Another Zindorf CASE

Inspiration
I made this card for a friend at work who lost her father yesterday.  I needed something I could make fairly large, so lots of people could sign the card. 

I went back to Michelle Zindorf’s work, and found beautiful inspiration – It gives a calm, gentle feeling that is so often needed in sad times.  Detailed instructions for how to create this card can be found here on her blog.  I’m headed to her class in Texas next spring and I can’t wait!

The ingredients I used are only slightly different, so I’ve listed them here.  The card dimensions are 5.5” x 8.5”, using a whole sheet of cardstock for the base.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: (All SU!) Whisper White, Soft Sky and Blue Bayou

STAMPS: Inspired by Nature (SU!), Flying Bird (CCs Rubber Stamps)

INK: (All SU!) Soft Sky and Blue Bayou

ACCESSORIES: Not Quite Navy SU! marker; White Gel pen; Ribbon; Brayer; 1 3/8″ circle punch; Post-it Notes; Sponges; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Home

Inspiration
I am headed to a house-warming party for a coworker this evening, and had this card in my head all week.  I’ve had the birdhouse image for years, and always seem to pull it out when I need a house- or home-themed card. 

I used the house-warming theme to let me play with some new toys – the Spellbinders Kaleidoscope Pendant and Classic Frame dies, and the brand new iTop Brad Maker tool from Imaginisce.  (Now, all the blogs say the iTop won’t be available until September 1, but I found it at Michael’s just this week!)  I’ve put a list of links at the bottom of the post so you can find more info on all of items used in the card.

This is a card that has quite a few steps and techniques all combined into a single card, but so much fun to create and share – I can’t wait to deliver it in person!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Stampin’ Up!: Bashful Blue, Gable Green, Barely Banana (textured), Bashful Blue Designer Series Paper. Papertrey Ink:  Stamper’s Select White

STAMPS: Stamps Happen, Inc.: English Cottage Birdhouse

INK: Stampin’ Up!: Bashful Blue, Gable Green, Barely Banana

ACCESSORIES: Spellbinders dies: Classic Frames, Labels 4, Kaleidoscope Pendant; Provo Craft: Cuttlebug; Imaginisce: iTop Brad Maker, 16mm Brad Daddies, Small Topper Punch; Other items: Corner punch (SU!); COPIC markers; Yellow Souffle pen (Sakura); Barely Banana ribbon (SU!); Bow-Easy; Sponges; Scor-Pal; Foam tape; Glue dots; Xyron 5” sticker maker; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars), Scissors

Instructions

This card is easier if you get all the cutting done first, then build the layered image, create your bow, then assemble of the card.

CUT THESE ITEMS:

1. Blue card stock, 9 1/2” x 6 1/4”, score in the middle at 4 3/4”.
2. Green card stock using the Classic Frame die - cut and emboss. Before removing the paper from the die, sponge green ink over the stencil to highlight embossed areas.
3. Run a small piece of green card stock through the sticker maker, then cut and emboss the paper with the small corner die from Kaleidoscope Pendant set - cut and emboss. Before removing the paper from the die, sponge green ink over the stencil to highlight the embossed areas. You’ll need to do this 4 times – one for each corner.
4. Designer paper using the Classic Frame die - cut and emboss. Save the frame for another card sometime – this card uses the inside rectangle.
5. Yellow card stock using the largest Label 4 die - cut and emboss. Sponge yellow ink around the outside of the label.
6. Stamp the birdhouse on white paper, then use the second-largest Label 4 die to cut and emboss.  Some of the image will be cut off the sides – that’s ok!  We’re doing layers – you’ll never miss it.  Sponge blue ink around the outside of the label.

BUILDING THE IMAGE:

The image is made of 3 layers: the first is the embossed label, the second is the birdhouse without the post, and the final layer is in 3 pieces: the roof, the bird, and the fence.  Get ready with your best scissors for detailed cutting!

1. Color the image on the embossed label.  Since we will be building layers, you don’t have to color everything – color what will show (the post), and about a 1/2” around the edge of the rest of the image.
2. Stamp the birdhouse two more times on white paper.
3. Color one image completely, except for the bottom post, using COPICs. Trim it closely.
4. Color the additional layer pieces (roof, bird, fence).  Hint: use the Souffle pen for the flower centers – just another way to create dimension.  Trim each one individually (it’s pretty tedious, but just keep remembering you end up with a really nice card).
5. Mount the layers exactly on top of each other using the foam tape.

CREATE THE BOW:

1. Tie a bow in yellow ribbon, using the Bow-Easy tool.
2. Use the Small Topper Punch to punch a blue designer paper topper for the brad, then make a 16mm brad using the iTop tool.
3. Use a paper piercer tool to punch a hole through the center of the bow, and put your new matching brad through the center of the bow.

