With Marianne Design cutting dies and simple back-stitch embroidery stitches it's easy to make extra special, beautiful birthday cards for women. This pretty collection of cards was made especially for Becky at Die-Cutting Essentials magazine and feature in Issue 6 which is available from newsagents and supermarkets from November 5th. Links to the products I've used to make these cards are at the bottom of this article.
Birthday Girl Card – 135mm x 135mm
1 – Cut, score and fold the base card. Cut four square panels, 2 x 130mm and 2 x 125mm. Ink edges with walnut brown and glue onto front and inside of base card.
2 – Die cut 1 x stitch circle, 1 x large stitch flower, 2 x small stitch flowers, 4 x stitch leaves. Emboss flower details and colour with rose ink. Remove from dies and clean dies. Ink edges of circle and leaves with walnut brown.
3 – Using three strands of embroidery thread, backstitch details on the circle, flowers and leaves.
4 – Die cut two circles for the centre panel of the stitch circle. Ink edges and glue in position.
5 – Die cut and emboss the bird on branch. Using the liquid chalk pen dab highlight colour through the die. Remove from and clean die.
6 – Die cut two Birthday texts. Random ink the top die cut. Glue the two pieces together, slightly offsetting the bottom piece to create a drop shadow effect.
7 – Stamp the word 'Girl' onto stitch circle. Using sticky foam pads and glue attach all pieces to the base card.
8 – Die cut two tassels. Cut a length of embroidery thread long enough to wrap around the spine of card. Tie a small knot in each end and tape to the inside of tassels. Roll the shapes to form the tassels and secure with a small dab of glue. Embellish card with pearls and gems to finish.
Tip – When hand stitching papers, hold the paper close to the area you are sewing.
Bird on Branch Birthday Card - 135mm x 135mm
1 – Cut, score and fold the base card. Cut four square panels, 2 x 130mm and 2 x 125mm. Ink edges with walnut brown and glue onto front and inside of base card.
2 – Die cut 1 x stitch square, 1 x small stitch flower, 2 x stitch leaves and 1 x ribbon border. Emboss flower details and colour with rose ink. Remove from die and clean die. Ink edges of leaves with walnut brown.
3 – Using three strands of embroidery thread, backstitch details on the square, flower, leaves and border.
4 – Draw around the inside panel of the stitch square die to hand cut two centre panels. Ink edges and glue in position.
5 – Die cut and emboss the bird on branch. Using the liquid chalk pen dab highlight colour through the die. Remove from and clean die.
6 – Die cut two Happy Birthday texts. Keep the top text in the die and dab ink the detail. Glue the two pieces together, slightly offsetting the bottom piece to create a drop shadow effect.
7 – Thread the ribbon through the border die cut. Using sticky foam pads and glue attach all pieces to the base card.
8 – Die cut two fringe tassels. Cut a length of embroidery thread long enough to wrap around the spine of card. Tie a small knot in each end and tape to the inside of tassels. Roll the shapes to form the tassels and secure with a small dab of glue. Embellish card with pearls, gems and mulberry paper flowers to finish.
French Cats Easel Card – 135mm x 135mm
1 – Cut, score and fold the base card. Cut two square panels 130mm and 125mm. Ink edges with walnut brown and glue onto the base card. Cut four rectangular panels 130mm x 62mm and 125mm x 57mm. Ink edges with walnut brown and glue onto the folded easel card front.
2 – Die cut 1 x ribbon doily circle and ink edges with walnut brown.
3 – Using three strands of embroidery thread, backstitch details on the circle. Thread ribbon.
4 – Die cut one circle for the centre panel, ink edges and glue in position.
5 – Die cut the cats.
6 – Stamp and die cut the circle sentiment. Stamp the sentiment three more times onto different coloured papers. Cut cut the elements and glue together.
7 – Using sticky foam pads and glue attach all pieces to the base card. Embellish card with pearls, gems and a small bow to finish.
Butterflies Tent Card – 150mm x 105mm
1 – Cut, score and fold the base card. Cut two rectangular panels 145mm and 100mm and two panels 140mm x 95mm. Ink edges with walnut brown and glue onto front and inside of base card.
2 – Die cut a double sided border and two leaves and ink edges with walnut brown. 1 x large stitch flower, 1 x small stitch flower. Emboss flower details and colour with rose ink. Remove from dies and clean dies.
3 – Using three strands of embroidery thread, backstitch details on the border, flowers and leaves.
4 – Cut a centre panel for the border panel, ink edges and glue in position.
5 – Die cut and emboss the butterflies. Using the liquid chalk pen dab highlight colour through the die. Remove from and clean dies.
6 – Stamp the sentiments.
7 – Using sticky foam pads and glue attach all pieces to the base card. Embellish card with pearls and gems to finish.
Felt Butterfly Keychain
1 – Die cut all butterfly pieces from 100% wool felt. Cut two butterfly bodies.
2 - Using three strands of embroidery thread, backstitch butterfly details. Sew small beads in position.
3 – Cut a small rectangular piece of felt to form hanger and stitch into top of butterfly as the front and back are blanket stitched together. Pad butterfly with polyester filling as you work. Optional – scent the filling with lavender oil. Attach to keychain.
Tip – For best results when die cutting felt, choose a 100% wool felt.
Embroidered Flower Slider Gift Box
1 – Die cut 1 x large stitch flower, 1 x small stitch flower. Emboss flower details and colour with rose ink. Remove from dies and clean dies. Die cut two leaves and ink edges with walnut brown.
2 – Using three strands of embroidery thread, backstitch details on the flowers and leaves.
3 – Cover and line the slider gift box with papers.
4 - Using sticky foam pads and glue attach the flowers and leaves to the box. Embellish with pearl hearts to finish.
