When I began card making a few years ago it was all about the coloring.  Bu these days I am trying to expand my skill set and expand into the lands of decorative dies and paper layering.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not going to be selling my markers any time soon, however, this new world is increasingly more fun sometimes.

Today, I am playing around with some of these decorative dies, a new set from Elizabeth Craft Designs and designer Joset van de Burgt.  The new Party Lanterns die set is so versatile, allowing you to do a bold and bright theme, or subtle as I have done today.

Step 1:  Die cut the five lanterns out of Pale Peach and Cafe au Lait Soft Finish Paper.

Step 2: Using copics add shading to one side of the under lantern piece.  I used W5, W3, and W1 to create the shadow.

Step 3:  Using the reverse colors, add the topper die cut to the bottom using Kids Craft Glue.

Step 4:  Repeat steps 1-3 using Mustard and Dove Grey Soft Finish Cardstock.

Step 5:  Paint some Kids Craft Glue into the openings, and sprinkle some Cool Diamond Silk Microfine Glitter into the openings.

Step 6:  Die cut a piece of Relax in the Garden printed paper using the large Dashing Squares die set.

Step 7:  String some black thread along the printed paper and adhere to the back with some double side adhesive.

Step 8:  Adhere the printed paper to a 6″x12″ cut and folded piece of Cafe au Lait Soft Finish Cardstock.

Step 9:  Using some 3 dimensional tape adhere the lanterns onto the card and attach the lantern hanger using Kids Craft Glue, string it through the string.

Step 10:  Die cut the sentiment ‘celebrate’ from the Words 1- Celebration die set in Pale Peach Soft Finish Cardstock.

Step 11:  Touch a little bit of copics to help add dimension to the letters.  Adhere to the card with Kids Craft Glue.

I hope you are enjoying these projects where I step back from coloring a little bit and explore more paper piecing.