 ASSEMBLE THE CARD:

1. Use the corner punch to trim the corners of the blue base card.
2. Peel the backs off the green corner die cuts, and mount one in each corner.
3. Mount the designer blue paper in the center of the card using adhesive.
4. Using foam tape, mount the green frame over the designer blue paper.
5. Using foam tape, mount the layered image label on the yellow label, then mount the whole set on the right side of the green frame.
6. Mount the bow in the upper left corner – I used foam tape in the center, and a glue dot on each ribbon loop.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

 

LINKS:

Spellbinders dies	Bow-Easy
Provo Craft Cuttlebug	Scor-Pal
Imaginisce iTop Brad Maker	Xyron sticker maker
COPIC markers	Scotch ATG 714
Sakura pens	Fiskars rotary trimmer

Never Enough Sparkle!

Inspiration
I received a card order for a woman who could “never get enough glitter, all the sparkle you can put into it!”, and this is what I designed.  A little over the top for me, but I do think I achieved the goal!  All the glitter is “embossing glitter” from PK Glitz, as well as the “sticky paper” I used for the small flower centers.  I’ll explain how it works below.

This card has a ton of ingredients, but is still pretty easy – just lots of steps.  Stick with it through the list, and I think you’ll like it, too.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Pink Pirouette (SU!), Whisper White (SU!), Rose cardstock from Core’dinations

STAMPS: Looks Like Spring (SU!), Warm Words (SU!), Flourishes(Clear Art Stamps)

INK: Pink Pirouette (SU!), Certainly Celery (SU!), Tempting Turquoise (SU!), Emboss It (Ranger)

ACCESSORIES: Impressabilities Flowers(Spellbinders), sandpaper, Cuttlebug, Perfect Pearls (Ranger), mister bottle, heat gun, Xyron 5” sticker maker, pink sparkle ribbon (Michaels), Scallop oval punch (SU!), Small oval punch (SU!), Spring Flower Bouquet punch (SU!), 1/8” circle punch, Embossing Glitter: colors are Squash blossom (blue), Burgundy, Honeycomb (gold) (PK Glitz), Quickie glue pen (Sakura), Clear Star Gelly Roll pen (Sakura), Sticky paper (PK Glitz), gold brads, scissors, Scor-Pal, Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch), Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a light pink card measuring 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”, and score it in half at 4 1/4”.

SANDED BACKGROUND LAYER: Cut a rectangle of the dark pink core’dinations paper, measuring 4” x 5 1/4”.  Use the Impressabilities to emboss the flower pattern in the paper (I use the Cuttlebug, but any die cut machine that embosses will work).   Then use the sandpaper to lightly sand off the top layer of the embossed image.

Mix a small amount of Perfect Pearls with water in a mini mister bottle, and lightly spray the sanded paper.  This will give the background an overall glittery shine. Let this layer dry thoroughly – I slipped mine between paper towels and inserted it in the middle of a large stack of magazines to make sure it was nice and flat.  Unfortunately, this is pretty subtle – it doesn’t really show in the photograph.

After it is dry, stamp flourishes in two corners using the embossing ink. Cover one corner in burgundy glitter powder, and the other in squash blossom powder, then emboss with a heat gun.

LEAVES: Stamp the leaf image in green ink on white cardstock.  Outline the veins of the leaves with the glue pen, and cover in the honeycomb glitter powder, and emboss with the heat gun.

After cooling, run the cardstock through the Xyron machine, and closely trim the images.

FLOWERS: Stamp the large flowers in blue and pink on the white cardstock, closely trim the images.

Using the flower punch, cut 3 small flowers to use as the centers from the PK Glitz sticky paper.  For two centers, peel the protective paper off, and sprinkle with squash blossom embossing powder.  Emboss carefully with the heat gun to adhere the glitter to the shaped flower.  Repeat with the third center, using the honeycomb powder.

For the brads in the center, these are made with embossing glitter, too!  But BE CAREFUL – they get HOT!  Use tweezers or an alligator clip to pick up the brad.  Heat the top with the heat gun, then stick it in the embossing powder – it will stick right on.  Then heat it again from the bottom to seal it in.  Don’t heat it too long or it will lose its color.  I made one in blue, and two in burgundy.

After the brads are cool, assemble the flowers by punch an 1/8” hole in the middle of a big flower and the glitter flower center, and joining them together with a glittered brad.

