April 7, 2011

Mother's Day {meets} Mass Production..

Edit: The size of my cards is A2, 4.25" x 5.5".......since my leaves hang over the card, I will be using my brown paper sacks for packaging. If I mail them, they'll go in a small bubble mailer. :)

Hi there friends. Around this time of year I have to do a lot of pre-planning due to our busy schedules with the girls. That's when mass production comes in to full swing for me. Today I'm using my mass production mode to create all of the Mother's Day cards I need this year. And can you believe I used seven different dies and 5 different stamp on my cards today? Seems like a lot of product but I don't think my finished cards looks overdone. Come take a look as I walk you through my process today.

First up, I spent the biggest portion of this card making session stamping and die cutting my images. Once this part was done, the assembling of my cards came together lickety split. The stamps and coordinating dies I used are as follows: Beautiful Blooms II + dies, Turning a New Leaf + dies, Label Basics + dies, and Polka Dot Basics + the medium scalloped die.
Using Vintage Cream felt, I die cut large flowers and then tried something new by tea staining the felt. It definitely gave a more vintage, shabby feel. The pink flowers were stamped, the polka dot flowers from Library Ledger paper were die cut + scrunched + edged with the tea dye ink, and the leaves were stamped with green ink.
All of the die cut elements from above were then layered together and tied with Rustic Cream Twine. These layered flowers take a little time to die cut and assemble but they sure pack a pretty punch. Love them.
Next I switched gears and worked on my card bases. I used Rustic White cardstock for the card bases, layered with some patterned paper from The Girls Paperie (from Scrapbooks, Etc in Topeka, Ks). The bottom strip is Fine Linen cardstock, die cut with the medium scalloped die and then stamped with polka dots in Fresh Snow ink. Tip: Leave die cut strips long, then adhere to the card, then trim off the excess. This helps to center the scallops on the card and makes sure the strips are wide enough to cover the card base.
And here are my card bases after I trimmed the scalloped strips and added Fine Linen Satin ribbon. Usually I don't tie on the ribbon til the very last but for these cards I needed to make sure that the bows didn't cover up my Mother's Day sentiment label.
Next, I took my small and large labels that I stamped and die cut and just placed them on my card front without adhering them. I layered on my flower embellishment and leaf die cut just to get a feel for the placement of all the card elements. I call this *staging*....just piddling around, moving elements here and there to make sure everything looks balanced. Tip: When you get all the elements just right on cards and scrapbook pages, snap a photo if you need help remembering the final arrangement. I do this all the time with my iPhone when there are a lot of little pieces to adhere.
When I thought my card layout looked good, I went to work adhering my flower embellishments to the large, die cut labels with Scor-Tape (those were inked with the Chamomile Vintage Touch Tea Dye Duo ink). Tip: No need to use scissors with Scor-Tape, it tears easily with your fingers.
Here's my embellishments, all layered + adhered and ready to add to my card fronts.
Here's all my cards, ready for the final adhering of the label pieces. Note: The Mother's Day sentiment is from Blooming Button Bits.
And one final step was to add a mini glue dot under each ribbon knot. This helps the ribbon from sliding around.
And here's my finished Mother's Day cards. I took a little extra time assembling all the pieces but these are very special cards for very special ladies in my life. I know many of you only create one card at a time but I really enjoy the mass production method when I have several of the same type of card to make. I hope you give it a try!
It's a great way to create use those hard earned supplies and in the end you'll save time by using one grouping of products that you've selected for your project. I think my cards came out pretty good....a little shabby, a little vintage....I know they'll be greatly appreciated.
Have a great day everyone and I hope you get some crafty time this weekend!

59 comments:

Fishtail Cottage said...

So so so cute!
xoxo, tracie

Ghanya said...

I really love your blog. You always make such beautiful pieces.

Hugs
Ghanya

Sharon said...

I just love these, thanks for sharing. Your creations are so inspirational. x

Dawn S said...

So pretty!! I love the shabby chic feel these have! Thanks for sharing:)

Melissa Rodgers said...

As always Michelle you are an inspiration to me! I love the idea of tea dying the felt. Going to have to try that since I love anything vintage or antique. Thanks for sharing! Melissa

Nancy Wethington said...

The more the merrier! Love this card. Thanks for your continual inspiration.

José said...

Ooooh I LOVE this. SO pretty. I will be ordering those flowers next. Lovely colors and paper and a great lay-out!
Have a great day,
Jose

Linda said...

Stunning Michelle, thanks for the lesson.

Donna K said...

Just lovely. I'm so inspired now. I think I better get busy!

Mary Ann T said...

It's nice to know that there are other card makers out there who create several of the same cards at once. As much as I would like each of my cards to be totally unique, there are certain times and occasions that it's impossible. I still believe it's better to send a handmade card that I've made several of than to send store bought.

Emma said...

Fab cards Michelle, love those layered flowers :)

Cyndi said...

Oh, I LOVE these cards--the colors; the images; and the layout all combined make the perfect Mother's Day card!!! I've tea-dyed lots of things, but not felt. You've definitely given me the courage to try it! Thanks, as always, for your talent and inspiration, Mish.

Cindy Haffner said...

I LOVE your flowers, BEAUTIFUL!!~

A Cup of Cold Water said...

Beautiful cards. Thanks for sharing your mass production tips. I make and sell cards for missions at my Church so I mass produce all of the time. Great tips! I love the mixture of paper & felt. You do this all of the time but I forget about it. Gotta remembe to do it!
Thanks for sharing
Susan

Debbi said...

These are BEAUTIFUL Mish!! I love the thoughtful details for the special people in your life. You make it look so easy!

Dianne said...

