Mono-chromatic drama

The title has a double meaning. The monochromatic ivory tones combined with the double black-core mat and the black beads is pretty dramatic. But it also posed a hefty design challenge for me and resulted in more than a few heavy sighs!




I discovered my long hiatus from paper filigree had substantially dulled my design skills, and having to rely solely upon textures, weight and placement and not as heavily upon color was harder than I expected, especially when combined with the striking edges of the mat. It took a good deal of time to find a layout that helped draw the eye around the entire composition rather than hone right onto the mat lines.


The customer sent along the original envelopes with her 41 year old invite (how's that for a testament of enduring love?) hoping that I could incorporate them into the piece. I loved the idea as soon as she mentioned it, and used the creamy envelope paper to create circle-punch 'frosting flowers' and some of the fern foliage.

I'm curious to know if anyone else has worked with monochromatic designs and discovered, like me, that it was more challenging than it looks!

Wonderful historic resource now available on-line!

I have referenced this wonderful booklet numerous times in the past, written by Malinda Florian Papp from Florian Papp Antiques in New York City. This brochure was prepared for an art exhibit of historic paper filigree pieces that they arranged in the 80's I believe. The brochure contains beautiful, full-colored photos of antique paper filigree pieces and historical information on the art of paper filigree.

Because of the continued demand for this booklet, which is out of print, Mindy decided to offer it as an electronic document. I received the file in my in-box yesterday and immediately contacted them for permission to upload it to Scribd.com, a file sharing site. Florian-Papp graciously extended permission...and the result is that everybody has instant access to this wonderful resource.


Enjoy!

Rolled Scrolled Crimped & Folded

Spring cleaning

I suffered a small blog disaster a few days ago, hit the wrong button and erased my customized 3-panel template.

ouch!

So I tidied things up and revamped. Inspired by Ann's new blog, I wanted a cleaner look, too! Visitors should now be able to move around without bumping their shins, metaphorically speaking, on all those columns and widgets I had crammed in here.

Do you like it? Do you miss something I deleted? Let me know, and I'll try to add it back just for you! Will be tweaking things a bit in the day ahead.

The header is a variation of my best-selling design, Dragonfly & Vine. The 'side view' photo really captures the 3-D nature of paper filigree art.

It's a technique gleaned from Tracy Belair Gaito, who captures her work using distinctive, unusual camera angles. Her photos are some of the best I have seen with a very fresh, engaging perspective instead of the same old straight-on shot -- my default method.

So I've been trying to follow Tracy's lead and select different perspectives to accent unique details, as on this 50th anniversary mat gifted to my aunt and uncle several years ago.

Here's the straight-on view.


The drawback to angled views is you need a number of photos to show the entire piece, and even then it's often difficult to visualize the entire piece as a whole. So there is a place for both approaches.

Which do you find more appealing?

Visit Tracy's website to see more examples, particularly numbers 11, 17, 18 & 19 in her slide show. I would have shared those photos here, but I didn't want to wait for her permission to use them (and wouldn't violate her copyright by posting them without her okay). It's easier to just send you on over to visit her directly!

Got any great photo tips to share?
Would love to hear them!

New Blogger!

For those interested in paper filigree and paper arts in general, great news....Ann Martin has joined the ranks of bloggers!

From Give It A Twirl

Besides being a very accomplished paper filigree artist, Ann's card designs have been published in a number of popular card-making magazines and a soon-to-be-available book by Tanya Fox (mentioned in previous post). She's been featured in a short segment on a HGTV show (I forgot which one) as well as having her work on exhibit at the Brandywine Museum in Chadds Ford, PA.

She has an affinity for all paper arts but is interested in 'the arts' in general, has a number of favorite vocal artists she has followed for years, is interested in fashions, dancing, cinema, theater, literature, new trends, etc. She has a practiced eye for balance and form, and a minimalistic style that I find very appealing.

Because her interests are so wide and varied, she is a delightful conversationalist (even via IM!). She has shared links to her internet 'finds' for years and has sent me to some very amazing artists and places.

I am expecting the same sort of inspiration and sense of 'joy in discovery' on her blog and urge readers to pop right over for a visit. Just click on her name under "Paper Filigree Artists" on the right sidebar.

New Books!

My creative endeavors have been placed on the back burner for several months now.

But, like the green shoots poking up in my flower beds, my creative side is beginning to stir and awaken.