RIBBON LABEL: Stamp the “sparkle” sentiment on white cardstock in the clear embossing ink, and sprinkle half with burgundy powder, and half with blue.  Emboss with the heat gun, and punch it out using the small oval punch.

Punch a light pink scalloped oval, and decorate each scallop with the glitter pen.

Mount the sentiment oval on the pink scalloped oval.

FINAL ASSEMBLY: Tie a bow using the sparkly ribbon around the sanded layer above the embossed flourishes.  Secure it on the back with a small piece of tape. 

Mount the ribbon label to the right of the bow using a piece of foam tape. 

Mount the sanded layer on the base card.

Arrange the leaves and flowers until you find a pleasing layout.  Then peel the backing off the leaves and mount them.  Add the flowers using foam tape for dimension.

Hope you give the embossing glitter a try – it’s not nearly as messy as regular glitter, both for the card maker and the recipient.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Independence Day

Inspiration
Well, I’m a little late getting this July 4 themed card posted, but I didn’t actually make it until the 4th!  We didn’t have any celebration plans, so I decided to make a card to get me in the spirit - I think it turned out very well!  And, of course, we should celebrate our independence every chance we get.

I picked up these stamps at an Heirloom Stamp Show several years ago, and don’t really use them that often, but they are all very simple to use, and create a great effect.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Night of Navy (SU!), Whisper White(SU!); textured ivory mulberry paper (unknown)

STAMPS: All stamps are from Rubber Monger

INK: Walnut Distress Ink (Ranger), Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: SU! Markers (Real Red, Brilliant Blue); Sponge; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); double-sided tape; Foam tape; Rotary trimmer with straight and deckle blades (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a navy card measuring 7” x 10”, and score it in half at 5” to make a 5”x7” card.

FLAG LAYER: Stamp the constitution image on the mulberry paper using the walnut dye distress ink.  Tear the edges – it makes it easy to tear if you dampen the line you want to tear with water using a water color brush.  Using a sponge, randomly pounce the walnut ink on the surface to create an aged look.

CONSTITUTION LAYER: Cut a rectangle of the white paper, measuring 4” x 5 1/4”.

DRUMMERS LAYER: Stamp the drum & bugler corp on white cardstock and trim it closely.

FINAL ASSEMBLY:  Mount the flag in the upper left corner, followed by the constitution image.  I find it easier to use double-sided tape than the ATG on mulberry paper – the ATG is just too sticky!  Finally, mount the drum and bugle corp image using foam tape to create a little dimension.

Thanks for stopping by & Happy Birthday, America!

 

 

 

Stitched Background

Inspiration
Here’s another summery card.  The idea for the background came from a Paper Crafts inspiration book called 40 Techniques for Card Making.  I changed the method for getting the nice straight stripes (explained below), as well as the image and the trim.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Wild Wasabi (SU!), Whisper White(SU!)

STAMPS: Flower (Anita’s); Mini Messages (SU!)

INK: Only Orange (SU!), Pixie Pink (SU!), Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: SU! Markers (Only Orange, Pixie Pink); Wild Wasabi striped ribbon (SU!); Sponge; Bow-Easy; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight (Fiskars); Silhouette digital die cutter (QuicKutz); Sewing machine

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a green card measuring 4 1/4” x 11”, and score it in half at 5 1/2”.

BACKGROUND LAYER: Cut a rectangle of the white paper, measuring 4” x 5 1/4”.

The book suggests using strips of masking tape laid in a diagonal pattern on the white card to create the lattice work.   I had lots of trouble trying to get the lines straight, and the tape laid out evenly.  I kept thinking I needed a stencil, but I didn’t have anything on hand that would create such perfect lines.

Then it dawned on me that I had the perfect tool to create a stencil – the Silhouette!  I used a pattern of squares cut in a piece of cardstock to cut out the stencil for the background.  Then I laid the stencil over the white cardstock, and used a makeup sponge in a circular motion to apply the orange ink.

After getting the amount of orange I liked, I added flowers in Pixie Pink, using the small flower from the Mini Messages stamp set.

Afterwards, I used white thread and a fairly loose stitch to put the stitches down the center of each white stripe.

IMAGE: The image is simply the large flower stamped on white cardstock in black ink and colored with the markers.  The white square is a 1 1/2” square, mounted on a green square measuring 1 5/8" x 1 5/8”.

