Thursday, December 3, 2009

Holly embellishment by Jane Johnson

Hi! I'm Jane and I am incredibly lucky to be guest designing for Whiff of Joy throughout December and January! I thought I would share with you an embellishment that I made which you can use to adorn all those Christmas cards, tags and gifts I'm sure you're busy making! It is very simple to make but looks very effective.

Firstly, you will need:
* some scraps of green card or paper (I used a holly green paper from Basic Grey Wassail collection)

* EK success large retro flower punch (or similar)
* large flat backed pearls (I coloured mine with a red copic as I didn't have any in red)
* embossing tool
* bone scorer/folding tool
* distress ink and sponge




1. On the reverse of your card or paper draw a rough holly leaf to use as a guide when punching.


2. Using your punch, line it up so that you can see your pencil drawing. Line up just one of the petals with your holly outline like so....



3. Continue along all the curves of your holly leaf, ensuring that as you line up the punch none of the other petals will punch into your leaf.



4. When you have finished you should have something resembling the photo below. Do not worry if the curves do not line up, a real holly leaf is not symmetrical!

5. Sponge the edges of the leaf with ink.

6. On the right side of the leaf score a line from top to bottom.


7. On the underside of the leaf add dimension to each side of your scored line using an embossing tool. You need to do this onto a soft surface....I use my sheet of foam pads! This gives the leaf a more realistic curl.

8. To give the leaves a glossy look I have sprayed them with glimmer mist. You can also rub them on a clear embossing ink pad and clear emboss them, this gives a very realistic look indeed! Adhere to your project and where the leaves meet add three half pearls. I have used two leaves on my card but you can of course add more to achieve your desired effect!


Here is the embellishment on my card.



I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and have fun if you decide to make them!
Image: Wee and Reindeer from Whiff of Joy
Papers: Basic Grey Wassail collection
Charm and ribbon: from stash
Jane x

18 comments :

  1. Cute card :) great idea for the holly too :) em xx

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  2. What a great idea could have done with this the other day I was struggling as my holly punches were not large enough for what I needed, never thought of using my flower punch though. I shall be making a batch of these up later on. Gorgeous card love the colour combo you have used. Have a great day, take care Ann-Marie xxx

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  3. Great idea love the card.
    Christine x

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  4. Really loved this tutorial, thanks so much, this will come in handy! =)
    Gorgeous card!
    Hugs, SannaS

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  5. Hi Jane,

    Loved the tutorial I will be making some of these for my future projects.

    Nicki.xxx

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  6. how fabulous tfs your tutorial its great what you can create when you just think outside the box. lovely finished card too. super fun ty

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  7. what a neat holly leaf. great idea..
    love your finished card hun. hugs rachxx

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  8. Gracias, es aparentemente sencillo, lo probaré, gracias a ti por este tutorial.

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  9. What a great idea to use the Retro Flower Punch, thanks for sharing Jane!

    Hugs, Inge xOx

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  10. Great tutorial - thank you!! Love the holly idea!! Beautiful card at the end too!! Juliexx

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  11. What a fab idea for the holly Jane!And the card is gorgeous love those colours!
    x

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  12. What a great tutorial for making your own holly leaves! Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Great card and tutorial. What a clever chickie you are. Will have to give it a go.
    Kylie xo

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  14. Thanks Jane! Love what you've done with the holly and your card is so cute. Thanks for sharing!
    "Hugs" Granny

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  15. Great idea for the Holly!! Just purchased the MS punch which is really beautiful but very dainty!!! Love it thanks for the tutorial xx

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  16. Lovely idea and the finished card is just stunning! Dulcie x

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  17. Thanks for the fun tutorial Jane! I love how you have used your flower punch in a unusual way!!! Love it!!!
    Hugs~ Kim

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  18. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I ran a class mid year where we used holly leaves and a poinsettia. Boy how I wish I found this Tut before that class. It is such an easy way to make the holly leaves. Thanks for sharing. Hugs for Christmas from Elaine in NZ

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