Part of that is due to the sunshine of inspiration, in the form of two new books on card making. Oh my! (I can't bring myself to type the cliche that comes to mind, so I made a graphic instead...can you figure it out?)

So which books have my creative muse a-tremble?


10-Minute Cards to Give and Share

photos from Amazon.com

Cardmakers Sketch Book: Outlines for Fast & Fun Card Designs

Both books are edited by Tanya Fox and has she ever put together a great selection of card designs!
A number of the 10-minute cards would require longer if you have to make some of the elements at the same time. Many use pre-created pieces. Still great, great layout designs and ideas.

I especially love the sketchbook ideas as she takes a card 'sketch' -- which is basically a line-drawn layout pattern as shown on the cover. But she shows 4 or 5 different cards. It is amazing how different colors, embellishments and fonts can take the very same layout and make it sooo different. Each card takes on a totally different personality.

Sometimes more time is invested in finding a pleasing layout than in creating the actual paper filigree elements used in a paper filigree card. I fiddle and fuss, trying to find a layout that suits my mood or the purpose of the card.

But no more!

Thanks, Tanya Fox, for some great resources.

And BTW, those in the quilling world will probably recognize the name of Ann Martin. I did a feature on Ann and her beautiful paper filigree art that was part of a special exhibition at the Brandywine Museum last year (check the archives for the feature.) Ann is a contributor in Tanya's upcoming book titled "Quill It Easy." It is from Annie's Attic (you can even download it instantly). Isn't that exciting? (other major book dealers have still have it listed for pre-order).
(photo from Annie's Attic)

I'm thinking I'd better get Ann's autograph soon! She's making a small dent in the art world with her paper filigree skill. And she creates the most beautiful jewelry --you'd never guess it was fashioned from paper! What a gifted artist and a dear friend. Isn't it lovely to see people you have known for years published in books and magazines? I find it incredibly thrilling and satisfying and am so glad to see her gain some much-deserved recognition and kudos. Hats off to you, Ann!

Oh yeah, the answer to my graphic riddle: "So many cards, so little time." See, it was more interesting in graphic form, wasn't it?

A blast from the past

[I'm apply good recycling principles and using previous projects]

In honor of the additional 6+ inches of blowing, drifting snow just added last night to the unseasonably (or is that unreasonably?) large accumulations we are currently enjoying -- that last word typed with tongue firmly planted in cheek -- I share a paper filigree frame design first created in 2003, titled

Snow Flurry

It just seems appropriate.

I loved painting this design. I enjoy dabbling with acrylics and somehow managed to capture a blustery feeling with my meager painting skills.


And I share one more aptly themed frame design from 2003 entitled

Snowbirds

It also features a painted background, but has a more whimsical flavor than my usual paper filigree style. The trees are painted, but the sun, birds and sled are paper filigree.

This exuberant frame was gifted to my fun-loving younger sis, 'Buggie'....so named because
a) she HATES bugs and
b) she wanted a more original name than 'Aunt Lisa' when my children were young.

Buggie - as opposed to 'ant' - was the perfect alternative. Soon the rest of my sibs and nieces/nephews had adopted the new name and it still sticks.

Don'cha just love nicknames that take on a life of their own?

I'd love to hear about yours!

And I hope you enjoy whatever surprises the day holds for you. I was hoping mine won't include any more snow, but a glance out the window confirms that was a vain hope indeed.

Let the countdown begin!

Christmas Day box close-up

In November 2007 the girls and I selected some lovely coordinated ribbons and papers at Paper Pals (blog) many from the 2007 Bo Bunny line. The project was begun in December 2007, but holiday bustle shoved it back into a box where it sat all year. Last weekend, the girls and I dug it out and had loads of fun creating this coundown calendar for our fridge. These are small jewelry boxes (approx. 2.5' x 3.5') with a round magnet glued on each lid. The bottom of the box was covered with papers and decorated.I was the source for some of the ideas and a little technique help, but the girls did most of the work. Out of 25 boxes, I only did 4 (creator's initial is marked by each box) and managed to sneak in a little paper filigree. I plan to add a sprig of paper filigree holly inside each box, but its not a high priority with all the other decorating to do this weekend.


Each day the girls open a new box to discover the Christmas preparation activity for that day. The December date is located on the inside. The outside numbers count down to Christmas.

We are so excited to add a new twist to our family's Christmas traditions.

Introducing....

