Pastel Inspiration

Inspiration in Lace lived up to its beautiful name. So much inspiration in one collection.

A beautiful image of a wistful young lady from the Inspiration in Lace collection inspired this card. A heart border of pink bling, muted pastel flowers, a dainty ribbon, metal embellishment and sentiments complete this card.

Another inspirational image from the collection for this card. The background paper looked so real you could almost touch the lace! The die cut frame was bound in narrow ribbon giving a 3D effect. A beautiful cream embroidered ribbon, and toning pastel flowers in similar colours as the Cut & Create image, and some pearls finish the look.

Mary

Lavender Memories

Another two cards, in deeper tonal colours this time, using Inspiration in Lace collection.

A triptych panel of lavender. The base paper and three floral Cut & Create images, all from the beautiful new collection. A delicate square paper doily compliments the lace depicted in the base paper. Narrow lilac ribbon forms a border around the triptych panels, with each panel triple mounted.

A delicate bow, small paper flowers and feathers in a deep purple finish this eclectic card. 

The beautiful lace paper from the collection was used as the formation of this card. The whimsical image of a young girl holding a rose was perfect to mount with several layers to feature and border with metal embellishment corners to finish the frame.

A cream ribbon runs down the side of the card with an exquisite length of embroidered leaves and flowers piece. 

A sentiment suitable to the image plus a small hat pin and more embroidery was added to finish the card.

Mary

Charming

So many dresses, so many places for a Lady to go!

The perfectly poised lady fitted beautifully into an oval chipboard frame, which has been painted antique gold. 

Two more ovals of increased proportionate size complemented the frame.

 Background paper from A Lady's Diary collection was laid down first. Then the complimenting ovals, followed by the lady in the oval. 

The card was finished off with delicate lace edging, two ribbons of various widths, finally cream paper flowers and a sentiment.

Advertising images from A Lady's Diary collection overlayed onto the base of the card formed the background for this unusual card. Six images in total were used, edges inked in sepia. 

Over these images was a fine layer of distressed muslin and topped with vellum, giving a muted whimsical look.

For drama, three beautiful filigree metal charms adhered to the vellum, a narrow gilt chain linked the charms together, and delicate apricot coloured paper flowers finished the look.

Papers, cut and create images, ribbons and laces, plus the beautiful filigree charms available from Meg's Garden today.

Mary

Floral Plaque

Sprays of the most stunning velvet flowers and leaves from Meg's Garden inspired this unusual piece.

Simple, but effective. 

Finished with pink shimmering ribbon and bow, perfect to now hang from a door handle or on the wall. 

A crystal head hat pin spiked through a Love sentiment embellishes, whilst also holding the sentiment in place.

For added drama, the lower corner features a paper doily and gold cherub.

For the most exquisite embellishments and paper collections, stroll through Meg's Garden for endless possibilities. 

Julia 

Oval Elegance

Oh to have a waist so small! The stunning new A Lady's Diary collection from Meg's Garden is inspirational.

The aqua in the dress toned in beautifully with the blue shades throughout this collection, which I used as my background.

I layered matt silver cardstock and an oval lacy die cut to feature the evening dress image. 

Add to this, a silver flower, diamonte bling, aqua ribbon on opposite corners, finished with a flourish of aqua paper flowers.

The image of the three ladies in their satin and lace day dresses was the inspiration for the lilac oval card.

Cotton lace edging highlighted the oval die cut. The cardstock was stamped with a muted damask design and purple velvet ribbon formed a border on two sides. 

The oval card was then mounted on lilac backing paper and finished with wisteria coloured paper flowers.

Mary

Beaded Beauty

From A Lady's Diary collection, I wanted to not only showcase the beautiful paper range with this card, but also the exquisite embellishments available from Meg's Garden.

I started with pink muted damask paper for the background, and inked the edges. 

Next I placed lustrous cream ribbon to the left of the card. Using the same ribbon, I made a bow and attached two gorgeous velvet pink flowers to the centre. 

My favourite piece, the absolutely beautiful cream beaded and embroidered edging. This is placed over teased muslin and held in place with a crystal head hat pin.

Finishing with a simple sentiment.

Spend our days of indoors creatively, and take a stroll through Meg's Garden for inspiration.

Julia

Twist & Pop

The beautiful papers in pastel shades in Meg's Garden Pink and Green collection work so well here.

Lots of lace, paper flowers, an antique look filigree trinket and a delightful saying from the collection complete the front of my interactive card.

I used pastel pink papers as a base, with exquisitely detailed doilies over top, gently inked with a coordinating colour, and also another sentimental quote on the bottom.

The four feature sections were ideal to showcase the beautiful images and papers from the Pink and Green collection. For added definition, I cut the pieces in a postage stamp design and mounted each section on black cardstock.

I finished the feature sections with a foiled chipboard saying and puffy stickers.

 Satin edged ribbon completes the overall card.

Butterflies in Pink & Green

Who doesn't love butterflies? Using Meg's Garden Pink and Green collection, I have created another two cards, ready to fly.

The base is a delicate green damask design, with distressed edges and inked in a toning colour. 

I selected two butterfly images from this beautiful collection, and cut around with decorative scissors to look like postage stamps, and mounted on cardstock using the same effect.