FINAL ASSEMBLY:  Add a piece of green striped ribbon to the lattice patterned piece, and tie a bow to be mounted on the left of the ribbon stripe.  Mount the patterned piece on the front of the green card.  Add the image to the right of the bow, and you’re all done!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Summer Butterfly

Inspiration
This card is a blatant “CASE” of Michelle Zindorf’s work – I copied her Butterfly Season tutorial as exactly as I could.  She creates the most beautiful work, and explains it so well on her blog, that I had to give this one a try.  Her step-by-step instructions are fabulous, and have given me a lot to think about in how I can improve my own tutorials here.  I hope you’ll go to her blog and check out the beautiful work!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Fabulous Diploma Bella

Inspiration

For a young lady graduating from junior college, and overcoming challenges along the way…  I wanted her to know how proud we all are!  I picked the diplomabella stamp from Stamping Bella just for her.

You’ll see in the ingredients I used 2 kinds of black ink.  Since I colored the image with COPICs, I used an ink that won’t smear – the Graphite Black Brilliance pigment ink gives a sharp clear image that is “smear proof” as long as you let it dry.  I used my old standby black dye ink from Stampin’ Up! for the sentiment.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Sahara Sand(SU!), Bashful Blue(SU!), So Saffron(SU!), Darling Dots designer series paper(SU!); Paper basics White (PaperTreyink)

STAMPS: DimplomaBella(Stamping Bella), Absolutely Fabulous(SU!)

INK: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko); Basic Black(SU!)

ACCESSORIES:  COPIC markers (0, C1, C3, C5, C7, 100, E000, E00, E55, E57, Y17, Y21, G21, B41) (Imagination International); paper flower (Imaginisce); blue button(SU!); lace border punch(SU!); Prism green embroidery floss(DMC); Zots glue dots (ThermOWeb); Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade(Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a piece of sand cardstock measuring 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”, and score it in the middle at 4 1/4”.

LAYERS: Cut a piece of blue cardstock measuring 5 1/4” x 3 3/4”, and punch one long side with the lace border punch.

Cut a piece of patterned paper, measuring 5” x 2 3/4”.

Cut a piece of yellow paper measuring 3 1/2” x 2 1/2”.

IMAGE: Cut a piece of white paper measuring 3 1/4” x 2 1/4”.

Stamp the diplomabella image using the black pigment ink on the white cardstock, and set aside.  It’s important for this to dry thoroughly – the COPICS will smear the ink if it’s not completely dry.  If you’re in a hurry you can heat it with a heat gun before you color the image with the COPICs.

TAG: Cut a piece of yellow cardstock measuring 2 1/2” x 1”; and a white strip measuring 2 1/4” x 3/4”.  Stamp the sentiment using the black dye ink.  Mount the white centered on the yellow.

FLOWER: Using an embroidery needle, thread through the button into the flower from the top, and come back through.  Tie a square not across the top of the button.

ASSEMBLY: Assembly is easy – simply mount each layer using adhesive.  Then add the tag at an angle below the image, and mount the flower with the glue dots.

INSIDE: For the inside, I used a simple “Congratulations” stamp from Hero Arts, stamped in black dye ink.

Thanks for stopping by!

Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude

Inspiration

Early in April, I received a request for a “Jimmy Buffett” beach birthday card.  We wanted to create the feel of a tropical get away even though we still had FREEZING temperatures in Dallas in April!

I used real shells I picked up a couple of years ago on the shores of Panama City, FL, and a sand-patterned paper to get the beach effect.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Tempting Turquoise (SU!), Very Vanilla, (SU!), DSP (SU!), patterned paper – sand (DCWV)

STAMPS: All Night Media

INK: Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: Prisma Color pencils; Gamsol; Paper stubs; Sea Shells; glue; Scor-Pal; Foam tape; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight and deckle blades (Fiskars)

 

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a turquoise card measuring 4 1/4” x 11”, and score it in half at 5 1/2”.

MAT LAYER: Cut a rectangle of the patterned paper measuring 4” x 5 1/4” using the deckle blade. Mount it on the front of the base card.

BEACH LAYERS: Cut 2 right triangles of the printed sand paper using the deckled blade. These triangles are the same size (4” on the long edge, and 1” on the vertical side), and they are cut to be mounted facing each other as shown. Mount the left triangle first flat on the patterned paper, then use foam tape to mount the right triangle to create some dimension to the scene.

PALM TREE: Stamp the palm tree image twice on the vanilla paper, using black ink. Color the image using colored pencils and use Gamsol and paper stubs to blend the color. Trim the images – one including the tree trunk, and the second using only the top of the tree. Mount the tree with trunk flat on the left triangle of sand, and the second tree top using foam tape to create dimension.

FINAL EMBELLISHMENT: Add small seashells below the tree using a clear-drying glue.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Geranium Basket for Mother’s Day

Inspiration

I took a class on blending with COPIC markers a couple of weeks ago.  It was taught be Jen Del Muro (i{heart}2stamp.com).  She showed us this fun stamp from My Favorite Things, and I had to get one for myself! 