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Higley
July 26, 2008

(photo by the talented Isaiah Eyre)

Here is the bride with her bridesmaids right before the bridal march. You can glimpse the paper filigree embellished keepsake box in Sarah's hands, made by moi. Rather than using the traditional pillow, their rings were nestled on red lining inside.
It is covered with red folded roses and tendrils and I will get a close up picture soon.
Still in recovery stage from the craziness leading up to the wedding, but plan to be back into the groove by next week. Until then, here is a pic of our newly expanded family.

Rendezvous for Kids 2008

We had another fun and fabulous time hosting an Art Stop Tent at Moscow Rendezvous for Kids, 2008!
With only 8 spots available, my table was full almost constantly. Over 300 particpants were registered for activities for Thurs. and Friday, though we saw only a fraction of that number simply because our table couldn't accommodate many at a time and the kids tended to stay longer as they work on their quilled designs, so turnover wasn't quite as fast.

Though many kids enjoyed their introduction to paper filigree, there are usually a handful that really "catch the fever." One little gal in particular on Thursday seemed to have a natural affinity with the colored strips. But on Friday morning, she came up to me and said,
"I'm really mad at you!"
"Oh honey, why is that?" I asked, somewhat taken aback.
"Because, last night I had to go and get this!" And she held up the quilling tool she just purchased so she could continue her explorations on her own.

Now that's a success story!!

I promised to post the patterns that were used, and I will be working on making them a bit simpler to understand since I'm not there to help step-by-step. Until I get them all edited, here is a simple pattern.

Patterns are based upon the sampler pack, generously provided by Quilled Creations (look for a future blog post feature on this great supplier!). Strip lengths in the pack are 8" long.

Bookworm:




Click on picture for larger view and print off if you prefer to have a hard copy.

I hope you will check back to get the rest of the patterns as soon as I get them re-written.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips for new Quillers:

These tips are considered pretty common knowledge, but I am sharing them for the benefit of new quillers. Some of these things are very small details, but it is often the small details that make the difference in the overall level of artistry in a piece of quilling.

-Always tear your paper rather than cutting. I do have several friends who prefer to have a cut end where they start rolling their coils, (they think it gives a neater appearance). But always glue a torn end when finishing a coil. The feathered edge of the tear blends better into the coil than a cut edge after gluing and prevents a distinct line from being noticed.

-Use only the tiniest amount of glue to hold your coil ends, and also when gluing a quilled piece to a mount (card background, mat, etc). If you see shiny spots around the base of your quilling once everything is dry, you are using too much glue.

-If your coil tension is too tight, you can encourage it to relax a bit by 'huffing' on it. Place the coil in your cupped hands, and breathe on it like you were trying to fog up a window, then shake it around a little inside your hands. And next time, don't squeeze quite so hard as you roll your coil!

-Try to maintain even tension as you roll a strip. This will create the uniform, even coiling which is so attractive to the eye.

------------------------------------------------------------

Annie and I hope to see many familiar faces again next year and are delighted that you stopped by to give paper filigree a twirl!

Let us know in the comment section which pattern you really want us to get posted!

New Listings at Etsy

Here are two of the latest listings in my Etsy shop:














Rose Picket Magnet











Victorian Magnet

Though only 2" x 3", this gem has over 130 paper filigree pieces on it and required hours of effort!








A new item will be added daily (well, that's my intention anyway!) Thanks for looking!

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful....

...Cover Girl!

(thanks to Ann Martin for inspiring the title;
please see disclaimer at end)

"Paula Bauer
of Gem State Quilling is a very talented artist. Her quilling/ paper filigree designs are an exquisite display of this lost art which requires a good eye for detail, a lot of time and patience."

Gail Gastelu
aka Lady Gayle
Publisher/Editor in Chief
The Tea House Times
www.theteahousetimes.com

Through an extra-ordinary turn of events last month (many thanks to Gail, Vic...and God!) I was blessed with an opportunity to share a simple paper filigree project for a well-known tea publication, The Tea House Times. The project soon morphed into a possible cover feature due to deadline issues. But the hold-up was resolved, and I was expecting to simply appear within the July/Aug issue in the project section. Exciting enough as it is, and yes, a little intimidating!

So when my friend, Vic, from Victorian Heart Shoppe sent me a congratulatory email with a link to the Tea House Times website ...

WOW!

Guess who's grinning?!

