The Paris stamps (Cavallini) added a European touch to this Easter card. I love the Easter symbolism shown of the Royal Bird rising up in front of the Gothic Cross, which reminds me of Jesus’ resurrection.
The beautiful background is easy to create. I used a simple straw colored paper that had some striations in it (Memory Stor – Costco). Randomly stamp all over with Creative Flourish and Turquoise Gem (Versa Magic) ink. Rub Mango Madness (Versa Magic) and Magenta (Versa Color) ink pads directly on the paper. Wow, what a colorful difference!
Allow some of the paper color to show and use varied pressure when applying the inks to achieve this distressed effect.
After cutting the background paper to size, distress the edges with the Mango Madness and Magenta inks. Stitch with turquoise thread. Use Turquoise Gem ink to distress the edges of a larger piece of straw colored paper. Stitch along edge of paper without thread to create the holes.
I used the masking technique to get the cross behind the bird. Stamp the Royal Bird on a piece of paper and cut it out around the general outline (this is your mask). Stamp the bird again on white cardstock with black ink and place the bird mask directly on top. You can hold it down or use a post-it note. Ink the Gothic Cross with black ink but first stamp it lightly on a piece of scrap paper to lighten the effect. Stamp a second time, this time on top of the bird mask. When you lift away the bird mask the cross will appear to be behind the bird. I love this technique! You can leave the mask in place as you stamp the words on the background.
Color in the leaves with colored pencil to match the ink color. Cut the paper to size and stitch with turquoise thread to background paper. When the card is finished, apply Glossy Accents Dimensional Medium (Ranger) over bird, let dry.
The buckle is made of brown cardstock punched or cut into an oval. Cut or punch slots. (Or use Cuttlebug oval buckle die) Stamp Fleur Heart in black ink. Cover with Glossy Accents Dimensional Medium, let dry. String ribbon or trim through buckle and staple to card.
Here’s a lovely Easter gift. I wrapped a bar of soap (this one is Irish Spring in a box) with pretty papers and embellished it in fine European fashion. I was inspired by a box of soap my friend recently brought back from France for me. I matched the design and techniques used on the card.
The wrapping is made with plain mailing paper stamped with Creative Flourish and Turquoise Gem ink. Wrap it around the soap just as you would wrap any present, taping it closed. Using Mango Madness and Magenta inks, rub the all the edges with the pad to add the sunset effect. Make a paper (copy paper) strip smaller than the soap and tear the edges. Decorate it to match the card without coloring in the leaves and not adding the glossy medium. Make another buckle like the card and tie it to the gift then wrap the bird paper around the box and glue.
Because the buckle is made out of paper it slightly wraps around the edges of the box. These are so pretty they are not really meant to be opened and used. I’ve stacked three soaps and wrapped them together as well. Mine are very pretty decorations on a bathroom shelf. Make several, as you’ll want to give them away and keep some for yourself! Enjoy!
Have a colorful day!
Such a beautiful card!
Happy Easter!
love this tutorial Laura! What beautiful results-I would squeal with delight if I got a gift that looked like this! Nicely done
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