I also received my new “deckled rectangle” Nestabilities in the mail, so I had to try them out too. 

Having learned a little more about COPICs and blending, I’m starting to experiment with some stamping inks and different papers.  The image here was done on Neenah’s Ultra Smooth using the Adirondack Pitch Black from Ranger.  It certainly absorbs the color a little better than SU!’s Whisper White, but it will take a little practice not to put too much color in a space!

So – this became my Mother’s Day card design – several moms will get this card on Sunday!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Bashful Blue (SU!), Garden Green(SU!), Pretty in Pink(SU!), Ultra Smooth White (Neenah)

STAMPS: Scented Geraniums (My Favorite Things)

INK (all SU): Adirondack Pitch Black (Ranger),Bashful Blue (SU!)

ACCESSORIES:  COPIC Markers; Pink ribbon (Hobby Lobby); Small Deckle Rectangles Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug Die Cut matching (Provo Craft); Foam tape (3M); Bow-Tie; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a piece of blue cardstock measuring 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”, and score it in the middle at 4 1/4”.

MATS: Cut and emboss 2 deckled rectangles using the Nestabilities dies and Cuttlebug – one green and one pink.  Remember you run it through twice – once to cut, and once to emboss, with different “sandwich” stacks for each purpose.  An excellent reference for the stacks can be found here.  Note that even with these instructions you’ll have to experiment to get the effect on the embossing that you like. 

IMAGES: Stamp the image in black ink on the white paper.  Color with COPICs.  The easiest way to blend colors is to start with the lighter color, then color over it with a darker color, of similar tone, while the lighter color is still wet. Then go back over the edge where the two colors meet with the lighter color again.

Trim the image closely.

ASSEMBLY: Mount the green rectangle on the left of the front of the card.  Mount a piece of pink ribbon measuring 5 1/2” across the card.  Tie a bow, and mount it on the right side of the ribbon using a glue dot.

Mount the pink rectangle, centered on the green rectangle.  Add the image using foam tape for dimension.

Finish the card with a sentiment above the bow in blue ink.

MORE ON COPICS: I’m really new to the COPIC technique, so I’ve been looking for lots of instruction.  The videos are so helpful, and here’s a few that have given me some help:

http://sherrie-cardcreme.blogspot.com/2007/12/first-video-tutorial.html

http://sherrie-cardcreme.blogspot.com/2008/04/video-coloring-tutorial.html

http://sherrie-cardcreme.blogspot.com/2008/01/video-tutorial-wool-you-be-mine.html

Thanks for stopping by!

Graduation!

Inspiration

A friend has niece graduating from Marquette in May, and asked me to make a card.  Graduation cards are one of my favorite – they are easy to personalize by finding the colors or mascot or other fun information about the school.  For this card, I found the Marquette blue and yellow logo, and borrowed the colors.  I think the stamp from Penny Black captures the joy of the accomplishment and the event perfectly.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK (all SU!): Summer Sun, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White

STAMPS: Graduates (Penny Black), Tassel Time(SU!), Cap (Ducks in a Row)

INK (all SU): Basic Black

ACCESSORIES:  Summer Sun and Brilliant Blue Markers (SU!); Uni-ball Gel Impact Gold Pen (Sanford); Scor-Pal; Scissors; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a piece of yellow cardstock measuring 10” x 7”, and score it in the middle at 5”.

MAT: Cut a piece of blue cardstock measuring 4 7/8” x 6 7/8”, and mount it on the front of the base card.

IMAGES: Graduates: Stamp the graduates image on a white cardstock piece measuring 4” x 2 3/4”.  Mount it on a yellow cardstock piece measuring 4 1/8” x 2 7/8”.

Congratulations: Stamp the sentiment on white cardstock, and color the cap and diploma using the markers.  Trim around the image closely, and then mount it on yellow cardstock, and trim it again.

Cap / Diploma: Stamp the cap and diploma on white cardstock and trim closely.

ASSEMBLY: Mount the graduates image at an angle in the center of the blue mat on the base card.  Add the sentiment in the lower right corner, and the cap and diploma in the upper left corner.

INSIDE: For the inside, choose an appropriate sentiment.  I used a stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms that quote Thoreau:  “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!  Live the life you have imagined.”

Thanks for stopping by!

Hummingbird Dreams

Inspiration

For this card, I found inspiration on the gallery of “bossbuddy” on Splitcoast.  She made a beautiful card that I had to try.