If you are a tea aficionado, you really need to visit Lady Gayle's website and subscribe to The Tea House Times. Enthusiastic comments and praises from devoted readers abound! And there is much to delight those who love the Victorian and Edwardian eras, shabby chic and cottage style decor, or are interested in the oft-neglected social graces of a bygone era. Besides, Gail reports herself to be passionate about paper filigree...it just doesn't get any better than that!


DISCLAIMER:
I'll admit, this post title was misleading on a number of fronts:

• I'm not on the cover, so technically I'm not a Cover Girl...not even in dreams.

But one of my custom-created journals IS featured...close enough?

• The trellis design was not easy or breezy. It was a challenge, especially the cursive lettering, which was done with a continuous strip of quilling paper. Try it sometime if you are desiring challenge some lazy afternoon.

• I have to let my readers make their own determination on the beautiful part. Like a mother of much-loved children, it is difficult to be objective about one's creative 'offspring,' especially when heart and soul are invested. This particular creation ranks as a favorite child. Actually, the owner of this journal commissioned some large embellished frames also, which are my other most-favored pieces. Occasionally, an individual lights a fire when he/she shares a vision for a custom piece, inspiring the artist in an unusual way. Ruth Welter has done that for me...and continues to inspire through her beautiful cottage-style painted pieces and exquisite egg art.

Sending a heartfelt 'thank you' to Gail Gastelu, Victoria Otto, and Ruth Welter who helped bring about this exciting opportunity!

Paper Filigree Exhibit

A talented paper filigree artist, Ann Martin, is featured in an exhibit now showing at the Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvannia.

"The Spirit is Quilling: Rolled-Paper Filigree"
runs from May 24 - June 15, 2008.

Ann has a fresh, crisp style which embraces Thoreau's famous philosophy: simplify, simplify. Her work demonstrates an array of artistic paper filigree techniques in her signature style that avoids the fussy frills often associated with paper filigree. I have been an admirer for years, as well as having the privilege of her warm friendship and helpful critique of my own work.

I encourage anyone in the area to visit this unique exhibit, running concurrently with "Beyond Content: Decorative Wooden Boxes." The paper filigree exhibit also features two antique paper filigree tea caddies on loan from another museum. I hear the colors on these 1700's pieces are quite remarkable for their age. What a wonderful opportunity to view some historic art pieces!

The Brandywine River Museum is located on US Route 1, not far from Wilmington, Delaware. (click for map and directions) It is open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

I'd love to attend, but Pennsylvania is a tad distant for a weekend jaunt from Idaho.
If you do see the exhibit, please share a comment here and tell me about it!

A warm welcome to all the visitors from various quilling groups that I see are popping in to read. Don't be shy....say 'hi'! (click on 'comments' below any post for the comment box)

Vintage Father's Day card

My dear friend and fellow paper filigree artist, Heidi Bishop, once created a card featuring a filigree fly fishing lure. I had to try my hand at it, and created this thank you card. Don't you think it would make an excellent Father's Day card?

The small piece of paper with vintage fishing logos/labels seemed the perfect thing to pair with the lure.

I found a photo of a Royal Coachman Bucktail lure (photo source)
Creating the hook was time consuming and the entire fly took a good deal of fussing and precision. You can see my duplication efforts below...remember that I was working totally with paper and glue! It required some very, very fine fringing.









The most difficult part was creating the cursive lettering though...was nearly tearing my hair out to get the curves and sizing even and to get the paper to hold its shape long enough to get it mounted!

However, the resulting masculine paper filigree card was worth the effort.

Few guys get excited over floral cards, but boy-howdy do eyes light up when they spy anything to do with angling. And when they discover it's created from paper by lil' ol' you, it might leave them slack-jawed and speechless!

May 2008 Quilling Club Projects

At the May meeting we will focus on two techniques: ASL (alternate side looping) and Wheatears.

ASL is often used for flowers and leaves, and we will make a few of those as we learn the technique. But with Father's Day arriving before our June club meeting, I needed to demonstrate how ASL can be used for something masculine!


The Father's Day card features paper from Flair Designs. It was a real challenge to fit the featured technique into the design, but I finally hit upon flames around the 'grilled' bratwurst, with little ruffled ends often found on old-fashioned sausages and franks.

The bratwurst was made from sandpaper - another hat-tip to dads. Through trial and error, I discovered sandpaper does not accept a stamped design easily; so we'll use a cri-cut word like 'Dad,' a fitting title like 'Grill-meister' or your own pet name for the father you are celebrating.