A piece of muslin is placed between the two butterflies, with a delicate pink paper flower, sheer ribbon bow and a small satin bow completing the look. 

This card could quite easily be used for a birthday, thinking of you, or get well soon sentiments.

With Mother's Day in mind, I used similar techniques and design for this card, but in pinks. The muted base again sets the perfect start for embellishments.

Delicate pink embroidered ribbon is placed at opposite edges to the butterflies, add in feathers, a pastel pink flower, satin edged ribbon and fancy bling complete this pretty in pink look.

All available now in Meg's Garden!

Gift Boxes

From the Pink & Green collection, I have created a collection of gift boxes, perfect for every occasion.

Pillow box

Using one paper design from Meg's Garden Pink & Green collection, as well as Cut & Create images, I constructed this elegant box. Something uniquely different!

A delicate sentiment tag and handmade bows in two sizes finishes the gift pillow box.

Simple, but beautiful. 

Gift Card Box

Taking inspiration from the Cut & Create sheets and ephemera within the collection, I fussy cut my desired images for this small box. I placed the images onto beautiful tags, with lace wrapped around the box. Embellished with paper flowers, bows and ribbon for the handles.

The insert that holds the gift card was quickly made from another of Meg's Garden papers and finished again with flowers. It is almost too good to give away!

Gift Bag

Easy to create and assemble using the Pink & Green collection, yet so effective. 

I bound the top edge with lace and attached sheer ribbon as handles. Cut & Create images feature on both sides of the box, mounted onto tags. 

More ribbon, a brass and pearl jewellery flourish, and finishing off with flowers and a sentiment complete the design.

Just perfect for a box of chocolates, a silk scarf, or in this instance, beautiful perfume.

Mary

I Believe in Santa

For something different this Christmas, I have created a tri-fold card. 

Not only a lovely card to give this season, but can also be used as a table decoration piece.

Red, green and glitter gold ribbons cut and adhered at an angle completely cover and form the front of the card.

Embellishments from Meg's Garden, including gold leaves, a beautiful fabric flower and a Cut & Create sentiment to finish.

Inside is more ribbon, this time a gathered panel for effect and texture. 

Another beautiful Christmas image from the new Christmas Cut & Create papers features in the centre.

Keeping with traditional colours, I embellished with coordinating green and gold leaves and glitter flowers.

These items, and so much more, can be found in Meg's Garden, for a truly handmade Christmas!

Mary

Christmas Treasure Box

It's that special time of year - again! How quickly Christmas rolls around. 

Using Meg's latest Christmas collection, in delightful damask patterns and vintage tones, I created a treasure box to store all things Christmas in one convenient place. 

Inspiration came from an old box I found during a spring clean up, previously the home to a jigsaw puzzle. A quick light sanding and it was primed and ready for a new release of life.

The front, back and spine are Meg's beautiful damask papers and embellishments, perfect for Christmas or any occasion when a touch of elegance is required. 

A chipboard frame is the hero piece, painted gold with deep crackles adding to the aged vintage feel.

A fan of all things interactive, this box was not spared. Using another damask design, I created a pocket within the frame. Inside I have tucked a gift tag made from a Christmas Vintage Journal Card and embellished with beautiful elements from Meg's Garden. 

Just like Cut & Create collections past, the Christmas pages are stunning. Detailed, intricate and beautifully vintage.

With ample room inside, uses for the treasure box are endless. I have chosen to fill it with Christmas cards, and will pop in ribbons and Art Tags ready for Santa and his elves!

The gold Christmas ribbon embellishment and Cut & Create images inspired the colour scheme for this card, proving that colours and styles other than traditional are just as merry.

Make sure you have a stroll through Meg's Garden and pick up all your Christmas card making supplies, for a very merry handmade Christmas!

 Julia

Emphasis on Mini!

Taking the title of Meg's new collection Mini Junk Journals quite literally, I have created just that - a mini junk journal. Emphasis on the 'mini'!!

Designed as a small book, with pages from a variety of mediums - vellum, dictionary paper, and junk journal papers from Meg's collection, complete with a bookmark and interactive elements. 

This journal can be adapted to a personalised card, leave simply as a decorative piece on an easel or mounted on canvas.

Each page has design images from Cut & Create pages and embellished with textural pieces, either charms, staples or ribbons and muslin.

I have included a 'pop up' sentiment when the pages are turned, and also created a small tag that can be removed from its pocket. 

There are ample opportunities within the pages to include personal pieces, photos or notes. I have die cut from Meg's papers small areas for hand written comments or can simply be used as another layer to embellish.

Julia

Blank Canvas

This was a work of love, a blank canvas, so to speak!

I covered the front of what was a plain canvas, with Meg's Garden papers and inked around the edges.

Next, I hand sewed pearl beads to an old doily which was then glued in place. 

The main feature is the gilded metal oval frame. The whimsical picture of a pensive lady suited this perfectly. A fancy glitter die cut completed the look. 

The frame was secured to the canvas, and adorned with beautiful fabric flowers, ribbon and pearls. 

For the full range of flowers, ribbon and other decorative items, excellent for vintage work like this, be sure to visit Meg's Garden!

Mary