that was done I added the sentiment to the card front with Black Stampin’ Dimensionals and my card was complete.

This really is quite a simple layout for a card that would work for many different occasions at any time of year. Simply change the DSP and sentiment as appropriate. I do hope you like it.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TUTORIAL BUNDLE

So with the card done, let me tell you a little more about the tutorial PDF featuring my Perpetual Calendar project. The December IDEAS “New Year’s Resolutions” tutorial bundle is a massive 81 pages, featuring more than 20 projects from 16 different designers. There’s cards, calendars, storage and organisation ideas plus much more all using Stampin’ Up! products. The collage below provides a little sneak peek of what’s inside.

If you’d like a copy of the instructions for these projects for your own personal use, or even to use in your classes, there are three ways to get it:

• Place an order via my online store for $45CAD (before shipping and taxes) using my December Host Code YG9ZTBWZ . Make sure to allow Stampin’ Up! to share your contact details so I can e-mail the tutorial to you. If your order is over $200CAD don’t use the Host Code or you’ll miss out on Stampin’ Rewards. So long as I have access to your contact details I’ll still send the PDF
• Join Stampin’ Up! and my Crafty Canadians team, and you’ll get this IDEAS tutorial for free.
• Buy the tutorial. Contact me at tutorials@papercraftwithme.com for more information.

Once you’ve received the bundle, please remember not to share or distribute printed or electronic copies of the tutorials. We have worked hard to provide these exclusive projects for your own use. If you know someone who would like to purchase the tutorial bundle, please direct them to me to obtain their own copy. Thank you for your support.

In the meantime please visit Jacqui Lawrence on the next leg of today’s blog hop by clicking on the giant ‘NEXT’ button below.

PRODUCT LIST

In the list below you’ll find links to all the Stampin’ Up! products I used to create today’s card project.