The second card is actually a money-folder and features the hot color combo of red/black/gray -- a popular wedding pick this season. It is also perfect for graduates of Moscow High School (school colors: red and black). But it is versatile enough to use for any occasion! The artsy design on front is created with the wheatear technique and solid rolls.

Class date is May 19 at 6:30 to 8 pm. Mark it on your calendars and come join the fun! Bring the usual quilling tools, glue, and scissors. I''ll provide background papers and card blanks. Quilling strips required are red, yellow, orange, tan and brown. There will be multi-color packs available if you need them.

As always we'll have a lot a fun, a little giveaway, and loads of tips and hints to share.

Be sure to call Karen at Paper Pals soon to register! 883-4287 (procrastination carries the risk of class postponement or cancellation.)

If you are interested in a purchasing a class kit ($10+shipping) or just the instructional handouts ($4 via email), please contact me at gemstatequilling[at]verizon[dot]net

Camouflaging the 'oops'

Last night was the Palouse Suzuki Strings Spring Concert. The children did a fabulous job and sounded so beautiful! I love the mellow sounds of strings, the high notes float out and linger poignantly in the air. The final piece was simply delightful, called 'Russian Fantasy.'
Bravo, PSS!

With only 15 minutes remaining before our departure from home, I needed to whip out a quick gift tag to coordinate with the frame we selected as a thank-you gift for DD2's lovely and oh-so-worthy teacher....Mrs. Diane Worthey. We thought Diane might enjoy one of my most popular designs, the dragonfly and vine. (I try to keep at least one item with this design on hand, as it seems to have high appeal for many different tastes.)


Anyway, I intended to just stamp a simple 'Thank You' sentiment in sage green with a small vine motif to echo the frame and call it good. Fast and easy. Right.

But as you know, I have confessed previously to my terrible stamping technique. And sure enough, ...I did it again. I got ugly stamp edges framing the sentiment in that awkward, obviously 'oops' fashion. Now what?

Thank goodness for cats-eye liquid chalks by Chalk Box! I grabbed the sage green and started dabbing and wiping. Soon you couldn't see those unsightly edges, but now I had another problem. All my pre-made paper filigree leaves are in sage tones; I needed some contrast. A Tim Holtz Distress ink pad in 'vintage photo' brown was laying nearby from another project, so the dabbing and swiping began again. With just a few minutes left, I popped down a dozen leaves in a vining pattern, and we ran out of the house with the glue still wet!

Could you have guessed that this was a major 'oops' in disguise? (my daughter snapped the photo enroute using her black skirt as background!)


It's not anything amazing, but I wanted to illustrate that mistakes can be covered in some pretty effective ways!

Hydrangea Instructions now available!

Though not considered 'paper filigree' by a purist's standards, I often incorporate shaped and shaded paper flower designs (using paper punches or hand-cut pieces)

Currently available via my website: (click on title to go directly to my pattern page)

• Wild Rose Blossom - step-by-step instructions to create individual flowers (no project included)
• Poppy Card - step-by-step instructions to create poppies plus project instructions for card
• Hydrangea - step-by-step instructions to create individual flowers (no project included)
• Folded Rose Technique - step-by-step instructions using my alternate method

Future designs to be added:

• delphinium
• hibiscus
• bells of Ireland
• freesia

I am willing to work on other design instructions from my previous work - simply make your wishes known!

Project handouts from Quilling Club classes will also be available soon. They require more detailed info and photos since I am not there to demonstrate in person! Will be working on these in the days ahead.

Anyone interested?

I'm back - I think.
A prolonged recovery from a dislocated right shoulder, the continual rain/snow/gray days, and painful memories linked to this time of year managed to sink me into a major 'funk'. But I am making an effort to regain my stride and am feeling more cheered today, despite the white stuff falling furiously outside my window. Where or where IS spring anyway....or at least some sunshine!!

I just received a recent purchase of some fab papers from a simply lovely Etsy seller, whom I sense is (in the words of Anne Shirley of Green Gables fame -- a fav heroine of all 5 females in this family) 'a kindred spirit.' Here's a shout-out to Damsel Designs!

Another reason for my buoyed spirits was several recent orders of patterns, with accompanying compliments about my designs (always lovely to hear) along with a request to purchase my monthly class project kits. I hadn't even considered offering a project kit, but I would love to do so! But what I am needing to know is if there is widespread interest in this, and also to determine interest level in past classes. Please post a comment and let me know if you would be interested in:

1. a monthly kit including specific supplies needed (estimate $10-15 depending on project supplies, and would not include basic quilling tools, glue, scissors, etc.)
   