I changed the colors based on those used in the Walk in the Park designer series paper from SU!, and I used the hummingbird stamp that comes with the Dream A Little set.  I loved the original, and I like my result, too!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK (all SU!): Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral, Very Vanilla, Walk in the Park DSP

STAMPS: Dream a Little (SU!)

INK (all SU): Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze

ACCESSORIES:  Post-It notes (3M); Gelly Roll Clear Star sparkle pen; Colored pencils (Prisma Color); Gamsol; paper stubs (Hobby Lobby); Gel Ivory ribbon (Ribbon Retreat); Sizzix Top Note die (SU!); Foam tape (3M); Cuttlebug Die Cut matching (Provo Craft); Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight and pinking blades (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a piece of blue cardstock measuring 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”, and score it in the middle at 4 1/4”.

MATS: Using the pinking blade, cut a piece of patterned paper measuring 5 1/4” x 4”.   Using the Cuttlebug and Top Note die, cut a coral die cut, and a vanilla one.  Trim the vanilla one just inside the border line allowing it to fit on the coral die cut.

IMAGES: Stamp the large flower on the vanilla top note die cut in coral ink.  Stamp the same flower on 2 Post-It notes, then cut each one out to use as masks.  Place the masks over the flowers on the die cut.

Stamp the flowers on stems above the large blossoms, and create masks for these stamps and place them on the images on the die cut.

Stamp the buds on stems to complete the picture.

On extra scraps of vanilla cardstock, stamp another large blossom in coral, and the hummingbird in blue.  Trim both closely.

Color the flowers using colored pencils, and blend with Gamsol using paper stubs.  This creates a very nice, soft effect.

Although it is difficult to see in the photo, I outlined the flowers and hummingbird with the sparkle pen.  I also used a black pen to make the hummingbird’s eye stand out.

ASSEMBLY: Mount the patterned paper on the base card, then center the coral top note die cut on the patterned paper.  The die cut with image is then mounted on the coral die cut.

Add the hummingbird using foam tape in a position as if it is visiting one of the flowers.  Place the trimmed large blossom in the lower left corner, also using foam tape.

Add a nice bow in the middle of the raised blossom.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Easter

Inspiration 
The inspiration for this card is simple – the true meaning of Easter.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Creamy Caramel (SU!)

STAMPS: Everlasting Life (Verve)

INK: Chocolate Chip (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: Balsa wood cross (Hobby Lobby); Mushroom Alcohol Ink (Ranger); White tulle; Scor-Pal; Glue dots; Foam tape; clear tape; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a caramel card measuring 6” x 12”, and score it in half at 6”.

CROSS: Stain the wood cross with the alcohol ink to create a old wood look.  Careful! This is messy – if you have some protective rubber gloves, wear them because the ink will stain your fingers.  I had to use a pumice stone to clean my hands.

Cut a small square of the tulle, and drape it around the cross.  I used a glue dot to hold it in place on the front of the cross, and clear tape to hold it in back.

Mount it on the left front of the card using foam tape.

SENTIMENT: Stamp the sentiment in brown ink on the bottom right of the card front.

Thanks for stopping by!  I wish you all a blessed holiday.

 

Easter Bonnets

Inspiration

I originally made this as a birthday card, but the “bonnets” seemed perfect for Easter, too!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Mellow Moss(SU!), Perfect Plum(SU!), Pretty in Pink(SU!), Whisper White (SU!)

STAMPS: 3 Hats (Morning Star Stamps), Absolutely Fabulous (SU!)

INK: Adirondack Pitch Black (Ranger); Perfect Plum(SU!)

ACCESSORIES: COPIC markers; Plain Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug Die Cut maching (Provo Craft); Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a base card in green measuring 4 1/4” x 11” in green or yellow, and score it in half at 5 ½”.

MATS: Using the Cuttlebug, cut an oval from the middle of a piece pink paper measuring 4 7/8” x 3 5/8”.    Stamp the sentiment using the purple ink in the lower right corner of the pink frame.

Cut a rectangle from purple paper, measuring 5” x 3 3/4”.

IMAGE: Stamp the bonnets in black on a piece of white paper slightly smaller than the pink paper (about 4 3/4” x 3 1/2”).  Color with markers.

ASSEMBLY: Mount the white paper with the bonnets centered in the oval of the pink mat. Mount the pink and white stack onto the purple mat, then mount the whole image stack on the base card.

SMILE & SING! ”In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it,
you’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade…”

Thanks for stopping by!

Easter Bunny Basket

Inspiration

For a little more grown-up Easter basket, I think this bunny makes are really pretty card. 

Here are 2 variations using the same stamp and general layout.  The only difference is in the trim. 

The yellow card uses the Spellbinders’ scalloped circle and plain circle dies, with a simple patterned paper and ribbon embellishment.

