A Sort Of Tutorial On Fussy Cards

Hello everyone how are you all? Things are busy busy here but will explain about that another day.

Ok so I've been sent quite a few emails in the past about people asking me for tips on how to cards with foofiness on, ya know fussy kinda cards. I also got a recent email just a few days ago from a lovely lady who usually makes beautiful CAS cards but needs to make a fussy card. I am truly honoured that these people email me asking for advice & tips from me........yeah little old me. 

Now these peeps dont want go full on over-board fussy & fancy, just something thats different to their usual style & that can still be called fussy.

So I decided to do sort of a tutorial for everyone who wants to know about...well foofiness as I call it lol. 

Lots of piccies here peeps I'm afraid. Forgive the lighting, as when I started it was a very grey day outside & then later on it had gone dark lol.........with Natalie not being well I did it in bits lol.

First of all the with fussy cards you can cheat & add in more layers than what you would normally. So with your image already coloured choose your papers to match.........or do it the other way around if thats the way you prefer lol.

Here I have cut to size & machine stitched all around.

I layer all my paper onto card for extra stablitity & it provides that extra layer & defines the paper, if you know what I mean. So decide which layout you want your papers, this simple one can actually be laid out a few different ways.

Now either glue or tape your layers down, I prefer to glue mine. I also use paper clips as you can see to keep it secure especially in the corners while the glue is drying.

Now I have 2 sets because as you know I decorate the inside, the main reason for this as I find when doing fussy cards you have a heaviness to the front of the card which can then make your back piece feel weak & flimsy. It also looks nicer I think.

Always make sure though that if you have a centre bit going across like this one that its level on both pieces.

Ok while your card bits are drying get together the flowers, lace/ribbon & any other bits & bobs you think you may use.......whatever you dont use can be just put back away. Also here I've cut out the frame my image will be going on.  Every foofy kinda card needs lace or ribbon lol, or even both lol.

Its up to you how you attach your lace/ribbon, either glue or double backed tape. I use slim tape & I also staple it either end into place, the tape just keeps it secure while I staple it.

If you enlarge the pic you should be able see the tape just above the watermark.

I've attached the image to the frame & now I attach it to the card. I use foam tape to accomodate the thickness of the lace, its up to you how you do yours & also depends on the thickness of your lace/ribbon.

I attach 2 pieces of foam then just put some glue directly on the card where it will go directly on the lace.

Now grab your flowers ect. The leaves I cut out in green but dabbed with gesso to soften them.

Now if you are new to putting flowers on your cards & dont know where to put them start off by placing them on the corners of your image, or the sides ect. Keep them around your image, unless your image is tiny then it wont work as well. Try to keep things symmetrical thats the easiest way at first. As you can see the bottom left I have the large flower in the centre, then smaller ones either side, the same flower on each side as it goes down in size. The top right I've just used 3 flowers but used the same as in the bottom left.

I'm extremely anal when it comes to colour coding & symmetry lol.

Some of the stems I have curled. To do this just wrap the stem around something. I useeither a crochet hook or like in this picture a slim paintbrush.

Ok once hapy with how your foofiness looks, glue it all down ;-)

Here is the finished card & better pics now its in the lightbox lol. I added pearls to 2 corners & I also added scalloped pearls to hide the staples ;-) Tbh I dont always hide them depends what sort of card it is as shabby chic blends in perfectly lol.

This is the finshed inside & the staples here I've hidden by adding a little bit of gesso to them. You may be able to see if you enlarge it.

I also added a sentiment tag from LOTV. Nearly all the products I've used are from LLC, the paper is Maja Design Vintage Summer Basics 6x6 pad, the flowers are WOC from LLC & I've added in some Pearl String within the flowers. The gorgeous yummy lace is also form LLC as are the pearls.

All links are in red writing. The stamp is Magnolia Tilda In Ballet Shoes & was coloured with distress ink markers.

Sorry for the looong post but I hope its helped a few of those that dont know how to place flowers & do the whole fussy & fancy kinda cards. After doing a few basic foofy ones you will soon get the hang of it & before you know it you could even become addicted to this way lol.

Thank you for putting up with me & those that are still here, well done you lol.

Take care lovelies & will see you soon.

Tomorrow I have a different kinda card, for me anyway lol. I will also explain why things are a wee bit busy here at the mo. Some of it may shock you or probably even say ,What again??' lol.

Stay tuned until next time..............SEE YA hee hee.

Lotsa huggles Vicky xxxxxxxx