2. simply receiving the class Handouts (via email) and supplying your own materials. I usually write 2-4 pages with instructions, photos, tips and variation ideas. (Estimate $4 depending on number of pages/photos)
   
3. a DVD showing all or relevant portions of the class - not sure how involved this will be so am unsure of a cost-- tentative estimate of $15/class, depending on costs of blank DVD's, editing time and time required to burn them). My classes are 2 hours long, but some of that time is spent circulating around offering specific assistance/encouragement while the ladies work.
4. If there are any past classes you would be interested in. They include:

• September: Variations on A Spiral Theme - 3 cards
• October: Christmas Triangle Trifold card (technique by Beate Jones at SCS) & gift tags
• November: Snowflakes
  
• January: Altered Bandaid tin with Folded roses
• February: Fringed flowers
  
  

I am picking up supplies to make a Fringed Flower kit this afternoon, so will have a more accurate price soon.

Thanks in advance for your feedback, and I've noticed a few new subscribers....Welcome! Don't be afraid to say hi and introduce yourselves. Bloggers love to hear from their visitors - it helps motivate us to keep posting!

February Quilling Club - Fringed Flowers

I really enjoy our monthly meetings and the delightful ladies who are so eager to learn and try new things! It's a fun evening out!

This technique is a great one and creates amazing flowers with loads of variations. We will cover five different styles:

- pom and 2-color variations

- fringed with center and 2-color variations




- angle fringed (a la Jane Jenkins)




- zinnia fringed




- scatter mum fringed (a la Polly Wiggins)



Plus, I'll share ways to add extra pizazz to these snazzy beauties...and of course provide a special bonus for all participants. Can't forget the 'freebies' !


Class meets at Paper Pals on Monday, February 18 from 6:30 - 8:30. Call Karen at 208-883-4287 to hold your place. Class fee - $10 plus card supplies to make a similar card. Bring your glue, quilling tools, sharp scissors and 3/8" wide quilling strips from previous classes.

The card below features a 2.5" diameter 'scatter mum' fringed flower paired with layers of beautiful Bazzill card in Admiral, Black Orchid and Smokey.

The large fabric flowers are a fun and fabulous addition to cards. Now you can learn how to create your own large flowers from paper in whatever color or pattern you want.

Come join me for an evening of creative fun!

Free quilling video

I added a short video on the technique of finger rolling for paper filigree. It's two years old and definitely an amateur production, but I hope it proves helpful to any interested in learning to roll coils without a tool. It's located in the right side bar, below my profile info. I'd love to hear if you found it useful, or if there are any questions that were left unanswered. Thanks for watching!

Whipping out place cards

(click on pic for a larger version)

My SIL delegated to me the task of decorating tables for my nephew's wedding rehearsal dinner. Yesterday morning, I suddenly decided I didn't have nearly enough stress in my life and determined to create 32 placecards and 17 tablecards for dinner that night. (I still have the flower girl dresses to hem, but hey...that's what Friday is for!) I'm so thankful for Jacob (16) and Susannah (14) and their excellent attitudes and assistance! At 11:00 am we kicked it into gear and set up an assembly line, with less than 4 hours to get these whipped out. Though I had some folded roses pre-made, I was short over 70. Greens had to be punched, tendrils had to be formed and everything had to be glued together into a lovely whole. The place cards were vellum and were created with my printer...after a lot of trial and error to figure out the best way to feed them. The table cards were stamped with my new flourish stamps and the Fiskars stamp press...just set it up and Jacob whipped out 17 cards in short order, though the center didn't imprint as well as the edges on these paneled cards. It didn't matter as much, since the vellum insert covered the center anyway. Fed the white vellum into my printer in 12"x4" sheets - 4 to a page, which were then cut to size and mounted with glue dots at the top, and embellished with a similar rose motif used on the placecard, but with all large roses. (Man, but vellum smears at the slightest nudge when fresh from the printer!)

Turned out pretty swell for a slap-dash project and added a lovely touch of elegance to the tables. Many of the guests brought theirs home, which is always a nice compliment! I saved the cards left behind and will 'pirate' the rose motif off those for some other occasion. That is the other advantage to using vellum....the pieces actually can be peeled off without too much trouble.