Announcing: "Strong" by Authentique Paper

Extraordinary, smart, protective and steady...whether a growing boy or father, men are paramount figures in our lives. This year, we wanted to create special collections for mothers and fathers, hence our “Grace” and “Strong” companion collections. Father’s Day collections are rare, and since we receive numerous requests for rich, nostalgic masculine designs, we did not want to overlook fathers and sons. The myriad of paper accents and designs suitable for all ages, provide multiple options for creating cards, projects, albums and gifts centered around fathers and sons. Act fast... our masculine collection “Loyal” released last year at this time sold out very quickly!

“Strong” is printed on a special textured crisscross finish to add a masculine touch...custom texture only available at Authentique Paper!

"Strong" also features a 6x6 AND 8x8 bundle (paper pad) - so take your pick! Each size has it's benefits, it's really up to you, but either way, the "bundle" is a MUST have!

Collection kits allow you to grab and go - included in this kit is an EXCLUSIVE 12x12 Details & 12x8 Elements sticker - the only way to get these intricate, perfectly color-matched stickers is inside the kit!

This collection wouldn't be complete without coordinating die cuts!

"Mini Notes" - Add a personal note to any project, card or creation...just over 3" wide, we think these are a great size!

"Stamp Blocks" - Personalize with a sentiment or phrase...imagine the possibilities!

"Frames & Corners" - Highlight photos whether big or small (overall size of this item is almost 6" wide). Don't forget they are double sided too!

"Titles & Phrases" - Theme your project by adding the perfect title or phrase!

"Hinges & Tabs" - How can you not swoon over hinges and tabs? Add the perfect edge to your creation!

"Circles & Scallops" - Great for layering and adding a little pop!

See below for projects created with "Strong" by our talented design team!

Card by Design Team Member Shellye McDaniel

Layout by Design Team Member Guiseppa Gubler

Mini Album by Design Team Member Loes de Groot

We want to GIVE AWAY a "Strong" prize to one lucky fan! Just leave a comment telling us what you love about this collection and what kind of projects you would make with it. We will draw and announce a winner in our "Winner Round-up" at the end of this month!

More fun projects with Kiwi Lane Designs!

Throughout the month of March we have been featuring projects using products from our friends at Kiwi Lane Designs. Their templates and our paper are the perfect combo for creating cards, layouts, mini albums, and much more! 

Today we have a couple more projects to share that were created with Kiwi Lane templates and some of our newest paper collections. 

Loes de Groot created this stunning layout combining paper, stickers, & die cuts from our "Grace" Collection with her Kiwi Lane templates. 

Designer Audrey Pettit combined her Kiwi Lane templates with our "Hope" collection to make this beautiful gift bag for Easter.

If you are just stopping by for the first time, be sure to look through our blog for more projects combining Authentique Paper & Kiwi Lane Designs templates this month! 

We want you to have a chance to experience this crafty combo too, so we are having a Kiwi Lane/Authentique giveaway this month!  

To enter the giveaway:

*Leave a unique comment on this post

*Stop by our Facebook Page and "Like" us

*Stop by the Kiwi Lane Designs Facebook Page (tell them we sent you over!)
*Follow both companies on Instagram ( just search users @authentiquepaper and @kiwilanedesigns)

Keep in mind, you don't HAVE to do all of the above, but the more you do, the more chances you have at winning an awesome prize pack! 

Winners will be announced at the end of the month in our monthly Winner Round-Up. 

"Thinking of You" Cris-Cross Card

Greetings fellow scrappers & crafters!  Kay here with a criss cross card made with the lovely Remembrance collection.  The purple tones with the splashes of green that the Remembrance collection has makes for an excellent project consisting of contrasting colors.  As you can see here, the splashes of green in contrast with the light & dark purple hues combine beautifully & are visually appealing.

For this card I decided to go with a criss cross style.  It's an innovative card that folds in a 'criss cross' way (which is where the card gets it's name) to form a pocket that holds your sentiment.

As you can see, the inside slides out & this is where you would write your message.  These can be made for any occasion & make for a wonderful, thoughtful & personal gift for that special someone.

Here are a couple of more close ups....

Now onto the tutorial!

Step 1: You'll need 1 piece of solid colored card stock cut in 1/2. A 5 3/4" x 5 3/4" piece of contrasting paper & two 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" pieces of coordinating paper.

Step 2: Score the two 12" x 6" pieces of card stock in half.  With a trimmer, scissors or craft knife you will then need to cut at a diagonal from one corner of the card stock to the bottom corner of the center fold.  TIP: The photo came out a bit too bright to see this, but with a pencil & a ruler I lightly draw a line marking where I intend to cut.  This serves as a guide so that I don't cut way off.

You will repeat this step on the other piece of 12" x 6" card stock.  NOTE: when you cut the second piece of card stock make sure you do so on the opposite side so that when you join the two pieces of card stock the two middle sections will overlap to the form the base of your card.

Step 3: When you adhere the two 12"x6" pieces of card stock--this is what they should look like.

Step 4:  Cut all of the remaining pieces of paper diagonally as shown.  Once again I first drew a line lightly as my guide with a pencil & ruler prior to cutting.  I don't know about most of you but I'm very lopsided!  I can never just cut away without some kind of guide!

Step 5: Adhere the patterned paper to the contrasting piece of paper. You will have the other halves of the patterned paper left over.  Keep these for future projects.  NOTE: If you do not wish to have leftovers or if you want your card to have just one design--simply use one piece of 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" patterned paper cut in half diagonally.

Step 6: Take the two triangles and adhere them to the base of the card as shown.  At this point you have your criss cross card pretty much done.  All that's left is to glue it closed & decorate it!

Step 7: With two sided tape (or glue with a fine tip) place one strip on the base of the card at the very bottom to adhere the first flap.  Then take a second strip of tape & place it on top of the first flap to adhere the second flap as shown here.

Step 8: For the inside of the card you'll need 1 piece of patterned or solid colored paper (whichever works best for your project) sized 5 3/4" wide by 5 1/2" high.  This next step is optional--to make the tabs with the brads seen on my card simply take a 1" circle punch & punch out 2 circles--fold them in half, pierce a small hole into one half of the circle, attach the brad & finally adhere to the card.

Step 9: Here's your finished card.  Now just embellish away!

Hope some of you find this tutorial helpful--happy creating & enjoy the rest of the week!

Products Used

Authentique Paper - Remembrance 6x6 Bundle #REM006, Remembrance Enhancements #REM004
Dies: Whimsy Shapeology Dies, Spellbinders
Flowers: Prima
Other: Fabric Flowers, Brads, Mini Birds Nest, Thread, Wooden Bird