I’m still learning to use my silhouette digital cutter, but I’m starting to see many possibilities.  The green card is trimmed with a row of die cut blossoms that provide a nice dimensional effect in a total opposite color – the bright pink really makes the flowers stand out!

Ingredients – Yellow Card

CARDSTOCK: So Saffron (SU!), Lavender Lace (SU!), Whisper White (SU!), patterned paper (DCWV)

STAMPS: Serene Spring (SU!); Sentiment (Cornish Heritage Farms)

INK: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: COPIC markers; Scalloped and plain circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug Die Cut maching (Provo Craft); Scor-Pal; lavender ribbon (Hobby Lobby); Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight and scalloped blades (Fiskars)

Ingredients – Green Card

CARDSTOCK: Green Galore (SU!), Lavender Lace (SU!), Whisper White (SU!), pink paper (unknown)

STAMPS: Serene Spring (SU!); Sentiment (Cornish Heritage Farms)

INK: Rich Cocoa (Memento); Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: COPIC markers; Scalloped and plain circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders); Cuttlebug Die Cut maching (Provo Craft); Scor-Pal; Silhouette digital cutter (QuicKutz); Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight and scalloped blades (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD: Cut a base card measuring 5 1/2” x 11” in green or yellow, and score it in half at 5 ½”.

IMAGE LAYERS: Using the Cuttlebug, cut a lavender scalloped circle.  Run the cut image through the Cuttlebug again, embossing the shape.  Cut a smaller plain circle from white cardstock, and emboss this shape, too.

Stamp the bunny image using the brown ink centered in the white circle, and color with COPIC markers.

Mount the white circle on the lavender circle.

EMBELLISHMENTS (Yellow Card): Cut a triangle from the lavender patterned paper using the scalloped blade on the rotary cutter.  This triangle measures 3” at the base, and 3 1/2” on the other sides.

Cut a length of lavender ribbon measuring slightly longer than 5 1/2”, and another short piece of ribbon.  Tie the short ribbon around the longer one close to one end of the ribbon.

Mount the triangle of patterned paper on the left of the card front, followed by the ribbon.

Mount the image stack to the right of the triangle.

EMBELLISHMENTS (Green Card): Using the Silhouette, cut a strip of die cut flowers from the pink paper, and remove it from the cutting mat.

Mount strip of flowers on the left of the card, and the image stack on the right.

SENTIMENT: Stamp the sentiment below the image.

Thanks for stopping by!

Easter Gift Card Holders

Inspiration
Making gift card holders is great for any occasion, including Easter - a great little item to add to an Easter basket!  This is an easy one to make, and can be decorated in so many ways.

I first saw the idea on a technique challenge on Splitcoast Stampers, and it referred to a video for making this card holder on the Hero Arts blog.  I made Christmas-themed holders for gift cards in December, and they were a real hit.

Here are my Easter versions.

I used my Silhouette digital cutter for the scalloped frames on each card, and for the Easter basket on the purple card.  The rest were just quick & easy stamps with an Easter theme.

Ingredients

PAPER: Solid color cardstock measuring 8 1/2” x 4 1/4” for the outside of the card; Coordinating paper measuring 4” x 12” for the inside card holder.

STAMPS: An Egg-cellent Easter (SU!); Hey Chickie (Cornish Heritage Farms)

INK: Basic Black (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: SU Markers; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Rotary trimmer with straight and deckle blades (Fiskars); Craft knife

Instructions

INSIDE CARD HOLDER: Score the 4 X 12 paper, score it at 4", 6”, and 8”.  Fold the paper inward on the 4” and 8” scores.  Using the craft knife, cut a slit about 2 1/2” long along the 6” score line.   Fold on the 6” score line in the opposite direction of the first 2 folds.  Now you have a “W” shape. 

OUTSIDE CARD: Score the 8” x 4 1/4” card in the middle at 4 1/4”, and decorate the front with a stamped or die cut image.

FINAL ASSEMBLY: Use adhesive to glue the inside cardholder paper to inside of the outer card, with the slit for the gift card pointing outward.

You can embellish the inside with more images, or sentiments as you wish.  It’s a simple pattern you can really personalize.  For more inspiration, here is a gallery with many, many samples!

Have fun getting ready for the Easter Bunny’s visit! Thanks for stopping by.

 

April Fools Birthday

Inspiration The card is for the team to give our  boss who celebrates his birthday on April Fool’s Day.  I’m sure he doesn’t read my blog, so I’m going to post it early.  Hopefully it will make him smile (and you too)!