LOVE your post today and your cards! Especially appreciate your first photo showing everything all laid out and ready to go - what a great way to see that everything coordinates so well. Thanks for the inspiration - as always.

Dianne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holly Saveur said...

So gorgeous and sweet love the cards.
Since I saw you creating more then one card at a time ,I do too now. (If I like how it worked out)
Thank you for this idea,its so much easier since I often give a box of cards as a gift.

jan metcalf said...

Would never think of kraft with the lovely blue and pink, works so well!! Awesome!

delisa said...

Hi Mish, I just have to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I've been a follower for several mos. now and you have quickly become my FAVORITE!!! I love your sweet, homespun creations.....always so inspirational & this one if just great :> I have several mother's day cards to make for Mom & my sweet Aunties and I will be using the mass production method and some of my new stamps & dies from Papertrey. Thank you for sharing with everyone & keep the goodness coming! delisa

Jen N said...

Your cards are so beautiful!
Jen

Julie Campbell said...

These cards are adorabable! I love the colors & the layering... and the tea dye ink really adds a lot. Love your stuff!!!

Jennifer said...

I love the idea of mass producing but have never given it a try. I plan on making my easter cards this Sunday, and can't wait to try the method you described today. Thanks for the great ideas!

Kendra said...

Love it, and it's not over done at all! I just bought a bunch of the Girls Paperie paper and I love it! So fun! After seeing this card I really want those flower dies and stamps!

Tami McBeain said...

So much crafty goodness all laid out so pretty. I love seeing a peek into your card making process, and the finished product is so shabby delicious!

MOI said...

Really nice work and simple elegance. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Love this card

Carol Ater said...

So soft in colors and so huggable - just as a mom should be.

Diana F. said...

I love this post, love the cards and really love the color choices. I am going to pull out my PTI stuff and try this one.
I learned the great thinking behind mass production from you years ago on your blog. If I make a card that I really love, I will make three more of the same. That has become my standard process in card making.
Thank you for the wonderful blog post and taking the time to walk us through the process and for taking lots of pictures.
Have a great weekend.

dawnaclark said...

i candy to the max!!!

Gabby said...

Lovely cards! Very nice design. :)

Bev J. said...

Beautiful-love the colors and dp. Great details. Thanks for sharing.

Mona Pendleton said...

So pretty Michelle! :) TFS

Celine Jo @ eyeARTyou said...

Soft & elegant cards, really suitable for mommies ;)

Deirdre said...

Fabulous cards and amazing production line. Love how you mixed and matched all the dies, stamps etc... beautiful.

Debbie Olson said...

Fabulous, Mish!

Anonymous said...

so gorgeous. TFS
greetings from germany
Felicitas

Vicki Dutcher said...

Very pretty end result!!

Lucy Newton said...

What lovely cards Mish!!!

June K. said...

Mish, you make the cutest "doo dads."

Juanita B said...

This is a GREAT card! I LOVE the colors and all the die-cuts. TFS

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work, but then I always love your style!

Linda L said...

They are absolutely beautiful Michelle...thanks for all the step by step pics...I love seeing how a card (or 3) come together :-)) Have a lovely weekend!

Donna Cole said...

I absolutely love your cards, such beauty with classic country flair. I am wondering if this card base is A2 .? I like the look of the embellishments extending beyond the edge of the card, but since all of my cards are mailed, I usually keep everything inside the base layout. Do you use a larger envelope, with maybe some sort of cardstock protection for mailing? I cannot be the only person with this question. I always worry that my card will arrive just as I intended it to appear.
Thanks for all the inspiration you share. Always makes me strive to improve.

Debbie Miller said...

Mish, I love your blog. I rarely miss a day and if one goes by that you haven't posted, I miss you. The mother's day cards are gorgeous...love the mass production idea. Keep up the great inspirational ideas. You rock, girl!

Anonymous said...

You make it look so easy to come up with beautiful cards!

Jessica said...

this does not look mass produced @ all! they look fabulous!!!

Lisa Elton said...

I am a huge fan of your blog, It's quite inspirational! I too use the assembly line process when creating many of one design.

Stephanie said...

absolutely gorgeous! I love these sweet colors

Wendy ten Hove said...

Gorgeous, Michelle! These cards will make some ladies really really happy! I love how you combined all the sets and elements, it gives a very, very beautiful result! Love them!
Hugs, Wendy

Gena said...

I would also like to know the size of the card base you used for these gorgeous cards. Thank you for the step-by-step photos. I am so tempted to buy everything you used for these cards but I'm going to try and use what I already have on hand. :) Thanks for the inspiration.

Rebecca Deeprose said...

Just love your blog. Your work is wonderful, pretty, upbeat and always interesting. Thanks

Rebecca Deeprose said...

I just love your blog and your work is always so pretty, creative and interesting. Thanks!

Lynn said...

beautiful cards. just got my buttons, like that, and can't wait to create!

Mocha-Latte Crafts said...

Your Mother's day cards are just wonderful. I need to learn how to do the mass production, so this helps a lot. I always feel like everyone should get their own creation, but then I find things getting out late. Thanks for sharing, Tanya R.

Cheryl said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love the vintage feel.

Cynthia Rose said...

These are wonderful! And you are planning ahead - well done.

Mrsro said...

Thanks so much for such a great post....I really love the way you lay out all of your materials and actually SHOW the dies you use, rather than just listing all the items you used. That makes it sooo much easier to follow along! ;)

~ Jo ~ said...

These cards turned out great!! So so beautiful in my opinion. I love the flowers and I love all the colors you went with as they blend so perfectly together. If you do not mind me asking ya, where can I find the blooming flower dies and stamps?

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