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK (All SU!): Real Red, Ballet Blue, Garden Green, Whisper White
STAMPS: Card Games (SU!), In the Cards wheel (SU!), Sentiment (Paper Garden)
INK: Basic Black(SU!), Real Red (SU!)
ACCESSORIES: SU Markers (Real Red, Ballet Blue, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Blush Blossom); Sheer yellow ribbon (Michaels); Scor-Pal; Foam tape; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch); Corner Rounder punch (SU!); Rotary trimmer with straight and Pinking blades (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD:  Cut a 12” x 12” sheet of red cardstock in half using the straight blade, and score one piece in the middle at 6”.  Fold the card on the score, and then trim the edge opposite the fold with the pinking blade.

Ink the wheel with red ink, and roll the wheel along the pinked edge of the front of the card.

IMAGE:  Using the pinking blade, cut a 4” x 4” square from the blue paper. Tie the yellow ribbon close around the square, close to one edge.

Stamp the Jack card image in black ink 3 times on white paper.  Color all three with markers. Trim all three very closely.

Mount the card images to the blue square, fanning them like a deck of cards.

SENTIMENT: Stamp the sentiment in black in on a rectangle of white paper measuring 1 1/2” x 4”.  Clip the corners with the corner rounder punch.

Using the pinking blade, cut a 1 3/4” x 4 1/4” rectangle from the green paper.

Mount the sentiment on the green mat.

ASSEMBLE:  Mount the blue square first to the red, then add the green matted sentiment.

Enjoy your April Fool’s Day!

Thanks for stopping by.

Shopping Sites

I enjoyed a class this weekend on using Copic Markers, taught by Jen Del Muro (www.iheart2stamp.com), and got to meet a group of very nice women.  We all traded our favorite craft shopping websites, and decided the info should be posted so we all have the info.  I’ll add to the list and repost occasionally as I find more great sites.

Hope you find it useful!

Website	Products Purchased
www.ellenhutson.com	a) COPIC Markers and Accessories b) Memory Box rubber stamps c) Cornish Heritage Farms rubber stamps
www.carpediemstore.com	COPIC Markers
www.papertreyink.com	Cardstock - Stamper’s Select White
www.cropandstick.com	a) 3M Scotch ATG 714 Adhesive Applicator b) 3M Scotch® 924 ATG 1/4" X 36 yd 12 Rolls
www.7kidscollegefund.com	a) COPIC Markers b) Cardstock – Neenah Solar White Ultrasmooth Classic Crest c) Cardstock – Core’dinations d) Spellbinders Nestabilities e) FlowerSoft
www.ohmycrafts.com	a) Silhouette digital cutter b) Cuttlebug dies/embossing folders/storage c) Embellishments d) Spellbinders Nestabilities
www.copicmarkers.com	COPIC Markers
shop.ginakdesigns.com	Cardstock – Pure Luxury
www.createforless.com	Fiskars paper cutters and special blades
www.paperangel.com	Personalized Rubber Stamps – get your own “Hallmark” !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Easter Daffodils

Inspiration

Daffodils are one of my favorite spring flowers – they bloom early here in Dallas.  When I travel home to Tennessee in a couple of weeks, I’m hoping I’ll get to enjoy them all over again!

This is the first of my Easter cards for you to see – I’ve made quite a few, so I’m hoping to post more than once this weekend.  Hope you’ll come back to check out the various cards.

This card is a simple one, and uses one the very first stamps I ever bought (the flowers) – a classic quality wood mounted stamp, and one from my newest set from Verve – a sentiment in clear un-mounted acrylic.  I love the chance to use stamps that continue to provide such beauty.

Ingredients

CARDSTOCK: Old Olive (SU!), light yellow handmade paper (unknown), Whisper White (SU!)

STAMPS: Narcissus (PSX), sentiment (Verve)

INK: Adirondack Pitch Black (Ranger), Old Olive (SU!)

ACCESSORIES: COPIC markers; Scor-Pal; Adhesive Transfer Gun 714 (Scotch), Rotary trimmer with straight blade (Fiskars)

Instructions

BASE CARD:  Cut a green sheet of cardstock measuring 11” x 4 1/4”, and score in the middle at 5 1/2”. 

MAT LAYER:  Tear a mat layer from the handmade paper just smaller than the card, approximately  5” x  3 3/4”.  If the paper is hard to tear, use a paintbrush and dampen the lines you will tear.

Mount the mat on the front of the card, and stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner using green ink.

IMAGE:  Stamp the flowers on the white cardstock.  When the ink dries, color the image with the markers, and trim it closely.

Mount the image onto the yellow mat, and you’re all done!

Thanks for stopping by!